Chicago H-1B Visa Lawyer: Remote Representation for Chicago Employers and Workers
Herman Legal Group represents H-1B employers and workers in Chicago, but the firm does not have a Chicago office. Herman Legal Group’s attorneys work from offices in Cleveland and Columbus (Worthington), Ohio, and handle Chicago H-1B matters through phone and video consultations. H-1B is federal immigration law, so an attorney licensed in any U.S. state can represent clients before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) nationwide.
H-1B services for Chicago clients
Herman Legal Group helps Chicago-area employers, universities, and professionals with:
- H-1B cap registration and cap petitions for employers hiring new specialty-occupation workers.
- Cap-exempt H-1B petitions for institutions of higher education, their affiliated nonprofits, and nonprofit or governmental research organizations.
- Change-of-employer (transfer) petitions for H-1B workers moving to a new Chicago employer.
- Extensions and amendments, including worksite changes and changes in job duties.
- Requests for Evidence, denials, and appeals. See Herman Legal Group’s guide to USCIS problems, denials, and appeals.
- Planning the path from H-1B to a green card, so that status, timing, and employer sponsorship line up.
How the H-1B visa works
- Specialty occupation. The job must normally require at least a bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, in a specific specialty.
- Two filings. The employer first obtains a certified Labor Condition Application (LCA) from the U.S. Department of Labor, then files Form I-129 with USCIS.
- Annual cap. Congress set the regular cap at 65,000 new H-1B visas per fiscal year, plus 20,000 for workers with a U.S. master’s degree or higher. Cap-exempt employers are not subject to these limits.
- Length of stay. H-1B status is granted for up to three years at a time, generally up to six years in total. Some workers with pending or approved green card steps can extend beyond six years.
- Changing jobs. An eligible H-1B worker can generally begin working for a new employer once that employer files a non-frivolous H-1B petition for the worker.
H-1B policy has changed repeatedly in 2025 and 2026. Before making a filing decision, review Herman Legal Group’s coverage of the court ruling on the $100,000 H-1B fee and the proposal to eliminate the H-1B 60-day grace period. Employers with workers across the state can also read Herman Legal Group’s Illinois H-1B compliance page.
Chicago-specific considerations
Most H-1B petitions are decided without an interview. When an H-1B worker’s later green card case is scheduled at the USCIS Chicago Field Office, Herman Legal Group’s guide to the USCIS office in Chicago explains what to expect. If a Chicago matter requires an attorney to appear in person, Herman Legal Group will tell you before you hire the firm whether an attorney will travel and what that will cost.
Talk with an H-1B attorney
Schedule a consultation with Herman Legal Group by phone or video from Chicago.
Herman Legal Group offices
Herman Legal Group serves Chicago clients remotely from its two Ohio offices. Older directory listings that show a Chicago address or a 773 phone number for Herman Legal Group are out of date.
Learn more about founding attorney Richard T. Herman or read Herman Legal Group’s guide to choosing a U.S. immigration lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
Does Herman Legal Group have a Chicago office?
No. Herman Legal Group’s offices are in Cleveland and Columbus (Worthington), Ohio. The firm represents Chicago clients remotely through phone and video consultations.
Can an Ohio immigration lawyer handle my Chicago H-1B case?
Yes. H-1B petitions are governed by federal immigration law, so an attorney licensed in any U.S. state can represent employers and workers before USCIS, regardless of where the employer is located.
Can I start working for a new employer before my H-1B transfer is approved?
Often, yes. An eligible H-1B worker can generally begin working for a new employer once that employer files a non-frivolous H-1B petition for the worker. Eligibility depends on the worker’s status history, so confirm with an attorney before resigning.
This page provides general information, not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.