I handle every case the way I handled my own.
I’m Akiko Yamada, Esq. — corporate lawyer in Tokyo, litigator in New York, and the writer of every page of my family’s approved NIW petition. Immigration and corporate counsel for individuals and businesses, in English and Japanese.
Why I do this work
Before founding Tigris Legal PLLC, I came to the U.S. on a student visa and worked on H-1B. My first immigration case was my own family’s — I wrote my family’s EB-2 NIW self-petition myself, every page including the draft recommendation letters, and it was approved. I practiced corporate and finance law at one of Tokyo’s largest firms, advising on financing transactions and corporate governance, and litigation in New York before building this practice. I work in English and Japanese, for individuals and businesses across the U.S. and internationally.
For Individuals & Families
Green cards without employer sponsorship (EB-2 NIW, EB-1A), family-based green cards, marriage and fiancé(e) visas, E-2 investor visas, status changes, citizenship, reentry permits, and responses to USCIS notices (RFE/NOID) — handled directly by the attorney, in English or Japanese.
For Businesses
U.S. market entry and workforce mobility — one firm, both workstreams. Entity formation, corporate governance and compliance, and the full range of employment-based visas and green cards for your executives and staff (E-1/E-2, L-1, H-1B, O-1, EB-1C, PERM). As an attorney with five years of corporate and finance practice at a top-tier Tokyo law firm — I speak your business language, literally and legally.
What Clients Say
Five-star reviews from clients around the world, in their own languages.
Recent Posts
Learn about U.S. immigration and recent policy.
USCIS Increases EB-5 Immigration Benefit Request Fees
by Akiko Yamada, Esq. October 6, 2026
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule that will adjust the Employment-Based Immigration, Fifth Preference (EB-5)…
Proposed Rule Eliminating 60-Day Grace Period for Temporary Workers
by Akiko Yamada, Esq. September 29, 2026
On September 11, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register proposing…
Federal Court Blocks DHS Rule Capping F, J, and I Status at Fixed Terms
by Akiko Yamada, Esq. September 22, 2026
On September 14, 2026, U.S. District Judge for the District of Massachusetts issued a memorandum and order granting a preliminary injunction…
Find out where your case stands
Free case evaluation for employers, EB-1/EB-2 NIW/EB-5 self-petitions, family-based cases, citizenship, reentry permits, and green card renewals.
Strategy consultations for specific questions and all other matters — $200 for 30 minutes, $350 for 60 minutes, fully credited toward your fees if you retain me within 30 days.
日本語でのご相談も承っております。
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