Department of Labor information:
DOL Latest News
July was a significant month for the Department of Labor, with several developments affecting the EB-3 unskilled landscape. The DOL continued its focus on enforcing the PERM program's recruitment requirements, ensuring that U.S. workers are given priority consideration for entry-level positions. The agency also released updated guidance on prevailing wage determinations, which directly impacts the labor certification process for unskilled roles.
Additionally, the DOL's Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) announced improved processing times for PERM applications, a welcome development for employers and applicants alike. This efficiency gain comes as the agency expands its online case management system, reducing paperwork delays for unskilled labor certifications.
On the legislative front, the DOL proposed new rules aimed at increasing transparency in the H-2B temporary non-agricultural worker program, which can overlap with industries that also utilize EB-3 unskilled workers. The agency also continued its enforcement actions under "Project Firewall," focusing on employers who fail to properly recruit U.S. workers before seeking foreign labor certification .
🔗 DOL Newsroom - July 2026 Releases
July 2026
July 2026 BDV Immigration Update
July brought a significant development for EB-3 unskilled applicants as we approach the end of the fiscal year. The August Visa Bulletin was released with notable movement in the Final Action Date, providing a welcome opportunity for eligible applicants. While the Dates for Filing chart remained static, the one-month advancement in the Final Action Date allows those with priority dates before April 1, 2022, to proceed with their adjustment of status filings. This movement reflects continued demand and careful management of visa numbers as the fiscal year winds down.
BDV Approvals (July 2026):
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Green Card approvals: 73
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Labor Certification (PERM) approvals: 83
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I-140 approvals: 30
USCIS Visa Bulletin
The August Visa Bulletin brought positive news with forward movement in the final action date for unskilled workers.
Final action date: 01APR22 (1 month movement from July)
Dates for filing: 01AUG22 (no movement from July)
USCIS will use Final Action Dates for I-485 filings, meaning unskilled applicants with a priority date before 01APR22 can file their adjustment of status applications in August.
🔗[August 2026 Visa Bulletin (Visa Bulletin For August 2026)]