Lighthouse combines smart technology with legal expertise from licensed, independent H-1B attorneys to help you navigate the process with clarity and confidence.
The H-1B visa allows professionals with a degree to work in specialty occupations. This employer-sponsored status provides work authorization for up to six years in fields like technology and finance. Your spouse may also join you, and with an approved I-140 petition, they can apply for work authorization.
A key benefit is dual intent, which lets you pursue permanent residence while you hold H-1B status. This feature keeps long-term options open as you build your career. While the new H-1B fee rule has added some complexity to the process, the visa remains a strong route for skilled professionals.
You may qualify for the H-1B visa if you meet several key criteria:
Lighthouse combines legal expertise with our platform to prepare your H-1B petition in weeks. An H-1B immigration lawyer manages every step, from evaluation to USCIS submission, so you can focus on your career.
Our platform helps you explore your visa options. Submit your details through a simple form, and we will follow up with guidance. The digital process walks you through each requirement and shows you how to build a stronger case.
Experienced H-1B attorneys review your petition to ensure it meets all USCIS standards. They spot potential problems, address complex situations like job changes or amendments, and help reduce the risk of delays or denials. You get access to legal guidance throughout the entire process.
You always know the status of your petition. Our platform shows your petition status, any open requirements, and all future deadlines. We provide clear timelines and explain what happens next, so you can plan ahead without any surprises.
We work with professionals in technology, engineering, and research. Our team understands the specific requirements and qualifications for software engineers, data scientists, and other specialty occupation roles. This expertise helps build a strong H-1B petition.
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Read our guide for a complete overview of the H-1B process, from requirements to approval, including:
Each March, USCIS accepts H-1B registrations for a lottery that selects 85,000 petitions: 65,000 for the general cap and 20,000 for U.S. master's degree holders. If your registration gets selected, your employer can then file a full petition. Some employers, like universities or nonprofit research groups, are cap-exempt and can sponsor H-1B professionals anytime.
You need a bachelor's degree or equivalent for a specialty job that requires it. Your employer must sponsor you, file the petition, and prove the job qualifies. By law, the employer must pay all government application fees and associated legal costs; you cannot pay these yourself. This ensures a fair process for everyone.
The process starts with online registration in March. If selected, your employer can file the full petition from April 1. Approval times vary from a few weeks with premium process service to several months with standard process. For cap-subject petitions, your employment can start on October 1 of that year, if the petition receives approval.
The H-1B visa has a "portability" feature that allows you to move to a new employer. Your new company must file a new H-1B petition for you. Once USCIS accepts the petition and issues a receipt notice, you can leave your current job and start work at the new company. You do not need to wait for final approval.
Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can get H-4 dependent visas to live with you in the U.S. They can attend school, and in some cases, your spouse may be eligible for work authorization. This usually happens after you reach a certain stage in the green card process.
A recent proclamation introduced a significant fee for some new H-1B petitions. This fee applies only to petitions for workers who are outside the United States and do not already hold 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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Get clear guidance on your options and let our legal team, including an expert H-1B immigration lawyer, manage your case from preparation through USCIS submission.
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