Advance your career with an H-1B visa
The H-1B visa allows foreign professionals with advanced degrees to work in U.S. specialty occupations. This employer-sponsored status provides a three-year work authorization, extendable to six years. In Los Angeles, professionals use this visa for roles in sectors like technology, healthcare, and finance that require specialized knowledge.
A key benefit is dual intent, which lets you pursue permanent residence while you hold H-1B status. This offers a clear route to build a long-term career with top U.S. employers. While the new H-1B fee rule has added some complexity to the process, the visa remains a valuable option 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 your proposed job.
- Have a job offer from a U.S. employer for a specialty occupation, which is a role that requires a degree.
- Work with an employer who will sponsor your petition and get the required Labor Condition Application (LCA) approval.
- Understand that most petitions are subject to the annual lottery, though employers like universities are cap-exempt.
Our four-step path to H-1B approval
Lighthouse pairs technology with the expertise of an H-1B visa lawyer to prepare your petition efficiently. We manage every step, from the Labor Condition Application to final USCIS documents, so you can concentrate on your career.
A clear path forward
Our platform helps you explore your visa options. Submit your information through a simple form, and we follow up with guidance on potential paths. The digital process walks you through each requirement and shows how to strengthen your case.
Expert attorney review
Your petition receives review from experienced H-1B attorneys who know USCIS requirements. They identify potential issues, strengthen your case, and ensure your application meets every standard. You have legal expertise for complex matters like job changes or amendments, backing your case from start to finish.
Total process transparency
You always know where your petition stands. Our platform shows your current status, outstanding requirements, and upcoming deadlines. With clear timelines and a view of what comes next, you can plan ahead with confidence and less uncertainty.
Designed for specialty occupations
Lighthouse supports H-1B petitions for professionals in technology, engineering, and research. Our team has deep knowledge of the specific needs of software engineers, data scientists, and other experts in advanced fields. We prepare petitions with precision for these roles.
A smarter way to prepare
Our platform puts you in control of your H-1B petition. Upload key documents, communicate with your case team, and review personalized forms in one central place. You can edit, sign, and check the final application before it gets submitted.
Get our complete H-1B visa guide
Read our comprehensive guide to learn the entire H-1B visa process, from initial requirements to final approval, including:
- Step-by-step application process
- H-4 visas for dependents
- H-1B portability for job changes
- H-1B timelines and costs
- The 2026 H-1B Fee Rule
Frequently asked questions
Each March, USCIS accepts H-1B registrations for a lottery that chooses 85,000 petitions: 65,000 for the general pool and 20,000 for U.S. master's degree holders. If your number comes up, your employer can submit your petition. Some LA employers, like universities or research non-profits, are cap-exempt and can sponsor you anytime.
You must possess a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in a specific field. The job itself must be a "specialty occupation," which means it requires that specific degree for its duties. For example, a software developer role in LA's tech scene that demands a computer science degree would meet this standard.
Your employer acts as the petitioner. They must submit the H-1B petition to USCIS and show the job qualifies as a specialty occupation. The law mandates that your employer pays all required government and legal fees for the petition. You cannot cover these costs, but you can pay for the optional premium service fee.
Registration happens in March, with lottery results shortly after. Your employer can submit the full petition from April 1. Standard review takes several months. With an approval, you can start work on October 1. The optional premium service shortens the petition review to 15 days but does not change the October 1 start date.
H-1B portability allows you to switch employers. Your new employer submits a new H-1B petition on your behalf. As soon as USCIS accepts the case and issues a receipt notice, you can legally start your new role. You do not need to wait for the final approval, which gives you career flexibility.
A recent presidential proclamation introduced a $100,000 fee for some new H-1B petitions. This fee only affects petitions for workers outside the United States who do not already hold a valid H-1B visa. If you are in the U.S. and your employer requests a status change or extension, you are exempt.
Let's begin your H-1B petition
Lighthouse provides clear guidance on your options and a legal team, including an H-1B visa lawyer, that manages your case from preparation through USCIS submission.