DENIED H-1B FY 2023

Senior Engineer

American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. · Palo Alto, California

Case #I-200-23243-314194

A Senior Engineer position at American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. in Palo Alto, California was filed at $168k per year, offering 14% above the prevailing wage of $147k. The case was denied in 6 days during the FY FY2023 cycle. This position is for continued employment.

$168k
Annual Salary
$147k
Prevailing Wage
+13.7%
Wage Premium
1
Positions

Filing Details

Case NumberI-200-23243-314194
Case StatusDenied
Visa ClassH-1B
Fiscal YearFY 2023
EmployerAmerican Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
Employer LocationNew York, New York
Job TitleSenior Engineer
SOC Code15-125200 – Software Developers
WorksitePalo Alto, California
Annual Wage$168k
Prevailing Wage$147k
Wage Premium+13.7%
Positions1 (0 new, 0 continued)

Timeline

Aug 31, 2023
Received
Sep 6, 2023
Decision
Oct 1, 2023
Employment Start
Sep 30, 2026
Employment End

More Filings from American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

Job TitleSalaryStatusDate
Compliance Operations Manager, Amex Offers Digital Media $148k CERTIFIED Sep 10, 2025
Director, Communications $177k CERTIFIED Jan 17, 2025
Senior Manager, AMEX Offers Global Sales Strategy $142k CERTIFIED Nov 8, 2024
Senior Manager, Risk Management $153k CERTIFIED Apr 10, 2025
Senior Software Engineer $139k CERTIFIED Sep 23, 2025

View all American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. filings →

Explore More

About This H-1B Filing

This Labor Condition Application (LCA) was filed by American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. for the position of Senior Engineer in Palo Alto, California. The offered annual salary is $168k, compared to the prevailing wage of $147k for this occupation and location. This represents a wage premium of +13.7% above the prevailing wage.

The LCA is the first step in the H-1B visa process. Employers must file an LCA with the Department of Labor certifying that they will pay the foreign worker at least the prevailing wage for the occupation in the area of intended employment. A certified LCA is required before the employer can file an H-1B petition with USCIS.

Case status: Denied. This means the Department of Labor has denied the application, possibly due to wage or documentation issues.

Understanding This LCA Filing

A Labor Condition Application (LCA) is a mandatory document that U.S. employers must file with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) before they can petition for a foreign worker under the H-1B, H-1B1, or E-3 visa categories. The LCA process was established under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to protect both foreign and domestic workers by ensuring fair wages and working conditions.

Why Employers File LCAs

When a U.S. company identifies a foreign national to fill a specialty occupation position, they must first obtain DOL certification through the LCA process before filing the H-1B petition (Form I-129) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). In this case, American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. filed LCA case number I-200-23243-314194 to sponsor a Senior Engineer position at their worksite in Palo Alto, California. By filing this LCA, the employer attests to four key conditions: (1) paying the higher of the actual wage or prevailing wage, (2) providing working conditions that will not adversely affect other similarly employed workers, (3) no strike or lockout at the worksite, and (4) providing notice of the filing to the bargaining representative or posting notice at the worksite.

What Wage Levels Mean

The DOL establishes four wage levels for each occupation and geographic area, representing the progression from entry-level to fully competent workers:

For this filing, the offered wage of $168k compares to the DOL prevailing wage of $147k for Software Developers positions in the Palo Alto, California area. The positive wage premium of +13.7% indicates the employer is offering above the DOL-determined average for this occupation and location.

What is Prevailing Wage?

The prevailing wage is the average wage paid to similarly employed workers in a specific occupation in the area of intended employment. The DOL determines prevailing wages using data from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Employers must pay H-1B workers the higher of the prevailing wage or the actual wage paid to other employees in similar positions at the company. This requirement is designed to prevent employers from using H-1B workers to undercut domestic wages.

How to Interpret This Data

What Denied Means for This Application

A "Denied" status means the DOL has determined that American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.'s LCA did not meet one or more regulatory requirements. Common reasons for denial include: the offered wage falling below the prevailing wage, errors in the application, failure to properly attest to working conditions, or prior violations by the employer. The employer may correct the identified issues and submit a new LCA.

Processing Time

This LCA was received by the DOL on Aug 31, 2023 and a decision was rendered on Sep 6, 2023, a processing time of approximately 6 business days. The standard DOL processing time for LCA applications is 7 to 10 business days. This application was processed within the standard timeframe.

Comparing to Industry Standards

The offered salary of $168k for this Senior Engineer position provides a data point for evaluating compensation trends in H-1B visa sponsorship. When reviewing H-1B salary data, consider that wages vary significantly based on geographic location, employer size, industry sector, and the worker's experience level. This position falls under SOC code 15-125200 (Software Developers), which standardizes how the Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies occupations across industries. Metropolitan areas like New York, San Francisco, and Seattle typically command higher salaries due to higher costs of living, while positions in smaller markets may offer lower nominal wages but comparable purchasing power.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for this Senior Engineer position?

The offered annual salary for this Senior Engineer position at American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. is $168k. The Department of Labor prevailing wage for this occupation and location is $147k. The offered wage represents a +13.7% premium over the prevailing wage.

Where is this Senior Engineer job located?

This H-1B filing is for a position located in Palo Alto, California. The employing company, American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc., is headquartered in New York, New York.

What visa type is this filing for?

This Labor Condition Application is filed under the H-1B visa classification. The H-1B visa is designed for specialty occupation workers who possess at least a bachelor's degree or equivalent in a specific field related to the job.

Who is the employer for this H-1B filing?

The employer for this filing is American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc., located in New York, New York. American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. filed this Labor Condition Application (case number I-200-23243-314194) for a Senior Engineer position during fiscal year FY 2023. View all American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. H-1B filings.

What does LCA “Denied” mean?

Denied means the U.S. Department of Labor has rejected this Labor Condition Application. Common reasons for denial include offering a wage below the prevailing wage, incomplete documentation, failure to properly attest to working conditions, or prior violations.

Related Guides