🧠 Knowledge is Power

Opportunities are only ever available to those aware of their existence.

For some, it can feel like a move to the U.S. is nothing more than a pipe dream; but, as you grow your knowledge, by consequence you too build on your options.

Even beyond the basic understanding of what routes into the U.S. exist, in the context of business and employment, education will always be a key component of any successful entrepreneurial journey.

First Generation exists to become the go-to resource for anyone hoping to successfully migrate to the U.S. for business or employment purposes. And, beyond that too, to support those already in the U.S. to elevate their chances of succeeding in their venture.

Education is absolutely the foundation of the First Generation community. This Newsletter itself is the starting point, but soon this will be followed by the Resource Center, Academy, and live digital events. And it's not only our own internal experts providing the knowledge, but also our ecosystem of partners and peers.

We’ll further explore what I have been busy building to deepen the educational aspect of First Generation a little later.

For now, let’s jump in.

🚶🏽Stay One Step Ahead

What’s Inside?

• Your Educational Pillars: How to Keep Learning on Your Journey

• Sector Update: H1-B Cap Selections 2025 & How to Proceed

• Sector Update: Visa Fee Hikes & What It Means

• Expert Insights: Leveraging Government Initiatives for U.S. Immigration Success

• Partner Spotlight: Introducing Best-in-Class Business Immigration Attorneys

• The Joorney Joornals: Partners Throughout Cross-Border Entrepreneurial Journeys

📚 The Resource Center

This will be the central cog of our Community and it’s already well under construction:

As is the central premise of First Generation, the content we’re creating for the Resource Center library is packed full of value for business immigrants and entrepreneurs at all stages of their journey.

Whether you are well on your way to the U.S. or just considering your options, you can find all the information you need to take your next step confidently.

Your Content Pillars

Finding Freedom

This content category focuses on providing value for those of you still in your process’s early “dreaming” phase.

It seeks to

1. inform you of your options,

2. help you understand how you can prepare to embark on this journey, and

3. inspire you with positive guidance, advice, and success stories
   

Identifying the Right Visa

This is where we get more specific on the bureaucratic side of the process and help you understand the differences between all business and employment-based visa types.

You’ll often have more than one option available, so it’s important to understand which approach would best suit your short- and long-term goals.

It’s also great to know that, should you not be successful in one application process, all is not lost. Hundreds of thousands of individuals have made a great life in the U.S. despite not constantly overcoming every obstacle at the first attempt.

The H1-B process is a prime example of this. If you are not selected in the lottery, there are still other pathways that you could potentially explore. Again, all is not lost.

Successfully Obtaining Your Visa

This is where our extensive network of immigration attorneys comes to the fore.

Over the past decade, we have developed the largest ecosystem of trusted business immigration partners, and we can leverage these with our community members.

This content pillar is all about

1. providing comprehensive information on the process,

2. helping you to understand key details and documentation,

3. connecting you to expert advice, as and when you need it, and

4. giving you the best chance of succeeding in your application

Doing Business in the U.S.

For anyone seeking to do business or invest in the U.S., a visa is only the first step.

Business immigration is one of the most challenging and rewarding processes, as you have to succeed in multiple areas simultaneously.

Even before obtaining your visa, you should have a solid understanding of the business you seek to operate or the type of employment you will pursue.

This content pillar seeks to offer advice, including state-specific guidance, on the various elements you will need to get right to succeed as a businessperson in the U.S.

More than anything else, here you will discover

1. how to take advantage of the world’s most vibrant economy,

2. strategies for overcoming a variety of business challenges,

3. a network of experts and peers to lean upon

Living in the U.S.

It can’t be overlooked that one of the key reasons to embark on any immigration journey is to find a better life.

This is both a logistical and a philosophical quest. And, like all aspects of business immigration, is multi-faceted.

This content pillar seeks to provide support - again, including state-specific guidance - to ensure that you are able to settle into U.S. life as smoothly as possible.

Topics touched upon here range from housing and schools to volunteering, networking, and cultural adaptation.

Once again, such guidance will be provided both by partners, peers, and ourselves. This will ensure that you get a well-rounded body of advice.

🤔 What Content Do You Want?

As mentioned, you are more than just subscribers - you, too, will help shape our community as pioneers.

And on that note, I’d love your feedback on a few key aspects of the First Generation Community:

📰 Latest U.S. Immigration Sector News

📻 Sector Updates

The Impact of Visa Fee Hikes

The recent implementation of fee increases by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for various immigration processes, effective April 1, 2024, is poised to have a notable impact on individuals seeking to work or invest in the United States.

Particularly affected are applicants for H-1B, L-1, and EB-5 visas, which are among the most commonly pursued visa types.

Under these adjustments, fees for key immigration forms and services have seen significant hikes.

For instance, employers sponsoring H-1B visa petitions will encounter a 70% increase in fees, while applicants for L-1 and O-1 visas will face rises of 201% and 129%, respectively. Additionally, a new Asylum Programme fee of $600 will be imposed for specific worker and immigrant petitions.

