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<ul class="summary-list"><li>Andres Pico, a software engineer from Ecuador, navigated the US education system to land a job at Microsoft.</li><li>Pico faced challenges adapting to US standardized tests and sought scholarships to fund his education.</li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Andres Pico, a 29-year-old software engineer in Seattle. The following has been edited for length and clarity.I grew up in a small beach town called Manta in Ecuador with my dad, mom, and two sisters. My dad always taught me that there was nothing I couldn't do.I became interested in computers and technology because of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/playstation-plus">PlayStation</a>. Sometimes, I couldn't finish a game because the dialogue and options were in English, so I became very motivated to learn computers and English.<h2 id="aea16f41-f4aa-4e6e-926f-62684543751d">After graduating from high school, I decided I wanted to pursue my education in the US</h2>To apply to a university in the US, you must pass either the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/do-colleges-require-standardized-testing-sat-admissions-what-it-means-2024-3">SAT or ACT</a>. I bought an ACT book and prepared for many months to ensure I could get a good score.I knew I couldn't attend college in the US without a scholarship, so I began investigating scholarships and programs. I found the University of South Florida in Tampa offered a scholarship for students from Latin American countries that would get me a student visa.I was awarded the scholarship, which allowed me to receive a stipend of $1,000 a year to cover textbooks and resident status for tuition purposes.<h2 id="1ea4606f-8ed1-484d-bf1a-b39e05b12a66">I began a bachelor's degree in computer engineering in 2012</h2><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-and-uk-life-biggest-differences-after-moving-home-space-2024-7">Coming to the US</a> at 17 was very challenging. It was my first time leaving home, and there was a lot I didn't understand about the US. I had no close friends or family here for support or guidance.It was also very exciting, as it was an opportunity to push myself. It took some time to get used to classes in English. I studied hard from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day.<h2 id="d640f046-61e6-4e77-9c39-669f1b3f751d">In my second semester, I found the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers</h2>The SHPE is a national organization that empowers Hispanics and offers mentorship programs in STEM. Classmates told me they offered free pizza. I'm really glad I was feeling hungry that day.They were welcoming and taught me the basics of the school system, how to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-this-is-an-excellent-resume-2013-11">create a résumé</a>, conduct interviews, and apply to grad school. It was a blessing to find them — suddenly, I had a community of people who wanted to help me succeed.<h2 id="e2632ea8-177e-49a0-b62a-e961cc3cb10a">A fellow student advised me to get as many internships as possible</h2>That was the best advice I received for navigating the US system. If I had just focused on the school material and not gained practical experience, I'm not sure I would've been able to find a job after graduating.I had multiple internships as a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/recruiter-how-filter-applications-software-engineering-job-post-atl-interview-2024-5">software engineer</a> with local companies in data centers and startups via student work permits. These internships allowed me to gain experience and earn some money.I was extremely fortunate to count on my dad's support to cover any difference between my earnings and expenses.<h2 id="f9d3935c-b09d-48b2-9bb8-dfcaa291a51f">I went on to pursue a master's degree in computer science at Virginia Tech</h2>I sought universities with good computer science programs and scholarships or assistantships. Virginia Tech had an amazing program and great tenured professors, and it offered me an opportunity as a TA, so the decision was obvious.My teaching assistantship paid for all my tuition and also paid me around $20,000 each semester.<h2 id="c9fdec8c-c770-4f06-a7af-8a6bb5f26c51">I started applying for jobs in 2017</h2>I must've applied for over 100 of them. When you apply, employers ask you if they'll need to sponsor you at some point in the future, as not every employer can cover the financial costs associated with the process when the time comes.I received four offers from Microsoft, Verizon, Deutsche Bank, and Disney. Microsoft had the best offer and was willing to sponsor my visa.<h2 id="a93721cf-c9e0-46f2-bd96-3071c98b4800">I started as a software engineer with Microsoft in 2018</h2>When I started my job at Microsoft in Seattle, I could work thanks to a student work permit that lasts one year after graduation and is granted to all F-1 visa students. While working on the student permit, your employer helps you apply for an <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/h1b-visa-lottery-changes-benefit-startups-hiring-immigrants-2024-2">H-1B</a> visa.I applied for a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/big-tech-green-card-applications-pause-2024-5">green card</a> after working on my H-1B visa for a year. By this point, I had lived in the US for about six years and created a whole life here, but the green card process was very painful.<h2 id="a2b4001a-c572-41e4-89cb-053b4e3c883a">The process makes life pretty horrible</h2>Having a work visa and going through the green card process are privileges, but it is very hard to separate the emotional component.There's no guarantee that you'll get to stay. If something goes wrong at any given time, you have to be ready to pack your bags and leave everything behind. I know some people who tried to get it three times and ran out of chances and had to return home.The first few years working were also difficult because I wasn't around anyone who looked like me. I wanted to grow and challenge myself, but at the same time, it made me wonder if I belonged, and doubt and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/managing-imposter-syndrome-when-you-are-the-boss-2021-10">imposter syndrome</a> crept in.Luckily, Microsoft paid for the attorneys in the green card process, and no cost came out of my pocket.<h2 id="1eb526a5-91be-4063-bec1-58a529e97297">I had to constantly review what they were putting on the application forms</h2>My key takeaway is that, even if you're working with lawyers, you still have to assume complete ownership of the application process and remember the lawyers supporting you, being human, can make mistakes.I was audited because some of the information that had been submitted was incorrect. It took me six to eight months to provide supplemental information and pass the audit.In 2022, I finally received my green card after three years.<h2 id="bd375841-9305-458d-bfb3-92ac255d1675">Last year, I decided to move into product management and took a new job at Starbucks</h2>In software engineering, you work on problems created by engineers for engineers. I wanted to learn how to build products that our customers actually love, so I ended up becoming a technical product manager.I love the US, I love the city I live in, and I love its people. I try to make it a better place by providing value through my career and volunteering in my local community.I even recently <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/millennial-couple-left-nyc-bought-vermont-house-slow-life-2024-9">bought a house</a> here — I don't have plans to move anywhere else.Want to share your story? Email Lauryn Haas at lhaas@businessinsider.com.

I got my green card after working at Microsoft on an H-1B visa. The process was very painful, but I love the US and don't plan to leave.

