The Immigration Conversation | Presented by Fragomen

In Part 2 of this special episode of #FragomenFC: Passport to North America 2026, co-hosts Partner Rick Lamanna (Toronto, Canada), Senior Manager Sergio Flores (Mexico City, Mexico) and Associate Jake Paul Minster (Boston, United States) are joined by Senior Associate Tuğba Özyakup (Amsterdam, Netherlands)—an avid football fan—and Ismaïl Aissati—former Dutch U21 star who made the bold switch to represent Morocco's National Team at the senior level.From crossing rival lines at PSV to Ajax, to mentoring global youth talent at Ajax's academy, Ismaïl shares his personal journey across borders, clubs and national teams. Topics include:Nationality choices in international footballWork permits, transfers and dual citizenshipCoaching the next generation of global stars and the youth systemThe impact of immigration rules on the footballDon't miss this episode on immigration, national identity, loyalty and legacy in football! 

In this special episode of #FragomenFC: Passport to North America 2026, co-hosts Partner Rick Lamanna (Toronto, Canada), Senior Manager Sergio Flores (Mexico City, Mexico) and Associate Jake Paul Minster (Boston, United States) are joined by Senior Associate Tuğba Özyakup (Amsterdam, Netherlands)—and an avid football fan. Tuğba brings along a very special guest: her cousin, Oğuzhan ("Ozzy") Özyakup, a professional footballer who has competed at the highest levels of the sport, representing both club and country across Europe.Together, we explore Ozzy's professional journey, tracing his path from youth academies to international competition, and discussing how immigration impacted every step of his career—from transfers and visas to work permits and national team eligibility. Tuğba offers valuable insights into Dutch immigration law as it relates to professional footballers, drawing on her legal background and personal connection to the game. Both guests share reflections on navigating the intersection of global mobility and elite sport in countries like the Netherlands, Turkey and beyond.This is the first part of a two-part conversation. Stay tuned for Episode 8 (Part 2)!

In this Immigration Conversation podcast episode, Senior Associate Stephanie Weaver and Associate Julia Manacher unpack the intersection of immigration law and reality television. They delve into the realities of marriage-based immigration scenarios depicted in popular TV shows, focusing on pathways such as the K-1 visa (fiancé visa) and the Green Card.Disclaimer: The television shows and individuals mentioned in this episode are not clients of Fragomen. This episode is intended for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

With the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League concluding with Mexico's triumphant win of their first CNL trophy, Fragomen's podcast series, #FragomenFC: Passport to North America 2026, is back with a tournament review! Join co-hosts Partner Rick Lamanna (Toronto, Canada), Senior Manager Sergio Flores (Mexico City, Mexico), and Associate Jake Paul Minster (Boston, United States) as they provide an in-depth, country-by-country analysis of the highs and lows experienced by their respective national teams throughout the competition.

In this Immigration Conversation podcast episode, Manager Jarred Milner, Business Immigration Consultant Marisa Gizzi and Immigration Paralegal Marcus Alexander Lang-Rawlings discuss the impact of recent salary threshold changes on the UK immigration landscape. They also reflect on the lead up to and implementation of these changes within the past year and how these changes contrast with the EU's approach.

Fragomen's podcast series, #FragomenFC: Passport to North America 2026, returns with a 2024 recap! Co-hosts Director Rick Lamanna (Toronto, Canada), Manager Sergio Flores (Mexico City, Mexico) and Associate Jake Paul Minster (Boston, United States) go “around the horn” highlighting the biggest hits from the soccer world this year and offering a look ahead to stories to watch for in 2025.

In this Immigration Conversation podcast episode, Senior Manager Lindiwe Mapota interviews Director Johannes Kgotso Tiba on recent changes to the South African immigration system following the long-anticipated publication of the Points-Based Immigration System (PBIS). Together, they discuss the PBIS's impact on businesses and explore key elements such as transparency and attributes. 

In this Immigration Conversation podcast episode, Partner Timo Heck is joined by Exactio Managing Partner Per Melberg and Director Giuseppe Sarno to share insights on C permits (permanent residency), taxation and immigration requirements in Switzerland.Exactio is a consulting company providing Swiss and international payroll, social security, individual tax and global mobility services to local and multinational organisations, as well as individuals. 

