The DOL continued to scrutinize, audit and deny a significant number of applications for permanent labor certification (PERM). Approximately 30% of cases were audited, of those 50 percent were denied. Processing times have increased  significantly.  It is taking about a year for a PERM audited case to be adjudicated and five to six months for a case not audited. With these lengthy processing times, it is critical the employers and employees start planning early for the “green card” process.