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EB1A Experts Reach 300+ Approvals: Why Tech’s Best Are Leaving Employer-Sponsored Immigration Behind?

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The San Francisco-based immigration firm has proven through its tireless work that merit beats waiting. Indian tech professionals are leading an exodus from decade-long green card backlogs and helping clients stand out in a bold new way.

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Waiting for an employer-sponsored visa can feel incredibly precarious. While this is undoubtedly a positive thing in the long term, in the short term it can make workers feel shackled to their employer in an uncomfortable and volatile way. The waiting process for an employer-sponsored visa can take many months or even years, which can further complicate citizenship status for those individuals in the interim.

Today, thousands of skilled professionals are caught in employer-sponsored visa queues, to the extent that anyone entering the process could be forced to wait decades to see the fruits of their labor realized. Because of this delay and the friction it creates, many have begun to seek a different path forward, and it is materializing in merit-based immigration routes that prioritize proven impact over sponsorship. In line with this trend, many top-tier professionals have secured approvals through extraordinary ability pathways, reflecting a broader shift toward taking control of their immigration journey through achievement-driven recognition.

San Francisco-based EB1A Experts has reached a significant milestone with over 300+ approvals across EB1A, EB2 NIW, and O1A immigration pathways. The achievement underscores the growing momentum of merit-based immigration, which is increasingly accessible to accomplished professionals beyond traditionally recognized elites such as Nobel laureates or Olympic medalists, now extending to high-impact contributors across technology, research, and innovation.

The Green Card Queue Nobody Talks About

In theory, the immigration process in the US should be simple. It was conceived with good intentions and seems effective enough on paper; if you work, you can earn your visa. However, in practice, the process has become far more convoluted than it was ever meant to be when it was established.

The reality is that many skilled professionals face unprecedented hardships today, many of which stem from a backed-up, overwhelmed, and consistently inefficient visa process. For instance, for Indian technology professionals on H-1B visas, employment-based green card backlogs can stretch for decades, creating prolonged uncertainty about long-term residency.

Building a Better Way Forward

In response to these difficulties, a growing number of accomplished professionals, including data scientists building enterprise AI systems, cybersecurity architects safeguarding critical infrastructure, and innovators advancing life-changing technologies, are turning to extraordinary ability pathways to take greater control of their immigration journey.

Recent data reflects this shift, with filings for extraordinary ability categories rising by nearly 50% in recent years. The trend highlights a clear realization among high-achieving individuals: merit-based pathways exist that recognize their impact and allow them to move forward without employer sponsorship or prolonged wait times.

From Exclusive to Accessible

The EB1A visa has existed for years, originally designed as a unique avenue to immigration status for individuals with especially notable, extraordinary skills. For decades, it has been seen as a category reserved for exceptional individuals globally celebrated for their talents or contributions.

However, that perception is steadily evolving. Today, professionals such as machine learning engineers building systems used by millions, cybersecurity experts protecting Fortune 500 infrastructure, and innovators driving industry-wide change are successfully qualifying under the same criteria.

This shift comes as demand for extraordinary ability pathways rises sharply. Recent data has shown that filings in these categories have increased by nearly 50% in recent years, even as approval rates remain selective at around 67% for EB1A, signaling both growing interest and higher scrutiny. The definition of extraordinary ability itself has not changed, but how professionals demonstrate impact, recognition, and influence has become more structured and evidence-driven.

“Extraordinary professionals often underestimate the value of their own work,” said Raghu Reddy Suram, Founder and CEO of EB1A Experts. “Our role is to help them clearly articulate that impact in a way that resonates with USCIS and reflects the true significance of their contributions.”

Born from 1,800 Hours of Investment and Frustration

EB1A Experts was not conceptualized in a boardroom. Founder and CEO Raghu Reddy Suram built the platform after investing over 1,800 hours preparing his own successful EB1A petition and navigating the process’s complexities, challenges, and nuances firsthand.

That journey shaped a highly specialized approach tailored for technology professionals, including experts in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, fintech, data science, and infrastructure engineering. Instead of taking a generalized approach, EB1A Experts focus deeply on domains where measurable impact and innovation are central to qualification.

