DOL Announces its LCA System is Down Again!
Posted Oct 16, 2000

As most of the readers of MurthyBulletin are aware, the process of filing for an H1B worker includes a form known as a Labor Condition Application (LCA), which is processed by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The form is faxed to DOL and is checked for errors. When the system is at its best, DOL certifies and returns the LCA within two days. For the past month or two, however, LCAs have been taking several weeks to process, even though the law provides that the DOL should fax back the LCA within 7 working days.

For the past year, LCAs have been processed at only two locations in the U.S., namely Philadelphia and San Francisco. The DOL has informed the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) that, in fact, DOL is having serious technical problems at both LCA processing locations. Both have equipment that is not working properly at the present time. The DOL is working to fix the problem, but for now we can expect further delays. When DOL notifies AILA that the equipment is working, we will be happy to share that information with you.