Important Updates
Important Updates
May 14, 2026 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Children Can Now Use Passport E-Gates
May 15, 2026 | AustraliaAustralia: Federal Budget for 2026-27 Released
May 15, 2026 | ChileChile: Expedited Business Visa Implemented for Indian Nationals
May 15, 2026Fragomen Wins 2026 FEM Americas EMMAs for Outstanding Agility & Crisis Management and Thought Leadership
May 15, 2026 | RomaniaRomania: New Unified Work Permit System and Online System Implemented
May 14, 2026 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Children Can Now Use Passport E-Gates
May 15, 2026 | AustraliaAustralia: Federal Budget for 2026-27 Released
May 15, 2026 | ChileChile: Expedited Business Visa Implemented for Indian Nationals
May 15, 2026Fragomen Wins 2026 FEM Americas EMMAs for Outstanding Agility & Crisis Management and Thought Leadership
May 15, 2026 | RomaniaRomania: New Unified Work Permit System and Online System Implemented
May 14, 2026 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Children Can Now Use Passport E-Gates
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Photo of Rico Fontana

Senior Immigration Program Director

Rico Fontana

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Photo of Rico Fontana
  • People

Senior Immigration Program Director

Rico Fontana

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  • United StatesUnited States

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T:+1 281 605 3114

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Fragomen in Houston, TX

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1415 Louisiana Street, Suite 2350

Houston TX 77002

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Fragomen in Houston, TX

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1415 Louisiana Street, Suite 2350

Houston TX 77002

United States

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Rico is a Senior Immigration Program Director with more than 25 years of mobility experience. He provides strategic program support to clients, combining deep technical immigration knowledge with more than a decade of corporate experience. Rico draws from his years of in-house experience to assist clients with the design and execution of efficient mobility policies and programs, balancing employee experience with the needs of the business. In addition, Rico participates in operationalizing new Fragomen technology offerings, bringing his client-centric experience and perspective to bear in the process.

Rico started his immigration career as the visa officer at the Swiss Consulate in NYC, before joining Fragomen in early 2001. He went on to lead the in-house program of a Fortune 150 company for twelve years and spent four years at a global mobility provider, before returning to Fragomen in November 2023.

Born and raised in Bern, Switzerland, Rico experienced the U.S. immigration system firsthand when moving to the U.S. Rico and his family have undertaken several long-distance relocations for work, and he empathizes with clients and their mobile employees. Moving, especially with families, represents a major life disruption and Rico aims to assist our clients in minimizing that impact and providing employees with a positive international experience.

Rico speaks English and German and is proficient in French and Italian.

Education

  • School of Business Administration and Professional Studies, Bern, Switzerland, Business Administration Diploma, 1994

More from Rico

Professional accomplishments

Certifications: HRCI Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR)

Former Board Member, Council for Global Immigration

Experience

Led a large mobility program at a Fortune 150 company, managing immigration, mobility policy, relocation, expatriate tax and expat medical services.

Provided immigration and managed services support to large multinational clients at a leading mobility service provider.

Served as the visa officer at the Swiss Consulate General in New York.

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • German
  • French
  • Italian

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 281 605 3114

F:+ 1 469 533 4958

Fragomen in Houston, TX

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1415 Louisiana Street, Suite 2350

Houston TX 77002

United States

Share

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Share

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Get in touch

Languages

  • English
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  • French
  • Italian

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 281 605 3114

F:+ 1 469 533 4958

Fragomen in Houston, TX

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1415 Louisiana Street, Suite 2350

Houston TX 77002

United States

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • German
  • French
  • Italian

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 281 605 3114

F:+ 1 469 533 4958

Fragomen in Houston, TX

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1415 Louisiana Street, Suite 2350

Houston TX 77002

United States

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

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Explore more at Fragomen

Awards

Fragomen Wins 2026 FEM Americas EMMAs for Outstanding Agility & Crisis Management and Thought Leadership

Fragomen is recognized with multiple honors at the 2026 FEM Americas EMMAs, including Outstanding Agility & Crisis Management as a Service Provider and Thought Leadership – Best Survey or Research Study of the Year for the Worldwide Immigration Trends Report 2026.

Learn more

Blog post

Housing Market Dynamics in Saudi Arabia: Policy Changes, Rent Stabilization and Cost of Living Implications for Employers

Destination Services Director Christine Sperr examines how housing market reforms, rent stabilization measures and cost-of-living dynamics in Saudi Arabia are influencing workforce mobility, compensation planning and long-term settlement strategies under Vision 2030.

Learn more

Visas

German Visa Risks: What Past Unauthorised Employment Means for Your Visa Application

Manager Dr. Adela Schmidt explains how German authorities assess past travel and business activities and why suspected unauthorized work during prior visits can lead to visa refusals and temporary entry bans.

Learn more

Podcast

Why Strategy Matters Now: Inside the Center for Strategy and Applied Insights

Partner Cosmina Morariu and Senior Director Leah Rogal discuss the mission of Fragomen’s Center for Strategy and Applied Insights and how it helps organizations and governments navigate evolving immigration policy and global talent mobility challenges.

