DENIED E-3 AUSTRALIAN FY 2025

Fabrication Engineer

Lumina USA Inc. · Cambridge, Massachusetts

Case #I-203-25231-250952

A Fabrication Engineer position at Lumina USA Inc. in Cambridge, Massachusetts was filed at $160k per year, offering 0% above the prevailing wage of $160k. The case was denied in 1 days during the FY FY2025 cycle. This position is for new employment.

$160k
Annual Salary
$160k
Prevailing Wage
+0.2%
Wage Premium
1
Positions

Filing Details

Case NumberI-203-25231-250952
Case StatusDenied
Visa ClassE-3 AUSTRALIAN
Fiscal YearFY 2025
EmployerLumina USA Inc.
Employer LocationCambridge, Massachusetts
Job TitleFabrication Engineer
SOC Code17-219907 – Photonics Engineers
WorksiteCambridge, Massachusetts
Annual Wage$160k
Prevailing Wage$160k
Wage Premium+0.2%
Positions1 (1 new, 0 continued)

Timeline

Aug 19, 2025
Received
Aug 20, 2025
Decision
Oct 1, 2025
Employment Start
Oct 1, 2027
Employment End

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About This H-1B Filing

This Labor Condition Application (LCA) was filed by Lumina USA Inc. for the position of Fabrication Engineer in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The offered annual salary is $160k, compared to the prevailing wage of $160k for this occupation and location. This represents a wage premium of +0.2% 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, Lumina USA Inc. filed LCA case number I-203-25231-250952 to sponsor a Fabrication Engineer position at their worksite in Cambridge, Massachusetts. 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 $160k compares to the DOL prevailing wage of $160k for Photonics Engineers positions in the Cambridge, Massachusetts area. The positive wage premium of +0.2% 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 Lumina USA 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 19, 2025 and a decision was rendered on Aug 20, 2025, a processing time of approximately 1 business day. 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 $160k for this Fabrication Engineer 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 17-219907 (Photonics Engineers), 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 Fabrication Engineer position?

The offered annual salary for this Fabrication Engineer position at Lumina USA Inc. is $160k. The Department of Labor prevailing wage for this occupation and location is $160k. The offered wage represents a +0.2% premium over the prevailing wage.

Where is this Fabrication Engineer job located?

This E-3 AUSTRALIAN filing is for a position located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The employing company, Lumina USA Inc., is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

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 Lumina USA Inc., located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Lumina USA Inc. filed this Labor Condition Application (case number I-203-25231-250952) for a Fabrication Engineer position during fiscal year FY 2025. View all Lumina USA 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.

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