​

Hi [FORMATTED_FIRST_NAME GOES HERE],

Happy Wednesday. ✨

Soundarya here, founder of unshackled.club. :)

I have two exciting updates:

• ​First, I got my EB-2 NIW approved about a week ago: I filed it because my lawyer recommended I lock in a "priority date" that can be used later if I file an EB-1A. It feels surreal to get it (without an RFE!).
• ​Second, we officially launched our affiliate program last week: Now, you can start earning $$$ for every friend you refer to join the Unshackled community. Every time you refer a friend, they get $100 off on our annual membership (valued at $999) and you get $100 back as a reward!

​

Know someone who is actively thinking of applying for an O1/EB1/NIW talent visa? Awesome. Sign up, join the affiliate program, and start sending your unique link to your friends. :)

​

​

Now, onto the newsletter.

​

This week's TL;DR

• ​Challenges faced by H-1B workers in Canada... explained.
• ​Free webinar: Unlucky in the H-1B lottery? Maybe Canada is your plan B.
• ​What is the EB-2 NIW? Here's a 101 on the national interest waiver.

​

​

📌 UNfold: Breaking news

​H-1B Visa By Indian IT Firms Reduce By 56%: Hiring Americans Is On Rise​

Indian IT firms have reduced their H-1B visa use by 56% over the past eight years, shifting to hire more Americans. This decline is due to stricter immigration policies during the Trump administration and a strategic shift towards digital services requiring fewer workers. From 2015 to 2023, H-1B approvals for top Indian IT companies fell from 15,166 to 6,732. Meanwhile, American tech giants like Amazon and Google have increased their H-1B visa usage!

​

​Behind the Scenes: Challenges Faced by H-1B Workers in Canada Sponsoring Family Members​

H-1B immigrants in Canada, like Ayon De, face challenges sponsoring families due to Canada's fragmented immigration policies. The Parents and Grandparents Program, operating on a lottery system since 2013, has led to delays and frustrations. De's struggles, from missed sponsorship opportunities to his father's illness, highlight the complexities immigrants endure. Transparency issues and bureaucratic hurdles compound the situation, leaving families in limbo.

​

​Navigating Layoffs: Key Points Every H-1B Worker Should Know​

H-1B workers facing layoffs have a 60-day grace period to find a new job or change visa status. They can explore other visas, transfer H-1Bs if counted under the cap in the last six years, and work with approved I-140s. Extensions and job portability options exist, and new employers can retain priority dates for I-140 petitions.

​

​

🎁 UNlock: Resources

​[Free webinar] Mobsquad x Unshackled: Unlucky in the H-1B Lottery? Plan your future in North America with an H-1B Plan B [Mar 23rd, 12.00 pm PST] ​

Did an unsuccessful H-1B lottery leave you looking for a Plan B? You are not alone. Less than 25% of all registrants entering the annual lottery are selected. If your Plan B involves staying in North America, consider Canada. In conversation with our partner MobSquad’s Head of Strategy & Growth, Graeme Nixon, we’ll explore how tech professionals like you can eliminate US work visa issues and build their life in Canada. We’ll also talk about recent H-1B lottery results and how to find community in a new country.

​

​[Free webinar series] H-1B RFE Explained in 60 Minutes​

This webinar session by Prashanthi Reddy, an immigration lawyer, shares a series of do’s and don’t that are important to file an RFE-free H-1B petition for the cap season 2025. Gain insights into recent policy changes and their impact on H-1B petitions!

​

​[Article] Demystifying the EB-2 NIW for Engineers & Scientists​

If you've been curious about understanding the NIW pathway, check this out. The article explains the eligibility criteria, which include demonstrating exceptional abilities and showing that your work benefits the U.S. national interest. It also shares the application process, tips for success, and preparing for potential Requests for Evidence (RFEs).

​

​

💫 UNcover: Latest trends

• Is your immigration paperwork stalled? There's a lawsuit for that.​
• ​Demystifying non-citizen voting in U.S. federal elections.

​

​

🪄 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 15,000+ 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.

If you didn’t enjoy the email you can always unsubscribe here.

To change your email or preferences manage your profile.

113 Cherry St #92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2205
​