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.
Bringing Global Local.
At Peterson Immigration, we provide immigration counsel and advocacy with a personal approach. We were founded on one core principle: every client deserves informed, compassionate, and individualized representation.
People Oriented Approach
We understand that every case involves people with goals and futures at stake. Our practical immigration counsel helps clients navigate the process confidently.
Proactive Communication
We keep clients informed throughout every stage of their case and provide timely, clear guidance that addresses both the legal and practical realities of each unique immigration journey.
Legal Advocacy
We understand that some immigration issues require more than just filing a case with the government. That is why our firm actively engages in immigration policy and advocacy efforts, engaging with legislators and policymakers nationally on immigration law and smart immigration policy.
Our Services
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Peterson immigration not only represents employers, but provides expert immigration advice to individuals as they navigate their personal immigration journey. Whether it is a physician seeking a J-1 waiver, or a self-filed Extraordinary Ability Petition, we have the expertise, practical experience , and individualized approach to provide the best possible outcome of your case.
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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.
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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. We have been invited to provide strategic immigration advice on timely policy advances such as the Additional Licensing Models. 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.
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From PERM to NIW to EB-1, Peterson Immigration has the experience and practical know-how to guide you through the complex process of becoming a U.S. permanent resident. Sarah Peterson served for four years as the Chair of the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s (AILA) DOL liaison committee where she strategized with high level DOL officials to improve the PERM labor certification process.
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For those already in the immigration journey, sometimes getting a second opinion is both valuable and reassuring. Peterson Immigration Provides case specific consultations to ensure you are comfortable with the strategy and approach being applied in your ongoing immigration journey.
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Sometimes accepting the current immigration rules and policies is not enough. Sarah Peterson holds joint degrees in Law and Public Policy and has completed a Professional Fellowship in Policy. She has committed her career to advocating for smart immigration reform. Whether it is fighting for smart policies on physician immigration, or working with government agencies to improve practical implementation of policies, Sarah has the experience and insights to advance positive change that can have a meaningful impact for an employer, an organization, or an entire field.
Meet The Founder
Sarah K. Peterson is a Minneapolis-based immigration attorney and the founder of Peterson Immigration with a focus on employment-based immigration across the medical, technology, engineering, and higher education sectors. Drawing on joint degrees in law and public policy, she brings both legal depth and strategic policy insight to help employers recruit and retain top global talent — from physicians serving underserved communities to researchers and engineers at leading institutions across the country.
Meet Our Team
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![Yer C. Vang]()
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.
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![Nicole Bennett]()
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
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Questions?
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reach out – we're ready to help!
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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.
Schedule your consultation today.
Our commitment to improving the immigration system, combined with our individualized focus on every client we represent, allows us to help clients achieve their immigration goals even in complex and challenging circumstances. If you need assistance with an immigration challenge, reach out for a consultation and we would be happy to help you.