Advance your career with an H-1B visa
The H-1B visa lets professionals with a bachelor's degree or higher work in specialty occupations across the U.S. This employer-sponsored status provides a three-year work authorization, with an extension possible for up to six years. Professionals in Ft. Worth use this pathway to secure roles in fields like technology, healthcare, and finance.
A major benefit is dual intent, which lets you pursue a green card while you work. This feature allows you to build a career with a U.S. employer and keep long-term residence options open. 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 be eligible for an H-1B visa if you meet the following core requirements:
- Hold a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from another country in a field related to your job.
- Have a job offer in a specialty occupation from a U.S. employer, like a software developer or analyst.
- Work with a sponsoring employer who will file your petition after getting Labor Condition Application (LCA) approval.
- Be selected in the annual H-1B lottery, unless your employer is cap-exempt, such as a university or research organization.
Your fastest path to an H-1B visa
Lighthouse combines legal expertise with technology to prepare your petition in weeks. An expert H-1B visa lawyer handles every detail, from evaluation to USCIS submission, so you can focus on your work.
Initial visa guidance
Our digital platform helps you explore visa options. It provides a clear guide through each requirement and shows how to build a stronger case. Submit your information via a simple form, and we follow up with guidance on potential paths.
Expert legal review
Experienced H-1B attorneys review your petition to ensure it meets all USCIS standards. We identify potential problems, address complex situations like job changes, and reduce the risk of delays or denial. You have access to our legal experts for guidance throughout the entire process.
Clarity at every step
You always know where your petition stands. Our platform details what we need from you, what comes next, and all upcoming deadlines. This transparency offers clear timelines, removes uncertainty, and lets you plan ahead with total confidence.
Expertise for skilled professionals
Lighthouse specializes in H-1B petitions for skilled workers in technology, engineering, and research. Our team understands the specific needs of software engineers, data scientists, and other professionals in advanced fields to prepare a strong and accurate application.
Manage your petition in one place
Our platform simplifies each step of your H-1B preparation. Upload critical information to a secure system, communicate with your case team, and review personalized documents. Edit and sign all your files, then check the final application before submission.
Get our complete H-1B visa guide
Read our comprehensive guide to understand the full H-1B process from eligibility to final approval, including:
- Step-by-step application process
- H-4 visas for dependents
- Rules for changing jobs
- Timeline and cost breakdown
- The 2026 H-1B Fee Rule
Frequently asked questions
Each March, USCIS accepts H-1B registrations for a lottery that selects 85,000 petitions. This includes 65,000 for general applicants and 20,000 for those with U.S. master's degrees. If selected, your employer files your petition. Some Ft. Worth employers, like universities, are cap-exempt and can sponsor professionals outside this lottery system.
To qualify, you need a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in a specific field. The job must be a "specialty occupation," which means it requires the theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge. Your Ft. Worth employer must show that your degree is a direct requirement for the role.
Your employer acts as the petitioner and must file all the necessary paperwork with USCIS on your behalf. By law, the employer must pay all mandatory government and legal fees associated with the H-1B petition. You, the employee, cannot legally pay or reimburse your employer for these specific costs.
The process starts with the lottery registration in March. Selections happen by the end of that month. Your employer can then submit the full petition from April 1. Standard approvals can take several months, but with premium process service, you can get a decision in 15 calendar days. Work can begin October 1.
H-1B portability allows you to change employers. Your new Ft. Worth company must submit a new H-1B petition for you. Once USCIS accepts the petition and issues a receipt notice, you can start work at the new job. You do not need to wait for the final approval of the petition.
A recent presidential proclamation introduced a $100,000 fee for certain 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. 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 a legal team led by an expert H-1B visa lawyer to carry your case through USCIS submission.