The Workplace of International Labor Certification (OFLC) has restarted processing purposes for each non permanent and everlasting employment packages, based on the USA’ Division of Labor (DOL). This comes after almost a month-long pause ensuing from a federal funding lapse throughout the US authorities shutdown.
The International Labor Software Gateway (FLAG) portal, in addition to the SeasonalJobs.dol.gov web site, have reopened after being offline since round September 30. It had interrupted important companies for employers who rely upon international employees in fields like know-how, healthcare and different industries. With the portal now absolutely purposeful, employers can submit new Labor Situation Purposes (LCAs) for H-1B visas, specialty occupation visas extensively utilized by expert professionals and monitor the standing of current purposes.
What did the Division of Labor say?
“The Workplace of International Labor Certification’s (OFLC) International Labor Software Gateway (FLAG) system is now accessible and permits system customers to organize and submit new purposes in addition to submit and obtain data related to their purposes pending a last willpower. We apologize for any inconvenience this may increasingly trigger and recognize your persistence as OFLC transitions again to full operational standing,” the division acknowledged on its web site.
The resumption additionally contains Program Digital Evaluation Administration (PERM) labor certifications, that are step one for US employers in search of to sponsor international employees for Inexperienced Playing cards via everlasting positions. These procedures assist defend US employees’ wages and dealing circumstances.
The OFLC manages the labor certification course of that US employers should full earlier than hiring international employees below packages equivalent to H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, and PERM. Purposes are submitted via the FLAG portal, which serves because the official on-line platform for submitting, importing paperwork and monitoring circumstances.
The interruption disproportionately affected Indian professionals, who account for almost 70 % of all H-1B visa holders. Many depend on immediate LCA and PERM approvals to protect their authorized immigration standing and stay employed in the USA. The shutdown left 1000’s of circumstances on maintain, together with prevailing wage determinations, LCAs, and PERM purposes. Immigration attorneys famous that this case generated uncertainty for employees whose visas had been nearing expiration.
In the meantime, based on India Immediately, as of July 2025, some circumstances filed as early as March 2024 remained unresolved, sparking frightened for employees’ authorized standing amid delayed timelines and potential visa expirations.