Fragomen's podcast series, #FragomenFC: Passport to North America 2026, returns with the episode, "Paris Playbook: Immigration Wins and Lessons from the 2024 Olympics." With much to cover from the summer, including EURO 2024, CONMEBOL's Copa America, and of course, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, our hosts Director Rick Lamanna (Toronto, Canada), Manager Sergio Flores (Mexico City, Mexico) and Associate Jake Paul Minster (Boston, United States) are joined by Senior Manager Géraldine Renaudière (Paris, France).Watch as they discuss how France established efficient entry and exit mechanisms before and during the Games, and how Fragomen assisted clients requiring entry to France for the massive event. They also share tips for North America as it gears up to host the World Cup in just under 600 days. 

In this Immigration Conversation podcast episode, Partner Jack Kim and Senior Manager Rafael Alfonso Fabregas discuss hot topics surrounding immigration in Canada and what remains on the Minister's "to-do list" in 2024, including inland refugee claims, international students, temporary foreign workers and more.

In this Immigration Conversation podcast episode hosted by Immigration Supervisor Lauren Spencer, we connect with members of Fragomen's Green Team across various offices, including Practice Leader Jane Goddard, Desktop Support Specialist Ross Gibson and Office Services Manager Ema Gombos to explore how even a small group of employees can drive big changes within their workplace's sustainability practices. Fragomen in the UK, for example, has successfully reduced emissions for Scope 1 and Scope 2 to zero, using 100% renewably sourced energy in our London and Sheffield offices. Scope 1 and 2 are categories of greenhouse gas emissions that a company generates based on where they originate, either from direct or indirect sources. This milestone marks progress in our ongoing journey to a more sustainable future, and it is a reflection of the impact a Green Team can make.

Partners Julia Onslow-Cole, Bo Cooper and Edward Raleigh from our Government Strategies & Compliance group discuss geopolitical impacts on business amidst a major global election year. From unexpected election results like a coalition government forming in India and South Africa to the changes in the Democratic candidate in the US presidential election, the global immigration landscape is shifting quickly.

In this Immigration Conversation podcast episode, we share a replay of a live event hosted by UK Government Affairs Strategy Lead Shuyeb Muquit. Details on this event and replay can be found below:In anticipation of the UK's general election, Fragomen is hosting a three-part event series, each focusing on a pivotal juncture - the “before,” “during” and “after” - as it relates to UK immigration policy.This replay is the second event in the series, "Election Day Exploration," which took place on 25 June 2024. Shuyeb was joined once again by the following guest speakers to discuss how their initial ‘Prelude to the Polls' assessments have developed in the period since the election was confirmed: - Sunder Katwala, Director, British Future- Madeleine Sumption, Director, Migration Observatory - University of Oxford- Jonathan Thomas, Senior Fellow, Social Market FoundationThe first event's replay can be accessed here.

In this Immigration Conversation podcast episode, Director Olga Nechita and Private Client Supervisor Sophie Jo Wasson delve into how many European countries allow citizenship by ancestry. They explain how the rules, application processes and documentation requirements vary from country to country and discuss how Fragomen assists private clients in navigating this immigration pathway.

In this Immigration Conversation podcast episode, Senior Managers Kelly Hardman and Noman Khan and Senior Associate David Hickman share insights on the convergence of immigration and the energy sector in the UK and the Middle East, and how Fragomen can ensure businesses' seamless mobility across jurisdictions.

In this Immigration Conversation podcast episode, Partners Aaron Blumberg and Sarah Peterson (Healthcare Practice Leader) are joined by Mayo Clinic Immigration Counsel Christopher Wendt and Co-Founder and President of Physicians for American Healthcare Access Dr. Ram Alur to discuss how immigration can help address the physician shortage across the US through the recruitment and retention of foreign national physicians. We also explore the difficulties foreign nationals face in obtaining immigration requirements to work in the US, which is further brought to light by Dr. Ram Alur's personal story and experience as an immigrant physician.

Fragomen's podcast series, #FragomenFC: Passport to North America 2026, returns with the second of the two-part episode: “At the Copa, the Copa America.”Podcasts hosts Director Rick Lamanna (Toronto, Canada), Manager Sergio Flores (Mexico City, Mexico) and Associate Jake Paul Minster (Boston, United States) are joined by the Managing Partner of Fragomen's San Diego office and a leader of the firm's Sports Industry Group, Karine Wenger, to discuss entry-related topics important for those planning to travel to the United States for the Copa America tournament.The group also explores immigration requirements, complexities and nuances for foreign nationals to consider as the World Cup approaches in 2026. 

