Lighthouse combines smart technology with legal services provided by licensed, independent H-1B attorneys to help you navigate the process with clarity and confidence.
The H-1B visa allows foreign professionals with a bachelor's degree or higher to work in specialty occupations in the U.S. For professionals in Fresno, this employer-sponsored pathway provides work authorization for three years, extendable to six, in fields like technology, engineering, and healthcare.
A key advantage is dual intent, which lets you seek a green card while you work. This keeps long-term residence options open as you advance your career. While the new H-1B fee rule has added some complexity to the process, the visa remains a valuable route for skilled professionals.
You may qualify for the H-1B visa if you:
Lighthouse combines technology with the support of an expert H-1B lawyer to prepare your petition in weeks, not months. We manage 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 the requirements and shows how to build a stronger case. Submit your information through a simple form, and we'll follow up with guidance on potential paths forward.
Your petition gets a thorough check from experienced H-1B attorneys who know USCIS requirements. Our team helps you handle complex cases like job changes or amendments and reduces the risk of delays or RFEs. You have access to an expert H-1B lawyer for support.
You always know where your petition stands. The Lighthouse platform displays your status, outstanding requirements, and all upcoming deadlines. We provide clear timelines and explain what comes next at each stage, so you can plan ahead with total confidence.
We specialize in H-1B support for professionals in technology, engineering, and advanced research. Our team understands the specific job duties, qualifications, and evidence relevant to software engineers, data scientists, and other complex technical roles.
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Read our guide to understand the entire H-1B process, from initial requirements to final approval, including:
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Each March, USCIS holds a lottery for 85,000 H-1B slots—65,000 for the general category and 20,000 for U.S. master's degree holders. If your registration gets selected, your employer then files the full petition. Some employers, like universities or specific nonprofits, are cap-exempt and can file petitions for you anytime without the lottery.
To qualify, you need a bachelor's degree or its equivalent in a specific field. The job itself must also require this degree, which makes it a "specialty occupation." Your education and the job duties must align. For example, a software developer role that requires a computer science degree would meet this standard.
Your employer must sponsor you and file the petition with USCIS on your behalf. The law requires the employer to pay all government fees and associated legal costs. You, the employee, cannot pay for these mandatory expenses. The employer also attests to your wages and work conditions through a Labor Condition Application.
H-1B portability lets you change jobs. Your new employer files a new H-1B petition for you. Once USCIS receives this "transfer" petition and issues a receipt notice, you can start work at the new company. This feature gives you the freedom to pursue other opportunities without a gap in your employment authorization.
Yes, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can get H-4 dependent visas to accompany you. While H-4 status does not automatically grant work authorization, your spouse may be eligible to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) once you reach a certain stage in your green card process, like an approved I-140 petition.
A recent presidential proclamation introduced a $100,000 fee for some new H-1B petitions. This fee only applies 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 extension, you are exempt.
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With Lighthouse, you get clarity on your visa options and an expert H-1B lawyer to manage your case from preparation through USCIS submission.
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