who files lca employer or lawyer

by Dr. Bonita Bartoletti 5 min read

LCA is to be filed by the employer (or their agent) alone as there are attestations to be made on the application. You cannot make those attestations on behalf of your employer. This response is general in nature and cannot be construed as legal advice, given that not enough facts are known.

Your employer will need to file a new LCA at the time of your H-1B renewal. Essentially, every time a new I-129 is filed (e.g. for transfers and renewals), a new LCA must be filed. So, when you are nearing the end of your first initial 3 years on H-1B status, make sure that your employer files an LCA.

Full Answer

How do I file an LCA for an employee?

The employer is required to file an LCA through ETA Form 9035 to the Department of Labor through their online system. However, the employer can also choose to file it offline if they lack internet access or possess physical disabilities.

Why do I need an LCA from my employer?

However, in the interest of protecting the jobs and working conditions of U.S. employees, the government will require an LCA from the employer before the petition can be filed. What is an LCA?

Do I need to file a new LCA If I change employers?

Instead, your new employer will need to file a new LCA on your behalf just like they will need to file a new I-129 should you wish to transfer your H-1B status. What is the LCA validity period?

What is an LCA form?

An LCA form is essentially a declaration by the employer and requires them to attest certain things, including: The employer needs to attest that the non-immigrant worker on behalf of whom the petition is to be made will be paid at par or above the actual wage and the prevailing wage in the area.

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Who files the LCA?

U.S. employerThe Labor Condition Application (LCA) is an application filed by a U.S. employer on behalf of a foreign national worker who will apply for certain types of non-immigrant work visa. An employer generally submits the LCA ahead of hiring workers in the H-1B, H-1B1, and E-3 statuses.

Who files the LCA for H1B?

LCA is a mandatory document that the H1B Sponsor / Employer needs to file with the US Department of Labor(DOL) before they file the H1B petition with USCIS for any non-immigrant worker. This is as per Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to meet the wage and working conditions requirements.

Who will approve LCA?

Current Department of Labor (DOL)Current Department of Labor (DOL) processing time for the Labor Condition Application (LCA), a requirement for all H-1B petitions. Typically, the DOL will approve the LCA within 5 to 10 days. Whether the candidate and employer wish to start employment based on USCIS receipt of the H-1B petition or wait for approval.

How LCA is filed?

LCA Online Filing Using iCERT The LCA, Form ETA 9035, must be filed with the DOL electronically through the online portal known as iCERT. The DOL adjudicates the LCA within seven working days of filing. The LCA may be submitted to the DOL up to six months prior to the requested start date.

How do I know if my employer has filed LCA?

How to Check an LCA Form Status?Visit the iCERT DOLETA website.Provide your application number.Enter the ReCaptcha.The LCA status will soon appear. If the status shown is LCA certified, this means the LCA is approved.

Is LCA filed before H-1B?

A certified Labor Condition Application (ETA Form 9035), is a prerequisite to H1B approval. The LCA must be certified by the Department of Labor (DOL) before the H1B petition is submitted to USCIS. The employer must also document compliance with the LCA requirements in a public access file.

When should LCA be filed?

LCAs must not be submitted more than 6 months before the beginning date of the period of employment. The two exceptions to electronic filing are employers with physical disabilities or those who lack Internet access and cannot electronically file the Form ETA-9035E.

How much does it cost to file LCA?

Question: Is there a fee to file a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor for the H-1B, H-1B1 or E-3 programs? Answer: No. There is no fee to the employer or worker to file an LCA with the Department of Labor.

Does LCA get rejected?

LCA Denial If your H-1B LCA is denied, the DOL will provide you with the reasons for the denial in the notice. It is not likely that an LCA denial can be appealed or motioned, but this obstacle can be overcome by fixing these problems and refiling before the H-1B filing window in April.

What do you need to file LCA?

Those documents include:Copies of the H-1B petitions (and H-1B1 or E-3 petitions, if any) filed with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that relate to the employer's LCAs.A signed original LCA.Payroll records showing the wage rate for all other employees in the occupation at the worksite.More items...