For employees, a job is about more than just the paycheck—elements like work-life balance, career development and a positive <keyword id="20375714" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="workplace-environment" source="keywords">workplace environment</keyword> play crucial roles. This broader perspective extends to a national level too, with highly <keyword id="20614079" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="skilled-professionals" source="keywords">skilled professionals</keyword> increasingly drawn to countries that offer a more inclusive and progressive atmosphere. A recent study from Washington State University underscores this notion, revealing that European countries which embraced <keyword id="20026331" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="same-sex-marriage" source="keywords">same-sex marriage</keyword> saw a significant boost in retaining their top talent. This shift had considerable economic repercussions, particularly in influencing the flow of skilled workers to the United States. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Uncovering the link between marriage equality and skilled labour retention" comment="subhead" text="Uncovering the link between marriage equality and skilled labour retention">Uncovering the link between <keyword id="1660336" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="marriage-equality" source="Orion">marriage equality</keyword> and <keyword id="22603926" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="skilled-labour-retention" source="Orion">skilled labour retention</keyword></cmsannotation> The study, recently published in AEA Papers and Proceedings, analysed 20 years of data on H-1B visas—those coveted permits for immigrants with advanced degrees and specialised skills. The research team’s choice to focus on EU countries was a strategic one, leveraging the shared labour market within this political and economic union for a more precise analysis of marriage equality’s effects. The EU also provided a natural experiment: by 2019, roughly half of the 27 member states had legalised same-sex marriage, while the remaining 14 had not, creating a perfect control group for comparison. The results revealed that from 2000 to 2019, as 13 EU countries adopted same-sex marriage laws, the U.S. experienced a 21% decline in new H-1B visas from these countries. This trend persisted despite differences in enactment dates and economic conditions across the EU. The study also considered the effect of the U.S. recognising foreign same-sex marriages in 2013. Notably, this policy change slowed the decrease in H-1B visa admissions from EU countries with existing marriage equality laws, such as The Netherlands, Belgium and Spain. Koroles Awad, a Ph.D. candidate in economics at WSU, emphasised that <keyword id="21934841" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="inclusive-policies" source="keywords">inclusive policies</keyword> make countries more attractive to skilled labour. This finding underscores the broader economic benefits of marriage equality beyond just social progress. Awad further noted that marriage equality could act as a non-monetary incentive for attracting and retaining highly sought-after skilled workers, particularly in STEM fields. Building on previous U.S. studies showing that same-sex couples and households led by women were more likely to relocate to states recognising same-sex marriage, this new research broadens the understanding of how inclusive policies affect migration patterns. Although this study doesn’t address the sexual orientation of H-1B visa holders, it clearly indicates that the appeal of inclusive environments is a significant factor for skilled professionals.

Inclusivity pays off: Countries with same-sex marriage retain skilled professionals more effectively, per study

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Senior product manager Yung-Yu Lin shares six strategies for preparing for FAANG interviews.</li><li>Strategies include mock interviews, subscribing to company news, and contacting recruiters.</li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-write-big-tech-resume-google-meta-product-manager-2024-6">Yung-Yu Lin,</a> a senior product manager at Google in Sunnyvale, California. It has been edited for length and clarity. Business Insider has verified his employment history.In my two-decade-long tech career, I have worked in Taiwan, where I am from, and spent the last eight years in the US.I was a software engineer at Yahoo in Taiwan, and moved to the US to pursue an MBA in 2014. Since graduation, I have worked at<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-write-big-tech-resume-google-meta-product-manager-2024-6"> Meta, Visa, and PayPal</a> and am currently a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/google-product-manager-shares-her-two-page-resume-she-loves-2024-5">product manager at Google</a>.Over the years, I have designed an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/engineer-tech-interview-preparation-leetcode-questions-ask-meta-amazon-salesforce-2024-5">interview preparation strategy</a> that has worked for me.Here are six things I do leading up to a big technical interview:<h2 id="5921a9db-c303-413b-a005-12186558833a">1. Mock interviews</h2>It doesn't matter who you are — everyone gets nervous in interviews.The only thing you can do is practice and familiarize yourself with the interview process.This is why I am a big believer in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mock-interviews-chatgpt-land-jobs-ex-disney-recruiter-2024-2">mock interviews</a>, which can be taken on several career-building sites such as IGotAnOffer, which is what I used when preparing for Google.I took four mock interviews, which were structured so that I was paired with another candidate attempting to get into Google. We took turns role-playing as an interviewer and a candidate. It was a helpful format because I not only got a second set of eyes on my performance, but also took notes on what my partner did well and what they didn't.<h2 id="2e359a31-43a6-4b11-a4c5-799a52ce8d6e">2. Prepare for technical questions</h2>As a product manager, I did not have coding rounds like other tech roles such as software engineering or data science. However, I did have technical interview rounds focused on system design questions.Practice system design questions are available on several websites and there are books. I would go through them one to two weeks <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/faang-interview-tips-from-ex-google-employee-started-recruiting-platform-2024-6">before the interview</a> and try to answer them.I focused on preparing different examples for each use case.<h2 id="3edd7d98-8e69-4ffb-9c69-7deeedd3f801">3. Drop the recruiter a message</h2>If I am able to clear the first round, I will proactively ask the recruiter what the second round looks like.I always try to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/recruiter-how-filter-applications-software-engineering-job-post-atl-interview-2024-5">view recruiters as partners</a> in my application process, and tell myself that they have the most information about the role. I always ask them for any information they can share about my next interview and what a successful candidate for my role looks like based on their experience.<h2 id="0230ffc4-92f7-4fda-aaae-583a35abc404">4. Read my own notes</h2>In the last 24 hours before a big interview, I stop doing any mock interviews or looking at new technical questions to prevent feeling even more anxious.Instead, I keep a notebook where I jot down what went well and my weaknesses after each interview or question practice session. On the last day, I just go through those notes and try to sleep well.<h2 id="21340296-35f0-45ff-a643-b9c85d4dc14e">5. Subscribe to company news</h2>To have a good discussion, and to be able to ask informed questions at the end of my interview, I set up Google Search alerts for the company I am interviewing at.I take a look at whatever is happening in the past week and if there are any significant updates or news about the company. I would try to plan a few questions around these updates, and ask interviewers what it means for the company or industry.<h2 id="267dae58-a49d-4c95-9480-9c8f32f0fa08">6. Prep questions to ask the interviewer</h2>One of the biggest reasons I landed my first job at Meta was that my manager was happy with the questions I asked. They told me: "When we interviewed you, you had a good understanding of the company, about the business model, about the team's responsibility.""You will need less time to boot up and to get on board," they said.Here are two questions I try to ask:<ol><li>What does a good team player look like?This shows you what their team dynamics looks like, and what you should pay attention to to be seen as a good colleague. And it gives your hiring manager confidence that you're interested in being part of a team.</li><li>What is the most challenging project of their time at the company?This can give you signals that if you join, how big is the scale of the problems you will be working on. It can also give you insight into opportunities for growth and what domains you will be working with.Do you work in tech, finance, or consulting and have a story to share about your career journey? Get in touch with this reporter at <a target="_blank" href="mailto:shubhangigoel@insider.com">shubhangigoel@insider.com</a></li></ol>

