Lighthouse combines smart technology with legal services from independent H-1B visa attorneys to help you navigate the application process with clarity and confidence.
The H-1B visa allows professionals with a degree to work in specialty occupations for U.S. employers. This employer-sponsored status provides work authorization for three years, extendable to six. It creates pathways for experts in technology, healthcare, and finance to contribute their skills legally in the United States.
A key benefit is dual intent, which lets you pursue permanent residence while you work. This feature allows you to build a career with top U.S. companies and keep long-term immigration options open. While the new H-1B fee rule has added some complexity, the visa remains a strong option.
You may be eligible for an H-1B visa if you meet the following criteria:
Lighthouse combines legal expertise with technology to prepare your H-1B petition in weeks. An expert H-1B visa attorney handles every detail from the initial evaluation to the final USCIS submission.
Our platform helps you explore your visa options. It walks you through each requirement and shows you how to build a stronger case. Submit your information through a simple form, and we will follow up with guidance on potential paths forward.
Experienced H-1B attorneys review your petition to ensure it meets all USCIS standards. We identify potential problems, address weak points, and help you navigate complex situations like job changes or amendments. You get access to legal expertise to support your case from start to finish.
You always know your petition's status. The Lighthouse platform displays your petition progress, outstanding requirements, and all upcoming deadlines. Clear timelines and next steps at each stage remove uncertainty and let you plan with confidence.
We work with professionals in technology, engineering, and research. Our team understands the unique requirements for roles like software engineer, data scientist, and research scientist. This specific focus allows us to build a comprehensive and compelling H-1B petition.
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"Lighthouse is insanely fast. Your new colleague might not even have finished their work trial by the time Lighthouse has already gotten them an O1 visa. Highly recommend working with them!"
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“The weight of dealing with the immigration stuff has been some of the heaviest in my life...so her calm, extreme competence and her warmth made me so cared for.”
"O-1A approved! Thanks to Minn and Lighthouse for their guidance and support throughout the whole process. Would recommend working with them for your visa needs. Blazingly fast, no fuss and very responsive!"
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Explore our guide for a full breakdown of the H-1B visa process from start to finish, including:
Each March, USCIS holds a random lottery for 85,000 H-1B slots. If selected, your employer files a full petition. Some Tucson employers, like universities or nonprofit research groups, are cap-exempt. This means they can sponsor H-1B professionals at any time of the year, completely outside of the annual lottery system.
You generally need a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in a specific field. The job itself must also require this degree for its duties. If you lack a degree, USCIS may accept three years of progressive work experience for each year of missed university study. Your role must be a "specialty occupation."
Your employer must sponsor you and file the petition with USCIS. They prove the job is a specialty occupation and agree to pay you the required wage. The employer must pay all government filing fees and legal costs associated with the petition. You, the employee, cannot legally pay for these sponsorship expenses.
The timeline varies. Lottery registration is in March, with results by the end of the month. Petition filing starts April 1. Standard processing can take several months. With premium processing, you get a decision in 15 days. If approved, you can start work on October 1, the first day of the fiscal year.
Yes, H-1B status is portable. Your new employer files a new H-1B petition on your behalf. Once USCIS receives this "transfer" petition and issues a receipt notice, you can start work at the new company. You do not need to wait for the final approval, which gives you great career flexibility.
This proposed fee is part of a new presidential proclamation and would apply only to certain new H-1B petitions. It targets petitions for workers who are outside the United States. If you are already in the U.S. on a different visa or transfer an H-1B, this fee does not apply.
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With Lighthouse, you get clear guidance on your visa options and an H-1B visa attorney to manage your case from preparation through USCIS submission.
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