Rana Jazayerli

Special Counsel Washington, DC

Rana provides counsel on all areas of U.S. immigration law, with a focus on employment-based visas, counseling employers on a broad range of immigration matters, including the hiring of foreign nationals under temporary employment visa categories such as H-1Bs and L-1As.

She also advises employers on proper I-9 form compliance and the use of the federal E-Verify employment authorization program. In addition, Rana has extensive expertise in the EB-5 Immigrant Investor visa program, providing assistance to individuals seeking U.S. permanent residency through investment, and U.S. companies seeking EB-5 Regional Center designation to allow them to finance job-creating projects.

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Education & Admissions

Education
  • Columbia University School of Law, J.D., 1996
  • American University, School of Communication, M.A., 2002
  • Georgetown University, Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, B.S.F.S., 1992
Admitted to Practice
  • New York
  • District of Columbia
  • U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
Languages
  • Arabic

Experience

Representative Matters
  • Assisting U.S.-based companies with obtaining Regional Center certification from USCIS to allow them to accept investments from foreign nationals seeking U.S. residency under the EB-5 immigrant investor visa program.
  • Representing numerous individual investors to obtain U.S. residency through employment-creating investment in the U.S.
  • Representing multi-billion dollar private equity company to establish U.S. offices headed by employees from the company’s home office.
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Speaking Engagements

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  • Panelist, “Received a NOID, NOIR, NOIT or RFE? It’s Not the End of the World!” EB-5 Advocacy Conference, IIUSA, April 2018
  • Moderator, “EB-5 Project Due Diligence: A Growing List of Material Considerations Any Reasonable Investor Would Want to Know,” IIUSA EB-5 Industry Forum, October 2017
  • Panelist, “Current Source of Funds Issues and the Effect of Local Laws Governing Transactions,” 2017 San Francisco EB5 Investment Immigration Convention, July 2017
  • Speaker, “Immigration issues,” An Exploration of the Finger Lakes and Western NY: FDI, Education and Tourism Opportunities, Empire State Development Global NY Event, May 2017
  • Panelist, “Advanced Source and Path of Fund Issues in a FATCA and Post-Panama Papers World,” IIUSA’s 10th Annual EB-5 Regional Economic Development Advocacy Conference, April 2017
  • Panelist, “Growth Opportunities with Foreign Capital,” Third Global Trade and Investment Forum, April 2017
  • Presenter, “Issue Spotting in EB-5 Legislation for Investors,” Invest In The USA (IIUSA) EB-5 Industry Forum, October 2016
  • Panelist, “EB-5 Regional Center Pilot Program’s Likely Renewal: What Your Firm Should Be Aware Of,” The Knowledge Group Webcast, September 2016
  • Panelist, “Investor Source of Funds, Pre-Immigration Tax Planning & Post-Immigration Tax Compliance,” October 2015
  • Rana Jazayerli Panelist at the Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Construction & Risk Management Summit
  • Speaker, “Current EB-5 Trends,” EB-5 Summit For Attorneys and Developers, June 2015
  • Speaker, “EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program as an Alternative Form of Financing,” “New Opportunities for New York City Real Estate Developers: Affordable Housing, Financial and Incentives,” June 2015
  • Panelist, “Legal, Immigration, Accounting/Tax and Banking,” Cross Border Business Strategies Event, May 2015
  • Speaker, EB-5 Summit for Attorneys and Developers, April 2015
  • Speaker, “The management of I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) Violations,” “I-9 Violations: Too Hot to Handle” Webcast, January 2015
  • Panel, “Heightening Due Diligence in the EB-5 Program,” Second Annual Las Vegas EB-5 Conference, January 2015
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Activities & Professional Associations

Present Activities

  • Invest In the USA (IIUSA), Compliance Committee, Member
  • American Immigration Lawyers Association, Washington, D.C. Chapter, Member
    • Annual Conference Committee, Former Member
    • National Day of Action Committee, Former Member

Professional Associations

  • American Immigration Lawyers Association
  • Association to Invest In the USA (IIUSA)
    • Compliance Committee

Articles & Publications

Articles

  • Author, “Potential Impact of the Trump Administration on U.S. Immigration Laws,” Phillips Lytle Newsletter Global Coverage, December 2016
  • Author, “Are You a Business Visitor in the U.S.?” Access U.S., Buffalo Niagara Enterprise Newsletter, February 2015