Important Updates
Important Updates
November 14, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: December 2025 Visa Bulletin – Employment-Based Final Action Dates Move Ahead While Most Dates for Filing Remain the Same, With No Retrogressions; USCIS to Honor Dates for Filing
November 14, 2025 | AustriaAustria: Frontier Worker Permit Forthcoming
November 14, 2025 | Kuwait, BahrainBahrain, Kuwait: Penalty Introduced for Late Payment of Social Security Contributions to GCC Nationals
November 14, 2025 | Costa RicaCosta Rica: Fast-Track Immigration Process for Accredited Companies Launched
November 14, 2025 | NetherlandsThe Netherlands: Stricter Proof of Salary Receipt Requirements for Recognized Sponsors Forthcoming
November 14, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: December 2025 Visa Bulletin – Employment-Based Final Action Dates Move Ahead While Most Dates for Filing Remain the Same, With No Retrogressions; USCIS to Honor Dates for Filing
November 14, 2025 | AustriaAustria: Frontier Worker Permit Forthcoming
November 14, 2025 | Kuwait, BahrainBahrain, Kuwait: Penalty Introduced for Late Payment of Social Security Contributions to GCC Nationals
November 14, 2025 | Costa RicaCosta Rica: Fast-Track Immigration Process for Accredited Companies Launched
November 14, 2025 | NetherlandsThe Netherlands: Stricter Proof of Salary Receipt Requirements for Recognized Sponsors Forthcoming
November 14, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: December 2025 Visa Bulletin – Employment-Based Final Action Dates Move Ahead While Most Dates for Filing Remain the Same, With No Retrogressions; USCIS to Honor Dates for Filing
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Chad Blocker

Partner

Chad Ellsworth

Chad Blocker
Chad Blocker
  • People

Partner

Chad Ellsworth

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

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  • English

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[email protected]

T:+1 212 230 2826

F:+1 212 758 7215

San Francisco, CA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

555 Montgomery St, 4th Floor

San Francisco CA 94111

United States

New York, NY

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

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Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 212 230 2826

F:+1 212 758 7215

San Francisco, CA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

555 Montgomery St, 4th Floor

San Francisco CA 94111

United States

New York, NY

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 212 230 2826

F:+1 212 758 7215

San Francisco, CA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

555 Montgomery St, 4th Floor

San Francisco CA 94111

United States

New York, NY

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

Connect via Linkedin
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Chad has nearly 20 years of immigration experience and represents some of the firm’s largest information technology and financial services clients out of the Northeast and Northern California regions of the United States. He leads many of the firm’s New York-based financial and other professional services engagements. Separately, he also serves as the Managing Partner of Fragomen’s San Francisco office.

Chad’s practice focuses on representing large clients across multiple industry sectors, including global financial institutions, professional services firms, information technology organizations, private clients and entrepreneurs. He also has extensive experience representing students, graduates, executives, high net worth individuals and entrepreneurs in a wide variety of business travel, mobility and business immigration employment matters.

Chad’s U.S. and international immigration experience include assistance with immigration audit, compliance and enforcement matters. In addition, he helps advise on government relations strategies in key jurisdictions. Chad also advises key corporate stakeholders, including human resources personnel, global mobility specialists, legal departments and executives on a variety of global immigration issues. Chad has extensive experience with the establishment, enhancement and outsourcing of compliant global mobility programs, including but not limited to jurisdictions with less formalized immigration processes and procedures.

Chad also has deep experience providing legal support for the economic citizenship/residency programs utilized by most private clients. He advises many top executives and high net worth individuals on their immigration related travel, investments and/or other global business immigration needs.

Chad is a member of the firm’s People, Private Client and Pro Bono Committees and is a regular speaker at national and international immigration conferences, including for the American Immigration Lawyers Association, SelectUSA, Conference Board of Canada, Council for Global Immigration (formerly ACIP), Investment Migration Council, US-China Business Alliance, EB-5 Investors, Invest in America Shanghai Summit and Exhibition and Immigration Lawyers on the Web (ILW). He is also the author of numerous immigration related articles.

Education

  • Tulane University School of Law, J.D., 2002
  • University of Southern California, B.A., 1998

More from Chad

Admissions

Bar Admissions: New York, New Jersey

Practice Limited to Federal Immigration & Nationality Law

Awards

Listed in Best Lawyers in America, 2026

Listed in Chambers USA, 2021-2025

Named to Crain’s New York Business’ Notable LGBTQ Leaders, 2022

Listed among "Top 25 Immigration Attorneys," EB5 Investors Magazine, 2017, 2021, 2022

Professional accomplishments

Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)

Member, AILA National EB-5 Committee

Publications and lectures

Speaker, Global Mobility Executive Leaders Exchange | San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 21 October 2025.

