Vera Chen GMS
Paralegal
Vera Chen is a certified Global Mobility Specialist with more than three decades of expertise in global immigration issues. Her leadership in managing client global immigration programs is complemented by deep knowledge in immigration petitions, applications, and appeals across employment, family-based (including surrogacy), and asylum immigration matters.
With a strategic focus on global immigration programs, Vera provides visionary management and innovative solutions, including financial planning and analysis (FP&A), implementing technology tools, and creating knowledge management resources to enhance program effectiveness. She optimizes processes within existing resource constraints to drive revenue growth and value creation. She conducts thorough research on case laws and prepares compelling appeals to support client cases.
Vera's expertise developed from preparing and filing a range of immigrant and nonimmigrant visas (E, H, L, O, TN, etc.) and various family and employment-based immigrant petitions—such as those for multinational managers and executives, individuals with extraordinary abilities, and EB5 investors—with the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services. She reviews and recommends strategic changes to petitioners' business plans to align with immigration requirements and prepares Labor Certifications (PERMs) with the U.S. Department of Labor. Vera also navigates consular processing and addresses complex international adoption and surrogacy issues.
Having fostered robust international client relationships for years through comprehensive guidance and strategic insights, Vera is an invaluable asset in the realm of global immigration management.
Education
- Executive MBA, University of Washington, 2017
- Certificate, Russia As She Is, Virtus Institute, 1997
- B.A., Russian, University of Oregon, 1997
Languages
- Mandarin, Taiwanese, and Russian
Memberships & Affiliations
- Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce of Oregon, 2022-present
- Girl Scouts of Oregon and SW Washington, 2013-2021
- Volunteer translator, International Children’s Digital Library, 2009-2013
- Rotary Club of Krasnoyarsk-Enesei, Russia, 2009-2011
Professional Recognition
- Global Mobility Specialist (GMS), Worldwide ERC, 2011
Background
- Executive Assistant for General Director, Russia (forest products industry), Krasnoyarsk, Russia, 2009-2011; and for Sales Manager, Shanghai, China, 2006-2008
- Immigration Paralegal, Tonkon Torp LLP, Portland, Ore., 2001-2005