Advance your career with an H-1B visa
The H-1B visa creates a path for professionals with degrees to accept specialty roles in the U.S. An employer sponsors your petition for three years of work authorization, extendable to six. This status empowers experts in Boston's key sectors—technology, finance, and healthcare—to work legally for U.S. companies.
A significant benefit is dual intent, which lets you pursue a green card while you hold H-1B status. This allows you to build a long-term career. While the new $100,000 H-1B fee rule has added some complexity to the process, the visa remains a valuable route for professional growth.
Check your H-1B eligibility
You may qualify for the H-1B visa if you meet several key requirements:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in a field directly related to your proposed job.
- Have a legitimate job offer from a U.S. employer for a role defined as a specialty occupation.
- Work in a position that requires specialized knowledge, such as an engineer, analyst, or software developer.
- Your employer must sponsor your petition and get an approved Labor Condition Application (LCA) on your behalf.
- Be selected in the annual H-1B lottery, unless your employer is cap-exempt, like a university.
Get your H-1B petition approved faster
Lighthouse combines legal expertise with our platform to prepare your H-1B petition in weeks. An expert H-1B visa lawyer manages every step, from LCA to USCIS submission, so you can focus on your work.
Clear visa guidance
Our platform helps you explore your visa options. It walks you through each requirement and shows you how to build a stronger case. Submit your information through a simple form, and we will follow up with guidance on potential paths.
Expert attorney review
Experienced H-1B attorneys review your petition to ensure it meets strict USCIS standards. They spot potential problems early and provide guidance on complex cases to minimize the risk of RFEs or delays. You get access to dedicated legal expertise from start to finish.
Total process transparency
You always know your petition's status. Our platform shows what we need from you, the work we do, and what comes next. Clear timelines and regular updates remove surprises, so you can plan with confidence and less uncertainty.
A focus on technical roles
We work primarily with professionals in technology, engineering, and research. Our team understands the specific needs of software engineers, data scientists, and other specialty occupation roles, which is critical for a successful H-1B petition.
A smarter way to prepare petitions
Lighthouse gives you a central platform for your H-1B petition. Upload critical information to a secure system, communicate with your case team, and review, edit, and sign all documents personalized for your application. You get full visibility before the final submission.
Get our complete H-1B visa guide
Read our guide to understand the entire H-1B process, from initial application to final approval, including:
- Step-by-step application process
- H-4 visas for dependents
- Change jobs with H-1B portability
- Timelines and associated costs
- The 2026 H-1B Fee Rule
Frequently asked questions
Each March, USCIS accepts registrations for the H-1B lottery. A random selection process chooses 85,000 petitions nationwide. Some Boston employers, like universities or nonprofit research groups, are cap-exempt. They can sponsor H-1B workers at any time without the lottery, which offers a significant advantage for qualified candidates in the area.
You generally need a bachelor's degree or its equivalent for the role. The job itself must qualify as a specialty occupation, which means it requires application of a body of highly specialized knowledge. Many tech, finance, and healthcare roles in Boston meet this standard, but a formal evaluation of your credentials is key.
A recent presidential proclamation introduced a significant fee for some new H-1B petitions. This fee only applies 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 extension, you are exempt.
The process has several stages. Lottery registration happens in March. If selected, your employer can file the full petition from April 1. Approval times vary, but you can typically expect a decision within three to six months. With an approved petition, your H-1B status and work authorization start on October 1 of that year.
You can move to a new employer through a process called H-1B portability. Your new employer files a fresh H-1B petition on your behalf. Once USCIS confirms receipt of this new petition, you can start the new job. You do not need to wait for the final approval, which gives you great career flexibility.
Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can get H-4 dependent status. This allows them to live and study in the U.S. In certain situations, an H-4 spouse may also apply for work authorization. This is generally possible if you, the H-1B holder, have an approved I-140 immigrant petition for a green card.
Begin your H-1B journey with an H-1B visa lawyer
With Lighthouse, you get clarity on your visa options and a legal team that carries your case from preparation through USCIS submission.