The EB1A evaluation process itself is rigorous. Applicants must first meet at least three or four of the ten USCIS criteria, followed by a final merits determination assessing overall extraordinary ability. Strong credentials alone are insufficient; success depends on how effectively they are supported by structured, well-documented evidence demonstrating real-world impact and recognition.

How Human and AI Expertise Work Together?

EB1A Experts integrates artificial intelligence to enhance, not replace, human expertise. Experienced strategists guide the overall direction of each case, ensuring that every petition aligns with USCIS expectations and presents a cohesive, compelling narrative. At the same time, its proprietary Turing AI system supports evidence mapping and documentation management, streamlining repetitive tasks and enabling a more organized and data-driven approach to case preparation.

For professionals navigating the process independently, the LevelUp platform extends this capability into a self-service model. It provides AI-powered guidance across the entire journey, from profile evaluation to petition preparation, helping users identify gaps, discover relevant opportunities, generate recommendation letters, and organize documentation effectively.

This hybrid model of AI-enabled precision and human-led strategy contributes to EB1A Experts’ strong outcomes, including an 80–85% EB1A approval rate and a 100% approval rate for O1A petitions – well above national averages.

Beyond Indian Tech: Expanding the Extraordinary

While a significant portion of EB1A Experts’ clients are Indian-origin technology professionals, reflecting both the depth of talent and the realities of H-1B backlogs, the company’s vision is global.

To support this expansion, EB1A Experts is building a network of partnerships with immigration law firms, global mobility providers, technology consulting companies, startup ecosystems, research institutions, and professional associations. The goal is to evolve from a service provider into a long-term strategic partner for high-skilled professionals pursuing merit-based immigration.

As industries such as artificial intelligence, data science, and digital infrastructure continue to reshape the global economy, competition for exceptional talent is intensifying. EB1A Experts aims to help qualified professionals access the US innovation ecosystem based on merit, regardless of employer sponsorship.

The EB2 NIW Alternative and O1A Bridge

Not every accomplished professional immediately qualifies for EB1A. In such cases, the EB2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) offers a strong alternative. This pathway allows individuals to self-petition based on the national importance of their work, particularly in areas such as technology innovation, healthcare advancement, and infrastructure development.

For those earlier in their journey, the O1A visa provides a temporary work authorization pathway. While it requires employer or agent sponsorship, it is often used strategically as a stepping stone toward permanent residency through EB1A or EB2 NIW. Together, these pathways form a structured immigration ecosystem where professionals can progress based on their achievements and impact.

What 300+ Approvals Really Mean?

The milestone of 300+ approvals reflects more than volume; it represents a diverse community of high-impact professionals. These include engineers building globally deployed machine learning systems, cybersecurity experts protecting critical infrastructure, cloud architects enabling large-scale digital transformation, and program managers advancing trending technologies.

What unites them is a shared decision: to move beyond long employer-sponsored queues and pursue immigration pathways that recognize their individual contributions. By strategically presenting their work and demonstrating sustained recognition, they have positioned themselves for success in a highly competitive process.

About EB1A Experts

Founded by EB1A green card holder Raghu Reddy Suram, the firm specializes in extraordinary ability immigration for technology professionals. With 300+ approvals and industry-leading success rates, EB1A Experts combines AI-powered tools with strategic human expertise. Schedule a consultation to explore your eligibility today.

Full Name of the Contact: Raghu Suram

Email ID: connect@eb1experts.com

Phone Number: +1 (513) 450-4166

Website: https://eb1aexperts.com/

City & Country: San Francisco, California

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Banorte, led by Carlos Hank Gonzalez, recognized by Global Finance for “Excellence in Innovation” and “Digital Experience” Across Mexico and Latin America

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Banorte was recognized in both, Corporate/Institutional Digital Banking and Consumer Digital Banking categories at regional and national levels.

MEXICO CITY, Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Global Finance recognized Banorte in the Corporate/Institutional Digital Banking and Consumer Digital Banking categories in both Mexico and Latin America for its leadership in digital transformation.

Highlights include the strength of its strategy, customer adoption of its solutions, the breadth of its product offering, and the quality of the experience it provides through its digital channels.

Carlos Hank Gonzalez, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Grupo Financiero Banorte, said: “Our commitment is to continue innovating to deliver the best hyper-personalized banking experience in Mexico, combining technology with a human-centered approach”.

