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3w ago

Labor Department Restores FLAG Portal, Resumes LCA and PERM Processing After Shutdown Pause

Employers should expect slower timelines because the agency is clearing a sizable shutdown‑related backlog.

The US Department of Labor headquarters building is seen at dusk on June 21, 2024 in Washington, DC.
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The US Department of Labor has urged stakeholders to be patient while it processes the backlog of submissions. (Image for representation)
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Overview

  • OFLC restored access on October 31, with the FLAG platform and SeasonalJobs.dol.gov now fully operational for new filings and pending case actions.
  • Processing has restarted for prevailing wage determinations, PERM labor certifications, and LCAs used for H‑1B, H‑1B1, E‑3, H‑2A and H‑2B programs.
  • The Labor Department cautioned of longer‑than‑normal processing and response times as it works through accumulated cases.
  • Certified LCAs are required before employers can file H‑1B petitions with USCIS, so restored access removes a key administrative roadblock.
  • The outage began around September 30 and froze thousands of filings, heavily affecting Indian professionals who hold a large share of H‑1B visas, with attorneys now reporting certified LCAs are issuing again.