Chad Blocker

Partner

Chad Ellsworth

Chad Blocker
Chad Blocker
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Partner

Chad Ellsworth

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  • United StatesUnited States

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  • English

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[email protected]

T:+1 212 230 2826

F:+1 212 758 7215

Fragomen in San Francisco, CA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

555 Montgomery St, 4th Floor

San Francisco CA 94111

United States

Fragomen in New York, NY

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

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  • English

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[email protected]

T:+1 212 230 2826

F:+1 212 758 7215

Fragomen in San Francisco, CA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

555 Montgomery St, 4th Floor

San Francisco CA 94111

United States

Fragomen in New York, NY

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Get in touch

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  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 212 230 2826

F:+1 212 758 7215

Fragomen in San Francisco, CA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

555 Montgomery St, 4th Floor

San Francisco CA 94111

United States

Fragomen in New York, NY

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

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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, 2021-2026

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, “Trump Gold and Platinum Card Considerations for Startups, Tech Talent and High-Net-Worth Individuals.” Fragomen, Webinar, 23 June 2026.

Quoted, “Trump's H-1B overhaul favors deep-pocketed Bay Area firms over Indian staffing agencies.” Silicon Valley Business Journal, 4 May 2026.

Speaker, “CA, Other States Sue Trump Admin Over New $100K Fee for H-1B Visas.” ABC7, 12 December 2025.

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

July 22, 2026 | Conference

IIUSA Adjustment of Status (AOS) Roadshow – Bay AreaRead more

June 23, 2026 | Webinar

Trump Gold and Platinum Card Considerations for Startups, Tech Talent and High-Net-Worth IndividualsRead more

June 9, 2026 — June 12, 2026 | Conference

Investment Migration Forum 2026Read more
More related insights

Chad’s insights

July 22, 2026 | Conference

IIUSA Adjustment of Status (AOS) Roadshow – Bay AreaRead more

June 23, 2026 | Webinar

Trump Gold and Platinum Card Considerations for Startups, Tech Talent and High-Net-Worth IndividualsRead more

June 9, 2026 — June 12, 2026 | Conference

Investment Migration Forum 2026Read more
More related insights

Chad’s insights

July 22, 2026 | Conference

IIUSA Adjustment of Status (AOS) Roadshow – Bay AreaRead more

June 23, 2026 | Webinar

Trump Gold and Platinum Card Considerations for Startups, Tech Talent and High-Net-Worth IndividualsRead more

June 9, 2026 — June 12, 2026 | Conference

Investment Migration Forum 2026Read 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

Fragomen in San Francisco, CA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

555 Montgomery St, 4th Floor

San Francisco CA 94111

United States

Fragomen in New York, NY

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Chad’s insights

July 22, 2026 | Conference

IIUSA Adjustment of Status (AOS) Roadshow – Bay AreaRead more

June 23, 2026 | Webinar

Trump Gold and Platinum Card Considerations for Startups, Tech Talent and High-Net-Worth IndividualsRead more

June 9, 2026 — June 12, 2026 | Conference

Investment Migration Forum 2026Read 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

Fragomen in San Francisco, CA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

555 Montgomery St, 4th Floor

San Francisco CA 94111

United States

Fragomen in New York, NY

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Chad’s insights

July 22, 2026 | Conference

IIUSA Adjustment of Status (AOS) Roadshow – Bay AreaRead more

June 23, 2026 | Webinar

Trump Gold and Platinum Card Considerations for Startups, Tech Talent and High-Net-Worth IndividualsRead more

June 9, 2026 — June 12, 2026 | Conference

Investment Migration Forum 2026Read 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

Fragomen in San Francisco, CA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

555 Montgomery St, 4th Floor

San Francisco CA 94111

United States

Fragomen in New York, NY

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Chad’s insights

July 22, 2026 | Conference

IIUSA Adjustment of Status (AOS) Roadshow – Bay AreaRead more

June 23, 2026 | Webinar

Trump Gold and Platinum Card Considerations for Startups, Tech Talent and High-Net-Worth IndividualsRead more

June 9, 2026 — June 12, 2026 | Conference

Investment Migration Forum 2026Read more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Bloomberg Law: Justices’ Migrant TPS Ruling Undercuts Pending Court Challenges

Partner Daniel Pierce discussed the implications of the US Supreme Court's latest Temporary Protected Status ruling.

