U.S. companies are becoming increasingly international as they compete in today’s global marketplace. As a result, more and more U.S. employers are hiring foreign nationals to work in the United States on a temporary or permanent basis. At the same time, foreign nationals are subject to increased scrutiny in a post-9/11 world. Now, more than ever, it is important for U.S. employers to understand the basic requirements of U.S. immigration laws.
The lawyers and paralegals in Davis Wright Tremaine’s immigration law practice—many of whom are bilingual—fully understand and stay current on the complex and ever-changing immigration rules and regulations. We have advised foreign and domestic corporations for many years on complicated immigration issues and assisted with strategy, filing procedures, and execution in a wide variety of immigration situations.
We are known for working with clients to identify creative approaches to achieve the desired outcome. Our immigration team works efficiently and cost-effectively and is willing to explore flexible fee structures if appropriate.
What we do
Nonimmigrant work visas
- L-1 intracompany transferee, E-1 treaty trader, E-2 treaty investor
- H-1B specialty occupation, H-2B skilled workers in short supply, H-3 trainees
- TN professionals from Canada and Mexico
- P-1 athletes and entertainers, P-3 performing artists
- O-1 aliens of extraordinary ability in science, education, business and arts
- B-1 business travelers, F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors
Immigrant visas (green cards)
- Employment-based immigration services for executives, professors, researchers and professionals, including PERM Labor Certifications
- Family-based immigration (spouses and other relatives of U.S. citizens and permanent residents)
Immigration compliance
- Other immigration categories (investors, lottery, asylum, refugees) and immigration compliance
- I-9 employment verification
- Immigration consequences of mergers, acquisitions, layoffs and terminations
- H-1B public access files and record keeping
- Social Security mismatch letters
- Export licenses for disclosure of technical information to foreign workers
Representative clients include:
- American Pacfic International Capital, Inc. (APIC)
- Bartell Drug Company
- Benaroya Research Institute
- China Cargo Airlines
- China Eastern Airlines
- China Shipping (North American) Holding Co., Ltd.
- Clearwire
- Crane Aerospace
- Daimler Trucks North America
- Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle
- General Communication Inc. (GCI)
- Hainan Airlines Co. Ltd.
- Houweling Nurseries Oxnard, Inc.
- Iotron Industries
- Jenny Craig, Inc.
- Jibe Consulting
- Legacy Health System
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- Metagenics, Inc.
- MulvannyG2 Architecture
- Nippon Suisan (U.S.A.)
- Oregon Health & Science University
- Power Systems Mfg.
- Puget Sound Blood Center
- Program for Appropriate Technologies in Health
- REC Silicon, Inc.
- Sumitomo Metal Mining America
- Seattle Pacific University
- Teatro ZinZanni
- University of Puget Sound
- USA, Inc.
- Vestas American Wind Technology
- Virginia Mason Medical Center
- Westward Seafoods
- Windset Farms
- XO Communications
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We wrote the book
Many companies rely on Davis Wright Tremaine's "Business Immigration Handbook," written by our immigration attorneys and updated regularly. The handbook is a summary of immigration rules for U.S. employers. The handbook explains the basic requirements for the nonimmigrant visa categories that are most often used to employ foreign nationals and the steps involved in obtaining green cards and U.S. citizenship for foreign nationals who wish to permanently live and work in the U.S.
Order the "Business Immigration Handbook"