When a U.S. visa affects an employee transfer, business expansion, investment, acquisition or family move, you need more than a list of visa categories. You need to understand which route fits, what could create difficulty and what needs to happen next.
Flynn Hodkinson advises Ireland-based companies, investors, families, U.S. citizens and permanent residents on U.S. visa and nationality law. Through our Dublin office, clients receive advice from experienced U.S.-qualified lawyers who understand the legal requirements and the commercial or personal decisions behind the matter.
Clear advice before you commit
Many clients contact us before they know which U.S. visa they need. Others have already been told that a particular visa should work but are uncertain whether that advice accounts for their nationality, company ownership, employment history, intended U.S. activities or long-term plans.
We start by understanding what you are trying to achieve.
For a company, that may mean transferring a managing director, sending a specialist to a U.S. project, opening a U.S. office or supporting an acquisition.
For an investor, it may mean confirming whether the ownership and investment structure supports an E-2 visa, or assessing whether another temporary or permanent route is more suitable.
For a family or individual, it may mean understanding how the process affects a spouse, children, employment, travel or long-term residence.
We then explain which options appear realistic, what further information is needed and where the main risks may arise.
An honest assessment of your options
U.S. immigration law does not provide a suitable visa for every proposed move. Even where a visa category appears relevant, the facts may not satisfy all its requirements.
We will tell you when a route looks straightforward, when it requires careful preparation and when we believe an application is unlikely to succeed. We would rather give you a realistic assessment at the beginning than allow you to commit further time, money or business resources based on false confidence.
No lawyer can guarantee that a U.S. visa or immigration application will be approved. Our role is to assess the facts carefully, explain the legal requirements and prepare the strongest application the evidence can support.
U.S. immigration experience for complex business decisions
Flynn Hodkinson advises Irish companies ranging from growing businesses to multinational employers on moving executives, managers and specialists to the United States.
We understand that the visa is often connected to a wider commercial objective. A U.S. launch may depend on having the right executive in place. A client project may require specialist expertise on site. An acquisition may require a managing director to relocate within a defined period.
Our lawyers advise on temporary and permanent U.S. immigration routes, including E-1, E-2, H-1B, L-1, O-1 and employment-based immigrant visa matters.
Where several routes may be possible, we explain the practical differences so that the company can make an informed decision based on its structure, timeline and future plans.
Advice for Irish founders and investors entering the U.S.
Immigration planning should be considered before an investor finalises the ownership structure, commits substantial funds or promises that a particular person will manage the U.S. business.
For an E-2 treaty investor matter, nationality, ownership, the amount and use of the investment, the nature of the U.S. enterprise and the applicant’s role can all affect eligibility.
An acquisition or expansion may also raise questions about whether an E-2, L-1A or another visa fits the proposed arrangement.
We help Irish founders, business owners, private investors and companies examine the immigration position early enough to make better-informed commercial decisions.
Support for the person and the business
A corporate immigration matter affects people as well as operational plans.
The employee may need to know when they can travel, whether their spouse can work, what status their children will receive and when the family can make firm relocation arrangements. HR may need a realistic timeline, a clear document list and information it can share with leadership.
We explain the process in plain language and help each person understand what is required at the relevant stage. Our aim is to reduce unnecessary uncertainty without creating expectations that the legal process cannot support.
U.S. nationality and permanent residence advice
Flynn Hodkinson also advises U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents living in Ireland.
Our work includes matters involving:
- acquisition and documentation of U.S. citizenship;
- transmission of citizenship to children;
- renunciation of U.S. citizenship;
- family-based immigration;
- maintaining lawful permanent resident status;
- returning to the United States after extended time abroad;
- inadmissibility and U.S. entry issues.
Some decisions, particularly renunciation and long-term residence outside the United States, can also have tax or financial consequences. We explain the immigration position and identify when separate professional advice should be obtained.
A team with substantial U.S. immigration experience
Flynn Hodkinson was founded by Janice Flynn, a U.S.-qualified attorney who has worked in U.S. visa and nationality law for more than 20 years.
Janice has advised individuals and multinational companies on U.S. immigration strategy and has particular experience in E-1 treaty trader, E-2 treaty investor, H-1B professional worker, L-1 intra-company transfer and employment-based immigrant matters.
She works alongside a team of U.S.-qualified lawyers and experienced client-support professionals handling corporate, investor, family, citizenship and consular matters.
Clear scope and costs
Before work begins, we explain the proposed scope of our services, our legal fees and the main outside costs that may apply.
U.S. immigration matters sometimes change as new information becomes available or a client’s plans develop. Where additional work may be required, we explain why and discuss the next step rather than allowing the scope to expand without explanation.
You should understand what the firm will do, what information you must provide and what circumstances could affect the cost or timeline.
Learn about how we work and our fees.
Who we help in Ireland
We advise clients throughout Ireland, including:
- Irish companies opening or acquiring U.S. operations;
- employers transferring executives, managers and specialists;
- founders and investors establishing or purchasing U.S. businesses;
- HR and mobility teams managing employee relocations;
- families moving to or reuniting in the United States;
- U.S. citizens and permanent residents living in Ireland;
- individuals dealing with citizenship, admissibility or consular issues.
Meetings and casework can usually be managed remotely, so you do not need to live in Dublin to instruct the firm.