US Govt Will Start Deleting All H1B Visa Applications From Their Systems

The Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) has announced that it will begin deleting records from the Foreign Labor Access Gateway (FLAG) system. This decision is part of the approved Record Control Schedule, which mandates the removal of records older than five years from their final determination date.

Why Is This Happening?

The FLAG system stores applications related to various visa programs, including:

• H-1B, H-1B1, and E-3 visas
• H-2A and H-2B temporary labor certifications
• CW-1 visas
• Prevailing Wage Determinations (PWD)
• Permanent Labor Certification Applications (PERM)

To maintain compliance with federal data management regulations, records older than five years will be permanently deleted.

Key Dates and Actions for Employers

• Deletion Start Date: March 20, 2025
• Record Eligibility: Cases with a final determination date of March 20, 2020, or earlier
• Download Deadline: Employers must download any necessary records by March 19, 2025

Employers using FLAG for visa-related applications are advised to review and save any critical data before this date.

Impact on Employers and Stakeholders

This deletion policy could have significant implications for U.S. employers that rely on historical data for legal, administrative, or compliance purposes. Employers may lose access to valuable records unless they proactively download them before the deadline.

Legal teams, HR departments, and immigration specialists are encouraged to evaluate their FLAG data promptly to avoid disruptions.

How to Download Records from FLAG

1. Log in to FLAG: Access your account using valid credentials.
2. Locate Records: Navigate to the relevant section to find past applications.
3. Download and Store Safely: Save important records securely for future reference.

Final Thoughts

By enforcing this record deletion policy, the Department of Labor aims to streamline data management and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. However, timely action by employers is crucial to prevent data loss. Stay proactive, download essential files, and maintain secure backups to protect your organization’s interests.