WELCOME TO PETERSON IMMIGRATION
Your employment-based immigration legal team.
About UsWith a passion for the process and policy, and a commitment to relationship-based service, we help employers and employees work through the US immigration system.
At Peterson Immigration, we invest in building relationships that enable employers to on-board a global workforce, working predominantly with health care organizations and professionals, the high-tech industry and academia.
PEOPLE ORIENTED APPROACHWho We Help
Individuals
Peterson Immigration helps foreign professionals transition through the US immigration system by providing personalized and informed legal services.
Employers
From private corporations, to universities, to start-ups, and everything in between, Peterson Immigration provides experience and expertise to guide you through the complex immigration process.
Physician & Healthcare Immigration
Peterson Immigration has represented International Medical Graduates (IMGs) and the healthcare centers that employ them for over 20 years. We understand the complex IMG journey from J-1 waiver to H-1B to green card. Sarah Peterson is one of a small handful of specialized immigration lawyers who have been invited to testify before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee and other legislative bodies on immigration policy and reform.
University Research Scholars & Academics
Not all immigration cases are the same. Peterson Immigration has over 20 years experience handling the unique challenges faced by university research scholars and academics. We understand the unique challenges of higher education in the United States and provide informed legal counsel for this highly specialized immigration journey.
Meet Our Team
Sarah K. Peterson is a nationally recognized business immigration attorney with more than two decades of experience representing universities, physicians, and researchers.
Between antiquated legislation, executive orders and an alphabet soup of classifications, the world of US immigration law is complex. Employers from Fortune 500 to start-ups know that hiring international talent can quickly become an expensive, confusing and lengthy process.
That’s where I come in. My name is Sarah Peterson and I am an immigration attorney focusing on employment based immigration including H-1B visas, J-1 Waivers, PERM applications, Extraordinary Ability Petitions, National Interest Waivers, consular processing, and I-9 compliance and audits. Basically, I help your company on-board the most competitive candidates from around the world.
I have practiced employment-based immigration law since 2006, helping transition foreign-born doctors, researchers, engineers, IT specialists and managers to some of our nation’s top universities and research facilities. I work with start-ups, non-profits, and high-tech corporations. I make your field my business.
I hold a joint law degree and master in public policy from the University of Minnesota Law School and the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. I am very active in our professional association, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). In 2012 I was elected as a Director on the AILA National Board of Governors. I chair the AILA Health Care Professionals/Physicians Committee, have previously served on the AILA Liaison committees with USCIS Service Centers, was selected as one of Minnesota’s Lawyer’s Up and Coming Attorneys for 2010, and am named in International Who’s Who of Corporate Immigration Lawyers. When I’m not in Minneapolis, I’m traveling to speak nationally on immigration issues or to meet with leaders in Washington D.C. to make immigration reform a reality.
BOOK A CONSULTATIONSarah maintains active leadership roles across the country’s leading immigration law organizations.
- Adjunct Professor, University of Minnesota Law School, 2018–2026
- AILA Verification and Documentation Committee, 2025–2026
- Chair, Government Relations Committee, International Medical Group Taskforce (IMGT), June 2022–present
- Elected Director, AILA Board of Governors, June 2012–June 2022
- Hubert H. Humphrey Policy Fellow, 2021–2022
- Chair, AILA DOL Liaison Committee, 2017–2021
- Vice-Chair, AILA DOL Liaison Committee, 2016–2017
- AILA DOL Committee Member, 2015–2016
- AILA Healthcare Professional / Physicians Committee, 2012–2017 (Chair, 2014–16; Vice-Chair, 2013–2014)
- Vice-Chair, International Medical Graduate Taskforce Liaison Committee, June 2016–2019
- International Medical Graduate Taskforce Policy Committee, June 2014–present
- Member, Public Policy Committee, Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, 2013–2018
- AILA California Service Center Liaison Committee, 2013–2014
- AILA Nebraska Service Center Liaison Committee, 2010–2012
- Chair, MN/DAK Chapter, American Immigration Lawyers Association, 2009–2010 (Immediate Past Chair, 2010–2011; Vice-Chair, 2008–2009; Treasurer, 2007–2008)
- Participant, Minnesota Justice Foundation’s Law School Public Service Program
Sarah’s work has been recognized by the leading legal directories and industry publications.
- Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal’s 2026 Women in Business Honoree
- Lexology Index: Thought Leaders USA, 2027
- The 2026 Lawdragon 100 Leading Immigration Lawyers
- The 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers
- Chambers USA, Band 1, 2025–2026 (Band 2, 2023–2024)
- The Best Lawyers in America, Lawyer of the Year, 2025
- Corporate Counsel’s Women, Influence and Power in Law Awards: Thought Leadership, 2024
- Thought Leader: Corporate Immigration, Lexology Index, 2024, 2025
- Roberta Freedman Lifetime Achievement Award, International Medical Group Taskforce, December 2023
- Lawdragon 100 Leading Immigration Lawyers, 2023, 2024, 2025
- AILA Service Recognition Award for Outstanding Service as an Elected Director of the AILA Board of Governors, 2018–2021
- Susan D. Quarles AILA Service Excellence Award, 2021
- AILA’s President Commendation, 2018–2021
- The Best Lawyers in America, 2020–2027
- Named one of the nation’s top corporate employment attorneys, HRE and Lawdragon, 2016–2023
- Who’s Who Legal: Thought Leaders — Corporate Immigration, 2019–2024
- International Who’s Who of Corporate Immigration Lawyers, 2014–2024
- 2010 Minnesota Lawyer’s Up and Coming Attorney
Sarah writes regularly on employment-based immigration strategy and policy.
- Immigration Law and Procedure in a Nutshell, 8th Edition, West Academic Publishing — contributing author, 2023
- “TN Status for Healthcare & Allied Health Positions,” AILA USCIS Book, 2022
- “Using Alternative Wage Surveys for the U.S. Department of Labor Prevailing Wage Process,” with David Muusz, Immigration Options for Academics and Researchers, 3rd ed., 2021
- “National Interest Waivers,” section author, AILA’s Business Immigration: Law & Practice, 2nd ed.
- “High Stakes for High-Skilled Immigrants,” with Kevin Miner, Mitchell Hamline Law Review, Vol. 44
- “Arguing H-1B Cap Exemptions — Is Your Client ‘Affiliated’?,” with Amy Erlbacher-Anderson and Jennifer Minear, AILA Immigration Practice Pointers, 2015–16 ed.
- “Occupational Challenges When Completing Form ETA 9089,” with Alex Dgebuadze and Susan MacLean, AILA Immigration Tips for Handling Complex Cases, 2014–15 ed.
- “The Legacy of Kutty: Does Kutty Change Who Is Responsible for Paying H-1B Attorney Fees?,” The Physician Immigration Book, 2011–12 ed.
- “The Social Security ‘No Match’ Regulation,” Hearsay, Winter 2007, Vol. IX, No. 2
- “What Does It Mean to Be Admitted to the United States?,” Journal of the Association of Staff Physician Recruiters, Vol. 13, No. 4, Winter 2006–07
Sarah is a frequent media source on immigration law and policy.