Do we need to file LCA for H-1B Transfer?

Since getting the LCA is the first necessary document to get an H1B transfer visa, nothing else can be done until this part is approved. Applying and getting the LCA takes approximately 7 business days.

Does H-1B LCA have employee name?

New H1B LCA Applications Requires End Client Name New LCA requires H1B employers to disclose whether the worker will be placed at a end-client location including the full legal business name of the third party work location.

How much does it cost to file an LCA?

It is free to file an LCA. It costs $10.00 per applicant when registering for the H-1B visa after the LCA has been certified.

Do LCAs get rejected?

Yes, LCAs can be rejected for a number of reasons. If your application is denied, the Department of Labor will make it clear why. A new LCA will ha...

How do I know if my LCA is approved?

You will receive correspondence from the Department of Labor if your application is approved. The candidate will also receive correspondence from t...

Is a LCA filed before a H-1B?

H-1B is a classification of visa that is applied for with the LCA. The LCA encompasses H-1B, H-1B1 Chile, H-1B1 Singapore, and E-3 Australia.

How much does a labor certification cost?

It is free to submit an LCA. Employers only pay for each candidate when registering for the H-1B visa.

What is the difference between a LCA and a PERM?

A Program Electronic Review Management (PERM) application is submitted for a permanent foreign worker, while an LCA is submitted for a temporary fo...

What is the current PERM processing time?

The Department of Labor has noted that processing times vary by case, but the average processing time for the analyst review is 199 days, and the p...

How do I check my labor certification status?

Employers can use the search tool provided by the FLAG website.

Can you work from home on a H-1B visa?

Yes, you can work from home if you have an H-1B visa. You will need to inform the Department of Labor if you intend to work from home. A new LCA wi...

Can a LCA be reused?

A new LCA must be filled in and submitted each time an application is denied, a work visa renewed, or a new foreign employee hired. However, one LC...

What is the purpose of a Labor Condition Application?

An LCA is the first step an employer takes towards formally hiring a foreign employee. It is an application that outlines proposed wages, working conditions, and proof that the employer took adequate steps to recruit a U.S. citizen for the position being offered to a foreigner.

How long does it take for an LCA to get approved?

It is estimated that it takes a week for LCA applications to be processed, but this can vary based on how busy the Department of Labor is at the time of filing.

When should you file an LCA?

LCAs must be filed within six months of the start date of the period of employment. In other words, your LCA must not be older than six months when your new hire begins work. The filing period for LCAs is in April, so employers should submit their applications before then.

What do you need to file an LCA?

Both the prevailing wage (average wage given for the same position in the same area) and the actual wage (wage given to current employees who occupy a similar position) must be provided, and the foreign employee's wages must exceed these other wage estimates.

What is an LCA Posting?

Employers must post a notice in the workplace informing current employees of the vacant position being advertised. A copy of the LCA must also be displayed to let employees know that the position is being offered to a foreign candidate. The post must include:

Where can I post an LCA?

Two notices must be posted in communal spaces at the location where the role will be fulfilled. Notices must be posted 30 days before the LCA is submitted, and must remain visible for at least 10 days.

Determine the prevailing wage

The Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) is a website hosted by the Department of Labor.

When do I need to file an LCA?

for transfers and renewals), a new LCA must be filed. So, when you are nearing the end of your first initial 3 years on H-1B status, make sure that your employer files an LCA.

How to get an LCA?

To get an LCA, your employer needs to file an ETA 9035 with the Department of Labor long before the beginning of the H-1B filing window. This way, you can avoid the risk of having the two overlap, causing you to miss the filing window. It is important to note that an employer can file one LCA for multiple H-1B employees ...

How many attestations are required for a LCA?

The 4 Attestations of the LCA. In order to obtain a Labor Condition Application, your employer will need to make 4 attestations in an effort to protect anyone who is already working for the employer. These LCA attestations are as follows:

What is an LCA form?

