Unlock professional opportunities with the H-1B visa
The H-1B visa allows professionals with a degree to work in U.S. specialty occupations. This employer-sponsored path provides three years of work authorization, extendable to six. Professionals in fields like technology, healthcare, and finance use this status to work legally for top American companies.
A major benefit is dual intent, which lets you pursue a green card while you work. You can build a career in the U.S. 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 qualify for the H-1B visa if you meet several key requirements:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent in a field directly related to the specialty occupation.
- Have a confirmed job offer from a U.S. employer for a role that requires such a degree.
- Your employer must sponsor your petition and get an approved Labor Condition Application (LCA) on your behalf.
- Be selected in the annual lottery, though some employers like universities and nonprofits are exempt from this cap.
Your H-1B petition prepared with expert speed
Lighthouse combines legal expertise with our platform to prepare your H-1B petition. An H-1B visa lawyer handles 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. Submit your details through a simple form, and we will follow up with guidance. The digital process walks you through each requirement and shows you how to build a stronger case.
Attorney petition review
Your petition receives a detailed review from experienced H-1B attorneys who know USCIS requirements. They spot potential issues, provide guidance for complex cases, and ensure your application is strong. You get access to legal expertise to help avoid delays, RFEs, or denials throughout the process.
Full application visibility
You always know your petition’s status. Our platform shows your petition status, any outstanding requirements, and all upcoming deadlines. We provide clear timelines and explain what comes next at each stage. This transparency helps you plan with confidence.
Designed for technical professionals
Lighthouse specializes in H-1B petitions for professionals in technology, engineering, and research. Our team understands the specific needs of software engineers, data scientists, and other specialty occupation roles, from job requirements to application timelines.
A smarter way to prepare
Our platform streamlines your H-1B petition. You upload key information to a secure digital system and communicate with your case team in one central place. Review, edit, and sign documents personalized for your specific petition before the final submission.
Explore our comprehensive H-1B visa guide
Read our complete guide to understand the H-1B visa process from initial requirements to final approval:
- Step-by-step application process
- H-4 visas for dependents
- Job changes and portability
- Timelines and associated costs
- The 2026 H-1B Fee Rule
Frequently asked questions
Each March, employers submit registrations for the H-1B lottery. USCIS then selects 85,000 petitions—65,000 for general applicants and 20,000 for those with a U.S. master's degree or higher. If selected, your employer can file a full petition. Some employers, like universities or nonprofit research centers, are cap-exempt and can sponsor H-1B professionals anytime.
To qualify, you generally need a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in a specific field. The job itself must be a "specialty occupation," which means it requires the theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge. Your degree must directly relate to the duties of the professional role you seek on Long Island.
You can move to a new employer through a process called H-1B portability. Your new employer must file a new H-1B petition for you. Once USCIS receives this petition and issues a receipt notice, you can start your new job. This feature gives you the freedom to pursue better opportunities without a permanent tie to one company.
The process starts with the lottery registration in early March. Selections usually happen by the end of March. Your employer then files the full petition, typically from April to June. After approval, you can start work on October 1, the first day of the new fiscal year. The entire cycle takes about six to seven months.
Yes, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can get H-4 visas to accompany you. Your spouse may be eligible for permission to work if you have an approved I-140 immigrant petition or meet other specific conditions. This allows them to seek employment in Long Island while you maintain your H-1B status with your employer.
A presidential proclamation introduced a significant 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 an extension, you are exempt. The proclamation details explain these new rules.
Begin your H-1B journey with Lighthouse
Get clear guidance on your options and a legal team that manages your case from preparation through USCIS submission, offering the expertise of an H-1B visa lawyer.