I've worked at Meta, Visa,  and Google. There are 6 steps I always take when preparing for a big interview.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Australia plans to cut new international student enrollment by a third next year.</li><li>The cap follows a surge in international students post-pandemic, straining the rental market.</li></ul><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/australia-law-right-to-disconnect-ignore-calls-after-hours-work-2024-8">Australia</a> is capping new international students next year, in an effort to curb record migration.The country plans to limit <a target="_blank" class="" href=" https://www.businessinsider.com/how-employers-can-support-international-students-job-seekers-2022-3">international student</a> enrollments to 270,000 in 2025, Australian education minister announced on Tuesday. In 2023, there were just over 400,000 new international students."There's about 10% more <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/studying-abroad-in-north-korea-isolating-surreal-friendships-made-2024-7">international students</a> in our universities today than before the pandemic, and about 50% more in our private vocational and training providers," education minister Jason Clare said in a press briefing on Tuesday. "These reforms are designed to make it better and fairer, and set it up on a more sustainable footing going forward."The government will assign each university or vocational institute an individual limit.Australia has about 718,000 total <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/work-visa-moved-usa-canada-immigrants-2024-7">international students</a>, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-diplomat-chinese-students-should-not-access-sensitive-tech-2024-6">primarily from China</a>, India, and Nepal, according to 2024 education department <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.education.gov.au/international-education-data-and-research/international-student-numbers-country-state-and-territory">figures</a>.Curbs on migration were first announced in December, when Australia said it would tighten visa scrutiny for graduates and require students to secure higher scores on their English proficiency tests.The restrictions come after a period of concessions to encourage foreign workers and students who left during the pandemic to return to Australia. That created an influx of foreigners, which worsened the pressure on the country's tight rental market.Clare added that the restrictions will also limit the amount of "shonks" — people and businesses exploiting the demand for international education in Australia. Authorities have previously said that some providers participate in unethical practices or scams, such as recruiting students who are not proficient enough in English to do well, luring students with the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/aug/26/fraudulent-course-providers-face-closure-in-labors-international-education-crackdown">promises of jobs</a>, or promising tuition fee discounts to those who recruit other students.Canada announced similar limitations earlier this year, in an effort to bring down the costs of buying and renting homes.Canada's immigration agency said in January that it will cap the number of acceptances for international study permits. The move is expected to cut the number of students by 35% compared to last year and reduce the number of "<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://globalnews.ca/news/10241346/international-student-visas-canada/">puppy mills</a>" that provide poor-quality education.According to a study by education consultant IDP, the US, Australia, the UK, and Canada are hotspots for those seeking international education, with countries like Germany, New Zealand, and Ireland gaining interest in recent years.Since May 2023, the UK has clamped down on international students bringing their families on all student visas, except postgraduate research and those with government scholarships. The changes have also reduced the number of people using student passes as a loophole to work. The government <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tough-government-action-on-student-visas-comes-into-effect">forecast</a> that the changes would lead to 140,000 fewer people coming to the country.In the US, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/h1b-visa-lottery-changes-benefit-startups-hiring-immigrants-2024-2">dwindling chances</a> of landing a work visa after graduation because of the H-1B lottery system have made the country less attractive for some foreign students. A Trump-era executive order <a target="_blank" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/stuartanderson/2021/08/10/biden-keeps-costly-trump-visa-policy-denying-chinese-grad-students/">denying visas to Chinese graduate students</a> also <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/decline-china-international-students-economy-universities-trump-biden-immigration-covid-2022-8">slashed the number of enrollments.</a>

It's a terrible time to be an international student. Australia is the latest country to limit visas.

<ul class="summary-list"><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/turkey-central-bank-hikes-interest-rates-battle-inflation-2023-11">Turkey</a> is the latest country to open its arms to remote workers keen to relocate.</li><li>Citizens from several European countries, plus Canada and the US, are eligible for a new visa. </li></ul>Digital nomads are now welcome to stay in Turkey.The country joins Italy, which recently made a similar announcement, in offering a visa for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/digital-nomad-virtual-assistant-job-countries-mexico-home-base-2024-3">traveling professionals</a> who want to work remotely in Turkey for an extended time.The Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry created a website dedicated to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/remote-worker-promoted-senior-manager-2024-4">digital nomads</a> which provides a list of requirements for eligibility and the steps of the application process. The site also provides resources on how to get started in several of its major cities.The Digital Nomad Identification Certificate, which is the first step to a digital nomad visa, is open to remote workers ages 21 to 55.They have to provide proof that they are a university graduate, work in the "digital nomad field," and that they make at least $3,000 a month, or $36,000 annually, according to the <a target="_blank" href="https://digitalnomads.goturkiye.com/application-requirements-for-digital-nomad-visa-and-short-term-residence">site</a>.Applicants must also have a passport or travel documents that are valid for at least six months from the date they arrive in Turkey. The offer is only for citizens of several European countries and Canada, Russia, and the US.If approved, it's as simple as applicants receiving a certificate with a barcode that they can use to apply for the digital nomad visa at the Turkish consulate.Still, life in the country is not all rosy. Over the years, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/turkey-increases-minimum-wage-but-people-wont-be-happy-2023-12">Turkish citizens</a> have been up against rising inflation, and while the country bumped its minimum wage up 49% in 2024 to about $525 a month, many are still struggling.However, more and more millennials and Gen Z are giving up on the dream of owning a house in the US, so some have opted to spend their time traveling and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/millennials-choose-travel-over-promotions-paying-off-debt-2023-12">working abroad instead of saving for a starter home</a>.Earlier this month Italy announced that it would welcome remote workers and their families on renewable digital nomad visas.

