Lighthouse Library
Resources for every visa path
Practical guides for founders, researchers, and the teams moving them to the United States.
90 Day RuleWhat It Means For Your Green CardEverything you need to know about the 90-day rule, how it affects green card applications, and when timing can raise questions about your intent at entry.READ GUIDEAlien Registration NumberWhat It Is And Where To Find ItEverything you need to know about your alien registration number (A-Number), who gets one, where to find it, and how to use it throughout your U.S. immigration journey.READ GUIDECEAC Visa Status CheckWhat Every Status MeansEverything you need to know about the CEAC visa status check, what each application status means, and what to do when your case stops updating.READ GUIDEDS-2019 FormWhat It Is and How to Get YoursEverything you need to know about Form DS-2019 for obtaining a J-1 exchange visitor visa.READ GUIDEEB-1 Approval RateWhat The Latest USCIS Data ShowsEverything you need to know about EB-1 approval rates, including the latest USCIS data, approval rates by subcategory, and what the numbers mean for your petition.READ GUIDEEB1 vs EB2which green card path fits you in 2026Everything you need to know about EB-1 vs. EB-2 green cards in 2026, including eligibility, NIW and PERM requirements, approval rates, priority dates, costs, and processing timelines.READ GUIDE
VISA PATHWAYS
Explore the visa that is right for you
Select a visa for deeper detail on fit, sponsor model, timing, and the evidence that usually drives the case.Nonimmigrant visas
O-1AFor science, business, education, or athletics leaders with sustained acclaim.Extraordinary abilityEmployer or U.S. agentO-1BFor artists and entertainment professionals with distinction or extraordinary achievement.Arts and creative achievementEmployer or U.S. agentH-1BFor specialty roles requiring highly specialized knowledge and a related degree.Specialty occupationU.S. employerH-1B1A treaty-based specialty occupation option for Chilean and Singaporean citizens.Chile and Singapore specialty occupationU.S. employerTNFor Canadian and Mexican citizens working in listed professional roles.USMCA professionalsU.S. employer or entityE-3A specialty occupation route reserved for Australian nationals.Australian specialty occupationU.S. employerJ-1For approved work-and-study exchange programs administered through a sponsor.Exchange visitorDepartment of State-designated sponsorL-1AFor executives and managers moving within a qualifying company group.Executive or manager transferQualifying multinational employerL-1BFor employees with specialized company knowledge moving to a U.S. affiliate.Specialized knowledge transferQualifying multinational employer
Green cards
EB-2 NIWFor advanced degree or exceptional ability candidates whose work serves the national interest.Self-petition green cardSelf-petition availableEB-1AA self-petition green-card path for extraordinary ability candidates.Extraordinary ability green cardSelf-petition availableEB-1BFor outstanding researchers and professors with international recognition.Outstanding professor or researcherU.S. employerEB-1CFor multinational executives and managers moving into long-term U.S. leadership roles.Multinational manager or executiveQualifying multinational employerEB-2/EB-3with PERMEmployer-sponsored permanent residence through PERM labor certification.Employer-sponsored green cardU.S. employer