Shutdown Aftermath: Visa Services Resume, Delays Expected

According to reports, routine visa services have resumed after the federal government shutdown ended on November 12, 2025, after a record 43 days. Federal funding has been extended until January 30, 2026, but delays and backlogs remain. Although funding through fees helped to continue some visa services during the shutdown, staff furloughs and layoffs have led to slowdowns, and coordination among agencies is also an issue. Documenting the reason for any delay is recommended for employers.

The Department of Labor (DOL) announced before the shutdown ended that the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) resumed processing on October 31, 2025 of employer requests for prevailing wages and labor certification determinations for temporary and permanent employment in the United States. OFLC’s Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) system is now accessible, DOL said, as is OFLC’s SeasonalJobs.dol.gov system, an online job registry of H-2A and H-2B temporary job opportunities. Processing and response times may be longer than normal, OFLC said.

The Executive Office for Immigration Review provides updated operational status information for each immigration court. For information about a particular case, check the Automated Case Information System online or at 800-898-7180 (TDD: 800-828-1120) or call the immigration court handling the case.

This is posting is for informational purposes and is not intended as legal advice. If you require further assistance or advice relating to the above, please contact our Partner, Catherine Betancourt at catherine@flynnhodkinson.com.