Can my employer change my salary after approval?

In the H-1B, salary is not a minor detail: it is part of the terms the employer committed to when filing the petition and the Labor Condition Application (LCA). For this reason, a salary change after approval is possible, but it must follow the proper process to avoid putting the employment out of line with what was authorized.

Increases that only improve compensation tend to be simpler to accommodate than reductions or changes that affect the declared conditions. When the change is significant and affects what was approved, it typically requires a new LCA and, depending on the circumstances, an amended petition to keep everything in compliance.

• The approved salary is tied to the terms of the petition and the LCA.
• Significant changes generally require formal correction, not an informal adjustment.
• The formalization exists to protect the worker and preserve the agreed-upon conditions.

If your employer proposes changing your compensation, it is worth documenting the change and confirming with a specialist whether it requires a new LCA or an amendment, as well as reviewing the official USCIS guidance before agreeing.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.