The U.S. Department of Labor has officially resumed processing H-1B and Program Electronic Review Management (PERM) applications. This follows a temporary shutdown of its FLAG system, which was inaccessible due to a lapse in federal funding. Employers can now submit new Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) and labor certification requests through the online portal.
The Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) confirmed that the Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) is fully operational once more, allowing employers to continue with submissions and status tracking without interruption. The shutdown had led to a pause in all H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, and PERM filings, creating a backlog of applications. The department has advised all involved parties to be patient as they work through the accumulated submissions. According to an official OFLC announcement, "The OFLC FLAG system is now accessible and permits system users to prepare and submit new applications, as well as submit and receive information associated with pending applications."
How the Outage Impacted Employers
The temporary cessation of FLAG operations was a direct result of expired funding for the U.S. Department of Labor, which led to a government shutdown. This situation caused both the FLAG portal and the SeasonalJobs.dol.gov registry to go offline, bringing all prevailing wage requests, LCA filings, and PERM applications to a standstill. Employers found themselves unable to submit or amend applications during this period. Reports indicated that some filings from as far back as March 2024 were still pending as of July 2025 due to these delays. The department clarified that this outage was not related to its ongoing system modernization efforts. An OFLC spokesperson conveyed, "We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience as OFLC transitions back to full operational status."
Immediate Checks Employers Should Prioritize
As submissions resume, employers are strongly advised to perform several crucial checks without delay. First, it’s essential to ensure that all previously submitted documentation is fully aligned with the current requirements of the FLAG system. This includes a thorough review of LCAs for H-1B positions and all PERM labor certification requests. Secondly, applicants should actively monitor their pending cases for any updates. An OFLC official recommended that "Employers should allow additional time for adjudications due to backlog and check the official OFLC website for the latest status of submissions." Additionally, employers must confirm that all prevailing wage determinations accurately reflect the most recent guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor, as any discrepancies could lead to further delays. Maintaining accurate and up-to-date contact information within the FLAG portal is also highly encouraged to ensure timely communication regarding application outcomes.
What This Means for New Applications
With the FLAG system now fully restored, employers can proceed with submitting new H-1B and PERM applications without system-related interruptions. The portal is designed to support document uploads, comprehensive application tracking, and interactions with the SeasonalJobs.dol.gov registry for various temporary employment programs. While the system is fully operational, employers initiating new petitions should still factor in potential ongoing processing delays due to the existing backlog. The U.S. Department of Labor has confirmed that all filings through FLAG are now being accepted, and normal operations have resumed. Officials reiterated the critical importance of verifying submission accuracy to prevent any additional adjudication delays.