US H-1B and PERM processing resumes after FLAG outage: Here’s what employers must check immediately

The US Department of Labor has resumed processing H-1B and Program Electronic Review Management (PERM) applications following a temporary outage of its FLAG system. Employers can now submit new LCAs and labour certification requests through the online portal, which was previously inaccessible due to a lapse in federal funding.

The Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) confirmed that the Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) is fully operational again, allowing submissions and status tracking to continue without interruption.During the shutdown, all H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, and PERM filings were paused, causing a backlog of applications. The department advised stakeholders to remain patient as it works through accumulated submissions.

“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,” OFLC stated in an official announcement, as quoted by the US Department of Labor.How the outage affected employersThe temporary halt in FLAG operations stemmed from the expiry of US Department of Labor funding, which triggered a government shutdown.

This caused both the FLAG portal and the SeasonalJobs.dol.gov registry to go offline, halting prevailing wage requests, LCA filings, and PERM applications. Employers were unable to submit or amend applications during this period. As a result, some filings dating back to March 2024 were still pending as of July 2025, according to US Department of Labor officials in conversation with US media outlets.The outage was unrelated to ongoing system modernisation efforts, the department clarified.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience as OFLC transitions back to full operational status,” an OFLC spokesperson said in conversation with US news agencies.Key checks employers should prioritiseEmployers resuming submissions are advised to verify several critical elements immediately. First, they should ensure that all previously submitted documentation aligns with current requirements in the FLAG system.

This includes reviewing LCAs for H-1B positions and PERM labour certification requests.Secondly, applicants should monitor their pending cases for updates. “Employers should allow additional time for adjudications due to backlog and check the official OFLC website for the latest status of submissions,” an OFLC official quoted by US news sources noted.Additionally, employers must confirm that prevailing wage determinations reflect the most recent guidance from the US Department of Labor.

Any discrepancies could delay approvals. Employers are also encouraged to maintain accurate contact information within the FLAG portal to ensure timely communication regarding application outcomes.What this means for new applicationsThe restoration of the FLAG system allows employers to submit new H-1B and PERM applications without system-related interruptions. The portal supports document uploads, application tracking, and interactions with the SeasonalJobs.dol.gov registry for temporary employment programs.

Employers planning new petitions should account for ongoing processing delays due to the backlog while taking advantage of the fully operational system.The US Department of Labor confirmed that all filings through FLAG are now being accepted, and normal operations have resumed. Officials stressed the importance of checking submission accuracy to prevent further delays in adjudication, as reported by the OFLC.