Can We File L-1 Blanket Renewal During a Government Shutdown?

(U.S. employers with approved L-1 Blanket petitions can continue filing renewal requests with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services during the federal government shutdown that began at 12:01 a.m. ET on October 1, 2025.) Because USCIS is largely funded by filing fees, the agency remains open and will accept and process new and renewal filings while other parts of the government scale back.

Companies that rely on Blanket L to transfer managers, executives, and specialized workers from abroad can continue renewals, but should prepare for possible slowdowns and watch for any steps that depend on shuttered agencies.

USCIS operations during the shutdown

USCIS’s funding model—primarily fee-funded—has allowed core operations to continue in past funding lapses, and the same model is in place now. As a result:

• Employers may submit the standard petition package, including required forms and fees.
• Premium processing is available unless USCIS announces otherwise; employers can request it to keep projects on track.
• Biometrics and interview appointments should proceed unless USCIS issues a specific cancellation notice.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, fee-funded operations have helped keep USCIS services stable through prior shutdowns, even when other immigration systems paused.

Important: Continue to monitor USCIS announcements for any changes to field office hours, premium processing, or interview scheduling. USCIS posts service updates and operating-status notices at USCIS Newsroom Alerts.

Department of Labor (DOL) and E-Verify — what’s affected

The shutdown has different implications for agencies that are not fee-funded:

• The DOL is shut down for most immigration programs. That means no processing for:
  • Labor Condition Applications (LCAs)
  • Prevailing wage requests
  • PERM cases
• The DOL’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification will not process applications, respond to inquiries, or maintain the FLAG system while appropriations are on hold.

Note: Blanket L renewals rarely require DOL action, but if your broader mobility plan includes a DOL-dependent step (for example, parallel green-card processing), that portion will wait until funding is restored.

• E-Verify is offline during the shutdown. This does not prevent filing or renewing L-1 Blanket petitions with USCIS, but it can cause onboarding delays for new hires who require E-Verify confirmation.

Warning: After past shutdowns, DOL faced heavy backlogs when staff returned. Prepare documents now to file quickly once systems reopen.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) processing at ports of entry

CBP continues essential functions during the shutdown. For employers with operations tied to Canada:

• CBP officers should continue processing Blanket L applications presented by Canadian nationals at ports of entry.
• Local conditions and procedures can vary. Contact the intended port of entry to confirm hours and any temporary procedures.
• Travelers should carry complete documentation showing the company’s Blanket approval and the employee’s eligibility, and allow extra time for longer lines.

Timing, backlogs, and practical risks

Even though USCIS is open, broader disruption can still slow matters:

• Long shutdowns can cause staffing shifts, mail or security-check backlogs, and delays in steps that rely on other agencies’ data.
• A sudden end to the shutdown can create a surge of work and stretch response times.

Practical advice:

• Employers with end-dated L status should not wait — file early to reduce the risk of gaps in work authorization.
• If a renewal is filed timely, an employee in the U.S. may qualify for the 240-day automatic work extension for timely-filed nonimmigrant extensions, but only if:
  • The individual remains with the same employer,
  • In the same classification, and
  • The extension is filed before current status expires.
• Consult counsel about how the 240-day rule applies to specific cases and timing under your Blanket.

Forms, links, and filing checklist

Companies renewing under an approved Blanket commonly file the company’s petition with USCIS and then have the individual apply using Form I-129S.

• Use current editions of forms and confirm fee amounts before payment:
  • Form I-129 Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker: Form I-129
  • Form I-129S Nonimmigrant Petition Based on Blanket L Petition: Form I-129S

Checklist of recommended actions while the shutdown continues:

1. File the company’s L-1 Blanket petition renewal with USCIS as soon as the package is ready.
2. Use current editions of Form I-129 and Form I-129S and confirm fee amounts on the USCIS pages before payment.
3. Track USCIS processing with the receipt number and set reminders for any biometrics or interview appointments.
4. If any part of your plan needs a DOL step, pre-assemble required documents and set expectations that those items will wait until the government reopens.
5. For Canadian nationals using CBP at the border, contact the intended port of entry to confirm procedures and bring complete support letters and proofs of employment.
6. Keep HR informed that E-Verify is unavailable and follow USCIS guidance for creating cases once the system returns.

File completeness, premium processing, and recordkeeping

Small details matter in strained systems. To reduce questions and keep processing moving:

• Ensure corporate signatures are valid.
• Make sure job descriptions match the Blanket categories.
• Draft clear, consistent support letters that highlight the employee’s ongoing role and the company’s continued eligibility under the Blanket approval.
• If requesting premium processing, include the correct request form and monitor the premium processing clock.

Recordkeeping best practices:

• Set up a single point of contact for updates from USCIS, CBP, and—once it reopens—the DOL.
• Keep copies of every receipt, notice, and delivery confirmation.
• Where mail delivery may be affected, consider electronic notices and maintain a central repository of documents.

Past practice: USCIS has sometimes offered flexibility for late filings where a shutdown directly caused a miss, but those exceptions require proof of a direct link to the shutdown and are not guaranteed. Filing on time remains the safest course.

Communication and contingency planning

• Inform employees and managers that USCIS is open and processing L-1 Blanket petitions, but they should expect slower response times and limited access to some tools.
• Include backup options in travel plans and build slack into project schedules for possible delays outside the company’s control.
• If an interview notice coincides with travel, rescheduling may take longer than usual—plan around critical dates when possible.

Key takeaways

• USCIS is open and processing L-1 Blanket petitions, including renewals, during the government shutdown.
• DOL is closed for most immigration programs; plan DOL-dependent steps for after funding is restored.
• E-Verify is offline, which can delay onboarding for new hires.
• CBP continues essential functions, including Blanket L processing for Canadians at the border.
• File early, use current forms, keep complete records, and monitor agency alerts for updates.

For case-specific questions, employers can contact the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283. When the shutdown ends, expect heavy demand—especially at the DOL—and be ready to file quickly by having documents assembled in advance.