Lighthouse combines smart technology with legal services from licensed, independent attorneys to help you navigate the H-1B visa process with clarity and confidence.
The H-1B visa lets professionals with a bachelor's degree or higher work in specialty occupations. This employer-sponsored status provides a three-year work permit, with a possible extension to six years. It allows experts in fields like technology, healthcare, and finance to work legally for U.S. companies, including those in Grand Forks.
A significant benefit is dual intent, which lets you pursue a green card while you hold H-1B status. This feature helps you build a career with top employers and keep long-term immigration options open. While the new H-1B fee rule has added some complexity to the process, the visa remains a strong choice for skilled professionals.
You may be eligible for an H-1B visa if you meet the following core requirements:
Lighthouse combines technology with the expertise of an H-1B visa lawyer to prepare your petition fast. We handle every detail, from evaluation to USCIS submission, so you can focus on your career.
Our platform helps you explore your visa options. It walks you through each requirement and shows how to strengthen your case. Submit your details through a simple form, and we will follow up with guidance on potential paths forward.
Your petition gets a full review from experienced H-1B attorneys who know USCIS requirements. They identify potential issues, provide guidance for complex cases, and ensure your application avoids common pitfalls. This expert support minimizes the risk of delays, RFEs, or denials from start to finish.
You always know where you are in the process. The Lighthouse platform shows your petition status, outstanding requirements, and upcoming deadlines. Clear timelines and explanations of next steps reduce uncertainty and let you plan with confidence.
Lighthouse works with professionals in technology, engineering, and research. Our team has deep experience with the specific needs of software engineers, data scientists, and other specialty roles, and we prepare petitions that reflect that subject matter expertise.
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Read our detailed guide to understand the entire H-1B visa process from eligibility to approval, including:
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Each March, USCIS accepts H-1B registrations for a random lottery that selects 85,000 petitions nationwide. This includes 65,000 for general applicants and 20,000 for those with a U.S. master's degree or higher. If selected, your employer files your petition. Some Grand Forks employers, like universities or nonprofit research groups, are cap-exempt and can sponsor H-1B workers anytime.
To qualify, your job must be a "specialty occupation," which means it requires a specific body of knowledge. You typically need a U.S. bachelor's degree or its foreign equivalent in a field directly related to the position. Relevant work experience can sometimes substitute for a degree, but the job itself must demand specialized skills.
A recent presidential proclamation introduced a significant fee for some new H-1B petitions. This fee only affects 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.
The process starts with online registration in early March. Lottery results arrive by the end of March. If selected, your employer can file the full petition from April 1. Standard processing takes several months, but premium processing shortens this to 15 days. If approved, your H-1B status and work authorization begin on October 1.
The H-1B portability rule allows you to switch employers. Your new employer must file a new H-1B petition for you. You do not need to wait for the final approval to start your new role. Once U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) accepts the petition and issues a receipt notice, you can begin work immediately.
Yes, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can get H-4 dependent visas to accompany you. While children can attend school, your spouse's ability to work is limited. An H-4 spouse may apply for work authorization only if you, the H-1B holder, have an approved I-140 immigrant petition, which is a step toward a green card.
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Lighthouse gives you clarity on your visa options and provides an expert H-1B visa lawyer team to carry your case through USCIS submission.
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