Here's who qualifies for Turkey's new digital nomad visa and how to apply

US presidential candidate <keyword id="19918985" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Donald-Trump" source="keywords">Donald Trump</keyword> has gone from suggesting that immigrants were poisoning the blood of the country to saying that he would welcome immigrants from “nice” countries like Denmark, Switzerland and Norway to his most recent plans of automatically granting green cards to <keyword id="22128571" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="foreign-graduates" source="keywords">foreign graduates</keyword> of US colleges in a rather short duration of time. Feeling a little whiplashed, anyone? Securing a green card in the US is a Herculean task whose difficulty is probably comparable to capturing and bringing back Cerberus. And this legal permanent residence, which can sometimes take decades, is only the first step to becoming a US citizen. Many Indians have tried, whether it’s through residing and working for decades, navigating rather lengthy paperwork or marrying someone who is already a US citizen. Sadly, many have failed too. However, should Donald Trump become the President of the United States again (and decide to keep his word), Indian students might actually have an easier time getting a green card. In a surprising shift from his previous stance on immigration, former President Donald Trump has unveiled a bold plan to automatically grant green cards to foreign graduates of US colleges if re-elected. This announcement, made during a podcast interview with Silicon Valley investors, marks a departure from Trump's traditionally tough rhetoric on immigration. During the podcast hosted by Chamath Palihapitiya and others, Trump expressed his commitment to retaining talent educated in American universities. He argued passionately for granting green cards as a standard benefit for graduates, regardless of the institution they attended. Trump emphasised that this policy should encompass graduates from renowned institutions like Harvard and MIT as well as from junior colleges across the country. “It’s so sad when we lose people from Harvard, MIT, the greatest schools, and lesser schools that are phenomenal schools also,” Trump lamented on the All-In Podcast. “I think you should get, automatically, as part of your diploma, a green card to be able to stay in this country and that includes junior colleges, too.” A green card affords its holder permanent residency rights in the United States and represents a crucial step towards citizenship. Trump's proposal, if enacted, could potentially introduce hundreds of thousands of new applicants for citizenship annually. Adding to the exodus of Indians who have already migrated to the US, over 200,000 Indian nationals are enrolled in institutes across the US in 2024, setting a new record. In fact, the significant surge in Indian students seeking education in the country between 2022-23 represented an unprecedented 35% increase from the year before that. The former US president specifically mentioned India and China, highlighting how talented individuals were unable to stay in the US because of current <keyword id="22151110" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="visa-policies" source="keywords">visa policies</keyword>. We can see how this may show him in a favourable light for green card aspirants. And while we’re not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, it is important to remember that Trump has made his discriminatory nature very public in several instances. Immigration has been a hot topic in the US political arena for decades. However, in recent years, the political right and others have been more divided than ever on this issue. Republicans have been calling for stringent immigration policies and strict border protections. Therefore, even if Trump does deliver what he promises, the packaging will most likely have fine print that might continue to make it difficult for students to attain green cards. In fact, the presidential candidate’s campaign press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, has already clarified that Trump's proposal would only apply to thoroughly vetted college graduates who can “make significant contributions” to America and would not undercut American wages or workers. She emphasised that Trump has outlined the most aggressive vetting process in US history to exclude "all communists, radical Islamists, Hamas supporters, America haters and public charges." Anyhow, Trump’s proposal starkly contrasts with Trump's previous hardline stance on immigration, which had been a cornerstone of his political platform. During his presidency, Trump advocated for stringent immigration policies, including the largest deportation campaign in US history, aimed at undocumented migrants, and building a wall on the southern borders of the country. Trump intensified restrictions on legal immigration amid the pandemic and his final year in office. He proposed halting all immigration to the US and deporting foreign students who didn't attend some in-person classes. A month before the 2020 election, Trump once more moved to tighten regulations on the <keyword id="20773661" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="H-1B-visa" source="keywords">H-1B visa</keyword> program. He has also criticised the H-1B visa program, which tech companies favour for hiring foreign skilled workers, as detrimental to American prosperity. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa allowing US firms to employ foreigners in specialised occupations requiring theoretical or technical expertise. At a recent campaign event in Wisconsin, Trump criticised Biden's immigration policies, particularly lambasting a new program allowing undocumented spouses of US citizens to apply for permanent residence without leaving the country. Trump characterised immigration under Biden as an "invasion" and argued against discussing amnesty, urging instead for measures to halt what he perceives as an influx of unauthorised migrants. Estimates from the Department of Homeland Security suggest that approximately 11 million migrants currently reside in the US without authorization, a statistic that has been central to Trump's arguments against leniency in immigration policy.

Donald Trump strikes again: Ex-President proposes automatic green cards for foreign graduates of US colleges

