CERTIFIED - WITHDRAWN E-3 AUSTRALIAN FY 2021

Creative Director

Matte Projects LLC · New York, New York

Case #I-203-21272-613443

Matte Projects LLC filed an E-3 AUSTRALIAN petition for a Creative Director position in New York, New York at $190k per year — 9% above the prevailing wage of $174k. The case was certified in 105 days during the FY FY2021 cycle. This position is for new employment.

$190k
Annual Salary
$174k
Prevailing Wage
+9.1%
Wage Premium
1
Positions

Filing Details

Case NumberI-203-21272-613443
Case StatusCertified - Withdrawn
Visa ClassE-3 AUSTRALIAN
Fiscal YearFY 2021
EmployerMatte Projects LLC
Employer LocationNew York, New York
Job TitleCreative Director
SOC Code27-101100 – Art Directors
WorksiteNew York, New York
Annual Wage$190k
Prevailing Wage$174k
Wage Premium+9.1%
Positions1 (1 new, 0 continued)

Timeline

Sep 29, 2021
Received
Jan 12, 2022
Decision
Oct 4, 2021
Employment Start
Oct 3, 2023
Employment End

Explore More

About This H-1B Filing

This Labor Condition Application (LCA) was filed by Matte Projects LLC for the position of Creative Director in New York, New York. The offered annual salary is $190k, compared to the prevailing wage of $174k for this occupation and location. This represents a wage premium of +9.1% 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Case status: Certified - Withdrawn. This means the employer or their representative withdrew the application.

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, Matte Projects LLC filed LCA case number I-203-21272-613443 to sponsor a Creative Director position at their worksite in New York, New York. 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 $190k compares to the DOL prevailing wage of $174k for Art Directors positions in the New York, New York area. The positive wage premium of +9.1% 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 Certified - Withdrawn Means for This Application

A "Certified-Withdrawn" status means this LCA was initially certified by the DOL but was later withdrawn by the employer. This can happen for various reasons: the foreign worker may have declined the position, found employment elsewhere, the employer may have decided to refile with updated information, or business conditions may have changed. A withdrawal does not negatively affect the employer's ability to file future LCAs.

Processing Time

This LCA was received by the DOL on Sep 29, 2021 and a decision was rendered on Jan 12, 2022, a processing time of approximately 105 business days. The standard DOL processing time for LCA applications is 7 to 10 business days. This application took longer than the standard timeframe, which may indicate additional review was required.

Comparing to Industry Standards

The offered salary of $190k for this Creative Director 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 27-101100 (Art Directors), 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 Creative Director position?

The offered annual salary for this Creative Director position at Matte Projects LLC is $190k. The Department of Labor prevailing wage for this occupation and location is $174k. The offered wage represents a +9.1% premium over the prevailing wage.

Where is this Creative Director job located?

This E-3 AUSTRALIAN filing is for a position located in New York, New York. The employing company, Matte Projects LLC, is headquartered in New York, New York.

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 Matte Projects LLC, located in New York, New York. Matte Projects LLC filed this Labor Condition Application (case number I-203-21272-613443) for a Creative Director position during fiscal year FY 2021. View all Matte Projects LLC H-1B filings.

What does LCA “Certified - Withdrawn” mean?

Certified-Withdrawn means this LCA was initially certified by the DOL but was subsequently withdrawn by the employer or their authorized representative.

Related Guides