Photo of Christopher Wendt

Counsel

Christopher L. Wendt

Photo of Christopher Wendt
Photo of Christopher Wendt
  • People

Counsel

Christopher L. Wendt

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Russian

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 612 355 6550

Minneapolis

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

3033 Excelsior Boulevard, Ste 300

Minneapolis MN 55416

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Russian

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 612 355 6550

Minneapolis

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

3033 Excelsior Boulevard, Ste 300

Minneapolis MN 55416

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Russian

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 612 355 6550

Minneapolis

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

3033 Excelsior Boulevard, Ste 300

Minneapolis MN 55416

United States

Connect via Linkedin
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With nearly three decades of experience at the intersection of immigration law and healthcare, Christopher advises health care institutions, research organizations and academic medical centers on the full range of U.S. immigration matters affecting physicians, allied health professionals and international scholars. His practice spans every stage of the immigration process, from nonimmigrant status through permanent residence, including clinical care and research waivers.

Christopher’s experience includes 23 years at Mayo Clinic, where he served as in-house immigration counsel supporting one of the world's leading academic medical centers. This gives him a practical, institution-level perspective on the workforce, compliance and operational challenges facing healthcare organizations. He understands firsthand how immigration decisions affect patient care, research continuity, regulatory obligations and long-term talent strategy.

Clients describe Christopher as a strategic advisor who anticipates issues before they arise and structures guidance around what organizations are building, not only what they need today. They value his judgment under pressure and his ability to advocate clearly and directly when outcomes are uncertain, while remaining focused on the human impact of immigration decisions.

Christopher advises on program design, process improvement and risk management and has led the restructuring of internal and external immigration functions at large health systems. He holds a silver certification in business process analysis and has helped organizations build immigration programs that are efficient, scalable and aligned with long-term workforce planning.

His approach is also informed by personal experience navigating immigration systems, including international work and the challenges of maintaining lawful status, as well as later sponsoring a family member through the U.S. immigration process. Christopher maintains a longstanding commitment to access to justice and has provided pro bono representation to asylum seekers, permanent residence and naturalization applicants, advised nonprofit organizations and delivered training for churches through the Minnesota-Dakota AILA Chapter's faith-based taskforce.

For more than 15 years, Christopher also chaired the pro bono committee within Mayo Clinic's legal department, coordinating service opportunities across multiple legal disciplines. In 2025, he was appointed the inaugural chair of the Minnesota Board of Civil Legal Aid, an independent judicial branch agency responsible for ensuring access to high-quality civil legal services across all Minnesota counties.

Christopher speaks English and Russian.

Christopher advises on program design, process improvement and risk management and has led the restructuring of internal and external immigration functions at large health systems. He holds a silver certification in business process analysis and has helped organizations build immigration programs that are efficient, scalable and aligned with long-term workforce planning.

His approach is also informed by personal experience navigating immigration systems, including international work and the challenges of maintaining lawful status, as well as later sponsoring a family member through the U.S. immigration process. Christopher maintains a longstanding commitment to access to justice and has provided pro bono representation to asylum seekers, permanent residence and naturalization applicants, advised nonprofit organizations and delivered training for churches through the Minnesota-Dakota AILA Chapter's faith-based taskforce.

For more than 15 years, Christopher also chaired the pro bono committee within Mayo Clinic's legal department, coordinating service opportunities across multiple legal disciplines. In 2025, he was appointed the inaugural chair of the Minnesota Board of Civil Legal Aid, an independent judicial branch agency responsible for ensuring access to high-quality civil legal services across all Minnesota counties.

Christopher speaks English and Russian.

Education

  • University of Michigan Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1998
  • Beloit College, B.A., cum laude, 1993

More from Christopher

Admissions

Bar Admissions: Minnesota

Practice Limited to Federal Immigration & Nationality Law

Awards

Named an Emerging Leader, Minnesota Supreme Court Legal Services Planning Committee, 2010-2011

Named an “Up and Coming Attorney”, Minnesota Lawyer, 2008

Hessel E. Yntema Award, 1997-1998

Professional accomplishments

Special Certifications:

Policy Fellow Certificate, Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, 2015

Publications and lectures

Speaker, “Healthcare Horizons: Open Enrollment - a J-1 Trap?” Fragomen Mobility Minute, Podcast, 7 October 2026.

Author, “2026 Immigration Regulatory Changes: What Academic Medical Centers Need to Know.” Fragomen, 24 August 2026.

Author, “Healthcare Horizons: What Healthcare Employers Should Watch in the 2026 Immigration Regulatory Agenda.” Fragomen, 17 August 2026.

Christopher’s insights

November 9, 2026 | Meeting

MN Health Strategy & Communications Network-Fall ConferenceRead more

October 7, 2026 | Video

Healthcare Horizons: Open Enrollment - a J-1 Trap? | #MobilityMinuteRead more

August 24, 2026 | Blog post

2026 Immigration Regulatory Changes: What Academic Medical Centers Need to KnowRead more
More related insights

Christopher’s insights

November 9, 2026 | Meeting

MN Health Strategy & Communications Network-Fall ConferenceRead more

October 7, 2026 | Video

Healthcare Horizons: Open Enrollment - a J-1 Trap? | #MobilityMinuteRead more

August 24, 2026 | Blog post

2026 Immigration Regulatory Changes: What Academic Medical Centers Need to KnowRead more
More related insights

Christopher’s insights

November 9, 2026 | Meeting

MN Health Strategy & Communications Network-Fall ConferenceRead more

October 7, 2026 | Video

Healthcare Horizons: Open Enrollment - a J-1 Trap? | #MobilityMinuteRead more

August 24, 2026 | Blog post

2026 Immigration Regulatory Changes: What Academic Medical Centers Need to KnowRead more
More related insights

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Russian

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 612 355 6550

Minneapolis

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

3033 Excelsior Boulevard, Ste 300

Minneapolis MN 55416

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Christopher’s insights

November 9, 2026 | Meeting

MN Health Strategy & Communications Network-Fall ConferenceRead more

October 7, 2026 | Video

Healthcare Horizons: Open Enrollment - a J-1 Trap? | #MobilityMinuteRead more

August 24, 2026 | Blog post

2026 Immigration Regulatory Changes: What Academic Medical Centers Need to KnowRead more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Russian

