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February 9, 2026 | United KingdomGames Industry: Tightening Immigration Rules Will Impact the Games Industry in 2026
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February 10, 2026 | United Kingdom, IndiaUnited Kingdom: India Young Professional Scheme Ballot to Open Soon
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February 9, 2026 | ChinaChina: Location-Specific Wage Standards May Result in Increased Wage Requirements for Some Employees
February 9, 2026 | United KingdomGames Industry: Tightening Immigration Rules Will Impact the Games Industry in 2026
February 10, 2026 | Italy, United KingdomCNN: These Americans Are Clinging to Hope for Italian Citizenship
February 10, 2026 | United Kingdom, IndiaUnited Kingdom: India Young Professional Scheme Ballot to Open Soon
February 10, 2026 | United StatesUnited States: Ninth Circuit Stays District Court Order, Again Halting TPS Protection for Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua While Appeal Continues
February 9, 2026 | ChinaChina: Location-Specific Wage Standards May Result in Increased Wage Requirements for Some Employees
February 9, 2026 | United KingdomGames Industry: Tightening Immigration Rules Will Impact the Games Industry in 2026
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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

[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, “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

January 22, 2026 — January 23, 2026 | Conference

2026 EB-5 & Global Immigration Expo Newport BeachRead more

December 15, 2025 | Media mentions

ABC7: CA, Other States Sue Trump Admin Over New $100K Fee for H-1B VisasRead more

October 21, 2025 | Conference

GME Leaders Exchange | San FranciscoRead more
More related insights

Chad’s insights

January 22, 2026 — January 23, 2026 | Conference

2026 EB-5 & Global Immigration Expo Newport BeachRead more

December 15, 2025 | Media mentions

ABC7: CA, Other States Sue Trump Admin Over New $100K Fee for H-1B VisasRead more

October 21, 2025 | Conference

GME Leaders Exchange | San FranciscoRead more
More related insights

Chad’s insights

January 22, 2026 — January 23, 2026 | Conference

2026 EB-5 & Global Immigration Expo Newport BeachRead more

December 15, 2025 | Media mentions

ABC7: CA, Other States Sue Trump Admin Over New $100K Fee for H-1B VisasRead more

October 21, 2025 | Conference

GME Leaders Exchange | San FranciscoRead 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

January 22, 2026 — January 23, 2026 | Conference

2026 EB-5 & Global Immigration Expo Newport BeachRead more

December 15, 2025 | Media mentions

ABC7: CA, Other States Sue Trump Admin Over New $100K Fee for H-1B VisasRead more

October 21, 2025 | Conference

GME Leaders Exchange | San FranciscoRead 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

January 22, 2026 — January 23, 2026 | Conference

2026 EB-5 & Global Immigration Expo Newport BeachRead more

December 15, 2025 | Media mentions

ABC7: CA, Other States Sue Trump Admin Over New $100K Fee for H-1B VisasRead more

October 21, 2025 | Conference

GME Leaders Exchange | San FranciscoRead 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

January 22, 2026 — January 23, 2026 | Conference

2026 EB-5 & Global Immigration Expo Newport BeachRead more

December 15, 2025 | Media mentions

ABC7: CA, Other States Sue Trump Admin Over New $100K Fee for H-1B VisasRead more

October 21, 2025 | Conference

GME Leaders Exchange | San FranciscoRead more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Immigration analysis

Applying for Swiss Citizenship: When Timing and Eligibility Matter

Manager Konstantin Schmid provides a practical overview of Swiss citizenship routes, eligibility rules and common reasons applications are delayed or refused. 

Learn more

Media mentions

CNN: These Americans Are Clinging to Hope for Italian Citizenship

Manager Pierangelo D’Errico discusses how recent changes to Italy’s citizenship rules are affecting applicants with Italian ancestry.

Learn more

Podcast

Space for Everyone: Women in Space - Breaking Barriers, Shaping the Future

Director Laxmi Limbani discusses how women are shaping the global space sector, the barriers they face and what is needed to support a more inclusive space workforce.

Learn more

Media mentions

Games Industry: Tightening Immigration Rules Will Impact the Games Industry in 2026

Senior Manager William Diaz outlines how immigration changes in the US and UK may affect workforce planning and mobility for the games industry in 2026.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: Talent Fault Line: How Modern Risks Are Reshaping Global Mobility

Partner Julia Onslow-Cole highlights how global mobility is becoming a strategic, board-level consideration requiring careful planning, compliance and workforce management.

Learn more

Video

Ireland Employment Permit Salaries: Hiring and Renewal Risks for Employers

Director Fatima Aydin outlines Ireland’s roadmap for increasing minimum annual remuneration salary thresholds and the implications for employer workforce planning and compliance.

