The logo of Unshackled.

Immigrating to America? We

want to help you.

Join 6,500+ immigrants who get top stories & relevant resources every week in simple, engaging language. 
Vector drawing of a dove delivering mail to a girl ready for travel with a suitcase and backpack.Vector drawing of a dove delivering mail to a girl ready for travel with a suitcase and backpack.

We wrote a book & built an online

community to help you navigate

immigration like a champ.

A graphic illustration of a happy man showing an Unshackled book in one hand and a laptop displaying the welcome page of the Unshackled community on the other hand.A graphic illustration of a happy man showing an Unshackled book in one hand and a laptop displaying the welcome page of the Unshackled community on the other hand.

Unshackled: the book

The hardcover copy of the Unshackled book.

Take control of your future as an Immigrant in America.

Immigration is a complex game. But if you know the rules, it unlocks a world of possibilities.
Pre-Order (Available July 2023)
Unshackled is the only book on immigration that combines

Expert Advice. Stories. Fun Visuals.

  • Pages 8 and 9 from the book Unshackled with images.
  • Pages 20 and 21 from the book Unshackled, show the beginning of chapter O-1A Vs. O-1B.
  • Pages 23 ad 24 from the book Unshackled, show the eight pillars of O-1A.

What’s covered   in the book?

PART 01

The Problem

PART 02

The Visa Pathways

PART 03

The Green Card Pathways

PART 04

Looking Ahead

The last comprehensive immigration reform took place in 1990. Yep, that was 33 years ago. Pre-internet, social media, and the world you know today.

So we spend the first section explaining why it's taken 33 years, and why you can't wait for Congress to take action. It's time you do it yourself, and we want to help.

  • A note from the authors
  • Privileged Passports
  • Why Is Immigration So Slow?
  • What Can You Do About It?

You probably know about the F-1 OPT and H-1B. But, did you know you could start a company on your OPT? Or skip the H-1B lottery altogether by applying for a cap-exempt one? Oh and you too can apply for the O-1 "extraordinary ability" visa, even if you don't have a Nobel Prize.

This section is the crux of the book where we'll take you through popular as well as not-so-popular visa routes you can take. Each chapter will come with the story of an immigrant who walked that path. 

  • All About Being A Student on F-1
  • H-1B: What You Don't Know
  • Thriving On A Dependent Visa
  • You're Outstanding: How To Get Your O-1
  • The H-1B Categories You've Not Heard Of
  • Moving Into America On An L-1
  • IEP: The First Step To A Startup Visa

Most people think of the EB-2 or EB-3 PERM when they think of a green card. But, there are three other ways to get it. While Part 2 will help you thrive on a visa, Part 3 will show you the paths you can take to get your green card, and in turn complete autonomy. 

Given the insane backlogs built up in recent years for Indian nationals, the EB-1 has become a hopeful alternative for many. Maybe you're thinking of it too? Well, leave it to us to help you get a headstart in your application.

  • You're Extraordinary: How To Get Your EB-1
  • A Deep Dive Into EB-2 & The National Interest Waiver
  • Invest In America & Get Your EB-5
  • How To Face (and Overcome) Rejections

When you reach Part 4, just know that you would’ve mastered how immigration works in America. But, before you leave us, we want to give an honest overview of what’s on the immigration horizon in America, and share the ways you can get involved with advocacy.

Finally, if you do decide the U.S. is not right for you, that’s okay. We’ll talk about a few other key countries that have been welcoming immigrants for the past decade and give you a map to go there. If you’re thinking, “Is it all worth it? Is immigrating to another country worth it?” Well, come find the answer!

  • What’s On The Horizon In America?
  • Looking To Other Countries
  • Is It All Worth It?
Pre-Order (Available May 2023)

Unshackled: the community

A laptop displaying the welcome page of the Unshackled community, featuring Soundarya Balasubramani, the author of Unshackled.

Navigating immigration can be lonely, but it doesn’t need to be.

What if you had a community where you met a hundred others like you, all helping each other?
Reserve a spot
Here’s just the beginning of what you can expect in the community

Weekly Webinars. Crowdsourced Resources. Expert Mentors

  • A screenshot of the welcome page of the Unshackled community, featuring Soundarya Balasubramani, the first author of Unshackled.
  • A screenshot of the crowdsourced knowledge resource hub page.
  • A screenshot of a live chat with a lawyer.
  • A screenshot of a live chat with a lawyer.
  • A screenshot of a live chat with a lawyer.
  • A screenshot of a live chat with a lawyer.

We want to make sure you get to the finish line.

That could be getting your EB-1 green card, building your startup on an O-1, bypassing the H-1B lottery, or maybe deciding America is not right for you.

Our goal with the book & community is to ensure you make the most informed decision & get all the help you can along the way.

Graphic representation of a woman with a backpack flying with a guide in her hand to reach her destination after breaking her leg cuff.Graphic representation of a woman with a backpack flying with a guide in her hand to reach her destination after breaking her leg cuff.

Authors behind

Unshackled.

Mr. Sameer Khedekar, a nationally ranked immigration layer and second author of the book Unshackled.
Soundarya
Balasubramani
Author of Admitted, 
ex-PM at Salesforce.
Ms. Soundarya Balasubramani, the first author of Unshackled.
Sameer
Khedekar
Nationally Ranked
Immigration Lawyer

Some love from our early supporters 💚

  • I moved here with the goal of building a company.
    But so far, that dream seems shaky and filled with uncertainty. As I learn more about immigration, my enthusiasm keeps chipping away. This is why I can’t wait to read Unshackled and feel confident again.
    Hitesh Kenjale
    MBA Student at UC Berkeley Haas School of Business
  • I find immigration incredibly complex.
    The only sources through which I learn about immigration are random groups on the internet and the lawyers at my company. The former is filled with legal jargon and the latter don’t seem to think outside the box. I want to eventually build my own company and I need a reliable, readable source that lets me think creatively. I know Unshackled is the one.
    Sharanya Iyer
    Technical Program Manager at LinkedIn
  • I don't really understand immigration.

    But it’s okay that I don’t since I’m still a student. However, when I graduate from UTD, I don't want to continue staying in this oblivion.

    I want to know all the pathways I have as an immigrant and be in control of my future in this country. Unshackled is the closest book that comes to answering these questions, written by two people who I fully trust.

    Anagha Shevade
    Graduate Student at University of Texas Dallas
  • I've spent 10 years in the U.S. contributing to the tech industry.
    Yet, I constantly feel let down by the immigration policies that make it incredibly hard for me to use my full potential. In fact, this caused me to leave the country 6 years ago & start a company in India. But I decided to come back and can’t wait to get my hands on Unshackled.
    Akash Mukherjee
    Senior Product Manager at Wayfair

We are backed byEmergent Ventures.

A vector illustration of a man turned superhero with a pile of gifts.An outline sketch of a vector image.

100,000 $

total raised in 5 weeks.

50,000 $

Crowdfunded by 600+ on
The logo of Kickstarter.Check it out

50,000 $

Grant awarded by
The logo of Emergent Ventures.Check it out

Take control of your future as
an Immigrant in America.

The hardcover copy of the Unshackled book.Pre-Order (Available July 2023)

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