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 612 355 6550

Minneapolis

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

3033 Excelsior Boulevard, Ste 300

Minneapolis MN 55416

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Christopher’s insights

November 9, 2026 | Meeting

MN Health Strategy & Communications Network-Fall ConferenceRead more

October 7, 2026 | Video

Healthcare Horizons: Open Enrollment - a J-1 Trap? | #MobilityMinuteRead more

August 24, 2026 | Blog post

2026 Immigration Regulatory Changes: What Academic Medical Centers Need to KnowRead more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Russian

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 612 355 6550

Minneapolis

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

3033 Excelsior Boulevard, Ste 300

Minneapolis MN 55416

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Christopher’s insights

November 9, 2026 | Meeting

MN Health Strategy & Communications Network-Fall ConferenceRead more

October 7, 2026 | Video

Healthcare Horizons: Open Enrollment - a J-1 Trap? | #MobilityMinuteRead more

August 24, 2026 | Blog post

2026 Immigration Regulatory Changes: What Academic Medical Centers Need to KnowRead more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

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SHRM: Why ‘Hush Trips’ Can Pose Big Risks for Employers and Workers

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UK Earned Settlement: When Immigration Status Becomes an Incentive for Growth and Compliance

In a new blog, UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit examines what the framework could mean for employers, including potential impacts on sponsorship costs, retention planning, employee communications and support for internationally mobile workers and their families.

Learn more

Blog post

What the 2026 Midterm Election Results Mean for U.S. Business Immigration and Employers

In a new blog, Partner K. Edward Raleigh examines what the election results could mean for employers and where businesses should focus now, from immigration compliance and workforce planning to state response procedures and preparation for increased scrutiny.

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In a new blog, UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit examines what this direction could mean for employers, including why access to international talent may increasingly be considered alongside investment, productivity, innovation, regional growth and long-term workforce development.

Learn more

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The UAE’s demographic diversity requirements are designed to encourage a more diverse workforce among companies operating in the mainland jurisdiction. In this Mobility Minute, Manager Devika Thamattat explains the requirements, potential consequences of noncompliance and steps employers can take to help maintain the required nationality balance.

Learn more

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SHRM: Why ‘Hush Trips’ Can Pose Big Risks for Employers and Workers

Senior Counsel Jo Antoons explains the immigration, social security, insurance, employment law and tax risks that undisclosed international remote work can create for employers.

Learn more

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UK Earned Settlement: When Immigration Status Becomes an Incentive for Growth and Compliance

In a new blog, UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit examines what the framework could mean for employers, including potential impacts on sponsorship costs, retention planning, employee communications and support for internationally mobile workers and their families.

Learn more

Blog post

What the 2026 Midterm Election Results Mean for U.S. Business Immigration and Employers

In a new blog, Partner K. Edward Raleigh examines what the election results could mean for employers and where businesses should focus now, from immigration compliance and workforce planning to state response procedures and preparation for increased scrutiny.

Learn more

Media mentions

The PIE: UK to Increase HPI Visa Cap and Expand Eligibility to 150 Universities

Manager Russell Hodges discusses how the HPI visa expansion could help UK employers attract global talent.

Learn more

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Fragomen has opened new offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, expanding its presence and immigration capabilities across Asia Pacific.

Learn more

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Partner Jack Kim discusses how organizations can take a more strategic approach to global mobility through actionable intelligence, proactive workforce planning and preparation for geopolitical disruptions.

Learn more

Blog post

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In a new blog, UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit examines what this direction could mean for employers, including why access to international talent may increasingly be considered alongside investment, productivity, innovation, regional growth and long-term workforce development.

Learn more

Video

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The UAE’s demographic diversity requirements are designed to encourage a more diverse workforce among companies operating in the mainland jurisdiction. In this Mobility Minute, Manager Devika Thamattat explains the requirements, potential consequences of noncompliance and steps employers can take to help maintain the required nationality balance.

Learn more

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Partner K. Edward Raleigh explains how proposed changes to the H-1B salary exemption threshold could affect US employers’ hiring practices and why enactment this year remains unlikely.

Learn more

Video

Family Reunification in Germany: Who Qualifies and How Does It Work?

In this video, Fragomen Senior Manager Katharina Vorländer explains who may qualify for family reunification in Germany, the requirements that may apply, employment and education rights for accompanying family members and important considerations when preparing an application.

Learn more

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Dziennik Gazeta Prawna: Nielegalne zatrudnienie cudzoziemca? Pracodawca może stracić więcej niż pieniądze

Partner Karolina Schiffter discusses how digitalization is transforming immigration procedures in Poland and how law firms can adapt to evolving client expectations.

Learn more

Blog post

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Learn more
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November 5, 2026 | BelgiumSHRM: Why ‘Hush Trips’ Can Pose Big Risks for Employers and Workers
November 4, 2026 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
November 3, 2026 | BrazilBrazil: New Work Authorization Pathway for Foreign Nationals Supporting Megaevents
November 3, 2026 | IrelandIreland: Employment Permits Portal Offline Following Unauthorized Activity
November 3, 2026 | ItalyItaly: Job Offers for EU Blue Card Applications in Milan Require Specific Digital Signature
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