Advance your career with the H-1B visa
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.
Check your H-1B eligibility
You may be eligible for an H-1B visa if you meet the following criteria:
- Hold a bachelor's degree or its equivalent in a field that is directly related to your proposed job.
- Have a job offer from a U.S. employer for a specialty occupation, such as an engineer, analyst, or researcher.
- Work with an employer who will file your H-1B petition and get an approved Labor Condition Application (LCA).
- Are selected in the annual H-1B lottery, unless your employer is a cap-exempt organization like a university.
Your H-1B petition prepared in four simple steps
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.
A clear path forward
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.
Expert attorney review
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.
Total process transparency
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.
Specialization in advanced fields
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.
Your H-1B petition made simple
Lighthouse provides a central hub for your H-1B case. Use our platform to upload key files, talk to your case team, and review custom documents. You can edit and sign all materials for your specific petition inside our secure digital system before the final submission.
Get our complete H-1B visa guide
Explore our guide for a full breakdown of the H-1B visa process from start to finish, including:
- Step-by-step application process
- H-4 visas for dependents
- H-1B portability for job changes
- Timeline and cost breakdown
- The 2026 H-1B Fee Rule
Frequently asked questions
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.
Begin your H-1B journey with Lighthouse
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.