Important Updates
Important Updates
January 15, 2026 | MalaysiaMalaysia: Minimum Salary Requirements for Employment Pass To Be Increased
January 16, 2026 | Republic of Korea (South Korea)South Korea: Longer Processing Times and Increased Security of D-8 and D-9 Visa Applications
January 16, 2026 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Hong Kong SAR Chinese and Taiwan Youth Mobility Scheme Ballot to Open February 10, 2026
January 15, 2026 | GuyanaGuyana: Approval Validity Reduced, Work Authorization Timelines Tightened
January 15, 2026 | KuwaitKuwait: New Immigration Rules Increase Residency and Visa Stay Periods, Clarify Visit Visa Conversion, Relax Passport Requirements, Increase Fees
January 15, 2026 | MalaysiaMalaysia: Minimum Salary Requirements for Employment Pass To Be Increased
January 16, 2026 | Republic of Korea (South Korea)South Korea: Longer Processing Times and Increased Security of D-8 and D-9 Visa Applications
January 16, 2026 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Hong Kong SAR Chinese and Taiwan Youth Mobility Scheme Ballot to Open February 10, 2026
January 15, 2026 | GuyanaGuyana: Approval Validity Reduced, Work Authorization Timelines Tightened
January 15, 2026 | KuwaitKuwait: New Immigration Rules Increase Residency and Visa Stay Periods, Clarify Visit Visa Conversion, Relax Passport Requirements, Increase Fees
January 15, 2026 | MalaysiaMalaysia: Minimum Salary Requirements for Employment Pass To Be Increased
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Senior US Consular Manager

Brian L. Simmons

  • People

Senior US Consular Manager

Brian L. Simmons

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 646 531 4264

F:+1 212 480 9930

New York, NY

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 646 531 4264

F:+1 212 480 9930

New York, NY

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 646 531 4264

F:+1 212 480 9930

New York, NY

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

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Brian is a Senior Manager in Fragomen’s U.S. Consular Practice and an integral member of the Consular Knowledge and Government Liaison team. As a key resource for global and country-specific visa strategy, Brian coordinates Fragomen’s outreach to consular managers at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide and provides clients with pragmatic support.

While based in New York, Brian supports the firm’s U.S. Consular practices overseas by providing strategic advice on logistics, which was particularly critical during the height of COVID-19, when many U.S. embassies remained closed. Brian works alongside Fragomen case processing teams to strategize complex applications, develop filing strategies and troubleshoot logistical and adjudication issues. Brian has led many client townhalls, providing real-time information on consular hot topics to help clients and their employees navigate the increasingly complex immigration environment.

For more than 17 years, Brian served as a Foreign Service Officer for the U.S. State Department, where he held consular management roles in six countries, including Bahrain, India, Costa Rica, Venezuela and Mexico, in addition to Washington, DC. During his tenure at the State Department, Brian oversaw U.S. immigrant and nonimmigrant visa operations, as well as citizenship and passport operations, crisis management and officer development.

Brian also has several years of experience managing global visa matters in the private sector, providing advice to multinational employers and individual clients.

Brian speaks English and Spanish.

Education

  • University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, J.D., 1995
  • Brigham Young University, B.S., 1992

More from Brian

Publications and lectures

Speaker, “Key Immigration Updates for Students, Schools & Employers.” Fragomen, Webinar, 12 June 2025.

Speaker, “Emerging Technologies and Trends for Navigating Security Advisory Opinions in Higher Education.” NAFSA 2025 Annual Conference, San Diego, CA, 30 May 2025.

Speaker, “Current State of Visa Processing for Higher Education.” Interstride, Webinar, 8 May 2024.

Brian’s insights

June 12, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen Webcast: Key Immigration Updates for Students, Schools & EmployersRead more

May 27, 2025 — May 30, 2025 | Conference

NAFSA 2025 Annual Conference & ExpoRead more

May 8, 2024 | Webinar

Fragomen and Interstride Webinar Series: Current State of Visa Processing for Higher EducationRead more
More related insights

Brian’s insights

June 12, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen Webcast: Key Immigration Updates for Students, Schools & EmployersRead more

May 27, 2025 — May 30, 2025 | Conference

NAFSA 2025 Annual Conference & ExpoRead more

May 8, 2024 | Webinar

Fragomen and Interstride Webinar Series: Current State of Visa Processing for Higher EducationRead more
More related insights

Brian’s insights

June 12, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen Webcast: Key Immigration Updates for Students, Schools & EmployersRead more

May 27, 2025 — May 30, 2025 | Conference

NAFSA 2025 Annual Conference & ExpoRead more

May 8, 2024 | Webinar

Fragomen and Interstride Webinar Series: Current State of Visa Processing for Higher EducationRead more
More related insights

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 646 531 4264

F:+1 212 480 9930

New York, NY

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

Brian’s insights

June 12, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen Webcast: Key Immigration Updates for Students, Schools & EmployersRead more

May 27, 2025 — May 30, 2025 | Conference

NAFSA 2025 Annual Conference & ExpoRead more

May 8, 2024 | Webinar

Fragomen and Interstride Webinar Series: Current State of Visa Processing for Higher EducationRead more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 646 531 4264

F:+1 212 480 9930

New York, NY

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

Brian’s insights

June 12, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen Webcast: Key Immigration Updates for Students, Schools & EmployersRead more

May 27, 2025 — May 30, 2025 | Conference

NAFSA 2025 Annual Conference & ExpoRead more

May 8, 2024 | Webinar

Fragomen and Interstride Webinar Series: Current State of Visa Processing for Higher EducationRead more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 646 531 4264

F:+1 212 480 9930

New York, NY

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

Brian’s insights

June 12, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen Webcast: Key Immigration Updates for Students, Schools & EmployersRead more

May 27, 2025 — May 30, 2025 | Conference

NAFSA 2025 Annual Conference & ExpoRead more

May 8, 2024 | Webinar

Fragomen and Interstride Webinar Series: Current State of Visa Processing for Higher EducationRead more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Westlaw Today: US Green Card by Investment: EB-5 and Gold Card Options for Middle Eastern Investors

Partners Isha Atassi and Rahul Soni discuss US investment-based immigration options for Middle Eastern investors.

