The Department of Labor (DOL) released PERM statistics for Fiscal Year 2018 (FY 2018), indicating that filed PERM Labor applications remained steady with only a slight drop, and India continued to top the list of PERM Labor applications certified that year. 

In FY 2018 (October 01, 2017 to September 30, 2018), 109,550 applications were certified. As of September 30, 2018, 24,052 applications were still pending with the DOL. In comparison, by the end of the previous year (FY 2017), 87,609 applications had been certified and 38,819 applications remained pending.  

The processing status of active PERM applications is as follows:

1. Analyst Review: 64% of active PERM applications are under initial review
2. Audit Review: 25% of active PERM applications are under Audit Review
3. Appeal: 8% of active PERM applications are pending on appeal

Currently, we have been receiving approvals on PERM applications in anywhere from 1.5 to 3 months, although general processing times are listed at about 2 months on the DOL’s website. 

Review of Applications Certified in FY 2018 (October 01, 2017 to September 30, 2018):

Not surprisingly, India was the top country of citizenship for those individuals who had PERM applications certified in FY 2018. The top 5 Countries of citizenship are as follows:

1. India: 52%
2. China: 11%
3. South Korea: 4%
4. Canada: 4%
5. Mexico: 3%

The H-1B was the top Visa Classification at 68% of certified PERM applications. The top 5 are as follows:

1. H-1B: 68%
2. L-1: 7%
3. F-1: 7%
4. Blank: 6% (Section of the PERM application designated for visa classification was left blank)
5. Not in USA: 3%

Again, not surprisingly, the top occupation listed for certified applications was Computer & Mathematical occupations at 57%. The top 5 are as follows:

1. Computer & Mathematical: 57%
2. Architecture & Engineering: 9%
3. Management: 7%
4. Business and Financial Operations: 6%
5. Education, Training and Library: 3%

The top industry for certified applications was in the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services field at 40%. The top 5 industries are as follows:

1. Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services: 40%
2. Manufacturing: 15%
3. Information 9%
4. Retail Trade: 7%
5. Finance and Insurance: 7%

PERM Applications Received by DOL:

There has been a very slight decrease in the number of PERM applications received by the DOL in FY 2018, but overall the filings have remained steady. The DOL received 104,360 PERM applications in FY 2018. Last year, DOL received a total of 105,034 PERM applications.  Here is a look at the numbers since 2010:

2010: 43,984 total PERM applications received

2011: 67,383 total PERM applications received

2012: 69,738 total PERM applications received

2013: 72,462 total PERM applications received

2014: 74,936 total PERM applications received

2015: 87,644 total PERM applications received

2016: 97,504 total PERM applications received

2017: 105,034 total PERM applications received

2018: 104,360 total PERM applications received

Even though we are currently experiencing a higher than normal level of scrutiny on immigration related cases, I expect the number of PERM filings to remain steady this year. As the economy continues to grow and business continues to boom, the need for talented high skilled and professional foreign workers will continue to increase.

If you are going through the employment based green card process now or in the future, it is a good idea to prepare early. For tips, please visit: Helpful Tips: PERM Labor Certification