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Vaishali Gauba dreamed of being a journalist in the US but wasn't able to secure an H-1B visa. </li><li>Years later, Gauba secured a work visa in Canada after moving there to study. </li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Vaishali Gauba, 29, about her experience navigating the US and Canadian immigration systems. Business Insider verified her visas. The following has been edited for length and clarity.I <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/moved-to-usa-denmark-pros-prefer-america-2024-3">moved to the US</a> when I was 17, with ambitions of being a journalist.I grew up in Gurugram, India, and moved to New Jersey in 2012 for my undergraduate degree. I studied journalism, media studies, and business management at Rutgers University.I worked with major US news outlets during and after college and wanted to keep working in America, but couldn't secure an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-startups-sponsor-h1b-work-visas-2024-1">H-1B work visa</a>. I returned to India feeling defeated. Five years later, I <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/english-man-moved-to-canada-loves-it-surprising-things-2023-10">relocated to Canada</a>.In Canada, I found a clearer path to securing a work permit, and I'm less worried about being uprooted by the immigration system.<h2 id="b6a8d628-2960-4ae2-bfa9-e6651b4da0a4">I interned at US media companies at university</h2>I came to the US on an F-1 visa, which is for full-time students.During my studies, I worked for the student newspaper, The Daily Targum, and also did news internships at CNBC, NBC, and CBS, which each lasted around four months.I remember having to get permission from international student services and the journalism department to do the internships, as there were restrictions around working off-campus for F-1 students. The work had to be related to my field of study.I remember feeling anxious about needing to get so many approvals to work as an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-employers-can-support-international-students-job-seekers-2022-3">international student</a>, but thankfully, I was permitted to do the internships.Working at big-name publications felt like a milestone, but it was also difficult to balance the internships with two college majors.<h2 id="76d690be-d407-4073-9d70-b7a3d889b3da">I wasn't able to secure an H-1B visa to stay in the US</h2>I became accustomed to the reality that anything related to my professional life required a lot of paperwork. I knew that to continue working in the US, I needed to apply for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ice-arrests-15-students-employed-fake-companies-to-stay-us-2020-10">optional practical training</a>, which allows F-1 students to work for a year in a field related to their studies.I graduated in May 2016, and after my OPT was approved, I started on the CBS Page Program, a rotational program for graduates.I had several assignments there, including on the evening news and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. I talked with Stephen Colbert at the show's rooftop parties and saw many celebrities on the job.But my time there was limited. The Page Program lasted a year, around the time my OPT expired. After six months on the program, I asked CBS about the possibility of sponsoring me for an H-1B visa but was told they don't offer sponsorships.I didn't realize this when I started working there, but I wanted the experience and to work on my OPT, so I would have done the program regardless.I applied to other jobs, but many applications included a question about whether I'd need a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/fake-name-resume-hired-guilty-2024-5">visa sponsorship</a> now or in the future. I felt that this one question was already filtering me out as a candidate and I wasn't getting called for interviews.I spoke with two lawyers about my options. They told me about the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-ukraine-tech-culture-differences-2024-5">O-1 visa</a> for people with "extraordinary" ability in certain fields. I tried gathering references for the application, but as time went on, I felt my chances were slim.This is partly because the lawyers shared case studies of people who received O-1 visas with me, and I felt they were more arts-orientated than journalism-orientated. I felt the lawyers weren't confident I had a good chance, so I decided not to apply.Extended family members and lawyers suggested I continue my education to stay in the US on another F-1 visa. I eventually decided against this as I didn't think I could learn anything about news from a school program I wasn't already learning at CBS.<h2 id="f3fc1807-fde1-4bd6-b552-e9cd476f3cef">I went back to India feeling defeated</h2>I started to feel lost. I remember lashing out at my dad on the phone when he suggested I come home, but in the end, I had a gut feeling that it was time to return to India, so <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/left-us-for-northern-ireland-these-cultural-differences-surprised-me-2023-9">I left the US</a> in August 2017.It felt like a defeat. I knew I wanted to be a journalist in America, but I couldn't do it. I'd given so much to the US in terms of time, energy, and money, and it was hard to accept that I had to give up on it because of visa stuff.I spent the next five years in India, working in journalism before pivoting into a brand and communications position. In 2021, I began freelancing in PR and marketing strategy.I planned on doing a master's in digital media to boost my PR career. My boyfriend at the time, who's my husband now, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/moving-from-sydney-australia-to-canada-pros-cons-2024-5">moved to Canada</a> for his MBA in 2021, so I started exploring master's options there.<h2 id="d34eb837-2609-4a93-ba9b-25683513eb6c">I've found the Canadian immigration system to be more immigrant-friendly</h2>I came to Canada on a study permit and started my master's program at Toronto Metropolitan University in September 2022.I applied for a work visa in September 2023 after finishing my studies. While it took a long time to get my study permit because of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cicnews.com/2023/12/breaking-canadian-parliament-committee-provides-recommendations-to-address-immigration-backlogs-1240610.html#gs.bm1bft">the backlog created by COVID-19</a>, the work visa process took less than a month and was fairly easy.Graduating from my master's program made me eligible for an open work permit, which isn't tied to a specific employer. I'm self-employed as a freelancer.Unlike the US <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/h1b-visa-lottery-changes-benefit-startups-hiring-immigrants-2024-2">H-1B process</a>, I didn't need an employer to sponsor me, and there was no lottery system.While I'm aware that some people have a hard time coming to Canada, my overall experience of Canadian immigration processes has been smooth. I feel it's more favorable to immigrants than the US processes.I couldn't get a work visa in the US, but there was a clearer and more stable path to getting one in Canada.When I left the US in 2017, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-first-week-as-president-2017-1">Donald Trump</a> had just become president. My understanding is that it's become <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-google-twitter-speak-out-against-trump-h1b-visa-freeze-2020-6">harder to get a work visa in the US</a> since.My work visa expires in October 2024, and I'm open to options for settling in Canada beyond that. Moving back to India is still a small possibility as my partner, and I have family there, but I like the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/montreal-canada-city-low-cost-of-living-quality-of-life-2024-6">quality of life in Canada</a>, and I'm less concerned about my life being uprooted here than I was in the US.

I lost my dream job in the US because I couldn't get a work visa. In Canada, the pathway has been much smoother. 