- Featured guest, KARE 11 News
- “Conservative Divide Over Future of H-1B Visas Could Impact Rochester’s Visa Holders,” Post Bulletin, December 31, 2024
- “Changes Needed to Shore Up the Immigrant Healthcare Workforce, Senators Told,” MedPage Today, September 14, 2022
- “One of the Country’s Top Immigration Lawyers Gives Thoughtful and Compassionate Views on Immigration,” An Inspired Life with Reggie Selma, May 28, 2021
- “What Is Really Happening on the U.S. Border with Mexico,” KARE 11, March 19, 2021
- “H-1B Secrecy Veil Torn Off as Trump Steps Up Visa Targeting,” Bloomberg, August 5, 2019
- “H-1B Policy: DHS Announces Rulemakings to Restrict Availability, Eligibility for H-1B Visas,” The Capitol Forum, Vol. 6, No. 36, January 29, 2018
- “H-1B Visa Policy: A Close Look at Homeland Security Data,” The Capitol Forum, Vol. 6, No. 9, January 8, 2018
- “The Feds Had Their Turn. Time for State-Based Visas?,” Bloomberg, May 12, 2017
- “Highly Skilled Workers Visas Have Fees to Help Americans,” Star Tribune Counterpoint, April 19, 2017
- “Immigrant Nurses: Filling the Next U.S. Shortage,” U.S. News & World Report, March 29, 2017
- “Rural Health Providers in Minnesota, Elsewhere Fear Fallout from Suspension of Visas for Immigrant Doctors,” Star Tribune, March 27, 2017
- “How Foreign Health Providers Impact U.S. Health Care,” U.S. News & World Report, March 22, 2017
Sarah speaks nationally and internationally on immigration law, policy, and Department of Labor practice.
A selection of recent engagements — her full speaking history spans nearly two decades of AILA, Fragomen, and academic conferences.
- “From PERM to Priority Shifts: Understanding DOL Immigration Programs Amid Today’s Rapid Changes,” 2025 Physician Immigration Law Institute, Washington, DC, December 7, 2025
- “The Extraordinary Doctor,” 2025 Physician Immigration Law Institute, Washington, DC, December 7, 2025
- “Bridging Campus Partners: Strategies to Support International Faculty & Scholars,” 2025 NAFSA Region V Conference, Milwaukee, WI, October 29, 2025
- “The Road Forward: Implementing Harmonization of Global Health Workforce Credentials,” Health Without Borders: Building a Global Workforce for the Future, hosted by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties during the 80th UN General Assembly, New York, NY, September 23, 2025
- “Evolving Immigration Policy Shifts and Their Impact on the U.S. Healthcare Sector,” Fragomen Webcast, July 17, 2025
- “Key Immigration Updates for Students, Schools & Employers,” Fragomen Webcast, June 12, 2025
- “F-1 Student Visa Revocations,” American Bar Association’s How Things Work: The Legal Edition, May 23, 2025
- “Navigating the Ever-Evolving PERM Landscape: Challenges, Changes, and Lessons Learned,” 2025 AILA Midwinter Conference and Webcast, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, January 17, 2025
- “How the U.S. Election Could Shape the Future of Higher Education,” Fragomen Webinar, January 15, 2025
- “Physician & Allied Health Immigration Under a Second Trump Administration,” Fragomen Webinar, January 9, 2025
- “PERM — One Year After the New ETA Form 9089,” 2024 Biregional IV and V Conference, Schaumburg, IL, October 31, 2024
- “Physician Immigration in 2024,” 2024 Biregional IV and V Conference, Schaumburg, IL, October 31, 2024
- “Creating Skills Mobility Partnerships and Legal Pathways That Work for Employers,” Fragomen, the OECD, and the International Organization of Employers, Webinar, November 13, 2023
- “Deep Dive into PERM Issues,” 2023 AILA Annual Conference and Webcast on Immigration Law, Orlando, FL, June 24, 2023
- “Navigating the PERM Process in 2023,” Fragomen Webinar, January 31, 2023
- “Permanent Labor Certification Program (PERM) — Current Adjudication Trends,” Practising Law Institute 55th Annual Immigration and Naturalization Institute, New York, NY, November 30, 2022
- “Non-Immigrant Visas & Green Card Options for UMN International Students,” University of Minnesota Virtual Webinar, November 10, 2022
- “Remote Work Issues for Employers and Employees,” 2022 AILA Ohio Annual Conference, Columbus, OH, October 28, 2022
- “PERM: The Heart of Employment-Based Immigration,” 2022 AILA Annual Conference on Immigration Law, New York, NY, June 17, 2022
- “Best Practices for Labor Certifications,” 2022 Upper Midwest Immigration Law Virtual Conference, May 20, 2022
About The Attorney:
Yer C. Vang
Yer C. Vang is an Attorney with Peterson Immigration advising employers and foreign nationals on a wide range of business immigration matters, including H-1B, TN, L-1, PERM labor certifications, and adjustment of status. Yer has particular expertise with the PERM labor certification process, where she strategically advises private companies and higher education on the nuances of this complex process. She also has extensive experience in helping to plan the entire lifecycle of an immigration journey – from securing the first visa, to obtaining a green card, to ultimately naturalizing as a U.S. citizen.
