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H-1B Visa Submission to Begin With the FLAG System Back Online

H-1B Visa Submission to Begin With the FLAG System Back Online

As the Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) system is back online, employers in the United States can once again start submitting applications for H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, and the PERM visa programs to hire foreign workers. The FLAG system has become live after the Department of Labor restored processing through the system.

The U.S. Department of Labor has recently confirmed that the Office of Foreign Labor Certification has resumed application processing.

As a leading EB-1A consultancy, we are here to bring all the latest updates from the U.S. visa landscape to right onto the screen of your device, and in one place. And, as always, here is everything you need to know about the latest updates from the U.S. Department of Labor.

What are the key updates for foreign workers from the U.S. Department of Labor?

On October 31, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor revealed that the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) has fully restored and revitalized its Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) system. This essentially implies that the employers can once again submit new applications and manage the formerly pending ones for both temporary and permanent employment programs. The update states the following:


“The Office of Foreign Labor Certification’s (OFLC) Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) system is now accessible and permits system users to prepare and submit new applications as well as submit and receive information associated with their applications pending a final determination.”

All the key updates summarized

Alongside this, the update also includes a few other major heads-up:

  • Resumption of all the previous remaining wages and labor certification processing for both temporary (like H-2A and H-2B) and permanent employment.
  • A complete restoration of the FLAG system to allow users to prepare, submit, and receive all the necessary updates on the applications.
  • SeasonalJobs.dol.gov is also live and online now to provide access to temporary job postings under the H-2A and H-2B programs.
  • OFLC predicts higher than usual assistance requests, which can potentially lead to longer processing and delayed response time.

According to a report by Envoy Global, Peter Bade, Managing Attorney, commented the following, which is perfect for a concise summary in place of all these updates:


“It appears for now, despite the ongoing federal government shutdown, immigration attorneys will be able to continue filing Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) for H-1B, E-3, and H-1B1 visa petitions, as well as submit Prevailing Wage Requests and PERM Labor Certification applications, following this announcement. Moreover, it also means the Department of Labor will begin issuing certified LCAs, Prevailing Wage Determinations, and certified PERM Labor Certifications again. However, we expect delays in issuance as the DOL continues to ramp its FLAG system and related activities back online.”

Amidst all the bureaucratic stalemates, this news appears as a light of hope and a promise of some movement for foreign applicants under the H-1B, H-2B, and H-2A Visa Holders.

Being a responsible and ethical EB-1A green card consultancy, we are always canvassing for the latest updates, news, policy reforms, and more in the U.S. Landscape. Bookmark our blog sections to get timely updates and immigration insights with expert analysis.

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