DENIED E-3 AUSTRALIAN FY 2021

Executive Chef

Bridgewater Associates, LP · Westport, Connecticut

Case #I-203-21236-542149

A Executive Chef position at Bridgewater Associates, LP in Westport, Connecticut was filed at $107k per year, offering 0% above the prevailing wage of $107k. The case was denied in 6 days during the FY FY2021 cycle. This position is for continued employment.

$107k
Annual Salary
up to $156k
$107k
Prevailing Wage
0.0%
Wage Premium
1
Positions

Filing Details

Case NumberI-203-21236-542149
Case StatusDenied
Visa ClassE-3 AUSTRALIAN
Fiscal YearFY 2021
EmployerBridgewater Associates, LP
Employer LocationWestport, Connecticut
Job TitleExecutive Chef
SOC Code35-101100 – Chefs and Head Cooks
WorksiteWestport, Connecticut
Annual Wage$107k – $156k
Prevailing Wage$107k
Wage Premium0.0%
Positions1 (0 new, 1 continued)

Timeline

Aug 24, 2021
Received
Aug 30, 2021
Decision
Jan 21, 2022
Employment Start
Jan 20, 2024
Employment End

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About This H-1B Filing

This Labor Condition Application (LCA) was filed by Bridgewater Associates, LP for the position of Executive Chef in Westport, Connecticut. The offered annual salary is $107k, compared to the prevailing wage of $107k for this occupation and location. This represents a wage premium of 0.0% 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, Bridgewater Associates, LP filed LCA case number I-203-21236-542149 to sponsor a Executive Chef position at their worksite in Westport, Connecticut. 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 $107k compares to the DOL prevailing wage of $107k for Chefs and Head Cooks positions in the Westport, Connecticut area. The positive wage premium of 0.0% 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 Bridgewater Associates, LP'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 24, 2021 and a decision was rendered on Aug 30, 2021, 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 $107k for this Executive Chef position provides a data point for evaluating compensation trends in E-3 AUSTRALIAN 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 35-101100 (Chefs and Head Cooks), 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 Executive Chef position?

The offered annual salary for this Executive Chef position at Bridgewater Associates, LP is $107k to $156k. The Department of Labor prevailing wage for this occupation and location is $107k. The offered wage represents a 0.0% premium over the prevailing wage.

Where is this Executive Chef job located?

This E-3 AUSTRALIAN filing is for a position located in Westport, Connecticut. The employing company, Bridgewater Associates, LP, is headquartered in Westport, Connecticut.

What visa type is this filing for?

This Labor Condition Application is filed under the E-3 AUSTRALIAN visa classification. This visa classification allows employers to hire foreign workers for specialty occupation positions in the United States.

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

The employer for this filing is Bridgewater Associates, LP, located in Westport, Connecticut. Bridgewater Associates, LP filed this Labor Condition Application (case number I-203-21236-542149) for a Executive Chef position during fiscal year FY 2021. View all Bridgewater Associates, LP 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.

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