On October 31, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced the resumption of its immigration-related wage request processing through its Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) system. This update is especially significant for healthcare organizations seeking to hire international nurses and other foreign-trained healthcare professionals, as prevailing wage determinations are a critical step in the employment-based immigration process.
Background: FLAG System Shutdown During Government Closure
As reported last month, the FLAG system had been inaccessible since October 1, 2025, due to the ongoing government shutdown. The outage temporarily halted the processing of prevailing wage requests, labor certification determinations, and other related wage applications making it difficult for employers to move forward with recruitment of foreign talent.
For hospitals, nursing homes, and healthcare staffing agencies, this delay meant stalled timelines for filing PERM labor certification applications and other employment-based immigration cases. Without an official prevailing wage determination from the DOL, many organizations were left in limbo, unable to proceed with essential immigration filings for registered nurses and other critical healthcare roles.
Resumption Brings Relief for Employers and Immigrants
Even though the government shutdown continues, the DOL’s decision to restart wage request processing via FLAG offers a welcome relief to both employers and foreign healthcare workers. With this restoration of service, VisaMadeEZ clients can once again initiate the critical steps needed for hiring international nurses under the EB-3 and other visa categories.
The DOL has not confirmed whether the FLAG system will remain operational for the duration of the shutdown. However, its official statement suggests a positive outlook, indicating it is “taking all steps necessary to resume application processing” and working toward “full operational status.”
What Healthcare Employers Should Do Next
For healthcare employers eager to onboard international nursing talent, the resumption of DOL prevailing wage determinations means it’s time to move forward:
- Submit wage requests promptly to avoid further delays if another shutdown-related interruption occurs.
- Work with an experienced immigration law firm such as VisaMadeEZ to ensure all documentation and filings meet DOL requirements.
- Stay informed about possible policy changes or operational updates from the Department of Labor.
VisaMadeEZ – Your Partner in International Nurse Recruitment
At VisaMadeEZ, we specialize in helping healthcare organizations navigate complex immigration processes to successfully hire skilled international nurses from around the world. Our team closely monitors developments with the DOL, USCIS, and other agencies to ensure your recruitment efforts remain on track even during unexpected events like system outages or government shutdowns.
If your healthcare facility is ready to restart the immigration process for foreign nurses, contact VisaMadeEZ today. We’ll guide you through the prevailing wage determination, labor certification, and visa application steps, ensuring a smooth and timely onboarding of the qualified talent your organization needs.