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="23944870" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sonya-Moore" source="keywords">Sonya Moore</keyword> decided that if Trump won in 2016, she would leave the US.</li><li>She followed through and has been living abroad for seven years.</li></ul>"If Trump wins this election, I'm <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-reelected-americans-are-planning-to-flee-in-droves-2024-3">moving out of the country</a>." I said those words in November 2016. So did a lot of other Americans: so many, in fact, that <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/canadian-immigration-site-crash-election-2016-11">Canada's immigration website crashed</a> as votes were being tallied due to increased traffic. No joke. I don't know how many others <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/americans-who-left-us-because-of-trump-talk-biden-presidency-2020-12">followed through on that declaration</a>, but I did. Trump won the election, and 9 months later, I left the US. Full disclosure: Trump becoming president was not the only reason I left — it was also about being fed up with my corporate job, coupled with a strong desire to explore the world. I was 37, single, with no children or pets, so I was free to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/working-mom-quit-job-expat-move-abroad-qatar-singapore-2023-12">quit my job</a>, uproot myself, and take off. I did own a house at the time, which I sold a few months after I left. Upon my departure, I didn't have much of a plan other than the intention to spend some time slowly exploring Asia and teaching English when I needed to make money. This no-plan thing was out of character for me, but I was very comfortable with <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/southeast-asia-travel-mistakes-packing-weather-clothing-traditions-medicine-2024-4">solo international travel</a>, thanks to previous study abroad experiences and 14 years of intensive overseas work-related travel. <div type="image" title="Sonya Moore in Siem Reap, Cambodia" height="1280" width="1600" msid="115071450" hostid="261"></div><h2>The move opened a new chapter in my life</h2>As months unfolded, I discovered that when you leave space for it, life guides you to the places, people, and opportunities that are meant for you. Seven years later, I'm still living <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/boomer-couldnt-afford-retirement-in-california-moved-abroad-travel-happy-2024-10">happily outside the US</a>. While my decision to leave opened up a horizon of experiences beyond my wildest dreams and led me to the man of my dreams, it hasn't all been a bed of roses. The first year, I lived off savings while traveling slowly through Asia. I started my travels in India, where I spent 10 days at a silent meditation retreat, attended teachings by the Dalai Lama, and took a <keyword id="20626363" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="yoga-teacher-training" source="keywords">yoga teacher training</keyword>. I promptly got hooked on teaching yoga. After four months in India, I continued <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-to-pack-traveling-in-southeast-asia-singapore-thailand-bali-2023-9">making my way through Asia</a> for eight more months. I swam in the crystal clear waters of the Maldives, visited healers in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/american-family-kids-bali-decompress-relocate-slow-life-work-remote-2024-10">Bali</a>, witnessed breathtaking sunrise views from mountaintops in Laos, went island-hopped through the Philippines, rode motorbikes around Thailand's islands, and discovered ancient pagodas in Myanmar The cost of living in much of Asia is so low that savings can stretch a long way. I have high standards for my accommodations, and while traveling, I usually spent around $20 to $25 per night on hotels. Lower-maintenance friends of mine found simpler places for $6 per night in India. Meals usually cost around $3. After six weeks in India, I considered a lunch bill of $5 to be expensive. <h2>There have been times along the way when I've felt lost </h2>From time to time, I experienced stretches of feeling <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/relocation-moved-to-milan-living-abroad-emotionally-exhausting-unspoken-truths-2023-9">unsettled and lacking a sense of purpose</a>. Over the years, I learned that those periods of doubt and uncertainty will continue to surface. But I also learned to just keep trusting, and the way forward would eventually reveal itself. People often ask me if I was ever afraid while <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-women-need-to-know-traveling-solo-southeast-asia-tips-2022-12">traveling alone through Asia</a>. I never was — except a couple of times in India when riding on some precariously high Himalayan roads with no guardrails. But of people? I never had a reason to be. After a year away, I found an opportunity to teach yoga in a small mountain town in Myanmar. Life there was quiet, simple, and beautiful. I lived there for 9 months, and I was profoundly happy most of the time. But there were times <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/loneliness-how-to-make-friends-remote-worker-freelancer-new-city-2024-2">I felt lonely</a>. The locals were sweet and kind, with love in their eyes and actions, but I missed friends who spoke my language fluently, with whom I could have deep conversations over a glass of wine. And the dating scene? Nonexistent. <div type="image" title="Sonya Moore kissing a man at the airport" height="2118" width="1754" msid="115071453" hostid="261"></div><h2>I found love during my travels</h2>Another yoga teaching opportunity took me to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Siem Reap is not a big city, but after my small-town Myanmar life, it felt like Manhattan. There were so many restaurants, bars, social events, friends, and even some attractive single men. I fell in love with the town, the quality of life, and the locals. It was easy to get a tourist or work visa to live here long term, and it was almost as inexpensive as India and Myanmar. I was living in Siem Reap when COVID-19 hit. By that time, I was in a <keyword id="20752574" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="long-distance-relationship" source="keywords">long-distance relationship</keyword> with a French man I met during my travels. After the closed borders of the pandemic kept us apart for 7 months, I moved to France to be with him. Our story was long and winding, but it felt like destiny. He <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/my-partner-couple-travel-together-full-time-one-date-2024-5">loves global travel</a> like I do. We've been together for four years and are living together in Papua New Guinea. Our plan is to go back to a nomadic slow-travel lifestyle. My career has gradually evolved to encompass creative pursuits that light me up inside: retreats, writing, photography, and yoga. I am deeply grateful to my former self for <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/live-abroad-cheap-low-cost-living-high-quality-life-2024-1">choosing to leave the US</a>. I sometimes miss family and friends, but thanks to technology, our connection stays alive across the distance, and I go back to visit once a year. I still love America and feel lucky to have been born and raised there. But there's a big world out there waiting to be discovered. Do you have a personal essay about relocating to Asia that you want to share? Get in touch with the editor at <a target="_blank" href="mailto:akarplus@businessinsider.com">akarplus@businessinsider.com</a>. November 11, 2024 — An earlier version of this story mentioned Trump becoming president was not the reason Moore left, it was not the only reason.

I swore I would leave the US if Trump won the 2016 election. Here's how that worked out for me.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Dozens of New York Times tech workers crossed the picket line amid a tech strike.</li><li>The Tech Guild is striking over remote work, pay equity, and subcontracting limits.</li></ul>Dozens of New York Times tech workers have crossed the picket line since the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-york-times-tech-strike-disrupt-site-election-coverage-2024-11">Tech Guild went on strike</a> Monday, sources said.Two knowledgeable sources, who were granted anonymity to speak candidly about internal operations, estimated about 100 of the Guild's 600 members were working on Election Day. Benjamin Harnett, an engineer at the Times and union steward, said the figure was under 50.Harnett said some members opted not to strike because they were on work visas, had concerns about job security, or were anti-union."Nobody wants to be on strike election night," Harnett said. "Everyone is talking about how disappointed they are. People are disappointed that management saw the deadline coming and decided not to meet it. There's definitely a few people conflicted about the mission, but the vast majority who expressed conflict have ended up on the picket."The Tech Guild, formed in 2021, represents Times workers like software developers and data analysts. It's striking over issues including remote work protections, pay equity, limits on subcontracting, and just cause.Times management has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wsj.com/business/media/threat-of-new-york-times-tech-worker-strike-on-election-day-grows-174b1912">countered</a> that it made a strong offer promising tech workers generous pay and benefits, including total compensation (salary, bonus, and restricted stock options) of $190,000 — or $40,000 more on average than journalists in the Times Guild.The work stoppage threatened to disrupt the Times' operations during an expected election traffic surge. Some speculated that it could impact the Times' famous needle, a data visualization tool that shows which way a race is leaning. Nate Cohn, the Times' chief political analyst, <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/Nate_Cohn/status/1853849211432734973">said</a> Tuesday that he didn't know if the Times would be able to publish the needle if there were bugs that couldn't be fixed due to the strike."Publishing the Needle live on election night relies on computer systems maintained by engineers across the company, including some who are currently <a target="_blank" class="css-yywogo" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/04/business/media/new-york-times-strike.html">on strike</a>," the Times' election analytics team wrote in an article published Tuesday. "How we display our election forecast will depend on those systems, as well as incoming data feeds, and we will only publish a live version of the Needle if we are confident those systems are stable."The strike has exposed some divisions among Tech Guild members — and between the guild and some Times journalists who have expressed a lack of sympathy for the tech workers. The Tech Guild had <a target="_blank" href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/nyt-tech-strike-fund">raised</a> nearly $108,000 on GoFundMe toward a $150,000 strike fund goal as of Tuesday evening.

