MerQube, Inc. · San Mateo, California
Case #I-200-23109-948158
In FY2023, MerQube, Inc. sought H-1B sponsorship for a Backend Engineer in San Mateo, California at $143k per year, which is 42% above the prevailing wage of $101k. The case was denied in 2 days during the FY FY2023 cycle. This position is for continued employment.
| Case Number | I-200-23109-948158 |
| Case Status | Denied |
| Visa Class | H-1B |
| Fiscal Year | FY 2023 |
| Employer | MerQube, Inc. |
| Employer Location | San Francisco, California |
| Job Title | Backend Engineer |
| SOC Code | 15-129908 – Computer Systems Engineers/Architects |
| Worksite | San Mateo, California |
| Annual Wage | $143k |
| Prevailing Wage | $101k |
| Wage Premium | +41.6% |
| Positions | 1 (0 new, 0 continued) |
| Job Title | Salary | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backend Engineer | $143k | CERTIFIED | Jul 30, 2025 |
| Financial Engineer | $130k | CERTIFIED | May 27, 2025 |
| Data Associate, Client Services | $120k | CERTIFIED | May 20, 2025 |
| Financial Product Manager | $135k | CERTIFIED | May 8, 2025 |
| Financial Engineer | $120k | CERTIFIED | May 8, 2025 |
This Labor Condition Application (LCA) was filed by MerQube, Inc. for the position of Backend Engineer in San Mateo, California. The offered annual salary is $143k, compared to the prevailing wage of $101k for this occupation and location. This represents a wage premium of +41.6% 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.
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.
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, MerQube, Inc. filed LCA case number I-200-23109-948158 to sponsor a Backend Engineer position at their worksite in San Mateo, 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.
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 $143k compares to the DOL prevailing wage of $101k for Computer Systems Engineers/Architects positions in the San Mateo, California area. The positive wage premium of +41.6% indicates the employer is offering above the DOL-determined average for this occupation and location.
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.
A "Denied" status means the DOL has determined that MerQube, 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.
This LCA was received by the DOL on Apr 19, 2023 and a decision was rendered on Apr 21, 2023, a processing time of approximately 2 business days. The standard DOL processing time for LCA applications is 7 to 10 business days. This application was processed within the standard timeframe.
The offered salary of $143k for this Backend 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 15-129908 (Computer Systems Engineers/Architects), 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.
The offered annual salary for this Backend Engineer position at MerQube, Inc. is $143k. The Department of Labor prevailing wage for this occupation and location is $101k. The offered wage represents a +41.6% premium over the prevailing wage.
This H-1B filing is for a position located in San Mateo, California. The employing company, MerQube, Inc., is headquartered in San Francisco, California.
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.
The employer for this filing is MerQube, Inc., located in San Francisco, California. MerQube, Inc. filed this Labor Condition Application (case number I-200-23109-948158) for a Backend Engineer position during fiscal year FY 2023. View all MerQube, Inc. H-1B filings.
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.