FLAG System Must be Used for LCAs Effective October 1, 2019

The Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has announced that, as of 12:00 EST on October 1, 2019, labor condition applications (LCAs) required for H1B, H1B1, and E-3 petitions must be submitted via the Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) system. On September 16, 2019, the public will be allowed to access the FLAG system’s LCA program module and begin to prepare LCAs for submission. However, the system will not allow users to actually submit the LCA request through FLAG before noon (ET) on October 1, 2019. Prior to Oct. 1, stakeholders are required to continue using the iCERT system.

Background on FLAG

In June 2019, the OFLC introduced FLAG, a cloud-based system designed to replace iCERT. The FLAG system was created to modernize filing processes and to implement new features such as digital signatures and automated alerts. More details on the system are available in the MurthyDotCom NewsBrief, OFLC Replaces iCERT with FLAG System (31.Jul.2019).

Online Instructional Tool and OFLC Webinar

The OFLC plans to post instructional videos on the FLAG system website in the near future. The OFLC will also host a public instructional webinar on September 18, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. EST.  Details on signing up for the webinar are available online.

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