Dozens of New York Times tech workers cross the picket line on Election Day

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Startup founder Charlie Baron felt lonely and burned out in London.</li><li>He moved to Lisbon in 2023 and started a new company focused on building community.</li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Charlie Baron, 30-year-old founder in Lisbon, Portugal, about moving from London. It has been edited for length and clarity.When I moved to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/american-visiting-portugal-first-time-surprising-things-lisbon-2022-8">Lisbon</a>, I was <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/working-part-time-avoid-burnout-great-resignation-job-hopping-2023-3">burned out</a> and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/incredibly-lonely-high-paying-tech-job-seattle-2023-9">lonely</a> from working from home for a tech startup I'd co-founded.One week in November 2022, I barely left the house. I needed to change my lifestyle. I'd been thinking about <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/lived-texas-california-alabama-moved-finland-better-life-2024-10">moving to another country</a> for a while. Moving abroad would push me to meet new people and live a more fulfilling life.<h2 id="a60fe711-1dc1-4bd1-9b29-c1cbcea73c40">I co-founded a startup</h2>I've always been entrepreneurial and worked on little projects from a young age. In 2012, I went to Loughborough University to study business. When I left university in 2016, I joined Tesla in their London sales team. I had always wanted to work in tech.While there, I started a side business helping inventors launch their products on crowdfunding platforms like Indiegogo. I quit <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/quit-white-collar-jobs-after-2-decades-electrician-blue-collar-2024-8">Tesla</a> in 2017 to work on it full-time.Through that, I met the founder of a portable phone charging network ChargedUp. I consulted for them, then wrapped up my business and joined ChargedUp as a cofounder in November 2017. I led various teams, including sales and marketing. We raised capital from VCs in the UK.The COVID-19 pandemic stopped us in our tracks. We pivoted to<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-pivot-business-in-crisis-what-chargedup-founders-learned-2020-8"> creating hand sanitizer dispenser stations</a> under the name CleanedUp. Five years into the business, we sold the CleanedUp side and launched another tech product for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.uktechnews.info/2022/01/04/innovate-energy-solutions-theup-co-secures-7-million-series-a-investment/">the hospitality industry in 2022</a>.<h2 id="44c45deb-cf22-42a1-8051-88854847d668">I was lonely</h2>I started to feel slightly lost and tired of London. I'd grown up in London and moved around the city in my 20s.When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, everyone left the capital and moved to the outskirts with their partners. When restrictions were lifted, I realized I barely saw my friends anymore. We would meet up once a month if we could.I struggled to meet new people. I joined a football team locally but still spent most of my time working remotely from home and not meeting anyone.Over the five years, I often worked 18-hour days and was burned out.<h2 id="36e9e39a-f4fb-41a3-b77b-b3eb6fee78d7">I considered moving to the US</h2>Moving to California had always been a dream. But after the pandemic, the state seemed to be on the decline, with lots of people moving out.I'd visited Lisbon before and loved it. It felt like somewhere on the ascent. One of my friends had moved there and encouraged me to join. I decided to go for three months in 2022 while working part-time for ChargedUp.I wanted to live there immediately and applied for a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/portugal-shutting-down-golden-visa-d7-digital-nomad-still-open-2023-2">D7 visa</a> that summer. The visa is for people who make at least $7,673 a year in passive income. It took me around five months to get the visa. I flew back to the UK a lot for my visa appointments and still had an apartment there with my brother. I got the visa in January 2023 and moved to Lisbon shortly after.Since I started my application, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/portugal-launches-digital-nomad-visa-2700-month-income-requirement-2022-10">digital nomad visas</a> have become available. Those require a higher minimum income.I left ChargedUp in April 2023 but kept equity in the company. I took six months off to enjoy myself, living off my savings. I scoured WhatsApp for groups to meet new people, tried out new sports, and spent time in nature. Hiking around Lisbon is very easy. People I met often had similar stories to mine. They lived in different cities and struggled to connect with people there. They all moved to Lisbon to reconnect.<h2 id="c5d78187-58f0-425e-a428-bf32f8f924af">I started my own business</h2>These interactions <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/irl-social-startups-combat-loneliness-among-millennials-gen-z-2024-5">inspired my new business</a>. I started it in July 2023 as a fun side project. It's a membership app called <a target="_blank" href="https://www.tribesocial.co/">Tribe,</a> which connects people new to a city on mutual interests like sports, arts, or music. We host events at our social clubs, which are also coworking spaces.I launched the business with money from my previous businesses and used AI tools to help me build the app. I met my cofounder paddleboarding in Lisbon. He'd run a chain of cocktail bars in London. We'd even worked together but never met. We bootstrapped the app together.<h2 id="5143e392-49d9-49cb-b8c6-8f3ab71a2474">London's business scene is ahead</h2>Building in Lisbon was probably harder than it would've been in London. Getting investment and finding tech talent in London might have been easier, and it would have been faster to set up a business in London. In Lisbon, it was a long process, and employers have to pay Social Security tax proportional to an employee's salary, so it's more expensive<a target="_blank" href="https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/portugal/individual/other-taxes"> to pay</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/portugal/corporate/other-taxes#:~:text=As%20a%20rule%2C%20employers%20are%20required%20to%20make%20monthly%20social%20security%20contributions%20at%20the%20standard%20rate%20of%2023.75%25%20on%20the%20monthly%20gross%20remuneration%20of%20their%20employees.">people</a> higher salaries, which is frustrating.We plan to take the app to Spain, France, and the UK over the next few months.<h2 id="d12bb4e7-137c-456d-8dd8-00762344a54e">My lifestyle is better and cheaper</h2>The UK, especially London, is constantly in a rush. Lisbon is more laid-back. My lifestyle is focused on wellness and being outdoors. I walk and exercise more.Playing sports four times a week is easy, even while building the business, because everything is nearby. In 20 minutes, I can be on the beach or up a beautiful mountain. I haven't taken a salary yet from my business, but I hope to next year. It helps that I live a simple life, and it's much cheaper than London. There's some of the nicest wine in Europe, and it's three or four euros for a glass. I didn't go out in London much because it was so expensive.When I first moved here, I had a one-bedroom apartment in the center of town. Rent has since gone up. I now live 10 minutes away from the center in a nice community, and I rent a three-bedroom house from a friend for less than double my initial rent.I feel so much less lonely than I did in London. I'm almost overstimulated now from meeting so many new people. It was a good decision to move.If you've relocated to another country and would like to share your story, email <a target="_blank" href="mailto:ehopkins@businessinsider.com">ehopkins@businessinsider.com</a>.

