After weeks of uncertainty, the U.S. Department of Labor has resumed processing applications for foreign worker programs, bringing relief to Indian professionals and employers who were hardest hit by the nearly month-long pause during the government shutdown.
Reflecting on the resume, the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) announced that its platforms, including the Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) and SeasonalJobs.dol.gov, are now fully functional. The nearly month-long suspension, which began on September 30, had stalled crucial filings for employers relying on foreign talent, particularly in technology, healthcare, and other specialised industries.
“OFLC’s 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,” the DOL said in a newly released notice.
With systems back online, employers can once again file new Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) for H-1B visas and monitor pending cases through the online portal. The restart also includes the Program Electronic Review Management (PERM) process, a crucial first step for U.S. companies sponsoring foreign professionals for green cards. Both LCAs and PERM certifications are designed to ensure that hiring foreign workers does not undermine wages or job conditions for American employees.
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Although the department has not formally connected the outage to the recent funding lapse, several reports suggest it stemmed from the federal government shutdown and the expiration of budget appropriations. For nearly four weeks, employers were unable to file new wage requests or certification applications, creating widespread delays. The DOL has since cautioned that processing times may remain slow as it clears the accumulated backlog.
“We do anticipate increased requests for stakeholder assistance, and this means some stakeholders may experience longer than normal processing and response times,” the department said. “We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience as OFLC transitions back to full operational status.”
The disruption sent ripples across sectors dependent on global talent, with Indian professionals feeling the greatest impact, as they make up nearly 70% of all H-1B visa holders. Employers voiced frustration over delayed filings, warning that the lapse could slow visa renewals, disrupt project timelines, and jeopardise work authorisation for skilled employees already in the U.S.
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As of July 2025, the backlog had reached a critical point, with many PERM applications filed as far back as March 2024 still awaiting decisions. The prolonged delay has left employers in limbo and foreign professionals anxious about their visa status and job continuity.
Labor Department officials acknowledged the mounting caseload but said the agency is “taking all steps necessary” to return to normal operations. The DOL also confirmed that it will keep issuing technical guidance and assistance notices to help employers navigate the resumed process.
The restart of services has brought much-needed relief to thousands of Indian applicants and U.S.-based employers who had been left in limbo during the government freeze. However, uncertainty still lingers, as experts warn that the existing backlog could mean extended processing delays for months before operations fully stabilise.
The recent outage at the U.S. Department of Labor dealt a major blow to Indian professionals, who represent the largest group of skilled foreign workers in America. Government data shows that Indians received more than 72% of all H-1B visas issued between October 2022 and September 2023, a pattern that has remained steady for several years.
With this strong presence in the program, the suspension of labor certifications and filings had a disproportionate impact on Indian applicants and their U.S. employers, stalling job placements, visa renewals, and green card applications that underpin the talent flow between the two countries.