Lighthouse combines smart technology with legal services from licensed, independent H-1B attorneys to help you navigate the application process with clarity and confidence.
The H-1B visa opens doors for professionals with a bachelor's degree or higher to work in specialty occupations that match their expertise. In New Jersey, this employer-sponsored status provides work authorization for up to six years in fields like technology, healthcare, and finance.
A significant benefit is dual intent, which lets you pursue a green card while you work. This feature keeps your long-term immigration options open as you advance your career. While the new H-1B fee rule has added some complexity to the process, the visa remains a strong pathway for skilled professionals.
You may qualify for the H-1B visa if you:
Lighthouse combines legal expertise with purpose-built technology to prepare your H-1B petition. An H-1B visa attorney handles every detail, from the Labor Condition Application to USCIS submission, so you can focus on your work.
Our platform helps you explore potential visa paths. It guides you through each requirement and shows how to build a stronger case. Submit your information through a simple form, and we will follow up with guidance on your options.
Experienced H-1B attorneys review your petition to ensure it meets all USCIS standards. We identify potential problems, address complex situations, and strengthen your case to reduce the risk of delays or RFEs. You have access to our legal expertise from start to finish.
You always know where your petition stands. Our platform shows your application status, what we need from you, and what comes next. Clear timelines and a view of all deadlines reduce uncertainty and help you prepare for the future.
We work with professionals in technology, engineering, and research on their H-1B petitions. Our team understands the specific requirements for software engineers, data scientists, and other specialty occupation roles and how to best present their qualifications.
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Read our guide for a full breakdown of the H-1B visa process, from initial requirements to final approval, including:
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Each March, USCIS accepts registrations for a random lottery to fill 85,000 H-1B slots. If selected, your employer files your petition. However, certain New Jersey employers like universities and nonprofit research organizations are cap-exempt. They can sponsor H-1B workers at any time, completely outside of the annual lottery system.
You need a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent for the role. The job itself must demand this qualification. Your position in New Jersey must be a "specialty occupation," which means its duties are complex and require theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge. An H-1B immigration attorney can assess this.
Your employer acts as your sponsor and files the H-1B petition. The law requires the company to pay all government filing fees and legal costs associated with the petition. These expenses cannot be passed on to you, the employee. The employer typically works with legal experts to prepare the documentation correctly.
The process begins with the lottery registration in early March, with selections announced by the end of the month. Your employer then has from April 1 to June 30 to file the full petition. If your petition receives approval, your H-1B status and authorization to work start on October 1.
The H-1B portability rule lets you change employers. Your new company must file a new H-1B petition for you. You can start the new job as soon as USCIS issues a receipt notice for the transfer petition. You do not need to wait for the final approval, which offers significant career flexibility.
A recent presidential proclamation introduced a significant 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. and your employer files for a change of status or an extension, you are exempt. Read more about the proclamation on H-1B fees.
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With Lighthouse, you get clear guidance on your options. Our team, including an experienced H-1B visa attorney, will manage your case from preparation through USCIS submission.
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