I quit my tech job due to burnout and left London. Moving to Lisbon cured my loneliness and restored my work-life balance.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>There's a new card from OTH Network that influencers are swiping to redeem products and services.</li><li>The influencer-focused fintech platform uses AI to match brands and creators.</li></ul>There's a hot new card influencers are swiping at restaurants and retailers to redeem products and services.The card is offered by OTH ("on the house") Network, an <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/influencer-fintech-channelmeter-launches-youtuber-early-payment-app-2020-7">influencer-focused fintech platform</a> that uses artificial intelligence to monitor content created for brands and match creators with marketing deals. Influencers use the OTH Network app to gather offers from local businesses. Then, after creating <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-reach-out-to-brands-influencer-collaboration-post-email">sponsored content</a>, they can spend the payment added to their account in person at the business.The closed platform has a waiting list, which influencers must apply for by filling out questions like <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-much-influencers-charge-sponsored-posts-ai-other-takeaways-data-2024-5">follower count, content category</a>, and location. Once accepted, the creator will receive a black and gold card (like a loyalty card) to use in person to redeem products and services.For example, Sushi Bar in Miami, Flowrbombr Skincare in Los Angeles, and Footnanny Nail Spa in Beverly Hills have all partnered with OTH for <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/influencer-marketing-is-booming-as-brands-take-creators-more-seriously-2024-7">influencer campaigns</a>.Cofounders Maximiliaan Van Kuyk and Ketan Rahangdale started the company in 2020 and, in September, raised <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/creator-economy-startups-raised-vc-money-in-bear-market-2023-11">VC funding</a> from Innovate Ventures, according to Pitchbook.In some ways, OTH is part of a familiar practice in the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/top-ways-to-make-money-as-content-creator">influencer world</a>: gifting. Brands will often send influencers free products or services with the hope or expectation that they will post about it on social media. But OTH is putting a new twist on this practice by looking to streamline the process using an AI-powered app and giving it an exclusive feel with a physical card."We see influencers opening up like 10 packages a day and putting it on social," Van Kuyk said, referring to traditional influencer gifting practices. "But it's super inorganic."Van Kuyk told Business Insider that the platform currently has over 3,000 creators and over 90,000 global creator applications. In the US, it's available to creators in cities including Miami, LA, Chicago, Las Vegas, and New York, with plans to expand. The company started in hospitality and then expanded into wellness, beauty, and fashion."We are being extremely diligent on only letting in the top creators in cities we are operating in," Van Kuyk said.Influencers who use the platform include Roz Model (15 million Instagram followers), Montana Tucker (3.2 million Instagram followers), Kat Graham (9.7 million Instagram followers), and Matt Staffanina (3.7 million Instagram followers).Creators must have at least 10,000 Instagram followers to be considered, and for now, OTH rarely accepts creators <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/micro-influencer-campaigns-decline-marketers-turn-to-big-stars-2024-10">under 100,000 followers</a>, Van Kuyk said. But he added that the platform plans to expand into micro influencer categories."We have made some exceptions to that, just because some merchants enjoy that, but for the most part that's where we've been focusing," he said. "We 100% acknowledge that space and we will be moving into that space over time. Maybe we will release a micro influencer strategy product that will be a little bit separate and have different rules around it. But, as a startup, we have to stay focused on what our strengths are."<h2 id="7bd36f65-955d-4320-957f-3b0cd78e7e3d">How OTH Network structures its partnerships</h2>Typically, influencers on the platform are asked to create two pieces of content, like an Instagram story or reel, or TikTok, that features themselves and the restaurant or product. They upload the content to the OTH app, and the platform's AI technology checks the quality of the content.Once the content is approved, the influencer can post it, and the business can then use that content on their own marketing channels.Van Kuyk said the platform makes money by charging the merchants, but declined to expand on its business model and fee structure.Using AI and other third-party systems, OTH checks its applicants for bots, fake followers, and overall engagement. Brands care about a creator's audience, brand safety, and if the creator fits the right aesthetic, Van Kuyk said.Once accepted, the influencer is asked to jump on a call, which is part of an interview process with the company's creator team.OTH is not partnered with a bank. Instead, the card works more like a reimbursement or loyalty card, and each business uses the app to tap the card and redeem the influencer's credit."That is a direction that we're planning on going in, to actually have that be a real Visa or Mastercard that the influencers are banking with," Van Kuyk said. "We have a serious tech team in-house that is constantly building and upgrading these things. It's not just an agency with an app in front of it."

Influencers are swiping a new black card at restaurants, spas, and fitness studios

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Visa and Mastercard settled with US retailers over fees on credit-card swipes.</li><li>The agreement is set to allow retailers to negotiate fees directly with the credit-card companies.</li></ul>After nearly two decades of litigation, Visa and Mastercard have reached a massive antitrust settlement with US retailers capping fees on credit-card swipes.The agreement, which is still subject to court approval, is set to make Visa and Mastercard transactions cheaper for retailers and for some consumers.But not all cardholders are set to be so lucky. The settlement allows merchants "to adjust prices based on the costs associated with accepting different credit cards," a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-merchants-enter-into-landmark-class-action-settlement-with-visa-and-mastercard-to-eliminate-anti-competitive-restraints-and-reduce-swipe-fees-302099552.html">statement from the retailers' lawyers</a> said.In other words, shoppers using cards that charge higher interchange fees might pay higher prices.Premium cards that offer more perks and points tend to have higher interchange fees. The popular Chase Sapphire Reserve card <a target="_blank" href="https://usa.visa.com/content/dam/VCOM/download/merchants/visa-usa-interchange-reimbursement-fees.pdf">charges a higher interchange fee</a> than the Chase Freedom Unlimited card, for example, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-03-26/visa-mastercard-reach-30-billion-swipe-fee-deal-with-merchants?srnd=homepage-americas">as Bloomberg reported</a>. The class-action suit includes all US merchants who accepted Visa or Mastercard payments after December 18, 2020 — 90% of which are small businesses, a law firm for the plaintiffs estimated.The settlement — one of the largest in US antitrust history — could result in nearly $30 billion in savings by 2030, lawyers for the merchants said in a press release.It's set to benefit businesses by lowering interchange rates, capping those rates for five years, and providing more options like surcharging at the checkout."This settlement is the culmination of eight years of hard-fought litigation and detailed, painstaking negotiations," Steve Shadowen, a co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs, said in a statement. "It provides comprehensive market-based solutions to too-high swipe fees, while providing immediate fee relief to merchants as they make these new competitive tools work for them."Meanwhile, Visa hailed the settlement in a statement."By negotiating directly with merchants, we have reached a settlement with meaningful concessions that address true pain points small businesses have identified," Visa's North America president, Kim Lawrence, said in a statement after the settlement. "Importantly, we are making these concessions while also maintaining the safety, security, innovation, protections, rewards, and access to credit that are so important to millions of Americans and to our economy."

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