
Senior Attorney
María José Chaves Alvarado
Country / Territory
Get in touch
Languages
- English
- Spanish
Contact information
Fragomen Costa Rica Immigration Services LLC Ltda.
Fragomen Building (50 meters East from Plaza Los Laureles), Escazú 327-1260
San José
Costa Rica
Get in touch
Languages
- English
- Spanish
Contact information
Fragomen Costa Rica Immigration Services LLC Ltda.
Fragomen Building (50 meters East from Plaza Los Laureles), Escazú 327-1260
San José
Costa Rica
Get in touch
Languages
- English
- Spanish
Contact information
Fragomen Costa Rica Immigration Services LLC Ltda.
Fragomen Building (50 meters East from Plaza Los Laureles), Escazú 327-1260
San José
Costa Rica
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María is a Senior Business Immigration Attorney at Fragomen’s San Jose office, where she advises multinational corporations, corporate groups and private clients across a broad range of industries. Her practice concentrates on global mobility strategy and inbound immigration matters for Costa Rica, overseeing eligibility assessments, end-to-end case preparation, multi-jurisdictional coordination and regulatory compliance.
With extensive experience in legal consulting, María has developed a strong background in corporate law, regulatory compliance, and complex immigration case management. She has also led Caribbean inbound immigration processes in her capacity as a Senior Business Immigration Consultant, supporting operations in jurisdictions including Guyana, the Dominican Republic and Suriname—particularly within the oil and gas sector.
In addition to corporate advisory work, María has delivered tailored immigration solutions to both corporate and private clients, covering migratory compliance, due diligence and regulatory permitting. She is recognized for providing structured, precise and efficient legal support within fast-paced, multinational environments.
María is fluent in English and Spanish.
Education
- Universidad Latinoamericana de Ciencias y Tecnología, LL.B., 2023
More from María José
Admissions
Bar Admissions: Costa Rica
Country / Territory
Get in touch
Languages
- English
- Spanish
Contact information
Fragomen Costa Rica Immigration Services LLC Ltda.
Fragomen Building (50 meters East from Plaza Los Laureles), Escazú 327-1260
San José
Costa Rica
Get in touch
Languages
- English
- Spanish
Contact information
Fragomen Costa Rica Immigration Services LLC Ltda.
Fragomen Building (50 meters East from Plaza Los Laureles), Escazú 327-1260
San José
Costa Rica
Get in touch
Languages
- English
- Spanish
Contact information
Fragomen Costa Rica Immigration Services LLC Ltda.
Fragomen Building (50 meters East from Plaza Los Laureles), Escazú 327-1260
San José
Costa Rica
Explore more at Fragomen
Media mentions
Partner Audrea Golding discusses how H-1B visa changes, including the $100,000 fee and weighted selection process, are affecting biopharma hiring and access to global talent.

Blog post
Senior Counsel Jo Antoons and Immigration Supervisor Elisabeth Kamm outline Fragomen Consulting Europe’s recommendations for EU Visa Code reform, including more consistent business travel rules, improved visa appointment access, greater transparency and a potential Schengen-wide trusted-employer framework.
Blog post
In a new blog, Manager Sophie Jo Wasson and Country Manager María Inés Menvielle explore what is known so far, the potential mobility benefits of Argentine citizenship and what prospective applicants should consider as implementation develops.
Media mentions
Managing Director Diogo Kloper examines how immigration trends reveal the diverse economic ties between Brazil and Asia and the role of international mobility in supporting business growth.
Media mentions
Partner David Grunblatt examines how USCIS uses administrative proxies in immigration adjudication and explains why these tools must support, rather than replace, statutory standards and individualized legal analysis.
Blog post
Manager Cherida Hooijer and Immigration Assistant Manager Kaatje Droesbeke examine how employers in the Netherlands can build an international student-to-graduate talent pipeline while managing the immigration and employment compliance requirements that apply at each stage.
Video
Senior Immigration Program Manager Ana Carro explains Costa Rica's immigration pathways for digital nomads, retirees, individuals with stable income and investors, highlighting key eligibility requirements and considerations for choosing the appropriate option.
Media mentions
Partner Catherine Macris discusses how evolving H-1B policies are shaping employers’ ability to recruit foreign talent, particularly in highly specialized fields.
Awards
Two Fragomen professionals and our BeYou@Fragomen employee network have been shortlisted for the 2027 TLC Lions Human Awards Europe, recognising their contributions to inclusive leadership and a people-centred workplace culture.
Awards
Fragomen is honored with the 2026 FEM EMEA EMMA in the "Thought Leadership - Best Survey or Research Study of the Year" category for its 2026 Worldwide Immigration Trends Report.
Media mentions
Partner Daniel Pierce and Senior Associate Daniel D. Schaeffer examine US birthright citizenship challenges and the implications of recent court rulings for nationwide relief in immigration litigation.
Video
Los Angeles Partner Emily Allen explains what ESTA is, who may be eligible under the US Visa Waiver Program and five common mistakes travelers should avoid when visiting the United States for business or tourism.
Media mentions
Partner Audrea Golding discusses how H-1B visa changes, including the $100,000 fee and weighted selection process, are affecting biopharma hiring and access to global talent.

Blog post
Senior Counsel Jo Antoons and Immigration Supervisor Elisabeth Kamm outline Fragomen Consulting Europe’s recommendations for EU Visa Code reform, including more consistent business travel rules, improved visa appointment access, greater transparency and a potential Schengen-wide trusted-employer framework.
Blog post
In a new blog, Manager Sophie Jo Wasson and Country Manager María Inés Menvielle explore what is known so far, the potential mobility benefits of Argentine citizenship and what prospective applicants should consider as implementation develops.
Media mentions
Managing Director Diogo Kloper examines how immigration trends reveal the diverse economic ties between Brazil and Asia and the role of international mobility in supporting business growth.
Media mentions
Partner David Grunblatt examines how USCIS uses administrative proxies in immigration adjudication and explains why these tools must support, rather than replace, statutory standards and individualized legal analysis.
Blog post
Manager Cherida Hooijer and Immigration Assistant Manager Kaatje Droesbeke examine how employers in the Netherlands can build an international student-to-graduate talent pipeline while managing the immigration and employment compliance requirements that apply at each stage.
Video
Senior Immigration Program Manager Ana Carro explains Costa Rica's immigration pathways for digital nomads, retirees, individuals with stable income and investors, highlighting key eligibility requirements and considerations for choosing the appropriate option.
Media mentions
Partner Catherine Macris discusses how evolving H-1B policies are shaping employers’ ability to recruit foreign talent, particularly in highly specialized fields.
Awards
Two Fragomen professionals and our BeYou@Fragomen employee network have been shortlisted for the 2027 TLC Lions Human Awards Europe, recognising their contributions to inclusive leadership and a people-centred workplace culture.
Awards
Fragomen is honored with the 2026 FEM EMEA EMMA in the "Thought Leadership - Best Survey or Research Study of the Year" category for its 2026 Worldwide Immigration Trends Report.
Media mentions
Partner Daniel Pierce and Senior Associate Daniel D. Schaeffer examine US birthright citizenship challenges and the implications of recent court rulings for nationwide relief in immigration litigation.
Video
Los Angeles Partner Emily Allen explains what ESTA is, who may be eligible under the US Visa Waiver Program and five common mistakes travelers should avoid when visiting the United States for business or tourism.

