Hi [FORMATTED_FIRST_NAME GOES HERE],
Happy Wednesday. ✨
Soundarya here, founder of unshackled.club. :)
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Unshackled is hiring! I've decided to redefine my role as a CEO at Unshackled, and hire a President & COO (based out of U.S.) to come in and take over the operations and scaling of the company. If you're passionate about immigration, want to scale our community, and have experience leading ops for a small business before -- then I'd love to hear from you!
(We're also hiring a Sales Lead and Community Manager based out of India.)
You're receiving this email as part of the Unshackled weekly newsletter. Immigration is a complex world. So every Wednesday, I simplify that by sharing breaking news, free webinar invites, & latest trends. If you find value in reading it, forward this to a lucky friend. If this was forwarded to you, get your own here! Read all the past editions here. 💃 |
This week's TL;DR
📌 UNfold: Breaking news
Not so good news: Amazon has announced that it will not be sponsoring any new U.S. Green Cards for foreign workers for the remainder of 2024, extending a suspension that began in 2023. This decision, based on labor market conditions and government requirements, impacts the PERM process, which is the initial step in obtaining a Green Card. This move underscores the complexity of immigration procedures amid a backdrop of layoffs in the tech industry.
H1B Visa Lottery Bids Drop by 40% in U.S. Amid Crackdown on Fraud and Abuse
Following the implementation of stringent measures to curb fraud and abuse, the United States has experienced a notable decline of 40% in applications for skilled-worker visa lotteries in 2025. USCIS reported a decrease in lottery entries for the Fiscal Year 2025 H-1B cap petitions, signaling a positive shift in the visa application landscape. The move, aimed at preventing exploitation of the system, has been praised as a significant success by authorities. (In FY25, USCIS received 470,342 total applications compared to the 758,994 in FY24)
India to Canada: Immigration Quadruples as U.S. Loses Ground
A recent report highlights a remarkable surge in immigration from India to Canada, with numbers soaring over 326% since 2013. The trend signifies a shift in preference among Indian students, who are increasingly opting for Canadian universities over their U.S. counterparts due to more favorable immigration policies. Canada's streamlined visa processing, generous work permit programs, and absence of annual limits on high-skilled temporary visas have significantly contributed to its attractiveness to international students and skilled professionals.
🎁 UNlock: Resources
USCIS Updates FAQs for Students: Entrepreneurship on STEM OPT?
You probably know that there is something called the "self-employment OPT" that lets you start a company and be self-employed. However, very few students are aware of entrepreneurship on STEM OPT. Recently, USCIS updated their FAQs aimed at F-1 students. In brief, they shared that entrepreneurship on STEM OPT is possible as long as you meet some criteria, including (a) creating a training plan, (b) getting your startup e-verified, (c) can provide compensation, and (d) have an employer-employee relationship.
From Student to Employee: A Comprehensive Guide to U.S. Immigration
Going from a student visa to working in the United States can be daunting, but this comprehensive guide aims to demystify the process! It covers everything from applying for an F-1 visa to navigating the complexities of OPT and STEM-OPT extensions. It also dives into the nuances of switching jobs, applying for PR, and understanding the various categories of green cards. Check it out!
Options Beyond H-1B: Alternative Visas for Employers and Foreign Nationals
We're sorry if your name wasn't chosen in the lottery... but it's not the end! You do have a few alternatives, including the cap-exempt H-1B, O-1, E-3, L-1, TN, and more. Each alternative has its own pros and cons, so take some time to read about it in depth.
💫 UNcover: Latest trends
🪄 UNveil: This week’s partners
Want a free consultation with a top law firm? Enter Bay Immigration Law. BIL is a boutique immigration law firm with clients all over the world! They primarily work with entrepreneurs, startups, and companies looking to scale & bring their employees to America. If you're aiming to get an O-1, EB-1, or EB-2 NIW, especially as a founder, check out BIL. Best part? Email info@bayimmigrationlaw.com for a free consultation to kick things off!
Want to launch your side hustle, but need some motivation at 6 PM? It's hard to juggle a full-time job, family, and work on your side hustle. I found a focus tool that gives me the little motivation boost that we all need in them of a "virtual co-working" space! It's got focus music, a phone distraction blocker and a really fun community of high-performers from all over the world. Check it out and get a 14-day free trial today :)
👉 Want to put yourself in front of 15,000+ high-skilled immigrants? Just hit reply to start a conversation.
⚖️ Finally, want to consult a lawyer?
Finding a trusted, vetted lawyer is hard. We've done the hard work by curating a list of 8 top attorneys we recommend consulting with. Whether you're looking for an EB-1A profile evaluation or to set up your business as a student, this is for you. Book a consultation today!
Until next week, stay awesome.
Yours truly,
Soundarya 💚
💡 None of the information shared in this newsletter is meant to be legal advice. If you're looking for legal advice, speak to a lawyer, or hit reply and let me know so I can connect you with one.