Temporary Labor Certification for Foreign Workers

Foreign labor certification programs are designed to ensure that the admission of foreign workers into the United States will not adversely affect the job opportunities, wages, and working conditions of U.S. workers. Temporary foreign labor certification programs permit U.S. employers to hire foreign workers on a temporary basis to fill jobs essential to the U.S. economy. Certification may be obtained in cases where it can be demonstrated that there are insufficient qualified U.S. workers available and willing to perform the work at wages that meet or exceed the prevailing wage paid for that occupation in the area of intended employment. In most instances, before a U.S. employer can submit a nonimmigrant petition to the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the employer must obtain a labor certification.