The fee hikes extend also to the H-1B electronic registration fee, which will escalate from $10 to $215. Similarly, the L-1 visa application cost will rise from $460 to $1,385, and the EB-5 investor visa fee will surge from $3,675 to $11,160. These adjustments could have far-reaching consequences for individuals reliant on these visa categories for employment opportunities or residency in the U.S.

In essence, the fee increases introduced by USCIS signal significant changes in the cost structure of immigration processes, potentially reshaping the landscape for those aspiring to pursue opportunities in the United States.

H1-B Visa Cap 2025: Update & Next Steps

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed that they've received sufficient electronic registrations during the initial period to meet the FY 2025 H-1B cap.

Following a random selection process, USCIS has notified all selected beneficiaries of their eligibility to file an H-1B cap-subject petition.

Registrants can now check their selection status through their online accounts, where they'll find statuses such as "Submitted," "Selected," "Not Selected," "Denied-Duplicate Registration," "Invalidated-Failed Payment," "Deleted," or "Processing Submission."

For those planning to file H-1B cap petitions for FY 2025, the filing period is now open as of April 1, with USCIS announcing a filing window of at least 90 days.

It's advised for employers and prospective employees to file promptly to mitigate potential delays. Only selected registrants can file H-1B cap-subject petitions for FY 2025.

Key Pointers

• Effective April 1, applicants submitting Form I-129 must utilize the new 04/01/24 editions of the form, as USCIS will automatically reject applications containing outdated forms.
  

• Additionally, USCIS has provided new instructions on what supporting documents to include when filing an H-1B cap-subject petition, emphasizing the inclusion of a copy of the selection notice and the beneficiary's valid passport or travel document used during registration.
  

• Furthermore, USCIS has transitioned to online filing for Form I-129 and Form I-907, with paper-based filing now directed to USCIS lockbox locations instead of service centers. There are specific mailing addresses for cases subject to the H-1B cap, so petitioners should verify the correct address on USCIS' Form I-129 direct filing addresses page.
  

• As of April 1, there are new filing fees for Form I-129, with employers required to pay $780 for filing, or $460 for small employers and nonprofits. It's essential to adhere to these updates and guidelines to ensure a smooth filing process.

🧠 Expert Insights

Leveraging Government Initiatives for U.S. Immigration Success

To increase approval rates in the US immigration process, it's crucial to align your application with current government priorities and initiatives.

By researching federal and state-level initiatives, such as infrastructure or economic development plans, applicants can strategically incorporate relevant bills and initiatives into their documentation.

Highlighting how your plans align with or support these initiatives demonstrates your value to immigration officers.

Additionally, integrating citations from reputable sources, such as the Department of Labor's Occupational Information Network (ONET), can strengthen your case, especially if the proposed endeavor spans multiple occupations.

By presenting a comprehensive argument supported by relevant initiatives and evidence, applicants can improve their chances of success in navigating the complexities of the immigration system.

The EB-2 NIW Visa for Entrepreneurs

The EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) visa is a pathway for entrepreneurs to obtain permanent residency in the United States.

Specifically designed for individuals with advanced degrees or exceptional abilities in their field, the EB-2 NIW visa offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to bypass the traditional labor certification process by demonstrating that their work benefits the national interest of the United States.

Entrepreneurs seeking the EB-2 NIW visa must illustrate their significant contributions to their industry or field, showcasing how their innovative endeavors directly benefit the United States.

By obtaining this visa, entrepreneurs can pursue their entrepreneurial ventures in the U.S. without the constraints of employer sponsorship, making it an attractive option for those looking to establish their businesses and contribute to the country's economic growth and innovation.

🌟 Partner Spotlight

Attorney Flavia Santos Lloyd is deeply dedicated to immigration law and her community.

With over 21 years of experience, including 12 years as a supervising immigration paralegal, she offers zealous representation with a focus on quality service.

Fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, and French, she empathizes with her clients' journeys, having been an immigrant herself.

Ms. Santos Lloyd's expertise spans family-based and employment-based immigration, naturalization, asylum, and more.

Beyond her practice, she shares her knowledge as a law professor and through Continuing Legal Education courses. A member of various legal associations, she upholds personal attention, commitment, and excellence at Santos Lloyd Law Firm, P.C.

🤔 The Future Thinkers

The Future Thinkers is a semi-autobiographical story of my own experiences as an immigrant/nomad/global citizen.

My first real venture out of the comfort of England was a four-month overland expedition down to South Africa. This then followed stints in Ethiopia, the UAE, Luxembourg, Romania, and finally back to the UK.

A journey that started alone now sees me accompanied by my wife and three children. Our immigration story continues even here and I have plenty of learnings to share.

Chapter 3.0

Crashing Down to Earth

The morning after we arrived in Arba Minch, I felt strange.

As I sat and enjoyed breakfast in the beautiful gardens of the hotel we were staying in, my mind, body, and spirit felt somehow elasticated.

As I sat on my chair, my body seemed as though it had become overly accustomed to forward momentum. I felt a physical tilt, as though I was about to tip forward and fall flat on my face.

