As the United States government faces an impending shutdown at midnight on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, healthcare organizations and hospitals recruiting international nurses need to understand exactly how this may affect their immigration processes. While not all parts of the U.S. immigration system will grind to a halt during a shutdown, some essential steps in hiring foreign healthcare professionals may be delayed and this could impact staffing timelines.
At VisaMadeEZ, we specialize in healthcare immigration law and guide hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics in navigating complex visa processes for overseas nurses. Below, we break down which parts of the immigration process will stop, and which will continue, if a shutdown occurs.
Processes Likely to Halt as of the October 1 Shutdown
Department of Labor (DOL)
For employers sponsoring H-1B visas for nurses, E-3 visas, or pursuing PERM labor certifications for nurses as part of the green card process, the Department of Labor (DOL) plays a crucial role. Unfortunately, during a government shutdown, DOL operations cease.
Key impacts include:
- Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) — Required for filing both H-1B and EB-3 petitions for nurses. These cannot be filed, processed, or approved during a shutdown.
- Permanent Labor Certifications (PERM) — Essential for sponsoring a nurse’s employment-based green card (I-140). All submissions and approvals stop.
- FLAG System Unavailable — Employers will not be able to access, draft, or print LCA or PERM records from the FLAG online filing system.
- Filing deadlines may be missed — While DOL has, in some cases, provided flexibility after shutdowns, there is no guarantee until official guidance is issued.
For hospitals or clinics counting on timely visa filings for critical nurse hires, this pause could mean delays of weeks potentially impacting patient care.
Immigration Processes Likely to Continue
While DOL functions halt, other agencies involved in healthcare immigration remain mostly unaffected:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
USCIS continues processing petitions and applications including H-1B filings for nurses, green card applications, work permit renewals, and more. Historically, USCIS has accepted late filings if employers were unable to submit due to a shutdown.
U.S. Department of State (DOS)
Visa interviews at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad proceed normally. International nurses scheduled for consular processing or visa stamping should keep their appointments unless notified otherwise.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
Nurses entering the U.S. through TN visa appointments, or arriving with approved visas, will not face shutdown-related delays at ports of entry.
VisaMadeEZ Recommendations for Healthcare Employers
For healthcare organizations actively recruiting nurses from abroad:
1. File early - Avoid last-minute submissions before a potential shutdown.
2. Track case timelines - Especially LCAs and PERMs that depend on DOL systems.
3. Stay informed - VisaMadeEZ will provide real-time updates if the shutdown affects immigration processes further.
4. Have contingency plans - Consider filing with USCIS for processes still active during a shutdown.
Need Help Navigating Immigration During a Shutdown?
At VisaMadeEZ, we understand the urgency of staffing needs in healthcare. If your hospital or clinic is filing nurse visa applications or green card sponsorships, our legal team can help strategize around delays and keep your recruitment pipeline moving.
Contact us today for personalized guidance during the October 2025 government shutdown.
