What is the LCA?

The LCA (Labor Condition Application) is the document that the employer submits to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) as one of the first steps in the H-1B process. Through it, the company formalizes commitments regarding the foreign worker’s salary and working conditions.

In practice, the LCA serves to attest that the hiring will not negatively affect local workers: the employer declares that it will offer compensation and conditions consistent with the standard for the role and the region where the work will be performed.

A few points help clarify the role of the LCA:

• It is a prior step to the petition: without an approved LCA, the employer cannot move forward with USCIS.
• It functions as a guarantee of wage and working condition standards.
• The information declared must accurately reflect the job offer.

Because it is a technical document subject to requirements that may change, the best approach is to confirm the current requirements at the official source (DOL and USCIS) or with a specialist before filing.

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.