Start your US immigration journey today with an H-1B lawyer in Atlanta
Lighthouse combines its platform with legal expertise from licensed, independent H-1B attorneys to help you navigate the process with clarity and confidence.
Advance your career with an H-1B visa
The H-1B visa lets professionals with a degree accept specialty roles at top Atlanta companies. This employer-sponsored status provides work authorization for three years, with a possible extension to six. It opens doors for careers in high-demand fields like technology, healthcare, and finance.
A key advantage is dual intent, which means you can pursue permanent residence while you work. This feature allows you to build a long-term career in the United States. While the new H-1B fee rule has added some complexity to the process, the pathway remains a strong option for skilled professionals.
Check your H-1B eligibility
To qualify for an H-1B visa, you generally need to meet these criteria:
- Hold at least a bachelor's degree or its foreign equivalent in a field directly related to your proposed job.
- Have a job offer from a U.S. employer for a specialty occupation, such as a software developer, engineer, or researcher.
- Work for an employer who will sponsor your petition and get a certified Labor Condition Application (LCA) on your behalf.
- Be selected in the annual H-1B lottery, unless your employer is cap-exempt, like a university or nonprofit research organization.
Your H-1B petition in four simple steps
Lighthouse combines legal expertise with our platform to prepare your H-1B petition fast. An expert H-1B visa lawyer oversees every detail, from the initial evaluation to the final USCIS submission.
A clear path forward
Our platform helps you explore your visa options. It walks you through each requirement and shows how to build a stronger case. Submit a simple form with your information, and we will follow up with guidance on potential paths.
Expert legal review
Your petition receives a thorough review from experienced H-1B attorneys to ensure it meets all USCIS standards. This proactive step minimizes the risk of delays or denials. Our team provides guidance on complex situations and gives you access to legal expertise throughout the process.
Total process transparency
You always know your petition's status. Our platform shows exactly what we need from you and what happens next. Clear timelines and constant updates mean you can plan ahead with total confidence and no surprises along the way.
Designed for specialty occupations
We specialize in H-1B petitions for professionals in technology, engineering, and research. Our team has deep knowledge of the requirements for software engineers, data scientists, and other roles in advanced fields that demand specialized expertise.
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Find Your Own Success Story
"Still trying to process this — my second O-1 has been approved! Thank you everyone, truly. Shoutout to for living up to their name when I needed help the most
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"Lighthouse is insanely fast. Your new colleague might not even have finished their work trial by the time Lighthouse has already gotten them an O1 visa. Highly recommend working with them!"
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"If you also want to join the league of extraordinary aliens, you should use Lighthouse. Impressively fast, but also confidently handled with the minimum fuss and very responsive which is just so calming in an otherwise very stressful process."
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Get our complete H-1B visa guide
Read our guide for a full breakdown of the H-1B process, from initial requirements to final approval, including:
- The step-by-step application
- H-4 visas for dependents
- H-1B portability rules
- Cost and timeline breakdown
- The 2026 H-1B fee rule
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Frequently asked questions
How does the annual H-1B lottery work for jobs based in Atlanta?
Each March, USCIS accepts H-1B registrations for the next fiscal year. A random lottery then selects 85,000 petitions from the pool. If your registration is selected, your employer can file your petition. Some employers, like universities and nonprofit research groups, are cap-exempt and can sponsor H-1B professionals at any time outside this lottery system.
What are the main requirements to qualify for a professional H-1B visa?
You generally need a bachelor's degree or its equivalent in a specific field. The job itself must be a "specialty occupation," a role that requires the application of a body of highly specialized knowledge. In short, the position must demand the specific degree that you possess for its essential functions.
What is my employer's role and who is responsible for the H-1B fees?
Your employer must file the H-1B petition on your behalf with the government. The law requires the employer to pay all mandatory government application fees associated with the petition. As the employee, you cannot legally pay for or reimburse your employer for these specific costs. The process is entirely employer-sponsored from a financial perspective.
What is a realistic H-1B timeline from the lottery to my first day?
The process starts with the online registration period in March. Lottery selections usually happen by the end of that month. Your employer then has from April 1 to June 30 to submit the full petition. If approved, your H-1B status and work authorization typically begin on October 1, the start of the government's fiscal year.
How can I change jobs to another Atlanta company on my H-1B visa?
You can move to a new job through a feature known as H-1B portability. Your new employer files a new H-1B petition for you, often called a "transfer." As soon as USCIS confirms receipt of this new petition, you are free to start work at the new company. You do not need to wait for the final approval.
What is the new $100,000 H-1B fee and does it apply to me?
This new $100,000 fee, part of a recent proclamation, affects certain new H-1B petitions. It applies only to petitions for workers who are outside the United States and do not already possess a valid H-1B visa. If you are in the U.S. and your employer files for a status change or an extension, you are exempt.
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Begin your H-1B journey with Lighthouse
With Lighthouse, you get clarity on your options and a legal team with an expert H-1B visa lawyer to carry your case through USCIS submission.