Learn more

Blog post

The EU Pay Transparency Directive: What Global Mobility Leaders Need to Know

In this blog, Senior Counsel Jo Antoon explores what multinational employers need to know about pay transparency, cross-border workers and mobility-related compensation differences as implementation unfolds across the EU. 

Learn more

Media mentions

The PIE: UK Unis Must Treat Compliance as “Strategic Institutional Risk”

Immigration Supervisor Sanjay Parmar discussed how recent UK Basic Compliance Assessment changes are driving universities toward more data-led, proactive compliance management.

Learn more

Blog post

UK Immigration Reforms and Their Impact on the Engineering Talent Pipeline

In this blog, Fragomen’s Nadine Barnole, Jonathan Hill, Anastasia Vasiljeva and Nicole Williams examine how higher Skilled Worker salary thresholds, rising sponsorship costs and proposed Graduate Route changes are making it harder for employers to attract and retain international engineering talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

Irish Examiner: Updates to Non-EU Work Permits Will Help Firms Fill Critical Roles

Practice Leader Colm Collins explains how Ireland's employment permit updates can help employers address workforce shortages while strengthening the country's ability to attract global talent.

Learn more

Blog post

Understanding EU-Turkey Association Rights for Workers and Families in Germany

Senior Associate Arta Djahanschiri and Associate Iris Barthel discuss how EU-Turkey Association Law, including Association Council Decision No. 1/80, can provide Turkish employees and their family members in Germany with residence and labor market rights that may extend beyond protections available under the German Residence Act.

Learn more

Media mentions

Konfederacja Lewiatan: Ekspertyza przedstawiająca skutki zmian legislacyjnych oraz ich praktyczne konsekwencje dla osób objętych ochroną czasową

Poland Immigration Strategy Director Tomasz Rogala and Senior Associate Tomasz Rdzanek explain Polish legislative changes affecting residence rights, employment authorization and long-term immigration pathways.

Learn more
Generic Insights

Media mentions

Deutscher AnwaltSpiegel: Internationale Rekrutierung ist eine Compliancefrage

Partner Marius Tollenaere and Associate Jamela Sharrock examine how employers in Germany can strengthen immigration compliance by embedding it into every stage of the employment lifecycle.

Learn more

Podcast

EB5: What Prospective Applicants Need to Know NOW!

In this episode of The Immigration Conversation, Partner Chad Blocker, Senior Counsel Mitchell Wexler and Associate Alex Kim discuss what prospective EB-5 applicants should know now, including source-of-funds documentation, project selection, concurrent filing, retrogression and upcoming program deadlines.

Learn more

Blog post

New EU Social Security Coordination Rules: What Employers Need to Know

In this blog, Partner Jo Antoons and Senior Manager Marina Ocariz discuss the EU’s provisional agreement on revised social security coordination rules and what employers should know about the expected changes to A1 certificate requirements, posted worker rules and short-term cross-border work compliance.

Learn more

Blog post

Approaching EB-5 Grandfathering Deadline: What Investors Need to Know Before September 30, 2026

In this blog, Partner Rahul Soni explains the EB-5 grandfathering provisions under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 and why prospective investors should consider filing before the September 30, 2026 deadline to help preserve statutory protections and reduce exposure to future program uncertainty.

Learn more

Video

Do You Need a Visa for Thailand? Tourist Visa Rules Explained

In this video, Practice Leader Kate Praphakornphiphat explains the key requirements, documents, fees and processing time for a Thailand tourist visa, as well as stay duration and extension options for short-term travel. 

Learn more

Media mentions

Bloomberg Law: Justices’ Migrant TPS Ruling Undercuts Pending Court Challenges

Partner Daniel Pierce discussed the implications of the US Supreme Court's latest Temporary Protected Status ruling.

Learn more

Blog post

The EU Pay Transparency Directive: What Global Mobility Leaders Need to Know

In this blog, Senior Counsel Jo Antoon explores what multinational employers need to know about pay transparency, cross-border workers and mobility-related compensation differences as implementation unfolds across the EU. 

Learn more

Media mentions

The PIE: UK Unis Must Treat Compliance as “Strategic Institutional Risk”

Immigration Supervisor Sanjay Parmar discussed how recent UK Basic Compliance Assessment changes are driving universities toward more data-led, proactive compliance management.