Our firm's podcast series, #FragomenFC: Passport to North America 2026, is back with Episode 2, the first of a two-part episode: "At the Copa, the Copa America." Podcasts hosts Director Rick Lamanna (Toronto, Canada), Manager Sergio Flores (Mexico City, Mexico) and Associate Jake Paul Minster (Boston, United States) are joined by two special guests, LATAM Regional Partner Leonor Echeverria (San Jose, Costa Rica) and CONMEBOL Legal Director Monserrat Jiménez Granda. Watch or listen as they dive into the topic of South American fútbol, including the process leading up to this summer's Copa America, hosted for only the second time in the United States.

In this Immigration Conversation podcast episode, colleagues from Fragomen's Education Practice — Senior Manager Jonathan Hill, Associate Anastasija Vasiljeva and Immigration Supervisor Sanjay Parmar — discuss the UK's plans to digitise the immigration system with a move from physical visa documentation such as BRP cards to electronic visas, and how this will impact the UK education sector. 

In this Immigration Conversation podcast episode, Boston Managing Partner Catherine Macris is joined by Libra Partners Partner Simon Stillwell to discuss how companies should approach the expansion of business into the US market. They dive into what it takes to be successful and how to start selling, establish a presence in the face of immigration-related considerations and grow and open an office.

In this Immigration Conversation podcast episode, we share a replay of a live event hosted by UK Government Affairs Strategy Lead Shuyeb Muquit. Details on this event and replay can be found below:In anticipation of the UK's general election, Fragomen is hosting a three-part event series, each focusing on a pivotal juncture - the “before,” “during” and “after” - as it relates to UK immigration policy.This replay is the first event in the series, the "Prelude to the Polls" webcast, which took place on 28 February 2024. The webcast focused on initial assessments and the anticipated trajectory of UK immigration policy under the three main political parties.Shuyeb was joined by:- Sunder Katwala, Director, British Future- Madeleine Sumption, Director, Migration Observatory - University of Oxford- Jonathan Thomas, Senior Fellow, Social Market Foundation

In this Immigration Conversation podcast episode, Partner Christine Sullivan and Client Engagement Assistant Manager Soraya Driessen discuss the Netherlands' current political climate surrounding immigration and the impact of the country's election outcomes, specifically on the business community. They also discuss the Ministry of Finance's survey as an opportunity for international employers and employers to share their feedback on the Netherlands' '30 percent' ruling. Christine and Soraya plan to return for another episode on elections and migration in the Netherlands after survey results are shared. The survey is open until April 14, 2024.

En este episodio del podcast Immigration Conversation, el Director Miguel Jiménéz y el Senior Business Immigration Manager Rodrigo García comparten información importante sobre inmigración para los residentes de México. Discuten las obligaciones de los titulares de Visas de Residencia para cumplir con la ley de inmigración mexicana, consideraciones para viajar fuera del país y más.*Tenga en cuenta que este episodio está en español.

En este episodio del podcast Immigration Conversation, el Director Miguel Jiménéz y el Senior Business Immigration Manager Rodrigo García, analizan los requisitos de nacionalidad y naturalización mexicana, las consideraciones legales, las modalidades y la pérdida de la nacionalidad.*Tenga en cuenta que este episodio está en español.

 In this Immigration Conversation podcast episode, Partner Srinivas Ramineni and Associate Jake Paul Minster provide an update on the FY2025 cap registration process for IT consulting companies. They emphasize the importance of employer preparedness, especially for those who rely heavily on H-1B visas to bring in highly skilled talent from around the world to work on specialized projects in the United States. 

During this special episode of the Immigration Conversation podcast in celebration of Black History Month, Partner Audrea Golding and Associate Kelsanah Wade interview Corporate Counsel Women of Color Founder and CEO Laurie Robinson-Haden about her personal journey, professional endeavors and the ongoing quest for equity and justice.Laurie founded CCWC in 2004 to advance women of color attorneys and foster diversity in the legal profession. 

 In special, short Episode 1.5, our #FragomenFC podcast hosts Director Rick Lamanna (Toronto, Canada), Manager Sergio Flores (Mexico City, Mexico) and Associate Jake Paul Minster (Boston, United States) break down the FIFA 2026 World Cup match schedule and the immigration considerations for fans and players.Stay tuned for more episodes of our podcast “Fragomen FC: Passport to North America 2026,” to learn more about the convergence of immigration and international sports, and hear perspectives from across the globe. 

Sylvain Garguilo, Practice Leader, Elsa Guillais, Director et Agnès Rodriguez Raig, Senior Manager, discutent de la nouvelle loi immigration récemment promulguée par le président Macron et de ses impacts sur les travailleurs étrangers en France et les entreprises faisant appel à de la main d'œuvre étrangère. *Veuillez noter que cet épisode est en français.English:Practice Leader Sylvain Garguilo, Director Elsa Guillais and Senior Manager Agnes Rodriguez Raig discuss the French immigration law recently promulgated by President Macron, its impacts on foreign workers in France and on companies using foreign labor.*Please note this episode is in French.

