LCA Filings Resume: H1B Transfers Possible Again?

The Department of Labour (DOL) has announced that Labour Condition Application (LCA) submissions will resume from 31 October 2025, bringing relief to thousands waiting on H-1B processing.

LCA Submissions Resume After Delay

The Office of Foreign Labour Certification has reopened its FLAG system for new applications. Employers can now submit LCAs required for H-1B petitions, a process that had been stalled during the filing shutdown.

Questions Around H-1B Coverage

Immigration attorney Steven Brown confirmed that the DOL has resumed operations. However, he is still seeking clarification on whether the update explicitly covers H-1B LCAs. The announcement lists PERM and H2 applications but does not mention H-1B, H-1B1, or E-3 visas.

Confusion Over Visa Categories

According to Brown, some employers have successfully submitted H-1B LCAs, suggesting that the system may indeed be accepting them. Still, it’s unclear whether the omission in the announcement was an oversight or an intentional exclusion.

Backlog and Delays Expected

The DOL expects longer processing times due to the backlog created during the shutdown. Immigration experts advise applicants to prepare for extended reviews, even though submissions have resumed.

Impact on Applicants and Employers

The recent shutdown had forced many H-1B applications to pause, affecting foreign professionals waiting for approval. In some cases, job offers were withdrawn due to uncertainty over when filings would reopen.

Firms Advise Patience

Reddy Neumann Brown PC, Steven Brown’s law firm, cautioned that while LCAs can now be submitted, processing delays are likely. The DOL’s notice confirms acceptance but does not specify how quickly applications will be reviewed.