Learn more

Blog post

UK Immigration Reforms and Their Impact on the Engineering Talent Pipeline

In this blog, Fragomen’s Nadine Barnole, Jonathan Hill, Anastasia Vasiljeva and Nicole Williams examine how higher Skilled Worker salary thresholds, rising sponsorship costs and proposed Graduate Route changes are making it harder for employers to attract and retain international engineering talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

Irish Examiner: Updates to Non-EU Work Permits Will Help Firms Fill Critical Roles

Practice Leader Colm Collins explains how Ireland's employment permit updates can help employers address workforce shortages while strengthening the country's ability to attract global talent.

Learn more

Blog post

Understanding EU-Turkey Association Rights for Workers and Families in Germany

Senior Associate Arta Djahanschiri and Associate Iris Barthel discuss how EU-Turkey Association Law, including Association Council Decision No. 1/80, can provide Turkish employees and their family members in Germany with residence and labor market rights that may extend beyond protections available under the German Residence Act.

Learn more

Media mentions

Konfederacja Lewiatan: Ekspertyza przedstawiająca skutki zmian legislacyjnych oraz ich praktyczne konsekwencje dla osób objętych ochroną czasową

Poland Immigration Strategy Director Tomasz Rogala and Senior Associate Tomasz Rdzanek explain Polish legislative changes affecting residence rights, employment authorization and long-term immigration pathways.

Learn more
Generic Insights

Media mentions

Deutscher AnwaltSpiegel: Internationale Rekrutierung ist eine Compliancefrage

Partner Marius Tollenaere and Associate Jamela Sharrock examine how employers in Germany can strengthen immigration compliance by embedding it into every stage of the employment lifecycle.

Learn more

Podcast

EB5: What Prospective Applicants Need to Know NOW!

In this episode of The Immigration Conversation, Partner Chad Blocker, Senior Counsel Mitchell Wexler and Associate Alex Kim discuss what prospective EB-5 applicants should know now, including source-of-funds documentation, project selection, concurrent filing, retrogression and upcoming program deadlines.

Learn more

Blog post

New EU Social Security Coordination Rules: What Employers Need to Know

In this blog, Partner Jo Antoons and Senior Manager Marina Ocariz discuss the EU’s provisional agreement on revised social security coordination rules and what employers should know about the expected changes to A1 certificate requirements, posted worker rules and short-term cross-border work compliance.

Learn more

Blog post

Approaching EB-5 Grandfathering Deadline: What Investors Need to Know Before September 30, 2026

In this blog, Partner Rahul Soni explains the EB-5 grandfathering provisions under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 and why prospective investors should consider filing before the September 30, 2026 deadline to help preserve statutory protections and reduce exposure to future program uncertainty.

Learn more

Video

Do You Need a Visa for Thailand? Tourist Visa Rules Explained

In this video, Practice Leader Kate Praphakornphiphat explains the key requirements, documents, fees and processing time for a Thailand tourist visa, as well as stay duration and extension options for short-term travel. 

Learn more
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Important Updates
Important Updates
July 1, 2026 | South AfricaSouth Africa: Increased Immigration Enforcement Actions Targeting Undocumented Foreign Workers
July 1, 2026 | India India: Electronic Overseas Citizen of India Card Launch to Reduce Administrative Hurdles and Streamline Entry
July 1, 2026 | United StatesBloomberg Law: Justices’ Migrant TPS Ruling Undercuts Pending Court Challenges
July 1, 2026 | IndonesiaIndonesia: Processing Delays Following Ongoing Anti-Corruption Investigations
July 1, 2026 | PanamaPanama: Visa-Free Entry Introduced for Dominican Nationals
July 1, 2026 | South AfricaSouth Africa: Increased Immigration Enforcement Actions Targeting Undocumented Foreign Workers
July 1, 2026 | India India: Electronic Overseas Citizen of India Card Launch to Reduce Administrative Hurdles and Streamline Entry
July 1, 2026 | United StatesBloomberg Law: Justices’ Migrant TPS Ruling Undercuts Pending Court Challenges
July 1, 2026 | IndonesiaIndonesia: Processing Delays Following Ongoing Anti-Corruption Investigations
July 1, 2026 | PanamaPanama: Visa-Free Entry Introduced for Dominican Nationals
July 1, 2026 | South AfricaSouth Africa: Increased Immigration Enforcement Actions Targeting Undocumented Foreign Workers
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