Hi [FORMATTED_FIRST_NAME GOES HERE],
Happy Wednesday. ✨
Soundarya here, founder of unshackled.club. :)
EB-1A COURSE LAUNCHED: After months of ideating, shooting, and editing, we're proud to present our flagship EB-1A Extraordinary Visa course -- it's out for orders now! I shot this course with Allison Kranz, immigration lawyer & founder of Lodestone Legal. Allison has 15+ years of experience and has represented 1000s of immigrants. Her work focuses on helping immigrants in STEM fields get talent visas.
The course consists of 24 modules and walks you through everything you need to know about the EB-1A Extraordinary Ability visa, in simple, jargon-free language.
As a thank you for being a subscriber, use the code "NEWSLETTER10" to get 10% off on the course (valued at $249).
Also, big thanks to CroboMoney for sponsoring this newsletter & making it free for over 20,000 lovely immigrants! 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
U.S. opens 250,000 new visa appointments for Indian travelers
The US Mission to India has opened 250,000 additional visa appointments for Indian travelers, including tourists, skilled workers, and students. This is part of efforts to meet growing demand, as over 1 million nonimmigrant visa applications have already been processed in 2024. The move aims to strengthen US-India ties through travel and facilitate student applications, family reunions, and business connections.
USCIS provides tips after rejecting high number of I-140 petitions
USCIS has recently rejected an unusually high number of Form I-140 petitions due to incorrect fees and missing information. This issue has arisen since the introduction of new form editions and updated fees. If you're filing an I-140 soon, please check this out and avoid mistakes on your application!
UK shifts to eVisa system: What it means for Indian students
The UK government is urging immigrants to switch from physical documents to an eVisa as part of its plan to digitize the border and immigration system by the end of 2024. This transition will affect Indian students heading to the UK in 2024-25, who may need to move to the online system. The Home Office is providing £4 million in grant funding to assist vulnerable immigrants with the change, aiming for a seamless digital journey by 2025.
🎁 UNlock: Relevant Resources
[Free webinar] Fast-track your talent visa journey [ft. Soundarya Balasubramani & Nikin Tharan] Oct 8th, 7:30 PM PST
Ready to fast-track your talent visa journey? I'm hosting a free webinar next week along with Nikin Tharan (EB-1A recipient and cofounder of Greencard Inc). We'll walk through the steps to file an O-1A and EB-1A, answer your questions live, and talk about the copilot program that's gonna be launched next week. We're also picking 10 people from the RSVP list to offer free profile evaluations. RSVP now and get your spot :)
[Masterclass recording] Starting a company as an F-1 student | Digvijay Singh | Co-founder of Drizzle Health
In this masterclass, Digvijay explores crucial topics for entrepreneurs on OPT. He covers how to start a company while on OPT, navigate the STEM OPT extension as a founder, and the process of obtaining an O-1A visa. Whether you're considering launching a startup or looking for guidance on visa options, this recording offers valuable information to support your entrepreneurial journey.
[Article] What to do when your O-1 visa gets denied
If your O-1 visa is denied, don’t panic—it’s not the end of the road (trust me, I got a denial in 2022). The key is to understand the reasons behind the denial, which could range from insufficient evidence to issues with employer sponsorship. Once you know why it was denied, you can reapply with stronger evidence, file an appeal, or explore other options with an immigration attorney. Check the article for more!
💫 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 20,000+ 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 fantastic.
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.