Advance your career with an H-1B visa
The H-1B visa allows professionals with a degree to work in specialty occupations for U.S. employers in Elkhart. This employer-sponsored status provides work authorization for up to six years in fields like technology, healthcare, and finance.
A key benefit is dual intent, which lets you pursue a green card while you work. This keeps your long-term immigration options open as you build a career in the United States. While the new H-1B fee rule has added some complexity to the process, the visa remains a strong choice 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 a bachelor's degree or its foreign equivalent in a field directly related to your job.
- Have a job offer from a U.S. employer in a specialty occupation—a role requiring a degree, like an engineer or analyst.
- Your employer must sponsor your petition and get an approved Labor Condition Application (LCA) from the Department of Labor.
- Be selected in the annual H-1B lottery, unless your employer is cap-exempt, such as a university or research institution.
A faster path to your H-1B visa
Lighthouse combines purpose-built technology with legal expertise to prepare your H-1B petition. Our H-1B visa attorney team manages every step, from evaluation to final USCIS submission, for a complete and correct application.
A clear first step
Our platform helps you explore your visa options. Submit a simple form, and we will follow up with guidance on potential paths. The digital process walks you through each requirement and shows you how to build a stronger case.
Expert legal review
Your petition gets a full review from experienced H-1B attorneys who know USCIS requirements. They find and fix potential issues early to minimize delays or RFEs. You get expert guidance on complex matters and have legal support for your case from the start.
Full process visibility
You always know where your petition stands. Our platform provides a complete view of your application status, outstanding requirements, and important deadlines. With clear timelines and explanations of what comes next, you can plan ahead with confidence and less uncertainty.
Designed for specialty occupations
We work with professionals in technology, engineering, and advanced research. Our team understands the specific needs of software engineers, data scientists, and other experts, which allows for a petition that reflects deep domain knowledge.
Manage your entire petition online
Lighthouse provides a single, secure platform for your H-1B petition. You upload key information, communicate with your case team, and review personalized documents. Edit and sign all forms and letters directly on the platform before we submit your application.
Navigate the H-1B visa with our guide
Read our comprehensive guide to learn about the full process, from initial requirements to final approval, including:
- Step-by-step application process
- H-4 visas for dependents
- Change jobs with H-1B portability
- Full timeline and cost breakdown
- The 2026 H-1B Fee Rule
Frequently asked questions
Each March, USCIS accepts H-1B registrations for its annual lottery. The system randomly selects 85,000 petitions to meet the cap—65,000 for general applicants and 20,000 for those with a U.S. master's degree or higher. Employers like universities or nonprofit research groups are cap-exempt and can sponsor professionals at any time outside this lottery.
To qualify, you generally need a bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent in a specific field. The job itself must be a specialty occupation, which means it requires theoretical and practical application of specialized knowledge. Your employer must demonstrate that the role’s duties are so complex they demand a person with a degree.
Your employer sponsors your H-1B petition and must prove the job qualifies as a specialty occupation. The employer must also pay all required government application fees and legal costs associated with the petition. By law, these costs are the employer’s responsibility and cannot be passed on to you, the prospective employee.
The process starts with lottery registration in early March. If selected, your employer can submit the full petition on April 1. Standard government review takes several months, though premium processing shortens this to 15 calendar days for an extra fee. If your petition receives approval, your H-1B status and ability to work begin October 1.
The H-1B portability rule allows you to move to a new employer. Your new company must submit a fresh H-1B petition on your behalf. As soon as USCIS accepts the petition and sends a receipt notice, you can start the new job. You do not need to wait for the final approval notice.
A recent presidential proclamation introduced a significant new fee for certain H-1B petitions. This fee only affects petitions for professionals 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 submits an extension, you are exempt.
Simplify your H-1B visa process
With Lighthouse, you get clear direction on your options and a legal team, including an H-1B visa attorney, to carry your case through USCIS submission.