PERM Modernization: FLAG System & New ETA-9089

PERM Modernization — The FLAG System & New ETA-9089

IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR 2026

The DOL has fully transitioned to the Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) system. The old iCERT portal is no longer in use. All PERM applications must now be filed through FLAG using the revised Form ETA-9089.

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What Changed With FLAG?

The FLAG system was designed to modernize the PERM process and improve efficiency, transparency, and data accuracy. Key improvements include:

Streamlined electronic filing with fewer duplicate data entry requirements
Direct integration between the Prevailing Wage Determination (ETA-9141) and the PERM application (ETA-9089)
Auto-population of job duties, education requirements, and experience from the approved PWD
Standardized data collection to reduce common filing errors
Improved audit trail and case tracking capabilities for both employers and DOL

The Auto-Population Feature — A Game Changer

The most significant operational change in the new system is the direct link between the Prevailing Wage Determination and the PERM application:

How Auto-Population Works

Once DOL approves your Prevailing Wage Determination (ETA-9141), that data flows directly into your PERM application (ETA-9089). Job duties, minimum education requirements, experience, and special skills are auto-populated from the PWD.

Critical Implication: Your PWD filing must be perfect — because those details become the foundation of your entire PERM case.

Key Changes in the New ETA-9089 Form

Section	What Is New / What It Covers
Section E — Wage Information	Now includes full compensation: base salary, bonuses, housing allowances, and other benefits. Employers must disclose total compensation, not just base wage.
Section F — Work Location	Expanded to address remote work, hybrid arrangements, and multi-site positions. Critical for post-pandemic workforce structures.
Section G — Job Requirements	Allows alternative job requirements (e.g., foreign degree equivalency). Must include business necessity justification where applicable.
Section H — Recruitment	Reorganized for clarity. Captures all mandatory and optional recruitment steps with specific timeframes and documentation requirements.
Appendix A	Foreign worker information and qualifications — links beneficiary details to the job offered.
Appendix B	Additional worksites — required when the position involves work at multiple locations.
Appendix C	Business necessity documentation — required for positions with unusual or restrictive requirements.