Learn more

Blog post

Why Degree Equivalency Matters in the UAE 

Partner Ali Haider, Director Shoaib Khaleeli, Manager Ruaida Hussein and Senior Immigration Consultant Katerina Hornickova examine why degree equivalency has become mandatory in the United Arab Emirates and how the process affects employment, professional licensing and visa eligibility.

Learn more

Video

Applying for German Citizenship: A Guide to Naturalization

Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler explains key eligibility requirements for naturalization in Germany, including residence, language proficiency and financial self-sufficiency, as well as family eligibility considerations.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: Wage-Weighted H-1Bs Will End “Level Playing Field”

Partner Bo Cooper explains the impact of wage‑weighted selection on H‑1B registration and compliance.

Learn more

Media mentions

The PIE: What Maduro’s Seizure Means for Venezuelan Students Abroad

Partner Aaron Blumberg explains how heightened government scrutiny affecting students from countries such as Venezuela is shaping travel guidance for those studying in the US.

Learn more

Media mentions

Lexology Pro: H-1B Programme Braces for New Rules and Uncertainty in 2026

Partner K. Edward Raleigh highlights how recent H-1B changes are shaping employer compliance strategies.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Irish Times: Number of Work Permits Issued Last Year Drops by Almost a Quarter

Practice Leader Colm Collins explains that processing delays, shifting demand in information and communication technology (ICT) and renewal cycles contributed to last year’s drop in work permit approvals.

Learn more

Media mentions

Canadian Lawyer Magazine: Canada's Immigration System Is Reaching a Breaking Point: Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association

Partner Rick Lamanna examines current pressures on Canada’s immigration system, including processing delays, reduced admissions and policy uncertainty and the implications for applicants and employers.

Learn more

Blog post

Employer of Record and Body Leasing in Switzerland: Compliance Risks and Key Updates

Manager Mihaela Dumitru outlines how Swiss authorities assess Employer of Record and body-leasing models, highlighting key compliance risks, licensing requirements and a regulatory update affecting EU and EFTA nationals effective 1 January 2026.

Learn more
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Gazeta Prawna: Cudzoziemców też chroni konstytucja

Partner Karolina Schiffter discusses how courts in Poland are reinforcing timely processing and constitutional protections for foreigners.

Learn more

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2025年12月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

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Cosmina Morariu Named Managing Partner of Fragomen’s Canadian PracticeLearn more

Media mentions

Westlaw Today: US Green Card by Investment: EB-5 and Gold Card Options for Middle Eastern Investors

Partners Isha Atassi and Rahul Soni discuss US investment-based immigration options for Middle Eastern investors.

Learn more

Blog post

Why Degree Equivalency Matters in the UAE 

Partner Ali Haider, Director Shoaib Khaleeli, Manager Ruaida Hussein and Senior Immigration Consultant Katerina Hornickova examine why degree equivalency has become mandatory in the United Arab Emirates and how the process affects employment, professional licensing and visa eligibility.

Learn more

Video

Applying for German Citizenship: A Guide to Naturalization

Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler explains key eligibility requirements for naturalization in Germany, including residence, language proficiency and financial self-sufficiency, as well as family eligibility considerations.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: Wage-Weighted H-1Bs Will End “Level Playing Field”

Partner Bo Cooper explains the impact of wage‑weighted selection on H‑1B registration and compliance.

Learn more

Media mentions

The PIE: What Maduro’s Seizure Means for Venezuelan Students Abroad

Partner Aaron Blumberg explains how heightened government scrutiny affecting students from countries such as Venezuela is shaping travel guidance for those studying in the US.

Learn more

Media mentions

Lexology Pro: H-1B Programme Braces for New Rules and Uncertainty in 2026

Partner K. Edward Raleigh highlights how recent H-1B changes are shaping employer compliance strategies.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Irish Times: Number of Work Permits Issued Last Year Drops by Almost a Quarter

Practice Leader Colm Collins explains that processing delays, shifting demand in information and communication technology (ICT) and renewal cycles contributed to last year’s drop in work permit approvals.

Learn more

Media mentions

Canadian Lawyer Magazine: Canada's Immigration System Is Reaching a Breaking Point: Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association

Partner Rick Lamanna examines current pressures on Canada’s immigration system, including processing delays, reduced admissions and policy uncertainty and the implications for applicants and employers.

Learn more

Blog post

Employer of Record and Body Leasing in Switzerland: Compliance Risks and Key Updates

Manager Mihaela Dumitru outlines how Swiss authorities assess Employer of Record and body-leasing models, highlighting key compliance risks, licensing requirements and a regulatory update affecting EU and EFTA nationals effective 1 January 2026.

Learn more
Generic Insights

Media mentions

Gazeta Prawna: Cudzoziemców też chroni konstytucja

Partner Karolina Schiffter discusses how courts in Poland are reinforcing timely processing and constitutional protections for foreigners.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年12月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Fragomen news

Cosmina Morariu Named Managing Partner of Fragomen’s Canadian PracticeLearn more

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