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What is the H-1B employer’s Public Access File?

The Public Access File is the public record that the H-1B employer maintains, as required by the Department of Labor, to demonstrate transparency in complying with the LCA. Learn what it contains.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on July 13, 2026
1 min read
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The Public Access File is a file that the employer must maintain in connection with the H-1B, as required by the U.S. Department of Labor. It exists to ensure transparency, allowing anyone to verify that the company is fulfilling its obligations under the program.

This file brings together documents related to the Labor Condition Application (LCA), the labor commitment that supports the petition. It typically includes information such as:

  • The prevailing wage determination for the position.
  • The job description and the benefits offered.
  • Evidence that the terms of employment meet legal standards.

The purpose is to allow the public to confirm that the process respects the rules and does not harm local workers. For the applicant, understanding this mechanism helps identify irregularities. Updated details should be verified directly with the Department of Labor.

Learn more about H-1B

Initial validity
3 years
Extension
Up to 6 years total
Annual cap
85,000 visas
Processing
6-12 months
All about H-1B

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.

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What is the H-1B employer’s Public Access File?

The Public Access File is the public record that the H-1B employer maintains, as required by the Department of Labor, to demonstrate transparency in complying with the LCA. Learn what it contains.

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