Speaker, “Saudi Entrepreneurs, Students and Families Leading Business in a Diversified Global Marketplace.” Cross-Border Planning: Critical Issues Impacting Middle Eastern Business Families, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 8 October 2025.

Speaker, “USA Immigration Panel.” Investment Migration Forum, Dubai, UAE, 7 May 2025.

Speaker, “The Future of Mobility: Remote Work and Business Travel.” Global Mobility Executive (GME) Live Americas ’22, San Francisco, California, 24 May 2022.

Quoted, “2022 Forecast: What’s Next for Tech Workers?” The New Stack, 28 December 2021.

Quoted, “Golden Visas: The Investment Migration Industry Evolves Globally.” Mansion Global, 23 August 2020.

Quoted, “Shielded From Green Card Ban, EB-5 Investors Still At Risk.” Law360, 1 May 2020.

Quoted, “EB-5 Modernization Rule No Substitute for Legislative Fix.” Law360, 27 February 2019.

Speaker, “How Can Canada Become the Global Leader in Entrepreneur and Investor Immigration?” Entrepreneur & Investor Immigration Summit 2018, Ottawa, Canada, November 27-28, 2018.

Quoted, “Selling citizenship is big business—and controversial.” The Economist, 29 September 2018.

Author, “Emphasis on Compliance and SEC Interagency Cooperation a Year after the Appointment of Chief Nicholas Colucci to the USCIS Immigrant Investor Program (EB-5).” The Metropolitan Corporate Counsel, Volume 22, No. 12 (December 2014): 18. Print.

Author, “Looking Elsewhere: Options for Investors in the Wake of Canada’s Termination of Two Key Visa Programs.” World of Expats, 2014. Web.

Chad’s insights

October 21, 2025 | Conference

GME Leaders Exchange | San FranciscoRead more

October 8, 2025 | Conference

Cross-Border Planning: Critical Issues Impacting Middle Eastern Business FamiliesRead more

September 18, 2025 | Awards

Fragomen Receives Ally in Action Award from Oasis Legal ServicesRead more
More related insights

Chad’s insights

October 21, 2025 | Conference

GME Leaders Exchange | San FranciscoRead more

October 8, 2025 | Conference

Cross-Border Planning: Critical Issues Impacting Middle Eastern Business FamiliesRead more

September 18, 2025 | Awards

Fragomen Receives Ally in Action Award from Oasis Legal ServicesRead more
More related insights

Chad’s insights

October 21, 2025 | Conference

GME Leaders Exchange | San FranciscoRead more

October 8, 2025 | Conference

Cross-Border Planning: Critical Issues Impacting Middle Eastern Business FamiliesRead more

September 18, 2025 | Awards

Fragomen Receives Ally in Action Award from Oasis Legal ServicesRead more
More related insights

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 212 230 2826

F:+1 212 758 7215

San Francisco, CA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

555 Montgomery St, 4th Floor

San Francisco CA 94111

United States

New York, NY

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Chad’s insights

October 21, 2025 | Conference

GME Leaders Exchange | San FranciscoRead more

October 8, 2025 | Conference

Cross-Border Planning: Critical Issues Impacting Middle Eastern Business FamiliesRead more

September 18, 2025 | Awards

Fragomen Receives Ally in Action Award from Oasis Legal ServicesRead more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 212 230 2826

F:+1 212 758 7215

San Francisco, CA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

555 Montgomery St, 4th Floor

San Francisco CA 94111

United States

New York, NY

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Chad’s insights

October 21, 2025 | Conference

GME Leaders Exchange | San FranciscoRead more

October 8, 2025 | Conference

Cross-Border Planning: Critical Issues Impacting Middle Eastern Business FamiliesRead more

September 18, 2025 | Awards

Fragomen Receives Ally in Action Award from Oasis Legal ServicesRead more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 212 230 2826

F:+1 212 758 7215

San Francisco, CA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

555 Montgomery St, 4th Floor

San Francisco CA 94111

United States

New York, NY

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Chad’s insights

October 21, 2025 | Conference

GME Leaders Exchange | San FranciscoRead more

October 8, 2025 | Conference

Cross-Border Planning: Critical Issues Impacting Middle Eastern Business FamiliesRead more

September 18, 2025 | Awards

Fragomen Receives Ally in Action Award from Oasis Legal ServicesRead more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Video

Irish Citizenship by Descent: Are You Eligible?

