Lighthouse Library
Resources for every visa path
Practical guides for founders, researchers, and the teams moving them to the United States.
DS-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 GUIDEHeartland VisaWhat It Is and Where It Stands in 2026Everything you need to know about the proposed Heartland Visa, how it would work, who could qualify, and whether it's available in 2026.READ GUIDEI-131 Processing Time2026 Wait Times and TrackingEverything you need to know about Form I-131 processing times, travel document wait times, case tracking, and ways to avoid delays in 2026.READ GUIDEJ-1 Visa News and UpdatesWhat’s Changing in 2026Everything you need to know about the latest J-1 visa news and policy changes in 2026.READ GUIDEJ-2 VisaThe Complete Guide for J-1 DependentsEverything you need to know about the J-2 visa for spouses and children of J-1 exchange visitors.READ GUIDEWhat Is SEVIS? A Guide for F, M and J Visa HoldersWhat is SEVIS? A plain guide to the U.S. database that tracks F, M and J students, what the SEVIS fee covers, and how to keep your record clean.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