DOL Resumes Processing — Employment Filings Move Forward After Shutdown

The Department of Labor has resumed processing PERM, PWD, and LCA filings after the shutdown, allowing employers and sponsored workers to move cases forward again.

DOL Resumes Processing of PWD, PERM, and LCA Filings
Following several weeks of delay during the federal government shutdown, the Department of Labor has resumed processing Prevailing Wage Determinations (PWDs), PERM Labor Certifications, and Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) through the FLAG portal.

Employers and sponsored workers whose cases were paused can now move forward. While the DOL has warned of longer-than-usual processing times, the reopening marks an important step toward clearing backlogs. Employers are encouraged to resume filings promptly and maintain documentation of any shutdown-related delays.

PERM Recruitment Periods and Next Steps
For PERM cases where recruitment periods expired in October, the DOL has not yet announced whether grace periods or extensions will be available. Employers should closely monitor agency updates and retain records showing how the shutdown affected recruitment timelines.

Seasonal and Agricultural Programs Reopen
The DOL’s SeasonalJobs.dol.gov portal has also resumed operations, allowing employers in agriculture and seasonal industries to move forward with H-2A and H-2B recruitment and certification filings after several weeks of system downtime.

Looking Ahead
The reopening of DOL processing is welcome news for employers and employees waiting to advance their immigration cases. With systems now active again, this is an ideal time to prepare filings, update documentation, and move pending cases forward.

If your case was delayed or you are unsure about next steps, Heckler Law Group can review your situation, prioritize filings, and help ensure your case moves efficiently as agency operations resume.