Lighthouse combines smart technology with legal services from licensed, independent H-1B attorneys to help you navigate the visa process with clarity and confidence.
The H-1B visa lets professionals with a degree work in U.S. specialty occupations. This employer-sponsored status provides work authorization for three years, extendable to six. For professionals in Cincinnati, it opens doors to roles in technology, healthcare, and finance that match their expertise with top employers.
A key advantage is dual intent, which means you can pursue permanent residence while you hold H-1B status. This allows you to build a career and keep long-term immigration options open. While the new H-1B fee rule has added some complexity to the process, the pathway remains a strong option for skilled professionals.
You may be eligible for an H-1B visa if you meet the following core requirements:
Lighthouse combines legal expertise with purpose-built technology to prepare your H-1B petition. An H-1B visa attorney handles every detail, from evaluation to USCIS submission, so you can focus on your work.
Our platform helps you explore your visa options. It walks you through each requirement and shows how to strengthen your case. Submit a simple form and we will follow up with guidance on your potential paths forward.
Your petition gets a full review from experienced H-1B attorneys who know USCIS requirements. They spot potential issues, provide guidance for complex situations like job changes, and ensure your application avoids delays or RFEs. You have direct access to legal expertise for your entire case.
You always know where your petition stands. Our platform shows your case status, outstanding requirements, and upcoming deadlines. We provide clear timelines and explain what comes next, so you can remove the guesswork and plan ahead with confidence.
We focus on H-1B petitions for professionals in technology, engineering, and advanced research. Our team understands the distinct roles and qualifications for software engineers, data scientists, and other specialty occupations, which ensures a prepared and accurate petition.
"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
-min.avif)
"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!"
-min.avif)
"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."
“US O1A visa approved! Thanks to Lighthouse that was much faster and less effort than I expected, they just took care of everything!”
“The weight of dealing with the immigration stuff has been some of the heaviest in my life...so her calm, extreme competence and her warmth made me so cared for.”
"O-1A approved! Thanks to Minn and Lighthouse for their guidance and support throughout the whole process. Would recommend working with them for your visa needs. Blazingly fast, no fuss and very responsive!"
"It was really great working with Minn and I strongly recommend a chat with her if you need help getting a visa!"
"I am forever grateful to Minn for helping me get O1A. Having dealt with a number of visas and attorneys over the past 5 years, working with Minn was the first time I felt supported and safe! Can't recommend enough. Awesome people, incredible product."
Read our guide to learn about the entire H-1B process, from initial requirements to final approval, including:
%201.svg){kind=icon}
Each March, employers submit candidates into a lottery for 85,000 available H-1B slots. USCIS randomly selects 65,000 petitions plus 20,000 for those with a U.S. master's degree or higher. Some Cincinnati employers, like universities or non-profit research centers, are cap-exempt and can sponsor H-1B professionals anytime without the lottery.
An H-1B requires a match between the job and your background. The position must be a specialty occupation that demands a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a specific field. You must possess that exact degree or have a combination of education and work experience that equals it. Your qualifications must directly relate to the job duties.
Your employer is the petitioner and must file all H-1B forms on your behalf. The law requires your employer to pay all mandatory government filing and anti-fraud fees. While you can choose to pay for optional services like premium processing, your employer bears the financial responsibility for the core petition costs to secure the visa.
The process begins with lottery registration in early March. If selected, your employer files the full petition after April 1. Standard approval can take several months, but the earliest you can start work is October 1 of that year. An optional premium processing service can shorten the petition review time to 15 calendar days.
Yes, the H-1B portability rule allows you to change employers. Your new employer files a "transfer" petition for you. You can legally start the new job as soon as USCIS sends a receipt notice for the new petition. You do not have to wait for the final approval, which gives you significant career flexibility.
A recent presidential proclamation introduced a potential $100,000 fee for certain new H-1B petitions. This fee would only apply to petitions for workers who are outside the United States and do not already hold an H-1B visa. If you are in the U.S., a transfer or extension is exempt.
Answer
With Lighthouse, you get clarity on your immigration options and a legal team, including an H-1B visa attorney, that carries your case from preparation through USCIS submission.
%201-min.avif)
