An audit is a deep DOL review of the PERM case. Unlike an RFI, which asks for specific documents, an audit requires sending ALL of the recruitment and qualifications evidence. It can be random or targeted.
Random vs. targeted audit
Random audit: DOL pulls cases by sampling, with no specific concern. It happens to roughly 10–15% of cases. It does not mean anything is wrong.
Targeted audit: triggered when DOL spots something suspicious — wages well below prevailing, job requirements that look tailored to the beneficiary (over-restrictive), or an employer with a history of problematic cases.
What do you have to send?
Everything. Copies of all ads (newspaper, websites, state workforce portal, internal posting), the complete prevailing wage documentation, resumes for EVERY U.S. applicant reviewed, written rationale for each rejection, and proof of every required qualification (detailed job description, justification for each requirement).
If any ad falls outside the legal window (for example, a newspaper ad outside 30–180 days before filing), the case can be denied.
How much time does an audit add?
DOL gives the employer 30 days to submit the documentation. After that, review can take an additional 6 to 12 months — sometimes more. In 2025–2026, audits have been running well longer than non-audited cases.
In serious situations, the case can be moved to Supervised Recruitment, where DOL takes control of the recruitment process and requires the employer to run a fresh round under direct supervision.