What is an LCA? The Labor Condition Application is a form that a sponsoring employer files with the Department of Labor on behalf of any H-1B employees that the employer may be hiring. It is often one of the first steps that a sponsoring employer must take when trying to hire an H-1B employee. Without an LCA, the employer cannot file ...

Can I transfer my LCA to another employer?

Unfortunately, there is no way to simply transfer your approved LCA from your current sponsoring employer to another one. Instead, your new employer will need to file a new LCA on your behalf just like they will need to file a new I-129 should you wish to transfer your H-1B status.

How long does it take to get a LCA approved?

The LCA is either approved or rejected within 7 days. In case of any rejection, the employer is provided with an explicit list of all the problem areas. The employer can then address the problems and resubmit.

What does an employer need to attest to when hiring a non-immigrant?

The employer needs to attest that the hiring of a non-immigrant worker will not bring any changes in the working environment of the currently employed workers in the organization and that the non-immigrant worker will be provided similar working conditions as native U.S. workers.

Step 1 : Obtain Prevailing Wage Rates

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) defines a clause that hiring a foreign worker should not create any impact on U.S workers conditions and wages offered to them. To comply with INA, employers who intend to hire a foreign worker must offer relevant prevailing wage as per the specialty occupational and skills needed for the job.

Step 2 : Filing H1B LCA with Dept of Labor

After the LCA is duly filled, employers can submit LCA ETA-9035 (Physical application) or ETA-9035E (electronic submission) through Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) system. Most of the employers prefer to use the LCA form, ETA-9035E, online as it is faster to file and processing times is also quick.

Step 3: H1B LCA Processing Time and Next Steps

Once H1B LCA is submitted through FLAG system, the employer or the attorney can check the status of the LCA by logging into the online account of FLAG system. It usually takes around a week for DOL to either approve the LCA or come back with any clerical or missing information issues with the submitted LCA application.

What is LCA in employment?

LCA stands for Labor Condition Application and is the process where the Department of Labor approves the salary that the employer is willing to pay the foreign national employee for the job. A few more things that you would hear about -.

How long does it take to file an LCA?

The usual processing time for the LCA is 7 working days. If your employer is filing the LCA for the first time then an additional week is needed for the DOL to verify the Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN).

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Behind The H-1B

What Is An LCA?

  • The Labor Condition Application is a form that a sponsoring employer files with the Department of Labor on behalf of any H-1B employees that the employer may be hiring. It is often one of the first steps that a sponsoring employer must take when trying to hire an H-1B employee. Without an LCA, the employer cannot file the I-129 petition for the H-1...
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The 4 Attestations of The LCA

  • In order to obtain a Labor Condition Application, your employer will need to make 4 attestations in an effort to protect anyone who is already working for the employer. These LCA attestations are as follows: 1. The employer must attest that the beneficiary is going to be paid more than both the actual wage and the prevailing wage. The actual wage is what others in the company make who …
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The LCA Application Process

  • To get an LCA, your employer needs to file an ETA 9035 with the Department of Laborlong before the beginning of the H-1B filing window. This way, you can avoid the risk of having the two overlap, causing you to miss the filing window. It is important to note that an employer can file one LCA for multiple H-1B employees as long as they are all going to be working in the same po…
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LCA Denial

  • If your H-1B LCA is denied, the DOL will provide you with the reasons for the denial in the notice. It is not likely that an LCA denial can be appealed or motioned, but this obstacle can be overcome by fixing these problems and refiling before the H-1B filing window in April. This is why it is important to obtain an LCA well before the start of the filing season.
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Labor Condition Application FAQs

  • Here are some commonly-asked questions about the LCA and how it works with the H-1B visa. If you have a question that is not listed, you can contact us for a consultation for your visa and LCA.
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How Our Immigration Attorneys Can Help

  • The Labor Condition Application is just one small step along the H-1B journey. Because most H-1B applicants only get one shot per year, it is extremely important that your petition, fees, supporting evidence, and LCA are all perfect the first time rather than going through rejection cycles. The best way to do this is to have an experienced H-1B attorney handle your case from s…
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