Advance your career with the H-1B visa
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.
Check your H-1B eligibility
You may qualify for the H-1B visa if you meet several key criteria:
- Hold at least a bachelor's degree, or its foreign equivalent, in a field that is directly related to your job.
- Have a job offer from a U.S. employer for a specialty occupation, which is a role requiring a bachelor's degree.
- Work for an employer who will sponsor your petition and get a certified Labor Condition Application (LCA) on your behalf.
- Understand that most H-1B petitions are subject to an annual lottery, though some employers like universities are cap-exempt.
A faster path to your H-1B visa
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.
A clear path forward
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.
Expert attorney support
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.
Full process visibility
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.
Designed for specialty occupations
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.
Streamline your petition preparation
Lighthouse's platform puts all your petition needs in one central place. Upload key information through our digital system, communicate with your case team, and review documents built for your specific case. You can then edit and sign everything before we submit the final application on your behalf.
Get our complete H-1B visa guide
Read our guide for a complete overview of the H-1B process, from requirements to approval, including:
- Step-by-step application process
- H-4 visas for dependents
- Change jobs with H-1B portability
- Process timelines and costs
- The 2026 H-1B Fee Rule
Frequently asked questions
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.
Begin your H-1B journey with Lighthouse
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.