Kripa Upadhyay is the Co-Chair of Buchalter’s Immigration & Global Mobility Practice, where she advises foreign investors, founders, and multinational companies on entering, operating, and expanding within the United States.
Foreign Direct Investment & Cross-Border Transactions
Ms. Upadhyay’s practice integrates U.S. immigration strategy with the broader considerations of foreign direct investment, helping clients structure cross‑border transactions while effectively managing talent mobility and regulatory risk. She works closely with venture capital funds, private equity sponsors, family offices, and high‑growth companies to align business objectives with compliant, practical pathways into the U.S. market.
She is also a trusted advisor on national security considerations related to inbound investment—particularly CFIUS analysis—and regularly supports foreign organizations investing in the technology, real estate, health‑tech, and defense sectors. Her guidance includes advising on export‑control frameworks under ITAR and EAR to ensure workforce planning and global hiring remain compliant.
Immigration & Regulatory Compliance
Ms. Upadhyay routinely counsels HR teams and business leaders on the immigration implications of onboarding, transferring, and terminating foreign national employees. She develops immigration strategies for companies that frequently move talent across borders and advises on compliance with U.S. immigration and Department of Labor regulations governing the employment of foreign nationals.
Her work includes delivering training, conducting proactive I‑9 “self‑audits,” and preparing clients for worksite enforcement actions to help safeguard business continuity and leadership stability. She also develops Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure organizations maintain compliance with immigration and labor laws, including identifying employees requiring ITAR/EAR licenses and ensuring the appropriate authorizations are obtained.
Ms. Upadhyay’s immigration practice focuses on securing high‑value pathways for founders, executives, investors, and key talent, including EB‑1, O‑1, NIW, EB‑5, L‑1, and E‑2 classifications.
She represents venture‑backed startups, global technology companies, institutional investors, and international founders seeking to scale their operations in the United States with clarity, efficiency, and confidence.