Likewise, in the Corporate/Institutional category, Banorte was named Best Corporate/Institutional Digital Bank in Mexico and received awards in the Best Online Portal/User Experience (UX) and Best Online Treasury and Cash Management Services subcategories in both Latin America and Mexico. It was also recognized for the Best Digital Payments Strategy in Mexico.

In addition, in the Consumer Digital Banking category, Banorte was recognized in both Latin America and Mexico in the Best in Transformation subcategory.

Through its hyper-personalization strategy and human-digital approach, Banorte enhances its customers’ banking experience by offering faster, more secure, and more personalized services.

About the World’s Best Digital Banks 2026 Awards

The awards are granted by Global Finance in collaboration with Infosys, a global consulting and technology services company. Founded in 1987, Global Finance has a presence in 163 countries and an audience comprising senior corporate and financial executives. Renowned for its international market analysis, the publication presents annual awards that have become a standard of excellence within the global financial community.

About Banorte

Grupo Financiero Banorte (GFNorte) provides financial services to individuals and businesses through its banking, brokerage, fund management, insurance, pension, leasing and factoring, warehousing, portfolio management, and remittance operations.

GFNorte also includes Afore XXI Banorte, one of the country’s leading retirement fund administrators by assets under management. GFNorte is a publicly traded company listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange’s benchmark index and has 35,701 employees, 1,229 branches, 12,318 ATMs, 268,877 point-of-sale terminals, and 46,191 banking correspondent locations.

LinkedIn: Grupo Financiero Banorte

X: @GFBanorte_mx

Facebook: Grupo Financiero Banorte

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SOURCE Banorte

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Mila and Mozilla Announce New Initiative To Build Trustworthy Open Source AI For Everyone

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The Canadian government will support this new initiative to accelerate the research & development of open source AI, providing a collaborative, safe and accessible alternative to proprietary models.

MONTRÉAL, Sept. 17, 2026 /CNW/ — Today at ALL IN, Canada’s largest AI and technology event, Mila and Mozilla announced a new initiative and fresh investment to build an open source AI foundation layer that enables organizations and institutions to own and operate advanced AI systems locally, ensuring full control over their technology and data.

Doubling down on its commitment to open source AI, the Government of Canada announced its support for the initiative. Mila will lead the technical delivery and coordination of the project, while Mozilla contributes technical expertise and provided the initial $5 million investment to kick off the project. Hypertec is committing an additional $1 million in first-year funding to accelerate initial Canadian deployments of the open source AI foundation layer on Hypertec hardware.

Founding this new initiative in Canada is a deliberate bet, and a distinctly Canadian one. The same country that took an early chance on deep learning when few others believed in it is now betting that the next generation of AI will be built on open source AI, and that Canada can help build it.

Mila and Mozilla will lead the work together: Mila drawing on a world-class community of close to 2,000 researchers and professionals, Mozilla as technical partner from industry, bringing twenty-five years of experience stewarding open infrastructure others build on. Mila and Mozilla are actively engaging new partners, inviting companies, research institutions, funders, governments and developers to join and support this work.

What’s Being Built

The goal is simple: make owning your AI as easy as renting it. Using open-source models was never the hard part. Turning a raw open-source model into something a small business, a hospital, a local charity or a government can run in production — secure, reliable, plugged into everything else — takes an engineering team most organizations and institutions do not have and months they can’t spare.

The goal is to offer businesses and organizations a ready-to-use AI package that they can run privately and keep under their own control, rather than having to build a complex system themselves or rely entirely on expensive, pay-per-use proprietary AI services.

For example, a small manufacturer could use the system as a private AI assistant for its employees. It could search the company’s manuals, procedures and past project files; help staff draft reports or answer technical questions; and help its software team write and improve code. Because the system is designed to be able to run locally, the company could do this while keeping its proprietary information and data within its own environment.

That also means lower costs. For the vast majority of everyday business tasks, companies will be able to use open-source AI running on open-source tools instead of paying a commercial provider every time an employee makes a request. But this requires reducing the technical work and expense involved in putting open-source AI into practice.