Ready. Set. Goal! Welcome to Episode 1 of our new podcast, “Fragomen FC: Passport to North America 2026” (#FragomenFC). Matching the men's 2026 World Cup host countries Canada, Mexico and the US with the locations of our podcast hosts, Director Rick Lamanna, Manager Sergio Flores and Associate Jake Paul Minster, get ready for a deep dive into the convergence of global mobility and soccer. The hosts kick-off Episode 1 with Partner Azeem Mohiuddin and special guest, Director of Legal and Compliance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and Partner at Gowling WLG, Aarij S. Wasti, who share their valuable perspectives from Qatar as football fandom pivots from the Middle East to North America.

Partner Audrea Golding and Counsel Andrea Rush to discuss how Fragomen helps individuals navigate the path to US citizenship, the various challenges that can pop up along the journey to naturalization and common misconceptions about the process.

The UK's net migration figures announced in November 2023 showed record-high numbers, with a 17.3% rise in work visas, particularly in the health and care category. In response, the government is introducing policies to bring down these figures, especially in light of the upcoming election year.In this episode of the Immigration Conversation Podcast, Partners Louise Haycock and Charlotte Wills discuss the substantial changes to the UK migration laws that were announced on 4 December 2023, including the government's five-point plan that is likely to take effect in the spring of 2024, which aims to reduce net migration. They also share insights on what businesses can do now to prepare.

In this episode of the Immigration Conversation Podcast, Director Kelly Chua, Senior Manager Ana Sofia Walsh and Manager Andreia Florina Ghimis discuss the latest ETA/ETIAS developments in the UK and EU. They discuss the timeline and global rollout for this digitalization of border security, impact on travel, who is affected and the process for applying.

In this episode of the Immigration Conversation Podcast, Senior Manager Shuyeb Muquit is joined by Social Market Foundation's Senior Fellow Jonathan Thomas to discuss the Migration Advisory Committee's (MAC) review of the Shortage Occupation List (SOL). The SOL guides employers on which roles could be filled by migrant workers, given that employers are having difficulty filling those roles domestically. Shuyeb and Jonathan also explore how the SOL has evolved over the years and how UK policies regarding the employment of migrants have become less restrictive.

In this episode of the Immigration Conversation podcast, Senior Manager Ramona Perera and Senior Business Immigration Consultants Isabella Ang, Ethan Ma and Missy Mae Makil discuss the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Visa, the recent removal of the understudy training program requirement and how this change impacts PEZA-registered employers offering long-term work authorization.

In this episode of the Immigration Conversation podcast, Counsel Andrea Rush and Associate Mayu Hirao explore the limitations of the F-1 Work Authorization, as well as common filing and processing issues that F-1 students may encounter. An international student typically holds F-1 status and can obtain work authorization in one of three ways: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), or Post-Completion OPT, which can be extended for F-1 students with STEM degrees.

In this special episode of the Immigration Conversation Podcast, Partner Kenneth Lau, Senior Manager Ramona Perera, Assistant Business Immigration Manager David Harvey and Business Immigration Consultant Sherwin Gan discuss the release of the highly anticipated amendment to Decree 152. They also offer feedback on the amendment and share insights into how this development will impact the work permit process in Vietnam.

 In this episode of the Immigration Conversation podcast, Partner Marius Tollenaere is joined by Johann Daniel Harnoss, Boston Consulting Group Partner and Imagine Foundation Founder and CEO, to discuss the benefits and challenges of hiring internationally. Imagine is a community of talent without borders that has helped approximately 1,000 people from the Middle East and Africa to legally live and work in Europe.  

In this episode of the Immigration Conversation Podcast, Partner Marius Tollenaere and Director Audrey Morew discuss and compare German and Nordic immigration reforms, systems, and processes. The Nordic Region consists of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland, as well as the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Åland. Marius and Audrey also discuss employment and skills-based immigration, and the requirements that vary from country to country such as the connection between one's education and job type.

In this episode of the Immigration Conversation Podcast, Senior Manager Shuyeb Muquit is joined again by Social Market Foundation's Senior Fellow Jonathan Thomas for a discussion on UK immigration policy, the evolution of the country's immigration system, and common themes seen throughout various reports. One report referenced includes “The Whole of the Moon,” an independent report by SMF, sponsored by Fragomen. The report analyses the UK immigration system and its policies for dealing with labour shortages.Read the report here.You can also listen to Shuyeb and Jonathan's previous podcast conversation here and view our Mobility Minute on the topic here.

