A Surge is Near! DOL Releases its First Quarter Stats on H-1B LCAs
Hi All! The Department of Labor (DOL) has released statistics on H-1B Labor Condition Applications (LCA) from the First Quarter (Q1) of Fiscal Year 2015 (FY2015). These statistics include the number of LCAs received, top occupations, states, and employers, as well as the number of certified, denied, and withdrawn LCAs, number of positions requested and certified, and percentage of applications timely processed.
Based on the data for Q1, FY2015, we are already seeing more LCAs filed than last year. This means that we will again see a surge of LCA filings for the second quarter (January 01, 2015 to March 31, 2015) with the additional preparation for the H-1B cap season that will begin on April 01, 2015. For example, last fiscal year “LCAs received” jumped from 67,641 in Q1 to 231,401 in Q2.
For Q1, FY2015 (October 01, 2014 to December 31, 2014), the DOL received 80,520 LCAs! This is a significant increase from Q1, FY2014 where the DOL received 67,641 LCAs.
For Q1, FY2015, 89,367 LCAs have been determined of which 77,691 were certified and only 1,761 were denied. The total number of positions requested was 176,259 and the number of positions certified was 169,282.
Selected Statistics by Worker Positions Certified in Q1, FY2015
Not surprisingly, Computer Systems Analysts was the top occupation certified by the DOL. The top 5 occupations certified are:
- Computer Systems Analysts: 50,084
- Software Developers, Applications: 23,693
- Computer Occupations, All Other: 17,299
- Computer Programmers: 15,843
- Software Developers, Systems Software: 12,230
California was listed as the top state by worker positions certified, with Texas coming in 2nd. The top 5 states are:
- California: 30,581
- Texas: 13,852
- New York: 13,039
- New Jersey: 10,441
- Illinois: 10,037
Finally, the top employer by worker positions certified is Deloitte Consulting, LLP. Deloitte was 4th on the list last fiscal year. The top 5 employers for Q1, FY2015 are:
- Deloitte Consulting, LLP: 17,261
- Cognizant Technology Solutions U.S. Corp: 9,325
- iGate Tecnologies, Inc: 8,988
- Wipro Limited: 8,120
- Syntel Consulting, Inc: 7,776
With cap season right around the corner, it is a good idea for employers to begin preparing the necessary documentation for their LCA and H-1B filings. Although the DOL is timely processing LCAs at this time, this can change once the surge begins to hit in March.