Hello [FORMATTED_FIRST_NAME GOES HERE],
Happy Wednesday. ✨
For almost three years now, since January 2023, I’ve sent this newsletter out every single week. What started with fewer than 1,000 subscribers has now grown to over 36,000 of you. It’s been the one thing I’ve done without fail since I began working on Unshackled.
And today, I want to share a big milestone with you: Unshackled has officially been acquired, rebranded, and will now live on as Open Atlas — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The best part? It’s now completely free for everyone.
When I started Unshackled as a book back in 2022, I had no idea it would turn into so much more: a community, courses, webinars, a book tour, and even a summit this year with over a thousand people. The dream was always to make it open and accessible, and now that dream has finally aligned. Open Atlas will expand beyond talent visas into broader areas like admissions, jobs, and life in the U.S.
I’ll no longer be leading Unshackled or Open Atlas. After taking care of it for three years, I’ll now just be a member of the community, like you.
If you’ve ever wanted to be part of the community, now you can join for free below. Thank you for reading the newsletter each week, for showing your support, and for being part of this journey.
If you'd like to get in touch with me directly, please visit this website or email hi@curiousmaverick.com :)
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Now, onto the newsletter.
You're receiving this email as part of the Open Atlas weekly newsletter. Immigration and global mobility can be complex. So every Wednesday, we simplify that by sharing breaking news, free opportunities, & 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. 💃 |
The Open Atlas Weekly Bulletin
Government shutdown begins after funding deal collapses in Congress.
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$1 DV lottery registration fee introduced for 2027 applicants.
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Study abroad made possible with these top scholarships for students.
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🧑🎓 Student's hub: Scholarships, guides & resources
$1 DV lottery registration fee introduced for 2027 applicants
The U.S. Department of State announced that beginning October 16, 2025, all Diversity Visa (DV) lottery participants must pay a $1 electronic registration fee. Officials say the new charge will help cover program costs and reduce fraud, but critics warn it may create barriers for applicants from low-income regions, the very groups the program was designed to support.
Study abroad made easy: Top scholarships for students
There are several top scholarship programs to explore. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program funds graduate study, research, or teaching assistantships in over 140 countries. The Gilman Scholarship offers up to $5,000 for undergraduates on Pell Grants to study or intern abroad. Boren Awards provide up to $25,000 for language-intensive study in regions critical to U.S. interests, while the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) covers the full cost of overseas language immersion in high-demand languages. Sign up for updates on deadlines, guides, and Q&A sessions, and send us your questions anytime.
📗 Immigration desk: Visa news, options & updates
Government shutdown begins after funding deal collapses in Congress
The federal government shut down at midnight (Wednesday) after lawmakers failed to reach a funding agreement, marking the first lapse in nearly seven years. Agencies have begun furloughing workers, while essential staff remain on the job without pay until a deal is struck. The standoff stems from a dispute over extending health care tax credits, with Republicans and Democrats trading blame as the shutdown threatens to cost hundreds of millions daily and disrupt federal services nationwide.
EB-5 regional centers: Annual statement due December 29
All EB-5 regional centers designated before September 30, 2025, must file Form I-956G for fiscal year 2025 by December 29 to comply with the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022. The filing covers operations data for the Regional Center and detailed information for each New Commercial Enterprise with active EB-5 investors, including capital invested, fund allocation, construction progress, job creation, and fees collected.
💫 Founder's corner: Resources, capital & growth hacks
The right way to pitch VCs and accelerators
Most founders flood investors with slides and buzzwords, but that’s not what wins. In this piece, Aaron Tainter (venture investor & accelerator leader) breaks down what VCs and accelerators actually look for, the three slides that matter most, and why the best pitches don’t try to please everyone, they create believers.
Build your startup post-grad with YC early decision
YC’s early decision lets students apply while still in school and reserve a future batch. Accepted founders get funding immediately and can start YC after graduation. Sneha and Anushka (Spur, S24) applied through Early Decision, graduated, joined YC, and raised $4.5M. Perfect for students who want to finish their degree first but still launch a startup with YC support. Apply now and lock in your future batch.
🪄 Community highlight
The Open Atlas startup job fair at SF tech week
This startup job fair is your chance to connect with 30+ high-growth startups including Delphi, UGC, Mosaic, and Cache AI. For job seekers: Meet founders and recruiters, land same-day interviews, and even fast-track offers. For startups: Gain curated talent matches, brand exposure, and on-the-spot hires. Plus, Boundless Immigration will be on-site for one-on-one visa consultations. Spots are limited, RSVP now.
👉 Want to put yourself in front of 36,000+ high-skilled immigrants? Just hit reply to start a conversation.
🤝 Meet this week's partner
[Free resource] Applying to Harvard, Yale, or Princeton? Here’s how to stand out
Getting into an Ivy League school takes more than just high test scores, it takes a standout profile. Open Admit's free strategy call helps U.S. students uncover what top schools are really looking for and how to craft an application that gets noticed. If you're aiming for Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, or Penn, check it out. Book your free Ivy League strategy session here.
Until next week, stay awesome.
Yours truly,
Team Open Atlas 💙
💡 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.