The federal government may be open again, but for many roofing contractors, the labor pipeline is still backed up. The recent government shutdown in October and early November stalled critical parts of the employment-based immigration process, especially the PERM labor certification step that kicks off the EB-3 visa pathway. Even though the shutdown is over, the ripple effects will be felt well into next year.

That matters to roofing contractors. With the industry already stretched thin by a chronic shortage of workers, any delay in hiring foreign labor through lawful channels can throw off bid timelines, cause schedule overruns, or force companies to pass on new business altogether.

How the Shutdown Froze Part of the EB-3 Process

Most roofers who sponsor foreign labor through the EB-3 “Other Workers” program rely on the Department of Labor to certify their job offers through a process known as PERM. This step is essential: without it, employers can’t move forward with the visa process.

But during the shutdown, the Department of Labor went dark. The PERM portal went offline for nearly three weeks, halting all new filings and freezing pending case activity. That delay alone pushed many contractors’ hiring timelines deeper into 2026, with some now anticipating worker arrivals after the busy spring and summer seasons.

When PERM processing halts, the ripple effects are felt in the field. Roofing companies preparing for their seasonal staffing cycle may suddenly face delays of weeks or months in their hiring timelines. That can mean scrambling to fill critical positions or worse, missing project windows altogether. Even small disruptions can lead to difficult choices: turning down jobs, overextending existing crews, or relying on expensive last-minute subcontractors.

Roofers Already Face a Labor Crunch

Shutdown delays are especially disruptive in an industry where workforce shortages are already severe. According to an Associated Builders and Contractors report, the construction industry needs more than 500,000 additional workers to meet current demand. Roofing is at the sharp end of that shortage, known for physically demanding work, a retiring workforce, and limited interest from younger job seekers.

The EB-3 visa pathway has become one of the few stable, long-term options for roofing companies looking to legally staff essential roles that U.S. workers consistently pass over. Unlike seasonal visa programs like H-2B, EB-3 workers can stay year-round, develop skills, and help maintain workforce consistency across project cycles. That kind of predictability is vital for roofing crews tasked with staying on schedule despite weather, materials, and budget constraints.

What Contractors Can Do Before the Next Shutdown

Now that operations have resumed, roofing companies should use this window to build resilience into their workforce strategies. Start by initiating the PERM process as early as possible, long before you expect to need workers. Front-loading applications gives you breathing room in the event of another government shutdown or other administrative disruption.

RELATED: What the Dignity Act of 2025 Could Mean for the Roofing Industry’s Workforce

At the same time, don’t rely solely on one source of labor. Roofing companies should combine apprenticeship programs, training partnerships, and long-term visa strategies to develop a more sustainable workforce pipeline. And if you’ve never considered EB-3 sponsorship, now is the time to explore it. Many contractors find that sponsoring permanent, full-time workers through EB-3 offers a more stable solution than cycling through temporary labor programs year after year.

Finally, industry leaders should pay close attention to immigration policy reform efforts. The Dignity Act (H.R. 4393), a bipartisan bill introduced in Congress, aims to modernize the legal immigration system and reduce backlogs that stall programs like EB-3. Among its proposals: removing dependents from the annual visa cap and streamlining employer-sponsored visa approvals. If passed, this kind of legislation could reduce processing times by up to two years. A huge win for construction employers who are already playing the long game.

Labor Predictability Is a Business Advantage

If the roofing industry has learned anything from recent years, it’s that predictability is everything. You can’t lay shingles in a snowstorm, you can’t install a membrane without a crew and you can’t win the next contract if you don’t have the workforce to back it up.

As political gridlock threatens to disrupt government operations again, roofing contractors should plan accordingly. The government may shut down, but your projects can’t. By understanding where the labor risks are and by taking smart, lawful steps to secure the workforce you need, you’ll be better positioned to weather the next storm, political or otherwise.