Hi [FORMATTED_FIRST_NAME GOES HERE],
Happy Wednesday. ✨
Soundarya here, founder of unshackled.club. :)
BIG UPDATE: We’re excited to announce the launch of a new scholarship for international students in America, giving discounts on our lifetime membership! This scholarship is open to ANY student currently on an F-1, OPT, or STEM OPT in America. We’re giving scholarships between 30-100% off on our lifetime membership. This lowers the barrier to help more students who want to obtain talent visas.
By becoming a member of the Unshackled Community, you get access to benefits worth thousands of $$$, including:
- Free consults with nationally recognized immigration lawyers (each worth $500)
- Access to 15+ past recipients of O1/EB1/NIW visas
- Free masterclasses with experts on how to build a winning profile
- Access to a database of 100+ awards, memberships, judging competitions, and publications
Don’t miss out on this opportunity -- apply now and take the next step toward your immigration journey with Unshackled.
Now, onto the newsletter.
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
USCIS recently updated its OPT policy for F-1 students. Key changes include allowing up to 3 online credits per term, eligibility for post-completion OPT for associate’s degrees, seamless school transfers among SEVP-certified institutions, a 60-day grace period post-OPT, and the ability to maintain status while studying abroad for less than five months. Check out my post on this for more.
Venture Capitalists Rally Behind Harris: A Push for H-1B Visas and Tech-Savvy Governance
Silicon Valley venture capitalists have outlined their priorities in supporting Kamala Harris' White House campaign. Key issues include protecting abortion rights, addressing climate change, and increasing the availability of H-1B visas for skilled workers. The survey of 225 VCs revealed strong support for tech-savvy governance, with a focus on AI regulation and immigration reform. Despite their backing, some in the tech community express concerns over the Biden administration's antitrust actions, hoping Harris might adopt a different approach.
USCIS Streamlines Green Card Process: Key Alerts for Applicants
USCIS is prioritizing employment-based Green Card applications (Form I-485) and urges applicants to promptly respond to Requests for Evidence (RFEs) for Form I-693 (medical exam) to avoid delays. Concurrent filers of Form I-140 and I-485 should separate documents clearly. As of April 4, 2024, Form I-693, signed after Nov. 1, 2023, no longer expires. Submitting all required documents together helps prevent processing delays.
🎁 UNlock: Relevant Resources
[Webinar recording] Overcoming EB-1 Denial, Being On 6 Visas & Becoming A Founder | Spandana Govindgari
In this AMA, Spandana, an engineer turned entrepreneur, shared her incredible journey through six different visas since entering the U.S. She went from F2 to F1 to H4 to H1B to O1 and finally secured the coveted EB1-A visa. In this session, she revealed the three criteria she mastered for her successful EB1-A application.
Curious about the new J-1 Visa Early Career STEM Research Initiative? A webinar is being hosted with Fiona McEntee, J.D., to explore how this program is creating exciting opportunities for both U.S. organizations and international STEM workers. Whether you're a company looking to collaborate with global talent or a STEM worker interested in U.S. research opportunities, this session will be helpful.
[Webinar recording] Kamala vs. Trump – outlook on US immigration
On August 22, 2024, Prashanthi Reddy Law Offices held a webinar discussing how the 2024 presidential election could affect U.S. immigration policies. With President Biden stepping down, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are the main candidates. The webinar covered their different immigration policies, possible changes to visas and green cards, the future of DACA and Dreamers, border security, and legislative outlooks.
💫 UNcover: Latest trends
🪄 UNveil: This week’s partner
Wanna send money from the US to India with zero fees? Enter Crobo, a startup founded by Indians, for Indians. Okay, there's tons of services that let you send money. Why Crobo? Well, for starters, they have the best exchange rate in the whole industry (we find the rates insane tbh). Add to that , they have no hidden costs, just fast, free transfers every time -- guaranteed. As a special offer, you also get a $25 Amazon gift card when you register using the referral code “UNSHACKLED.” Click here to get started, and make sure to use the code UNSHACKLED when you sign up!
👉 Wanna put yourself in front of 17,000+ 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 5 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.