The Department of Labor (“DOL”) has recently advised that it will keep the “legacy” or “old LCA system” operational through June 30, 2009. The decision to keep the legacy LCA system operational was based on DOL’s interest in fixing glitches in the new system while providing users additional time to become familiar with the new iCert System.
Before this announcement, the use of the DOL’s new iCERT portal for LCA submissions was to become mandatory as of May 15, which, consequently, would have disabled the legacy LCA Online system as of that date.
The iCert System is a new, one-stop visa portal system, implemented by the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (“OFLA”) to improve employer access to employment-based visa application services. Effective April 15, 2009, employers or their authorized representatives became eligible to register with the iCERT System and establish a single account to file the new ETA Form 9035E – Labor Condition Application (“LCA”) covering the H-1B, H-1B1, and E-3 visa programs.
If you are experiencing difficulties with the iCert Portal, please feel free to contact us or reach out to the DOL’s Help Desk at the Chicago National Processing Center by sending an email to lca.chicago@dol.gov.