H-1B to Green Card in 2026: PERM, NIW and EB-1 Routes
H-1B status does not automatically become a Green Card, but its dual-intent framework can support a carefully timed employment-based immigration strategy.
Category H-1B Visa
For U.S. employers seeking top global talent, the H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa is the primary gateway. It allows companies to employ foreign workers in ‘Specialty Occupations’ that require at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. However, due to high demand, the annual H-1B Cap (Lottery) makes this one of the most competitive visas in the immigration system.
At Clinch Law Firm, we provide end-to-end management of the H-1B lifecycle. We guide employers through the critical March Electronic Registration process, certify the Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor, and craft robust petitions that prove the complex ‘specialty’ nature of the role. Whether you are a commercial entity subject to the cap or a university qualifying for Cap-Exempt status, we ensure your filings are precise, timely, and compliant.
H-1B Status Starts October 1, 2026: An F-1 Transition Checklist
For an approved change of status, H-1B status begins on October 1, 2026, under the FY2027 cap. We cover when cap-gap actually ends, the new I-94, the Form I-9 date employers miss, work authorization while a petition is pending, and travel risk.
New H-1B Executive Order: How Layoffs Can Affect Your LCA and Petition
A September 18 executive order tells the Labor, Homeland Security, and State Departments to weigh an employer's recent or planned layoffs in every H-1B filing. Here is what the order says, who it reaches, and which records employers should gather now.
H-1B $100,000 Fee Extended to 2027: What Changed and Why Sept. 24 Matters
On September 18, President Trump extended the $100,000 H-1B payment to 2027 and signed an order tying employer layoffs to H-1B filings. Here is where the fee stands today, how to comment by September 24, and what employers should do.
The $4,000 H-1B and $4,500 L-1 9-11 Fee Now Applies to Extensions: Which Employers Pay?
Short answer: starting September 9, 2026, employers with 50 or more employees in the United States, more than half of whom hold H-1B, L-1A, or L-1B status, must pay the 9-11 fee on extension petitions for the same employee as…
The $100,000 H-1B Payment Nears Its End: What the New Proposal Announced?
Current as of September 15, 2026: H-1B fees, litigation and presidential actions can change quickly. Employers should check the USCIS fee schedule and the latest court record again before filing. The new H-1B fee proposal has created a serious budgeting…
What is an H-1B Visa? How to Obtain It?
Learn the requirements, application process, and benefits of the H-1B visa to work in the U.S. as a skilled professional.
What are the H1B Visa Professions and Which Ones Are Approved Fastest?
While STEM fields are among the professions eligible for the H1B visa, professionals from other sectors can apply. Details are in our article!
How Long Does It Take to Get an H1B Visa?
You can find out more about how long it takes to get an H1B visa in our article, along with many other details. Click for details!
