Advance your career with the H-1B visa
The H-1B visa allows professionals from Manchester with a degree to work in U.S. specialty occupations. This employer-sponsored path provides three years of work authorization, extendable to six. It opens doors for specialists in technology, finance, and healthcare to accept roles at American companies that match their qualifications.
A key benefit is dual intent, which lets you pursue a green card while you work. This keeps long-term immigration options open as you build a career in the United States. While the new H-1B fee rule has added some complexity to the process, the visa remains a strong choice.
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 foreign equivalent in a field directly related to your proposed job.
- Have a confirmed job offer from a U.S. employer for a role that qualifies as a specialty occupation.
- The job must require specialized knowledge, typically meaning a bachelor's degree is a minimum entry requirement for the role.
- Your employer must sponsor your petition and get an approved Labor Condition Application (LCA) on your behalf.
- Most petitions are subject to the annual H-1B lottery, but positions at universities or certain nonprofits are exempt.
Your H-1B petition prepared in four steps
Lighthouse combines our platform with legal expertise to prepare your H-1B petition. From evaluation to USCIS submission, your H-1B visa lawyer handles every detail so you can focus on your career.
A clear path forward
Our platform helps you understand your visa options. It walks you through all requirements and shows you how to build a stronger case. Submit your information via a simple form, and we will follow up with guidance on potential paths.
Expert attorney guidance
Your petition gets a full review from experienced H-1B attorneys who understand USCIS standards. We identify potential problems, address weak spots, and make sure your application is solid. You have access to legal expertise for any complex situations that arise during the process.
Total process transparency
You always know your petition's status. Our platform shows clear timelines, what we need from you, and what comes next. See your petition status, required items, and future deadlines at a glance. This transparency removes uncertainty and helps you plan.
Designed for specialty occupations
Lighthouse focuses on H-1B petitions for professionals in advanced fields like technology, engineering, and research. We understand the unique requirements for roles such as software engineers, data scientists, and researchers to prepare a petition that reflects your qualifications.
A smarter way to prepare
Our platform simplifies the H-1B petition from start to finish. Use our secure system to upload information, communicate with your case team, and review personalized documents. You can edit and sign everything in one central place for a transparent review before submission.
Download our complete H-1B visa guide
Read our guide to understand the H-1B visa process from start to finish, including key requirements:
- Step-by-step application process
- H-4 visas for dependents
- Change jobs with H-1B portability
- Complete timelines and costs
- The 2026 H-1B Fee Rule
Frequently asked questions
The U.S. government sets an annual cap of 85,000 H-1B visas. A random lottery in March selects applicants from a larger pool. Some employers, like universities or nonprofit research groups, are cap-exempt. This means they can sponsor H-1B professionals at any time of the year without entry into the lottery system.
To qualify, you typically need a bachelor's degree or its equivalent in a specific field. Your job must also be a "specialty occupation," which means it requires the application of a body of highly specialized knowledge. Your degree must directly relate to the duties of the professional role you seek to fill.
Your employer acts as your petitioner and must file all the required forms with USCIS. They must also prove they can pay your wage. By law, the employer must pay all mandatory government application and legal fees associated with the petition. You are not permitted to pay or reimburse these specific costs.
The H-1B has a "portability" feature. Your new employer files a new H-1B petition on your behalf. Once U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirms receipt of the petition, you can begin your new role. You do not need to wait for the final approval to make the switch between employers.
Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can get H-4 dependent visas to accompany you to the U.S. They can study, but cannot work unless you meet certain criteria. Specifically, H-4 spouses may apply for work authorization if you have an approved I-140 immigrant petition, a key step toward a green card.
A recent presidential proclamation introduced a significant fee for some 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. As a professional in Manchester who seeks a new visa, this fee could apply to your case.
Work with an expert H-1B visa lawyer
Lighthouse gives you clarity on your immigration options and a legal team that manages your case from preparation through USCIS submission.