In this episode of the Immigration Conversation Podcast, Partner Kenneth Lau, Senior Manager Ramona Perera, Senior Business Immigration Consultant David Harvey, and Business Immigration Consultant II Sherwin Gan discuss in-depth the long-awaited release of a draft amendment to the Vietnam Ministry of Labour's Labour Decree 152. The draft amendment appears to clear up some of the confusion about the Decree's intent and provide concessions to the business community surrounding work permits. Gain key insights into what led to this moment, the current state of Vietnam's immigration and work permit system following its post-pandemic border re-opening, and the next steps in the process. 

Senior Manager Shuyeb Muquit is joined by Social Market Foundation's Senior Fellow Jonathan Thomas to discuss "The Whole of the Moon," an independent report by SMF, sponsored by Fragomen. The report analyses the UK immigration system and its policies for dealing with labour shortages.Read the report here.You can also view our Mobility Minute on the topic here.

In this episode of the Immigration Conversation Podcast, Senior Managers Kelly Hardman and Margot Rikmanspoel and Senior Associate Tarik Elhadidi discuss immigration trends and considerations across the energy sector.Immigration is an essential issue across the energy arena, particularly within the offshore sector and maritime industry. Despite their rebounding following the COVID-19 pandemic, a variety of other economic and geopolitical factors continue to play a role in how employers approach the movement and attraction of talent in this niche area.

In this episode of the Immigration Conversation Podcast, Senior Director Roy Ren and Director Iris Zhang join us from Fragomen's Shanghai office to share their insights on China's Visa on Arrival.Also known as VoA or Port Visa, Visa on Arrival allows travelers to obtain a single entry, maximum 30-day visa upon arrival at entry ports. This episode provides an overview of the advantages of choosing a Visa on Arrival instead of a normal visa. It also expands on the requirements and steps to obtaining China's Visa on Arrival. You will also learn how Fragomen's China team is able to provide end-to-end assistance for obtaining a Visa on Arrival as part of Fragomen's full spectrum China immigration services.Please note this episode is recorded in Chinese.

In this episode of the Immigration Conversation Podcast, Pro Bono Director Barbara Camacho speaks with Fragomen Fellow Lucia Damerau and Associate Ana Gabriela Urizar about the twin sisters' personal immigration journeys. Growing up in a small town in Guatemala, Lucia and Ana Gabriela eventually arrived in New York City, finding their footing in a bustling environment and surrounded by new cultures and languages. Their drive and ambition led them to not only successfully adjusting to a new life in the United States, but also to completing law school after college.Ultimately, both Lucia and Ana Gabriela pursued careers in immigration law because of the impact of their own experiences as immigrants. 

In this episode of The Immigration Conversation, Responsible Business Practices Partner Lisa Koenig connects with Partners Leonor Echeverria and Siobhan Owers about Fragomen's sustainability journey. During the conversation, they share updates on initiatives and progress within their particular offices and regions, ideas to scale sustainability programs globally, and new learnings from clients that are impacting the sustainability space.

In this episode of The Immigration Conversation, Partner Azeem Mohiuddin and Associate Jake Paul Minster discuss the immigration impacts of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, along with what to expect as the 2026 World Cup approaches.As they look back on last year's momentous event, Azeem and Jake touch on some of the many “firsts” of the 2022 World Cup that made it so significant: it was the first tournament to be held in the Middle East, the first tournament to be held during the colder months and the first tournament that included three female officials. They review how immigration processes were affected by these firsts and the importance of planning in advance.Then, they look ahead to the 2026 World Cup and discuss a variety of immigration concerns surrounding the multi-country nature of the upcoming tournament.See the video version of this podcast here.

In this episode of The Immigration Conversation, Senior Managers Angela Baker, Kelly Hardman and Maysie Pandor and Associate Sarah Melnick discuss the H-1B cap lottery, running through March 17, 2023.

In this episode of The Immigration Conversation, Partner Chad Ellsworth and Rina Montalvo, Head of Talent Mobility, Immigration and Flexible Work Program at Twitter discuss immigration challenges impacting the LGBTQ+ community and share insights for global mobility professionals to help advise and support LGBTQ+ colleagues as part of their immigration programs. 

In this episode of the Immigration Conversation Fragomen Partner Aaron Blumberg, CEO of Nomadic Brendan Ryan and Lead Architect for Emerging Technologies at Unisys Global Services India Sanket Panchamia discuss block chain technology and how it will revolutionize immigration and global mobility.