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H-1B Labor Condition Application (LCA) Checklist
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H-1B Labor Condition Application (LCA) Checklist

An LCA is a form filed with the Federal Regional Department of Labor (DOL) on which an employer attests that the following H-1B requirements have been satisfied. An LCA certified by the Federal DOL must be included in an H-1B petition filed with the INS. An LCA certified for an individual position must be submitted to INS within six months. An LCA is valid for three years.

I. Wage Requirements

     A. Wage Statement - employer must pay higher of:

          1.    Prevailing wage determined by
                state/independent authoritative source; or

          2.    Actual wage paid to workers similarly
                employed at place of employment

An authoritative wage source is a survey published in a book, newspaper, periodical, loose-leaf service, newsletter or other, that was published, including updates, within the past 24 months, relies on data collected with 24 months of publication, contains average wage information and is the latest survey by this source.

     B. Documentation of wage statement - employer must
        keep on file:

          1. Prevailing wage finding

          2. Actual wage finding- information concerning
             employer's pay rate to employees in same
             occupational classification, beginning
             with the date LCA submitted, detailing
             objective methodology for establishing
             wage, sufficiently detailed to allow DOL
             investigator to arrive at same figure
             employer did



II. Working Condition Requirements - employer must attest on
        LCA that:

     A. No adverse effect on working conditions of workers
        similarly situated in area of intended employment


     B. No strike or lockout


III. Notice Requirements

     A. Notice of LCA filing given to workers at each worksite
        where H-1B alien will work by:

        --Notice given to collective bargaining (union)
        representative prior to filing, OR

        --Notice posted on (or up to 30 days before) date
        LCA filed in 2 conspicuous locations at worksite.
        Notice must remain posted for 10 business days
        and be of sufficient size and visibility to
        easily see and read.

     B. Notice of LCA given to H-1B alien by:

        --Proof of receipt of copy of certified LCA on or
        before first day of work.  Receipt signed by
        H-1B alien.

     C. Ongoing notice of LCA given at new worksites (outside
        of area of intended employment specified on LCA)

          1. If H-1B alien moved to new worksite, must first
             give notice as above at A

          2. If H-1B alien moved to new worksite for more than
             90 days (cumulative: counting other H-1B work
             days at site in total), must first file new LCA


IV. Documentation Requirements - employer must create a
    "Public Access File" containing:

        1.  Two dated posting/union notices
        2.  Prevailing wage information
        3.  Actual wage information
        4.  Notice of LCA to H-1B alien
        5.  Original certified LCA
        6.  Ongoing notice of LCA filings, if any,
            for new worksites




The contents of these web pages are provided for general informational purposes and do not constitute legal advice for specific cases, which should only be obtained from an attorney.

Copyright © 2002 True, Walsh & Miller, LLP. Attorneys at Law
The Commons, 202 East State Street, Ithaca, New York 14850
phone: 607-273-4200, fax: 607-272-6694, E-mail: twm@twmlaw.com