Advance your career with an H-1B visa
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.
Check your H-1B eligibility
You may qualify for the H-1B visa if you:
- Hold at least a bachelor's degree, or its foreign equivalent, in a field that is directly related to your job offer.
- Have a job offer from a U.S. employer for a specialty occupation, such as a software developer, engineer, or research scientist.
- Work for an employer who will sponsor your petition and get a certified Labor Condition Application (LCA) on your behalf.
- Understand that most petitions are subject to the annual lottery, though roles at universities or nonprofit research organizations are often exempt.
A smarter way to prepare your H-1B petition
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.
A clear path forward
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.
Expert legal review
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.
Clarity at every step
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.
Designed for technical roles
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.
A smarter petition preparation process
The Lighthouse platform streamlines your H-1B petition from start to finish. Upload your critical information to our secure system, communicate with your case team, and review personalized documents. You can edit and sign all materials in one central place for a final check before submission.
Get our complete H-1B visa guide
Read our guide to understand the entire H-1B process, from initial requirements to final approval, including:
- Step-by-step application process
- Dependent visa options
- H-1B portability to change jobs
- Timeline and cost breakdown
- The 2026 H-1B Fee Rule
Frequently asked questions
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.
Begin your H-1B journey with Lighthouse
With Lighthouse, you get clarity on your visa options and an expert H-1B lawyer to manage your case from preparation through USCIS submission.