Lighthouse combines smart technology with legal services from licensed, independent O-1 visa attorneys to help you navigate your application with clarity and confidence.
The O-1 visa lets individuals with extraordinary ability work in specialized fields for U.S. employers in Seattle and beyond. It has no annual cap and is granted for up to three years, with unlimited one-year extensions. This creates opportunities for top talent in sciences, arts, education, business, and athletics.
The visa's dual intent is a key advantage, as it allows you to pursue a green card while on O-1 status. This flexibility makes the O-1 a strong option for professionals who build long-term careers in the U.S. The path from an O-1 visa to green card is straightforward.
You may be eligible for an O-1 visa if you meet several key requirements, including:
Lighthouse unites legal expertise with purpose-built technology to prepare your O-1 petition in weeks, not months. We handle every detail, from evidence compilation to USCIS submission, so you can focus on your career.
Explore your visa options with our platform. It guides you through all the requirements and explains how to prepare a strong case. After you submit your information via a simple form, we will provide guidance on possible ways forward.
Your petition receives a thorough review from experienced O-1 visa attorneys to ensure it meets strict USCIS standards. We provide guidance on complex scenarios and work to minimize the risk of delays or RFEs. You have access to dedicated legal expertise from start to finish.
You always know your application's status. Our platform provides clear timelines and shows your petition progress, outstanding requirements, and key deadlines. This transparency removes uncertainty and lets you plan with confidence.
We specialize in O-1 petitions for professionals in technology, engineering, and research. Our team understands the unique requirements of software engineers, data scientists, and other advanced roles, and knows how to present your qualifications for a successful application.
"Still trying to process this — my second O-1 has been approved! Thank you everyone, truly. Shoutout to for living up to their name when I needed help the most
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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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"If you also want to join the league of extraordinary aliens, you should use Lighthouse. Impressively fast, but also confidently handled with the minimum fuss and very responsive which is just so calming in an otherwise very stressful process."
“US O1A visa approved! Thanks to Lighthouse that was much faster and less effort than I expected, they just took care of everything!”
“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!"
"It was really great working with Minn and I strongly recommend a chat with her if you need help getting a visa!"
"I am forever grateful to Minn for helping me get O1A. Having dealt with a number of visas and attorneys over the past 5 years, working with Minn was the first time I felt supported and safe! Can't recommend enough. Awesome people, incredible product."
Read our guide for a complete overview of the O-1 visa process, from eligibility to approval, including:
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To qualify for an O-1 visa, you must prove extraordinary ability in your field through sustained national or international acclaim. USCIS looks for evidence like major awards, articles about your work, a high salary, or significant contributions to your industry. Unlike other visas, a specific degree isn't required; your proven achievements are what matter most.
Your employer or an O‑1 visa agent files Form I-129 and gets a written advisory opinion from a peer group in your field. The employer is responsible for filing fees, which can range from the base $460 to several thousand dollars if you choose premium processing. They must also provide a detailed job description.
Standard O-1 processing usually takes 2-4 months for approval after the petition is submitted. If you opt for premium processing, which costs an additional $2,805, USCIS provides a decision within 15 business days. Since there's no lottery or annual cap, your employer can file anytime. Consular processing abroad can add another 2-4 weeks.
Yes, you can change jobs, but your new employer must file a completely new O-1 petition on your behalf. You cannot start the new role until this petition is approved, unlike the H-1B's portability rules. This process requires fresh evidence of your extraordinary ability and a new advisory opinion from a relevant peer group.
Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 are eligible for O-3 dependent visas, allowing them to live and study in the U.S. with you. However, it's important to know that O-3 visa holders are not permitted to work under any circumstances. This is a key difference from some H-4 spouses who may be eligible for work authorization.
For your O-1 visa interview, bring your I-797 approval notice, passport, DS-160 confirmation page, and supporting evidence of your achievements. Be prepared to clearly explain your work and accomplishments to the consular officer. They will want to understand your role with the petitioning employer and why your skills are considered extraordinary.
Lighthouse is a platform that helps you prepare your immigration documentation. We help you understand the best visa path for your situation and then work with you to prepare a strong application that meets USCIS standards. Our team maps your accomplishments to the O-1 criteria and connects you with an experienced attorney who reviews your case.
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Get clarity on your visa options and let our legal experts handle your case from preparing evidence to filing with USCIS.
We connect you with an expert immigration attorney to prepare your petition in weeks, not months. We support H-1B, O-1A, L-1, TN, EB-1A, EB-2 NIW, and other employment-based visa and green card pathways for professionals and employers in San Francisco and across the U.S.
Lighthouse supports all employment-based visas and select green card pathways.
Do not let immigration stall your hire timeline. We identify the best visa path for every new hire, complete petitions within weeks, and offer you total visibility on each case. We provide each hire with a dedicated case manager, a review from our attorneys, and a 24-hour response SLA. The fastest-growth teams at Notion, Ramp, Baseten, and Cognition trust us.
Begin with a free eligibility evaluation. We review your background, education, work history, and achievements to determine which visas fit your profile and outline your next steps. Your dedicated Lighthouse case manager collects documents, drafts petition letters, and confirms all materials meet USCIS standards before we submit. Your case team supports you through each step until you receive approval.
Lighthouse supports all employment-based visas and select green card pathways.
We prepare your petition in under three weeks. Our platform automates document collection, form completion, and status updates in parallel. This frees our immigration lawyers to focus on legal strategy, not paperwork.
We prepare your petition in under three weeks. Our platform automates document collection, form completion, and status updates in parallel. This frees our immigration lawyers to focus on legal strategy, not paperwork.
We prepare your petition in under three weeks. Our platform automates document collection, form completion, and status updates in parallel. This frees our immigration lawyers to focus on legal strategy, not paperwork.
We prepare your petition in under three weeks. Our platform automates document collection, form completion, and status updates in parallel. This frees our immigration lawyers to focus on legal strategy, not paperwork.
"Still trying to process this — my second O-1 has been approved! Thank you everyone, truly. Shoutout to for living up to their name when I needed help the most
"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!"
"If you also want to join the league of extraordinary aliens, you should use Lighthouse. Impressively fast, but also confidently handled with the minimum fuss and very responsive which is just so calming in an otherwise very stressful process."
“US O1A visa approved! Thanks to Lighthouse that was much faster and less effort than I expected, they just took care of everything!”
“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!"
"It was really great working with Minn and I strongly recommend a chat with her if you need help getting a visa!"
"I am forever grateful to Minn for helping me get O1A. Having dealt with a number of visas and attorneys over the past 5 years, working with Minn was the first time I felt supported and safe! Can't recommend enough. Awesome people, incredible product."
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Go deeper on visa types, eligibility, and the application process.
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Find out which visa path is right for you and get started in minutes.
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