Advance your career with the H-1B visa
The H-1B visa lets professionals with a bachelor's degree or higher work in U.S. specialty occupations. This employer-sponsored status gives you three years of work authorization, extendable to six. Professionals in Newark use this visa to join top firms in fields like technology, finance, and healthcare.
A major advantage is dual intent, so you can pursue permanent residence while you work on H-1B status. This lets you build a career with U.S. employers and keep long-term options open. While the new H-1B fee rule has added some complexity to the process, the pathway remains a viable choice for professionals.
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 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 a certified Labor Condition Application (LCA) for you.
- Be selected in the annual H-1B lottery, unless your employer is cap-exempt, like a university or research organization.
A faster path to your H-1B visa
Lighthouse combines technology with the expertise of an H-1B visa lawyer to prepare your petition. We manage every step, from initial evaluation to USCIS submission, so you can concentrate on your career.
A clear path forward
Our platform helps you explore your visa options. It walks you through the requirements and shows how to strengthen your case. Submit your information through a simple form, and we will follow up with guidance on potential paths forward.
Expert legal review
An experienced H-1B visa attorney reviews your petition to ensure it meets all USCIS standards. Our H-1B attorneys provide guidance on complex cases and strengthen your application to minimize the risk of delays, RFEs, or denials. You have access to legal expertise throughout the process.
Clarity at every step
You always know your petition's status. The Lighthouse platform shows your progress, required documents, and future deadlines. We provide clear timelines and explain what comes next, so you can plan with confidence and remove all uncertainty.
A focus on technical fields
Lighthouse works with professionals in technology, engineering, and research. Our team has direct experience with the roles and qualifications of software engineers, data scientists, and other specialty occupations to prepare a complete and accurate H-1B petition.
A smarter way to prepare petitions
Lighthouse provides one platform for your entire H-1B petition. Upload critical information through our digital system, communicate with your case team, and review documents personalized for your case. Edit and sign all forms in a single, secure location before the final submission.
Explore our complete H-1B visa guide
Read our comprehensive guide to understand the full H-1B process from eligibility to final approval, including:
- Step-by-step application process
- H-4 visas for dependents
- Change jobs with H-1B portability
- Timelines and associated costs
- The 2026 H-1B Fee Rule
Frequently asked questions
Each March, USCIS accepts H-1B registrations for a lottery that selects 85,000 petitions. This total includes 65,000 for general applicants and 20,000 for those with a U.S. master's degree or higher. Some Newark employers, like universities, are cap-exempt and can sponsor H-1B professionals outside this lottery system at any time.
To qualify, you need a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in a specific field. Your job offer in Newark must be a 'specialty occupation,' which means the role requires the application of a body of highly specialized knowledge. Essentially, the job must demand the degree you possess for entry into the occupation.
Yes, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can accompany you to Newark with H-4 visas. While on H-4 status, your children can attend school. Your spouse may apply for work authorization, but only if you, the H-1B holder, have an approved I-140 immigrant petition for a green card.
The process starts with lottery registration in early March, and selections are announced by March 31. Your employer then files the full petition between April 1 and June 30. Standard approvals can take several months, but premium process shortens this to 15 days. If approved, you can start work on October 1.
You can switch jobs through a feature called H-1B portability. Your new employer files a new H-1B petition for you. Once USCIS accepts the petition and issues a receipt notice, you can legally start your new role. You do not need to wait for the final approval to begin work at the new company.
A recent presidential proclamation introduced a large 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 possess a valid H-1B visa. If you are in the U.S., this fee does not affect you.
Start your H-1B application with Lighthouse
With Lighthouse, you get clarity on your options and an expert H-1B visa lawyer to manage your case from preparation through USCIS submission.