Build your U.S. career on H-1B status
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.
Check your H-1B eligibility
You may be eligible for an H-1B visa if you meet the following core requirements:
- Hold at least a bachelor's degree or its foreign equivalent in a field that is directly related to your proposed job.
- Have a job offer from a U.S. employer for a specialty occupation, a role that typically requires a bachelor's degree for entry.
- Work with an employer who will file your petition and get a certified Labor Condition Application (LCA) on your behalf.
- Understand that most petitions are subject to the annual lottery, unless your employer is a cap-exempt organization like a university.
A smarter path to your H-1B visa
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.
A clear starting point
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.
Expert attorney review
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.
Total process transparency
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.
Designed for technical roles
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.
Your H-1B petition made simple
Lighthouse offers a direct route for your visa preparation. Use our secure digital system to upload critical information and communicate with your case team. You can review, edit, and sign all documents, personalized for your petition, in one central location before the final submission.
Download our complete H-1B visa guide
Read our guide to learn about the entire H-1B process, from initial requirements to final approval, including:
- Step-by-step application process
- H-4 visas for dependents
- Change jobs with H-1B portability
- Complete timelines and costs
- The 2026 H-1B Fee Rule
Frequently asked questions
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.
Start your H-1B journey today
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.