It probably would have been a good time to meditate, but I didn’t. I just sat there, feeling more like I was in a simulation than in real life. The journey had ended. This was the next chapter.

The following days were fine; new colleagues were awesome; and I was excited. I could recharge a little - though my fatigue was beyond being solved by fresh fruit juice and reasonable rest, as I would later find out.

It was soon time to embark upon the actual final leg of my journey, which would take me - alongside my colleagues - back up to Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa. Typically, this would be considered quite the expedition, but after months on the road, it felt more like a mere commute. I wasn’t in any way apprehensive.

But then, what’s the saying? The first and last steps of any journey are the most perilous.

The car had been sat at a garage on the outskirts of the city for the past few days. In all honesty, I had grown frustrated at the vague progress and eventually reaffirmed - “Hey, we just need it to get us to Addis”. We didn’t require a full service.

Eventually, running on about half power, we rattled off north and began our journey towards the capital. It didn’t last long.

Approximately 20 minutes outside Arba Minch, we drove through a busy village. Ethiopia is vast, but there is a sense that - wherever you happen to be - there is always a crowd not too far away. There are people everywhere and even the smallest villages get hectic at certain times of the day.

This was one of those times. There was some gathering on the village green, school was out, and a bus had just ground to a halt at the side of the road.

Next to where the bus parked, there was a meter drop down to the village green, with the road somehow slightly elevated from the surrounding terrain. I indicated left to pass the bus, traveling barely beyond a trundle. There was lots of danger to observe - and anyway, I was protecting the tired engine by driving at a snail’s pace.

This didn’t prevent what came next, however.

Suddenly, as the front of my car was barely a meter from passing the front of the stationary bus, a face appeared - a child. Small, skinny, wide-eyed, scared, staring straight up at me as we seemingly froze and time stood still.

I just had enough time to apply the brakes, veer left, and attempt to avoid him. The sound as my front bumper collided with him provided the grim indication that I had not been successful.

I heard a sole, quiet, “oh no” from the back of the car. I froze. All the blood vanished from my face.

And then… pandemonium.

People were everywhere - shouting, screaming, angry gestures. I can’t remember really how long this lasted, but not long. Fortunately, one calm face in the chaos emerged with the boy in his arms and proceeded to climb into the back of the car - “we’re taking him to hospital!” we shouted, as some tried to prevent us from leaving. “Just drive,” came the clear direction from the back.

The 20-minute drive felt like hours - never had I been more happy to hear cries. “Keep him talking, please,” I shouted out. “Even crying. Don’t let him go quiet!”

Eventually, we arrived at the hospital. And, as they all raced inside, my colleague suggested I stay in the car - “You’re so pale, Matt, you should stay here, get some water, things will be okay”.

I did. I bought a bottle of water and sat there; the image running through my head over and over again. I felt sick. I just wanted him to be okay.

🌞 From Panama with Positivity

Education isn't just about what you know, but about opening up to new knowledge and perspectives. It acts as a mirror at first, showing your strengths and weaknesses.

But when you educate others, it goes beyond self-reflection. The mirror turns into a window to the vast world and its possibilities.

By sharing your knowledge, you break free of your own limits, embracing the world's diversity and richness. Education empowers you to navigate life and contribute meaningfully to society.

Share what you know. You'll learn more and help others grow with you.

📖 The Joorney Joornals

I will also share with you some of the updates from our core immigration business plan business.

We don’t just write the plans, we shape the industry.

Partners Throughout Cross-Border Entrepreneurial Journeys

This is Neil Paul. His success story is an inspiration for all of us.

A couple of years back, Neil, with his entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to relocate to the U.S., teamed up with his immigration attorney and Joorney to prepare his application.

Thanks to his solid business idea and a detailed plan showcasing his venture, he got his visa approved and moved to the U.S to start his company, America Transport Services.

Fast forward to today, Neil’s business is going strong, and he’s ready to expand! This time, the immigration business plan has been replaced by a bank loan business plan. The future looks bright for Neil.

Entrepreneurs are born to grow, and their ideas can take them anywhere they want, just like Neil’s. And you could be next!

👍🏼 More Satisfied Customers

Joorney is truly a customer-first company. And this is where the Community concept came from.

We want to better serve you and support you on your transformational journeys. We always like to see great reviews from our customers and so why not share?

👀 What’s on the Horizon?

The First Generation Resource Center and Live Community are both progressing incredibly fast. And I will be inviting you into both of these platforms within the next month.

I have been able to leverage some of the most professional and efficient content writers in the U.S. business immigration space, through a partnership with Joorney’s Operations team.

And this material will very much form the foundations of our Community resources, alongside additional input from our valued partners.

The Newsletter (Edition 4)

The next edition of the First Generation Newsletter is already in the works. From now on, the number of contributing voices is also going to continue to increase.

We will continue to strive to increase the value we can provide you with and the support we offer.

Until then, keep facing forwards.

And remember that.

Unity Fuels Success.