This initiative was founded to solve that problem, building the free layer that makes owning open source AI easy – the same kind of layer the web was built on. It has two halves: An open standard, published as interface contracts, so any part of the stack can be swapped for a better one. And a working “reference implementation” any organization can install on its own machines or the ones it chooses, running the models and controls it chooses against its own data, with governance and access control built in from the start. The ambition is that with the standards and foundation in place, open source AI can be built anywhere, by anyone.

The Work Already Underway

Over the last six months, Mila and Mozilla have been designing the architecture, deciding which open source components belong at each layer, and testing that the whole system works end to end. This investment builds on that progress.

Working alongside Mila and Mozilla, Hypertec will help move the initiative from research and reference implementation to real-world adoption by Canadian businesses and institutions, providing a practical, private and cost-effective path to deploy AI while maintaining greater control over their data and technology.

Why Now

Mozilla’s State of Open Source AI report found that while 79% of developers adding AI functionality use open models, only 53% of teams ever reach production, stopped by cost, security, integration and maintenance. This work aims to change that.

Within six months, Mozilla and Mila expect to publish working reference implementations for enterprise, government and public-interest use cases. The two-year ambition is bigger: to have solved this problem outright, so that open source AI can be adopted fully and easily, anywhere, by anyone.

Quotes

“Canada has a choice: depend on technologies developed elsewhere, or build more of what we need here at home. Open-source AI gives Canadian businesses and institutions greater control over their technology and data, while making powerful tools more affordable, accessible and easier to adapt. By supporting this work, we are strengthening Canada’s capacity to build and adopt AI on our own terms.” — The Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

“Six months ago, we announced our partnership with Mozilla to advance open-source and sovereign AI. Today, we are bringing that work to a whole new level. By delivering an open, secure AI foundation layer, we empower organizations, from small businesses to non-profits to governments, to own their technological future so they can run, control, and maintain AI models themselves. At Mila, our research community has always believed that for AI to be trustworthy and accessible, it must be built on open standards that keep control in local hands.” — Valérie Pisano, President and CEO, Mila

“AI today is at a crossroads, where it could be closed and owned by a few, or open and available to every coder, developer, enterprise and nation. That’s what we’re building – an open source AI ecosystem that fits together as seamlessly as the web, and that anyone, anywhere can build on. We’re so grateful to Canada for scaling this work, and call on partners across sectors – from enterprises and governments to coders and startups – to join us in building this future.” — Mark Surman, President, Mozilla

“AI is advancing at an extraordinary pace and has the potential to transform our economy and society for the better. Canada has an important role to play in ensuring that AI is developed and adopted responsibly. Hypertec is proud to help turn open source innovation into AI that Canadian organizations can deploy securely and under their own control. This is exactly the kind of partnership between government, research and Canadian industry needed to realize the full potential of AI.” — Simon Ahdoot, CEO, Hypertec Group

About Mila
Founded by Professor Yoshua Bengio, Mila is one of the world’s leading AI research institutes, bringing together close to 2,000 researchers & professionals shaping the future of intelligence. A non-profit organization based in Montreal, Mila is recognized for its scientific contributions, global innovation partnerships, leadership in safe & responsible AI, and acceleration of AI venture creation. It was created through a unique partnership between Université de Montréal and McGill University to advance scientific breakthroughs for the benefit of all. Mila is supported by the Government of Canada, the Government of Quebec, and more than 150 industrial partners. For more information, visit mila.ai

About Mozilla

Mozilla is a mission-driven organization that has spent more than twenty-five years building an open, healthy internet. Best known for the Firefox browser, Mozilla today works across products, advocacy, research and investment — including Mozilla.ai and Mozilla Ventures — to ensure that artificial intelligence, like the web before it, is built as public infrastructure rather than private property. Mozilla is backed by a non-profit foundation and answers to a mission rather than to shareholders. Learn more at mozilla.org.

SOURCE Mila – Quebec AI Institute

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BNCCORP Stockholders Approve Merger with OppFi, Inc.

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BISMARCK, N.D., Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — BNCCORP, INC. (OTCQX Markets: BNCC) (“BNCC”) and its wholly owned subsidiary, BNC National Bank (“BNC”) announced today that its stockholders have approved the previously announced sale to OppFi (“OppFi”), a tech-enabled digital finance platform, in a cash and stock transaction. Under the terms of the agreement, BNCC stockholders will receive $19.375 per share in cash and 1.9 shares of OppFi Class A common stock for each BNCC share.

