US Restarts FLAG System For Work Visas: What It Means For Indian Applicants | World News
Washington: Providing relief to thousands of visa seekers and employers waiting to continue their applications, the United States has reopened the Foreign Workforce Application Gateway (FLAG) system. The portal is now fully operational, allowing applications to continue for the H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, and Program Electronic Review Management (PERM) visa programs.
DoL confirmed that the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) has begun processing requests for prevailing wage determinations and labor certifications for both temporary and permanent employment.
Once the platform is back online, companies can submit new applications, track pending cases, and move them to a final decision.
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The system now allows users to create and submit applications, upload supporting documents and access updates on their cases, the department said in a statement. Officials also expressed regret for the disruption and thanked applicants for their patience during the downtime.
What is OFLC?
OFLC manages the labor certification process required for U.S. employers to hire foreign workers under programs such as H-1B, H-2A, H-2B and PERM. These applications are made through the FLAG portal, which acts as the official online platform for applying, document uploading and case tracking.
The FLAG portal is also linked to SeasonalJobs.dol.gov, which lists certified temporary positions under the H-2A and H-2B programs. Without OFLC approval, employers cannot submit employment-based visa petitions with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Why Is It Important For Indians?
The reopening will directly benefit Indian professionals applying for US work visas. Many skilled workers and agricultural workers need timely employment certifications to progress through visa processes.
With the re-establishment of the FLAG portal, Indian candidates can re-file or update their applications without delay.
Why was the system shut down?
Earlier this year, the FLAG portal went offline following an outage that led to a temporary shutdown following a cut in funding from the US government. The end of Dol’s allocation around September 30 forced OFLC to suspend all activities.
Both FLAG and the SeasonalJobs portal were taken offline, making it impossible for employers to submit new requests or amend ongoing applications.
According to The Economic Times, services have now been restored but delays in operations are expected. OFLC advised employers to monitor official updates and revised timelines on system performance.
