Hi [FORMATTED_FIRST_NAME GOES HERE],

Happy Wednesday. ✨

Soundarya here, founder of unshackled.club. :)

BIG UPDATE: We've decided to make the Unshackled membership a LIFETIME one starting today. This means, you only pay once to become a member and you're with us for life (and vice versa!) :) We decided to do this since getting an O1/EB1/NIW extraordinary visa can take several years at times, and we want to be with you till you reach the finish line -- and even beyond. If you're already a member, this extends to you as well!

As an introductory offer, you can join our community as a lifetime member at 20% off just for the next two weeks. Use code "LIFETIME20."

Now, onto the newsletter.

This week's TL;DR

• Laid off? You can switch to a visitor visa and interview on it.
• ​Free resource on EB1: a master repository of past recipients.
• ​Thinking about the EB-2 NIW? Check out this guide.

📌 UNfold: Breaking news

​Steep H-1B Visa Fee Hike Threatens Indian IT Companies' Presence in the US​

USCIS has significantly increased H-1B visa fees, with registration fees rising by 2050% from $10 to $215 and application fees by 70% from $460 to $780. This hike could severely impact Indian IT companies, which heavily rely on H-1B visas, by making the visa process prohibitively expensive. Industry experts and representatives warn that these changes might force Indian IT firms to exit the program, reducing their competitiveness and affecting the U.S. economy's skill supply.

​USCIS: Laid-Off H-1B Visa Holders Can Switch to Visitor Visas for Extended Stay​

If you're laid off on H-1B, you can transition to B-1 or B-2 visitor visas to extend your stay in the U.S. by six months, as per USCIS guidelines. This provides additional time to search for new employment without needing to leave the country immediately. During this period, you can attend job interviews, but cannot work without switching back to a work visa. If a new employer files a Form I-129 for a new H-1B visa with premium processing, USCIS will process the change of status application concurrently, allowing a seamless transition back to H-1B status without leaving the U.S.

​USCIS Revises Family-Based Visa Petition Guidelines​

Effective May 22, 2024, USCIS has updated its Policy Manual for family-based immigrant visa petitions, including Forms I-130 and I-360. Petitioners must accurately provide the beneficiary's address and preference for consular processing or adjustment of status to avoid delays. The update clarifies petition handling, correction of errors, and decision-making criteria to streamline processing.

🎁 UNlock: Resources

​[Free Resource] EB-1 Recipient Repository by Dr. Aditi Paul​

If you have ever asked the following questions: (a) Which criteria should I target? (b) How many citations are enough? (c) How do I fulfill original contribution? (d) How many conferences should I target? Then this document is for you. This is a masterlist of EB1 recipients that include their background, criteria they hit, and strategies they used. Check it out!

​[Free Guide] Navigating the EB-2 NIW for Tech Innovators: A Guide​

The EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) offers a pathway to U.S. residency for tech entrepreneurs. Effective from May 22, 2024, this guide explains the criteria, including advanced degrees or exceptional ability, significant national impact, and job creation.

​[Webinar Recording] Decoding All O-1A Criteria ft. Ron Matten​

Ron is an immigration lawyer with over 25 years of experience. In this session covers the full life-cycle of employment-based immigration, from non-immigrant visas to PERM, lawful permanent residence, and naturalization. Don't miss it out!

💫 UNcover: Latest trends

• Who Can Apply for a Marriage-Based Green Card?​
• ​Why Timing Is Critical During the PERM Process​

🪄 UNveil: This week’s partners

​Seeking to simplify your job search in today's market? Enter Scale.jobs! With scale.jobs, you can delegate job applications to skilled assistants, thus freeing time for networking and interviews. Connect with Scale.jobs today to seize control of your job search journey. Use the code "SOUNDARYA" to get $25 off on their offerings.

​Book a free consult for your O-1/EB-1 application with Legalpad: Want a free assessment of your current profile and get some quick questions answered? Go ahead and book a 30-min call with Legalpad. They specialize in especially helping founders file O-1A visas.

👉 Wanna put yourself in front of 16,000+ high-skilled immigrants? Just hit reply to start a conversation.

⚖️ Finally, looking to consult with 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 superb.

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.

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