Washington: Bringing aid for hundreds of visa seekers and employers who had been ready to renew their filings, the USA has reopened its Overseas Labor Software Gateway (FLAG) system. The portal is now absolutely operational, permitting purposes for H-1B, H-2A, H-2B and Program Digital Overview Administration (PERM) visa programmes to proceed.
The DoL confirmed that the Workplace of Overseas Labor Certification (OFLC) has begun processing requests for prevailing wage determinations and labour certifications for each momentary and everlasting employment.
With the platform again on-line, firms can file new purposes, observe pending circumstances and transfer them towards a remaining determination.
In its assertion, the division mentioned the system now permits customers to create and submit purposes, add supporting paperwork and entry updates about their circumstances. Officers additionally expressed remorse for the disruption and thanked candidates for his or her persistence through the downtime.
What Is OFLC?
The OFLC handles the labour certification course of required earlier than U.S. employers can rent overseas employees underneath programmes like H-1B, H-2A, H-2B and PERM. These purposes are filed by means of the FLAG portal, which acts because the official on-line platform for submission, doc uploads and case monitoring.
The FLAG portal can also be linked to SeasonalJobs.dol.gov, the place licensed momentary positions underneath H-2A and H-2B programmes are listed. With out the OFLC approval, employers can’t transfer ahead with employment-based visa petitions earlier than the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Companies (USCIS).
Why It Issues For Indians
The reopening will immediately profit Indian professionals making use of for U.S. work visas. Many expert employees and agricultural labourers depend upon well timed labour certifications to maneuver ahead with their visa course of.
With the FLAG portal restored, Indian candidates can as soon as once more file or replace their submissions directly.
Why The System Was Shut Down
Earlier this 12 months, the FLAG portal went offline following a U.S. authorities funding lapse that triggered a brief shutdown. The Dol’s allocation expired round September 30, forcing the OFLC to droop all actions.
Each FLAG and the SeasonalJobs portal had been taken offline, leaving employers unable to submit new requests or modify ongoing purposes.
In line with The Financial Occasions, providers have now been restored, however delays in processing are anticipated. The OFLC has suggested employers to watch official updates for system efficiency and revised timelines.