BNCC stockholders approved the transaction on September 17, 2026. Completion remains subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.

The transaction brings together two complementary, market-leading businesses, combining OppFi’s sophisticated online lending platform with BNC’s national bank charter and diversified banking infrastructure to create stronger, more diversified, more scalable financial services.

“This stockholder vote is a significant development in the process of completing this transformative agreement with OppFi.” said BNCC Chairman, Michael Vekich. Mr. Vekich continued, “The BNCC Board of Directors in alignment with the management team is committed to a strategy which protects and enhances BNCC as an organization for the betterment of stockholders, employees, customers and the communities we serve.”

The final vote total will be reported by BNCC in its quarterly report for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2026, which will be posted to the BNCC website.

About BNC

BNC National Bank is a community-focused commercial bank headquartered in Glendale, Arizona and operating as a subsidiary of BNCCORP, Inc., providing a broad range of financial services to individuals and small-to-medium-sized businesses across markets such as North Dakota and Arizona. Founded in 1987, the bank emphasizes relationship-driven banking, offering core products including checking and savings accounts, commercial and consumer loans, wealth management, and digital banking services, with a particular strength in business financing and SBA lending. Its model is centered on customer service, positioning the bank as a stable, regionally focused institution that supports economic activity in its communities while complementing traditional banking with modern online and mobile capabilities.

About OppFi

OppFi (NYSE: OPFI) is a tech-enabled digital finance platform that partners with banks to offer financial products and services to everyday Americans. Through this transparent and responsible platform, which emphasizes financial inclusion and exceptional customer experience, the Company assists consumers who are underserved by traditional financing options in building improved financial health. OppLoans by OppFi maintains a 4.4/5.0-star rating on Trustpilot based on over 5,400 reviews, positioning the Company among the top consumer-rated financial platforms online. OppFi also holds a 35% equity interest in Bitty Holdings, LLC (“Bitty”), a credit access company that provides revenue-based financing and other working capital solutions to small businesses. For additional information, please visit oppfi.com.

Contact:

Bob McNaney (On Behalf of BNCC)
651 249 7718, bob@themcnaneygroup.com

Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance, and business of BNCCORP. Forward-looking statements, which may be based upon beliefs, expectations and assumptions of our management and on information currently available to management are generally identifiable by the use of words such as “expect”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “intend”, “estimate”, “may”, “will”, “would”, “could”, “should”, or other expressions. We caution readers that these forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, our future business prospects, revenues, working capital, liquidity, capital needs, interest costs and income, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements due to several important factors. These factors include, but are not limited to: risks of loans and investments, including dependence on local and regional economic conditions; competition for our customers from other providers of financial services; possible adverse effects of changes in interest rates, including the effects of such changes on derivative contracts and associated accounting consequences; risks associated with our acquisition and growth strategies; and other risks which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control.

These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding OppFi’s proposed acquisition of, including the anticipated timing, structure, benefits, and strategic rationale of such transactions; OppFi’s expectations with respect to the geographic expansion and product diversification that may come from the acquisition; OppFi’s expectations with respect to its full year 2026 guidance, the future performance of OppFi’s platform and underwriting models, and expectations for OppFi’s growth and future financial performance. These forward-looking statements are based on BNCC’s current expectations and assumptions about future events, including expectations of OppFi management that have been shared with BNCC management, and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside BNCC’s control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to, risks related to the proposed acquisition of BNCC by OppFi, including the risk that the transaction may not be completed in a timely manner or at all; the failure to satisfy closing conditions or obtain required regulatory approvals: the impact of the transactions on OppFi’s governance structure; integration or execution challenges, adverse reactions from customers or stockholders, the impact of general economic conditions, including economic slowdowns, inflation, interest rate changes, recessions, the impact of tariffs, and tightening of credit markets on OppFi’s business; changes in the market price of OppFi’s Class A Common Stock; the impact of challenging macroeconomic and marketplace conditions; the impact of stimulus or other government programs; risks related to potential litigation in relation to the proposed sale to OppFi or the operation of the BNCC business generally; and other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in BNCC’s disclosures with the OTCQX. BNCC cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive, and readers should not place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. BNCC does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to publicly release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
WEBSITE: www.bnccorp.com

 

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