This document describes the procedures operating locations need to follow to complete and submit the Labor Condition Application (LCA).
The H-1B visa is used for the temporary employment of noncitizens in specialty occupations. The E-3 visa is used for nationals of Australia coming to the United States (U.S.) to perform services in a specialty occupation.
A prospective employer must submit a labor condition application to the Department of Labor (DOL) and then petition the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to classify the person as a temporary worker in either an H-1B or E-3 visa category.
For more information on the H-1B and E-3 visas, refer to the procedures, "H-1B Visa Holder Employment (, https://www.rfsuny.org/media/RFSUNY/Procedures/per_h1b-visa-holder-employment_pro.htm)" and "E-3 Visa Holder Employment."
The LCA must be completed by employers who want to:
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Department of Labor (DOL) require that employers complete an LCA to ensure that the employment of H-1B/E-3 visa holders does not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of U.S. workers, as required by the Immigration Act of 1990.
By signing and submitting a completed LCA, the employer affirms that:
The LCA will not be accepted by the Department of Labor (DOL) more than 6 months before the beginning date of employment.
If the employer obtains a prevailing wage determination from the State Employment Security Agency, the employer must submit the LCA within 90 days. Refer to the "Determining the Prevailing Wage" section later of this document for more information.
The steps operating locations must take to complete and submit an LCA are listed in the following table.
Instructions can be found using the following link: Form 9035 Instructions
Step |
Action |
1 |
Determine the required wage, which is, for a given position, the higher of
|
2 |
Gather information for the LCA. Examples of the information required are:
|
3 |
Complete and submit LCA through the online iCERT portal: https:/icert.doleta.gov. |
4 |
Upon receipt of the certification of the LCA, print and sign the form. The LCA must be signed by the operations manager or designee. Note: A project director may not sign as the responsible officer for the Research Foundation (RF) on an LCA.
|
5 |
Notify employees that the LCA has been submitted. The employer must post such notice within one working day of submission of the LCA in at least two conspicuous locations at the worksite and the notice must remain posted for at least 10 days. |
6 |
If the LCA is certified by the DOL, proceed with the next step of the petition process. For more information, refer to the procedures "H-1B Visa Holder Employment (, https://www.rfsuny.org/media/RFSUNY/Procedures/per_h1b-visa-holder-employment_pro.htm)" or "E-3 Visa Holder Employment." If the LCA is not certified, revise it to address problems noted by the DOL and resubmit. |
7 |
Retain necessary records. Refer to the document "Recordkeeping Requirements for Labor Condition Applications." |
The DOL has determined that the required wage rate is the higher of the actual wage or the prevailing wage. If the employer's wage is below the required wage, the DOL will not certify the LCA.
In order to determine the required wage, the operating location must:
For more information, refer to the "Classifying the Position, Determining the Actual Wage" and "Determining the Prevailing Wage" sections below.
If a new LCA is submitted and certified to extend the stay of a currently employed visa holder, the wage figures must be updated and the employee must receive no less than the greater of the actual or updated prevailing wage for the occupation for the remaining period of intended employment.
Failure to pay the required wage will result in penalties imposed by the DOL, including the liability for back pay and a $1,000 fine per violation. If the failure is found to be willful, the DOL will notify USCIS and the employer may be barred from filing H petitions for at least one year.
According to DOL regulations, the operating location must develop and retain documentation on how it determined the prevailing and actual wage for each LCA and may have the burden of proving the validity of such determinations in the event a complaint is filed. The regulations also require that documentation to support the prevailing wage rate be updated every time a new LCA is filed (every three years, or sooner depending on employment dates).
To classify the position, operating locations must obtain a detailed job description from the project director and review the occupational classification from the Department of Labor's Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT). DOT classifications are available from the LCA instructions within ETA 9035CP.
The job description and DOT classification should be used to determine the correct Research Foundation position classification. The Office of Human Resources is also available to assist with position classifications.
The actual wage is the wage rate paid by the employer to all individuals with experience and qualifications similar to the visa holder's for the specific employment in question at the place of employment.
The actual wage is not the average of the wage rates paid to all workers employed in the occupation.
To determine the actual wage, the employer must first identify all other employees who are performing the actual set of duties and who have the same responsibilities the visa holder will have. Consideration should be given to the following factors:
Other "legitimate business factors" justifying different compensation levels for the same job, such as professional distinction or international acclaim, are also acceptable considerations.
A statement should be prepared and retained detailing the basis used to establish the actual wage and how it relates to the wage set for the visa holder. Refer to the document, "Guidance for Determination of the 'Actual Wage."
The prevailing wage is generally considered to be the average, within five percent, of the wages paid to workers similarly employed in the area of intended employment. USCIS and DOL regulations require that the determination be based on the best information available.
Information may be obtained from:
DOL Regional offices will review LCAs for completeness within seven working days of their receipt and return one copy to the employer. Upon completion of the review, the DOL will return the LCA.
If the DOL certifies the LCA, the employer must submit it with Form I-129 and other supporting documentation to the INS for H-1B adjudication. Refer to the document, "H-1B Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker" for more information.
A copy should be sent to the noncitizen. They may then directly apply for the visa. Refer to the document, "E-3 Visa Holder Employment."
If the DOL does not certify the LCA, the employer can revise it to address problems noted by the DOL and resubmit it.
The labor condition application (LCA) is valid for the period of employment up to a maximum of three years.
20 CFR Part 655 Subpart H — Labor Condition Applications and Requirements for Employers Using Nonimmigrants on H-1B Visas In Specialty Occupations and as Fashion Models
Guidance for Determination of the "Actual Wage"
Wage Information from the DOL Web site.
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