During a government shutdown, the FLAG (Foreign Labor Application Gateway) system for the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) goes offline, effectively halting all related foreign labor certification applications, including PERM and H-2A/H-2B. Consequently, no new applications or updates can be submitted or received through the system until funding is restored. However, the system has been restored and processing has resumed.
The DOL on Friday, October 31, 2025, announced that the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) has resumed full processing of employer requests for prevailing wage determinations and labor certification applications for both temporary and permanent employment.
The FLAG system is now fully operational, allowing users to prepare and submit new applications, as well as manage any pending cases. Similarly, the SeasonalJobs.dol.gov job registry—used for H-2A and H-2B temporary job opportunities—has been restored to full service.
OFLC is working diligently to restore normal operations and will continue to issue updates and technical guidance as needed. Employers and stakeholders should expect temporary delays in processing and response times due to the high volume of requests.
HSD Immigration Lawyer will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as OFLC transitions back to full operational status.
If you have any questions about this update, please contact our Raleigh, NC office for guidance. At HSD Immigration Lawyer, we help individuals, families, and employers navigate complex U.S. immigration challenges with clarity and confidence. Our firm continuously monitors changes like this to ensure our clients stay compliant and informed.