Learn more

Video

Samba, Stamps, and Seleção, Moving Football Across South America | #FragomenFC - Ep. 14

In this episode of the Fragomen FC, Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Manager Jake Paul Minster, Manager Gustavo Kanashiro and Manager Sergio Flores discuss how immigration systems across the Americas shape football mobility, compliance and cross-border movement throughout South America.

Learn more

Blog post

§ 45c AufenthG: Neue Informationspflicht für Arbeitgeber bei Anwerbung aus dem Ausland

Senior Associate Ruben Fiedler outlines the new employer information obligation under Section 45c of the German Residence Act, explaining when it applies, what employers must provide to third-country nationals recruited from abroad and the practical steps needed to ensure compliance from 1 January 2026.

Learn more

Podcast

Luxury Unwrapped

Partners Cosmina Morariu and Rahul Soni examine how immigration and global mobility trends are influencing workforce strategy across the luxury sector.

Learn more

Blog post

Migration After Brexit: What the UK Can Learn from the EU’s Talent Strategy

UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit compares the EU’s new Visa Strategy with the UK’s post-Brexit immigration system and assesses what the UK can learn to remain competitive for global talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

Gazeta Prawna: Dodatkowa przeszkoda w delegowaniu pracowników

Partner Karolina Schiffter highlights that new electronic signature rules may delay work permit procedures for foreign workers in Poland.

Learn more

Blog post

US Visitor Visa Rules for the 2026 FIFA World Cup: What Fans Should Know

Senior US Consular Manager Brian L. Simmons outlines how evolving US visitor visa rules, travel bans and new financial requirements may affect attendance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and how early fans must prepare.

Learn more

Immigration analysis

Applying for Swiss Citizenship: When Timing and Eligibility Matter

Manager Konstantin Schmid provides a practical overview of Swiss citizenship routes, eligibility rules and common reasons applications are delayed or refused. 

Learn more

Media mentions

CNN: These Americans Are Clinging to Hope for Italian Citizenship

Manager Pierangelo D’Errico discusses how recent changes to Italy’s citizenship rules are affecting applicants with Italian ancestry.

Learn more

Podcast

Space for Everyone: Women in Space - Breaking Barriers, Shaping the Future

Director Laxmi Limbani discusses how women are shaping the global space sector, the barriers they face and what is needed to support a more inclusive space workforce.

Learn more

Media mentions

Games Industry: Tightening Immigration Rules Will Impact the Games Industry in 2026

Senior Manager William Diaz outlines how immigration changes in the US and UK may affect workforce planning and mobility for the games industry in 2026.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: Talent Fault Line: How Modern Risks Are Reshaping Global Mobility

Partner Julia Onslow-Cole highlights how global mobility is becoming a strategic, board-level consideration requiring careful planning, compliance and workforce management.

Learn more

Video

Ireland Employment Permit Salaries: Hiring and Renewal Risks for Employers

Director Fatima Aydin outlines Ireland’s roadmap for increasing minimum annual remuneration salary thresholds and the implications for employer workforce planning and compliance.

Learn more

Video

Samba, Stamps, and Seleção, Moving Football Across South America | #FragomenFC - Ep. 14

In this episode of the Fragomen FC, Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Manager Jake Paul Minster, Manager Gustavo Kanashiro and Manager Sergio Flores discuss how immigration systems across the Americas shape football mobility, compliance and cross-border movement throughout South America.

Learn more

Blog post

§ 45c AufenthG: Neue Informationspflicht für Arbeitgeber bei Anwerbung aus dem Ausland

Senior Associate Ruben Fiedler outlines the new employer information obligation under Section 45c of the German Residence Act, explaining when it applies, what employers must provide to third-country nationals recruited from abroad and the practical steps needed to ensure compliance from 1 January 2026.

Learn more

Podcast

Luxury Unwrapped

Partners Cosmina Morariu and Rahul Soni examine how immigration and global mobility trends are influencing workforce strategy across the luxury sector.

Learn more

Blog post

Migration After Brexit: What the UK Can Learn from the EU’s Talent Strategy

UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit compares the EU’s new Visa Strategy with the UK’s post-Brexit immigration system and assesses what the UK can learn to remain competitive for global talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

Gazeta Prawna: Dodatkowa przeszkoda w delegowaniu pracowników

Partner Karolina Schiffter highlights that new electronic signature rules may delay work permit procedures for foreign workers in Poland.

Learn more

Blog post

US Visitor Visa Rules for the 2026 FIFA World Cup: What Fans Should Know

Senior US Consular Manager Brian L. Simmons outlines how evolving US visitor visa rules, travel bans and new financial requirements may affect attendance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and how early fans must prepare.

Learn more

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