Hi [FORMATTED_FIRST_NAME GOES HERE],
Happy Wednesday. ✨
Soundarya here, founder of unshackled.club. :)
It's been less than a week since I got back to San Francisco, and it feels like a lifetime has passed. I've been intensely focused on the upcoming "Unshackled Book Tour", starting on April 2nd at the University of Pennsylvania. It will go on until April 23rd and end at SJSU. On that note:
Are you from any of the following universities?
- Harvard
- MIT
- Stanford
- UPenn
- UT Austin
- Boston University
We're looking for volunteers with whom we can work closely to execute a fantastic event at these universities. If you're interested, just hit reply. 🚀
And if you haven't yet, find your university and sign up for the Unshackled Campus Tour over here, for FREE. Spots are limited to 200 per university.
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 has announced the start dates for H-1B visa registrations for the fiscal year 2025 (FY 2025). The registration period will run from March 6, 2024, to March 22, 2024. Prospective employers can use the USCIS online account to register beneficiaries electronically for the selection process. Online filing for Form I-129 and associated Form I-907 for selected applicants will begin on April 1, 2024. The USCIS has implemented various initiatives to improve collaboration, assist individuals, and hopefully reduce fraud & abuse this time around! Good luck to you if you're applying!
The federal government is implementing changes to the visa application process for college-educated immigrants, aiming to make it more equitable. Currently, employers fill out H-1B applications on behalf of immigrants, and the system operates as a lottery with limited slots. Last year, over 780,000 applications competed for a mere 65,000 slots, leading to some individuals submitting multiple registrations. The new rules limit each applicant to one chance in the lottery, irrespective of the number of sponsoring employers. However, the changes do not address the underlying issue of the lottery system, prompting calls for a reevaluation of H-1B slot allocations.
The H-1B visa cap selection process for fiscal year 2025 has begun, running from March 6 to March 22, 2024. USCIS uses a random selection process when registrations exceed the annual limit of 85,000, including 65,000 for the general cap and 20,000 for advanced degree holders. Changes have been introduced to make the process beneficiary-centered, aiming to discourage the practice of submitting multiple registrations for the same individual. However, the overall annual limit remains a significant challenge, with demand far exceeding available slots.
🎁 UNlock: Webinar invites & resources
On OPT and seeking H1-B visa sponsorship? Discover the secrets from the expert, Robert Bouchard (The H1B Guy), this Saturday. Gain insights on the H1-B lottery, spot legit sponsors, and explore alternatives if your H1B isn't selected in this 1-hour masterclass. RSVP soon!
In this podcast, Amanda Goodman and Geeta Shah discuss the overlapping complexities of the U.S. immigration system and the dynamic world of the life sciences industry. The speakers cover visa categories and classifications uniquely suited to professionals in the life sciences industry and available H-1B cap exemption options for employers, as well as other considerations and challenges for employers operating in these crossover industries.
The approval rate for green card applications is remarkably low. David Bier explains in a new paper how to improve the backlogged process of welcoming new people to the United States.
💫 UNcover: Latest trends
🪄 UNveil: This week’s partners
Are you a tech professional facing US work visa challenges? If your STEM-OPT visa is about to expire and you are wondering what happens next, our partner MobSquad has a solution. MobSquad helps tech professionals like you eliminate US work visa issues by enabling you to continue working with your current company, nearshore from Canada. In as little as 4 weeks, they obtain work permits for you and your family. Start planning your H-1B Plan B and book a free 1:1 call with the team at MobSquad!
Are you a student founder or an aspiring entrepreneur? Book a FREE, 30-minute consult with Charles Gillman, an accomplished immigration lawyer with three decades of experience. Charles is a Partner at Gonzalez Olivieri LLC, a well-regarded law firm based in Houston, Texas. Charles will take you through the available options to build your company on an H-1B, O-1, IEP, and more. This is a limited-time offer, so be sure to make good use of it!
👉 Want to put yourself in front of 11,000+ high-skilled immigrants? Just hit reply to start a conversation.
Until next week, stay lovely.
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.