Deploying employees across borders swiftly and smoothly is crucial when operating a business that leverages the talent of a global workforce. Significant legislative developments and critical policy changes require sophisticated counsel who can ensure compliance with home and host country immigration laws.

statue of liberty

Recognized nationally as leaders in immigration law by Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500, Pryor Cashman’s Immigration Group offers the skills and experience of a boutique practice with the added capacities of a full-service firm. Providing high-touch, personal service, our attorneys exemplify the new guard - smart, savvy, and adept at addressing our clients’ immigration needs in the context of today’s business realities.

What We Do

Immigration status can have widespread implications for businesses and on an individual’s career, dependents, and ability to work and travel abroad. Pryor Cashman’s immigration lawyers help clients navigate complex immigration issues, providing innovative approaches to difficult problems and ensuring that company employees secure proper documentation no matter where their business takes them.

Advising businesses around the world, we devise short- and long-term strategic immigration plans, develop and implement immigration compliance programs, and conduct compliance training. Our attorneys also handle immigration issues related to changing corporate structure and represent companies in labor + employment investigations.

Pryor Cashman represents leading corporations in such varied industries as financial services, technology, biotech, pharmaceutical, entertainment, sports, and fashion, to name just a few.

Our services include:

  • Providing E-Verify and I-9 compliance advice, training and representation, and I-9 audit services
  • Handling temporary work and visitor visa petitions for employees and their dependents, including H1B visas
  • Facilitating U.S. permanent residence (“green card”) and citizenship applications
  • Advising on work authorization during short- and long-term U.S. assignments
  • Providing guidance on dependent family members’ visa status including work authorization, student status, and maintenance of status
  • Assisting with naturalization applications

We also assist individuals, including executives, professional athletes, international celebrities, renowned artists, and highly skilled medical and technical experts.

The Wide World of Professional Sports

Athletes and coaches travel extensively for new career opportunities and during the course of the playing season. We work with national sports associations, leagues and major and minor league teams in the following leagues: National Basketball Association (NBA), NBA GLeague, Major League Soccer (MLS), MLS Next Pro, USL Championship, Major League Lacrosse (MLL), National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), National Hockey League (NHL), ECHL, Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL), Major League Table Tennis (MLTT) to expedite work visas and handle critical immigration issues for professional athletes, coaches and trainers, front office staff, and their families.

Resolving Immigration Issues in M+A Transactions

The regulatory and procedural hurdles that accompany corporate transactions can impact the ability of key employees to work in the U.S. and abroad. We help clients develop post-merger integration strategies that provide a smooth transition and enable employees to work without interruption.

Workplace Investigations

With progressively tougher criminal charges aimed at employers, compliance with immigration laws is critical. We provide immigration compliance advice and training, as well as strategic guidance to prevent and manage workplace investigations and controversies. Our team also conducts internal audits, including I-9 audits, and confirms that H1B visas and I-9 applications comply with federal regulations. When necessary, we represent our clients in court and before federal agencies.

Representative Visa Petitions

Our Immigration Group is experienced in prosecuting all types of temporary and permanent visa petitions. Examples include:

Temporary Visa Categories

  • B-1/B-2 Business and Pleasure Visitors
  • E-1/E-2 Treaty Traders and Investors 
  • H-1B/E-3 Specialty Occupation Workers
  • H-3 Trainees
  • J-1 Exchange Visitors
  • L-1 Intracompany Transferees
  • Individuals of Extraordinary Ability
  • P-1 Athletes and Artists
  • P-1S Essential Support Personnel
  • R-1 Religious Workers
  • TN Canadian and Mexican Professionals

Permanent (“Green Card”) Categories

  • Employment-Based First Preference (Individuals of Extraordinary Ability, Outstanding Researchers or Professors, and Multinational Executives and Managers)
  • Employment-Based Second Preference (Labor Certification for Professionals Holding Advance Degrees, Persons of Exceptional Ability, National Interest Waivers, and Schedule A Petitions)
  • Employment-Based Third Preference (Labor Certification for Professionals and Skilled Workers)
  • Employment-Based Fifth Preference (Investor Green Card Applications for foreign nationals who invest in a commercial enterprise that creates at least 10 full-time jobs)
  • Special Immigrant applications, including religious workers
  • Family-based permanent residence applications

U.S. Visa Options for Artists and Entertainers

To read about U.S. visa options for artists and entertainers, please click here for specialized information.