FLAG System
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FLAG system is the new reformation in the immigration world that replaces the iCERT portal for LCA submission. All of you might have come across the news about the FLAG system. But do you know that the users can link their accounts and form a network using this system?
Yes, there is more to the FLAG system than the simple submission of Labor Condition Applications. Here is everything you need to know about the Foreign Labor Application Gateway.
Department of Labor has come up with a new system for LCA submission as a part of its technology modernization initiative. That is the Foreign Labor Application Gateway to modernize the foreign labor certification programs. The Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) believes that the FLAG system is the Key enabler to deliver secure and resilient customer service.
This newly-modernized portal will help U.S. employers find qualified workers while ensuring protections for U.S. and foreign workers. The DOL's FLAG System includes a transition of the Labor Condition Application (LCA) program, used for H-1B, H-1B1, and E-3 cases.
This new system requires a login for each user, be it the attorneys or their legal assistants. Earlier, there is no option for multiple users to access the same account, but a new announcement from the DOL confirmed that it is possible. A network feature is introduced in the FLAG system so that multiple users at the same law firm can work in the same account.
A network is a group of linked accounts, comprised of atleast one Master account and one or more Sub-accounts. The user of the master account can:
Networks permit you (user) to access profiles created within that network and allow for case management actions to be taken when necessary.For example, if you work for a law firm, Master account holders can invite associates to join their organization's network as a Sub-account or co-Master account. Joining a network is useful because it allows you to create and use the network's profiles to pre-fill sections of applications.
The FLAG system is a part of OFLC's new technology modernization initiative that enhances customer filing technologies. As this system is cloud-based, it allows personalization of customer accounts, form preparation options, and automated alerts. This system will ease up the management of documents and maximize efficiency, which helps in meeting the demand for work.
June 10th,2019:
OFLC is accepting the online submission of prevailing wage determination applications through the FLAG system from June 10th,2019. To create awareness on the creation and management of accounts and submissions, OFLC has developed a series of instructional videos and also conducted multiple webinars on the same. Implementation of the FLAG system also indicates the deactivation of the iCERT portal.
OFLC is releasing various updates regarding the implementation of the FLAG system. On October 4, 2019, OFLC has released a wage calculator tool to assist users in auto-calculating the prevailing wages for the LCA filed.
With the newly developed system and the regular updates from the OFLC, the user may have queries regarding the form filling and submission. Here are some of the tips that can ease up the process for you.
Any user who wishes to create a profile must have a Master account role within a Network. If you're a member of a network, contact the Master account holder to update your account type from a Sub-account to a Master account. DOL allows users to create a profile based on their role. The Employer, Agent/Attorney, and Foreign Labor Recruiter Profiles allow users to store application information in a reusable profile. This information can be used to pre-fill the sections of one or more applications
This system comes with two-factor authentication as standard security. When entering your text message or authenticator app code, you may click on the "Remember this browser" box to reduce the number of times you are required to enter a second code.
Once you submit your application, you will receive a processing FLAG case number after the completion of the processing time. It can be a minimum of 15 minutes, during which the application will be in the pre-submitted phase, after which it will be submitted. Once your application is submitted, you will receive a case number, and you can view the case information by clicking on the case details.
Any user can withdraw a case by visiting the Case Details page in the Submitted Cases table. You can withdraw a case if it is in any of the following statuses:
You can view all your applications with a final decision issued in the Historical table present in the My Cases tab. You can view the PDF version of all the finalized Applications for Temporary Labor Certification and Prevailing Wage Determinations.
We hope this article has given you a clear idea of the LCA filing and submission with the FLAG system. As LCA filing is the primary step in the hiring non-immigrant workers, employers have to be utmost careful in completing this step. OnBlick can be your companion in the completion of your Labor Condition Applications.
It guides employers in understanding the specialty occupations along with determining and suggesting the recommended prevailing wages based on the SOC codes. Once you file the LCA, you can upload the in-progress/ certified LCA in OnBlick, and the system will auto-parse the document to retain the data. This process will ease up the auto-creation of your Public Access Files.
As the H-1B cap season is soon, we wish you good luck with the LCA filing. Do let us know if you have any queries regarding the same.