Senior Manager Fatima Aydin breaks down Irish citizenship by descent, a popular pathway for individuals of Irish ancestry to secure Irish citizenship and passport. 

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Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in Mexico™

Eight Fragomen professionals in Mexico City recognized in The Best Lawyers in Mexico™ 2026 edition for excellence in Immigration Law.

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Global Mobility Lawyer: DHS proposes sweeping expansion of biometric data collection

Partner Blake Chisam discusses DHS’s proposed rule expanding biometric data collection and continuous vetting, outlining key privacy and compliance implications for employers.

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Learn more

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Fragomen Ranked in 2026 Edition of "Best Law Firms in the United States" by The Best Lawyers

Fragomen is recognized at the National Tier 1 level for Immigration Law in the 2026 edition of The Best Law Firms – United States, with 15 offices across the country also recognized for their excellence in immigration law.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Wins Altair Global’s 2025 Super Star Award for Humanitarian Commitment

Fragomen receives Altair Global’s 2025 Super Star Award for Humanitarian Commitment, honoring the firm’s leadership in advancing humanitarian mobility initiatives.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Toronto Star: Canada will reduce international student permits by more than half, budget reveals

Partner Rick Lamanna discusses Canada’s 2025 federal budget and its significant shift in immigration policy including new limits on international student permits and temporary residents.

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2025年10月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェスト Learn more

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Blog post

Georgia Immigration Reform 2025: New Work Permit Rules for Foreign Nationals

Manager Zaur Gasimov discusses Georgia’s new immigration and labour-migration reforms introducing mandatory work permits, stricter employer compliance requirements and increased penalties for non-compliance.

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Awards

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Senior Associate Agata Danuta Richardson is recognized with a prestigious Pro Bono Publico Award by the Casa Cornelia Law Center.

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Frankfurt Managing Partner Dr. Axel Boysen highlights the growing skilled labor gap as Europe’s defense industry expands.

Learn more

Video

Irish Citizenship by Descent: Are You Eligible?

Senior Manager Fatima Aydin breaks down Irish citizenship by descent, a popular pathway for individuals of Irish ancestry to secure Irish citizenship and passport. 

Learn more

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Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in Mexico™

Eight Fragomen professionals in Mexico City recognized in The Best Lawyers in Mexico™ 2026 edition for excellence in Immigration Law.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Global Mobility Lawyer: DHS proposes sweeping expansion of biometric data collection

Partner Blake Chisam discusses DHS’s proposed rule expanding biometric data collection and continuous vetting, outlining key privacy and compliance implications for employers.

Learn more

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Partner Abeer Al Husseini discusses the Gulf Cooperation Council’s new unified multi-entry visa and its implications for business travel and compliance across the region.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Ranked in 2026 Edition of "Best Law Firms in the United States" by The Best Lawyers

Fragomen is recognized at the National Tier 1 level for Immigration Law in the 2026 edition of The Best Law Firms – United States, with 15 offices across the country also recognized for their excellence in immigration law.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Wins Altair Global’s 2025 Super Star Award for Humanitarian Commitment

Fragomen receives Altair Global’s 2025 Super Star Award for Humanitarian Commitment, honoring the firm’s leadership in advancing humanitarian mobility initiatives.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Toronto Star: Canada will reduce international student permits by more than half, budget reveals

Partner Rick Lamanna discusses Canada’s 2025 federal budget and its significant shift in immigration policy including new limits on international student permits and temporary residents.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年10月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェスト Learn more

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Fragomen Cited in House of Lords Report on the Future of the UK Space Economy

Fragomen is cited in the UK House of Lords’ landmark report, “The Space Economy: Act Now or Lose Out,” published on 4 November by the UK Engagement with Space Committee.

Learn more

Blog post

Georgia Immigration Reform 2025: New Work Permit Rules for Foreign Nationals

Manager Zaur Gasimov discusses Georgia’s new immigration and labour-migration reforms introducing mandatory work permits, stricter employer compliance requirements and increased penalties for non-compliance.

Learn more

Awards

Senior Associate Agata Richardson Honored with Casa Cornelia Law Center Pro Bono Publico Award

Senior Associate Agata Danuta Richardson is recognized with a prestigious Pro Bono Publico Award by the Casa Cornelia Law Center.

Learn more

Media mentions

European Security & Technology Magazine: Die kritische Wachstumsbremse der europäischen Verteidigungsindustrie

Frankfurt Managing Partner Dr. Axel Boysen highlights the growing skilled labor gap as Europe’s defense industry expands.

Learn more

Stay in touch

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