About The Attorney:
Nicole Bennett
Nicole Bennett is an Attorney at Peterson Immigration, where she advises employers and professionals on a broad range of U.S. business immigration matters. She represents clients across academia and diverse industries, including healthcare, information technology, and financial services. Nicole’s practice focuses on physician immigration, employment-based immigrant visa petitions, and nonimmigrant visa petitions, helping clients navigate complex immigration processes with practical, strategic guidance.
CLIENT STORIESTrusted by employers across the country.
From the strategy to hire a particularly critical employee to an HR team managing hundreds of foreign nationals, we treat every case with the same care and empathy.
“It was clear in my interactions with Sarah that she is extremely knowledgeable and updated in the field, as well as has a strong network of colleagues. [...] She listens carefully to client queries and comments and responds quickly and clearly with analysis and advice aimed directly at the issue. I consider Sarah Peterson one of the best in immigration law.”
Tanguy L-S
University of Chicago
“Sarah has taken great care of all of our company’s immigration needs and goes above the call of duty many times both for our foreign nationals and for our company. She also is a mentor to me as I learn the constantly changing field of immigration. Because of her, I feel that I have grown in my position with regards to immigration with my company.”
Debbie T
Sr Human Resources Compliance Manager
Questions?
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Peterson Immigration specializes in employment-based immigration, including H-1B, L-1, O-1, and TN visas, PERM labor certifications, EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 green card petitions, and I-9 compliance consulting. Whether you're an employer sponsoring talent or a foreign national seeking to work in the U.S., we have you covered. Peterson immigration is particularly well known for its thought leadership in physician immigration, ranging from J-1 waivers to Physician National Interest Waivers (PNIW) and beyond.
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Yes! We partner with employers and individuals across the country. Today’s immigration environment does not require meeting with clients in person. Rather, success does not come from meeting with a local attorney but rather from the application of strategic expertise that is individualized for your specific immigration challenges.
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Employment-based immigration is our expertise, which means we bring focused expertise and up-to-date knowledge to every case. We understand the urgency of hiring timelines and the stakes involved for both employers and employees — and we work efficiently to keep your business moving and your people protected. We offer state of the art technology at your fingertips that allows you to track the process of your case any time of the day or night.
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Fees depend on the type of visa or petition and the complexity of your case. We are upfront about our flat free pricing from the start. During your consultation, we will walk you through expected costs so you can plan accordingly. We also offer retainer arrangements for businesses with ongoing immigration needs, including fixed fees that allow you to plan and budget appropriately.
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We are not just your lawyer. We are your strategic partner as you navigate a complex and quickly changing immigration environment. We pride ourselves on individualized representation and strong communication to ensure that you feel supported throughout your immigration journey. Our goal is the same as yours: a successful and seamless immigration process. This is not just your journey; it is a journey we will walk together.
TOP RANKED PARTNER AND ADVOCACY LEADER
Navigating borders.
Empowering talent.
Peterson Immigration helps healthcare systems, universities, tech companies, and entrepreneurs move the world's best people across borders.