In a welcome development for employers and foreign workers alike, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has announced that its Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) is back in action, resuming the processing of key visa applications following a disruptive government shutdown. This resumption comes after a month-long pause that halted operations across several critical programs.
Who’s Involved?
The primary player here is the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC), a division within the U.S. Department of Labor. OFLC oversees the certification process for employers seeking to hire foreign workers under various temporary and permanent programs. This includes agricultural businesses, seasonal employers, and companies pursuing green card sponsorships for skilled workers. The shutdown affected thousands of employers nationwide who rely on these certifications to fill labor shortages.
What’s Happening?
OFLC has restored access to its Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) system, the online portal used for submitting and tracking applications. Specifically, processing has resumed for:
- H-2A visas: These allow U.S. agricultural employers to bring in temporary foreign workers for seasonal farm jobs, such as harvesting crops.
- H-2B visas: Aimed at non-agricultural temporary roles, like those in hospitality, landscaping, or construction, where domestic workers are unavailable.
- PERM applications: The Program Electronic Review Management process is the first step for employers sponsoring foreign workers for permanent residency (green cards) based on job offers.
In addition to these, the announcement covers related processes like prevailing wage determinations and labor condition applications for H-1B visas, ensuring a broader return to normalcy. The online job registry for H-2A and H-2B opportunities is also fully operational again.
Where’s This Taking Place?
Operations are centered around OFLC’s digital infrastructure, primarily the FLAG system, which is accessible online to employers and their representatives. Physically, OFLC handles H-2A and H-2B applications through its Chicago National Processing Center, while PERM cases are managed at the Atlanta center. The resumption applies nationwide, impacting stakeholders from coast to coast.
Why the Pause and Resumption?
The pause stemmed from a federal government shutdown that began in early October 2025, caused by congressional budget disputes that left non-essential functions unfunded. During this period, OFLC could not process new applications, leading to backlogs and delays for time-sensitive hiring needs, especially in agriculture where seasonal windows are narrow. With funding restored—thanks to a last-minute congressional agreement—the DOL prioritized restarting these essential services on October 31, 2025. OFLC is now taking all necessary steps to clear the backlog, though some delays are inevitable as they ramp up.
H2 Visa Consultants, LLC: Stepping Up for Clients
At H2 Visa Consultants, LLC, we’re thrilled about this resumption and are already working overtime to catch up on all delayed filings, with a special focus on the H-2A program where agricultural timelines are critical. While there will be some unavoidable delays due to the shutdown’s ripple effects, our team is on it—ensuring our clients’ applications are prioritized and submitted as efficiently as possible. With years of expertise in navigating complex visa processes, our clients are in the best hands in the industry. We’re committed to doing everything in our power to minimize impacts, particularly for agricultural cases with early start dates in 2026, which were the ones most impacted by this shutdown.
