Photo of Rico Fontana

Senior Immigration Program Director

Rico Fontana

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Photo of Rico Fontana
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Senior Immigration Program Director

Rico Fontana

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

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  • English
  • German
  • French
  • Italian

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[email protected]

T:+1 281 605 3114

F:+ 1 469 533 4958

Houston

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1415 Louisiana Street, Suite 2350

Houston TX 77002

United States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • German
  • French
  • Italian

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 281 605 3114

F:+ 1 469 533 4958

Houston

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1415 Louisiana Street, Suite 2350

Houston TX 77002

United States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • German
  • French
  • Italian

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 281 605 3114

F:+ 1 469 533 4958

Houston

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

Houston

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

Houston

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

Houston

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1415 Louisiana Street, Suite 2350

Houston TX 77002

United States

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

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Learn more

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Fragomen has appointed Timo Heck as Managing Partner of the DACH region, encompassing Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

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Eight professionals in Fragomen’s Mexico City office have been recognized in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in Mexico™ for Immigration Law.

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Blog post

How Employers Can Support Integration and Retain International Talent in Germany

Senior Manager Katharina Vorländer explores how employers in Germany can look beyond the initial immigration process to support integration, long-term stability and the retention of international talent.

Learn more

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Director Kelly Hardman explores why workforce planning is essential to Scotland’s investment ambitions and long-term economic growth.

Learn more

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Comment on DHS Proposal to Eliminate the 60-day Grace PeriodLearn more

Fragomen news

Comment on DHS proposal to impose up to $100,000 in Optional Practical Training FeesLearn more

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Human Resources Director: Fixed-Term Contract Limits Squeeze Visa Sponsorship, Research Warns

Co-authors Partner Charles Johanes, Senior Counsel Anna Boucher and Allens Partner Tarsha Gavin explore the intersection of Australia’s migration and employment laws and the implications for employers sponsoring temporary visa holders.

Learn more

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Prawo: Pracodawca na pierwszej linii: jak reforma zatrudniania cudzoziemców przesuwa odpowiedzialność na firmy

Partner Karolina Schiffter examines how Poland’s proposed foreign employment reforms could increase employers’ administrative and compliance responsibilities.

Learn more

Blog post

Trusted Digital Identity Is Critical Infrastructure for Global Mobility

In the first blog in a new series, Managing Director, Digital Identity Amit Sharma explores why trusted digital identity is becoming increasingly important to global mobility, how reusable digital credentials could work and why interoperability across systems and jurisdictions will be critical.

Learn more

Blog post

UK Global Talent Visa vs Innovator Founder Visa: A Guide for Tech Professionals, Researchers and Founders

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Important Updates
Important Updates
November 12, 2026 | MexicoFragomen Professionals Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in Mexico™
November 13, 2026 | CanadaCanada: 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan Maintains Overall Targets and Adds Permanent Residence Spaces
November 13, 2026 | United KingdomTimes Higher Education: UK Student Visa Applications Fall in October
November 12, 2026 | United StatesComment on USCIS’s Proposed Rule to Eliminate Deference to Prior Approvals
November 12, 2026 | Austria, Germany, SwitzerlandFragomen Appoints Timo Heck as Managing Partner of DACH Region
November 12, 2026 | MexicoFragomen Professionals Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in Mexico™
November 13, 2026 | CanadaCanada: 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan Maintains Overall Targets and Adds Permanent Residence Spaces
November 13, 2026 | United KingdomTimes Higher Education: UK Student Visa Applications Fall in October
November 12, 2026 | United StatesComment on USCIS’s Proposed Rule to Eliminate Deference to Prior Approvals
November 12, 2026 | Austria, Germany, SwitzerlandFragomen Appoints Timo Heck as Managing Partner of DACH Region
November 12, 2026 | MexicoFragomen Professionals Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in Mexico™
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