Learn more

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Fragomen and Papaya Global Launch Strategic Partnership to Streamline Global Mobility and Compliance

Fragomen and Papaya Global announce a strategic partnership combining workforce technology and immigration capabilities to help organizations simplify global mobility, enhance compliance and manage cross-border workforces through a more integrated, technology-enabled approach.

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Video

Understanding Immigration in Latin America: Residency Options and Citizenship Pathways

Latin America & the Caribbean Managing Partner Leonor Echeverria explores how Latin America’s evolving immigration landscape offers accessible and flexible residence pathways for foreign nationals, highlighting key visa options, regional trends and the growing role of digital modernization across the region.

Learn more

Podcast

Reality Check Pt. 2: Immigration Law in Pop Culture

Senior Associate Stephanie Weaver and Associate Julia Manacher continue their discussion on immigration law in popular culture, examining how television and media portray immigration processes and the realities behind common immigration storylines.

Learn more

Media mentions

Bloomberg: Trump Wants to Make H-1B Workers More Expensive for US Employers

Partner Kevin Miner discusses how proposed H-1B salary threshold increases may raise employer costs and influence hiring strategies for specialized talent across industries.

Learn more

Video

Portugal Extends Citizenship Timeline | #MobilityMinute

In this Mobility Minute, Manager Pierangelo D’Errico discusses Portugal’s newly approved nationality law changes and the potential impact on Golden Visa applicants and other foreign residents.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: AI Use in UK Immigration Tribunals Prompts Scrutiny Over Decision-Making Process

Partner Rajiv Naik highlights the importance of transparency, clear guidance and human oversight as AI use expands in UK immigration tribunals.

Learn more

Video

Europe’s Entry and Exit System (EES): What Travelers Need to Know

Senior Associate Tuğba Özyakup outlines how Europe’s Entry and Exit System (EES) introduces digital tracking of non-EU short-stay travel across the Schengen Area, requiring more proactive planning, accurate record-keeping and awareness of increased border processing times to avoid delays and overstay risks.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2026年4月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Awards

Fragomen Wins 2026 FEM Americas EMMAs for Outstanding Agility & Crisis Management and Thought Leadership

Fragomen is recognized with multiple honors at the 2026 FEM Americas EMMAs, including Outstanding Agility & Crisis Management as a Service Provider and Thought Leadership – Best Survey or Research Study of the Year for the Worldwide Immigration Trends Report 2026.

Learn more

Blog post

Housing Market Dynamics in Saudi Arabia: Policy Changes, Rent Stabilization and Cost of Living Implications for Employers

Destination Services Director Christine Sperr examines how housing market reforms, rent stabilization measures and cost-of-living dynamics in Saudi Arabia are influencing workforce mobility, compensation planning and long-term settlement strategies under Vision 2030.

Learn more

Visas

German Visa Risks: What Past Unauthorised Employment Means for Your Visa Application

Manager Dr. Adela Schmidt explains how German authorities assess past travel and business activities and why suspected unauthorized work during prior visits can lead to visa refusals and temporary entry bans.

Learn more

Podcast

Why Strategy Matters Now: Inside the Center for Strategy and Applied Insights

Partner Cosmina Morariu and Senior Director Leah Rogal discuss the mission of Fragomen’s Center for Strategy and Applied Insights and how it helps organizations and governments navigate evolving immigration policy and global talent mobility challenges.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen and Papaya Global Launch Strategic Partnership to Streamline Global Mobility and Compliance

Fragomen and Papaya Global announce a strategic partnership combining workforce technology and immigration capabilities to help organizations simplify global mobility, enhance compliance and manage cross-border workforces through a more integrated, technology-enabled approach.

Learn more

Video

Understanding Immigration in Latin America: Residency Options and Citizenship Pathways

Latin America & the Caribbean Managing Partner Leonor Echeverria explores how Latin America’s evolving immigration landscape offers accessible and flexible residence pathways for foreign nationals, highlighting key visa options, regional trends and the growing role of digital modernization across the region.

Learn more

Podcast

Reality Check Pt. 2: Immigration Law in Pop Culture

Senior Associate Stephanie Weaver and Associate Julia Manacher continue their discussion on immigration law in popular culture, examining how television and media portray immigration processes and the realities behind common immigration storylines.

Learn more

Media mentions

Bloomberg: Trump Wants to Make H-1B Workers More Expensive for US Employers

Partner Kevin Miner discusses how proposed H-1B salary threshold increases may raise employer costs and influence hiring strategies for specialized talent across industries.

Learn more

Video

Portugal Extends Citizenship Timeline | #MobilityMinute

In this Mobility Minute, Manager Pierangelo D’Errico discusses Portugal’s newly approved nationality law changes and the potential impact on Golden Visa applicants and other foreign residents.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: AI Use in UK Immigration Tribunals Prompts Scrutiny Over Decision-Making Process

Partner Rajiv Naik highlights the importance of transparency, clear guidance and human oversight as AI use expands in UK immigration tribunals.

Learn more

Video

Europe’s Entry and Exit System (EES): What Travelers Need to Know

Senior Associate Tuğba Özyakup outlines how Europe’s Entry and Exit System (EES) introduces digital tracking of non-EU short-stay travel across the Schengen Area, requiring more proactive planning, accurate record-keeping and awareness of increased border processing times to avoid delays and overstay risks.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2026年4月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

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