Tahmina Watson

Tahmina Watson is the founder of Watson Immigration Law in Seattle, Washington. Her practice focuses on United States immigration law for entrepreneurs, investors, employers, and other applicants navigating complex visa and permanent residence processes. She advises on business immigration matters that include investor visas, extraordinary ability petitions, work authorization, and employment-based green cards. She also contributes to immigration policy discussions concerning the needs of startup founders and international businesses.

Tahmina earned an LL.B. in Law from Brunel University in London in 2000. She was called to the Bar through Middle Temple Inn of Court in 2002 and completed a barrister pupillage at Bridewell Chambers in 2004. She practiced criminal defense in England before relocating to the United States in 2005. She was admitted to the New York bar in 2006 and is also admitted in Washington. Her training across two legal systems informs her international immigration practice.

Tahmina previously practiced United States immigration and naturalization law as a partner at White & Watson from 2006 through 2008. Her current work includes H-1B, E-2, EB-5, L-1, O-1, EB-1, and national interest waiver matters. She also advises on other employment and family-based immigration pathways. Her legal experience includes an externship with a federal judge in Washington and internships with a women’s legal advocacy organization. She has written four books about immigration, including The Startup Visa.

Tahmina Watson serves as an Adjunct Fellow at the Niskanen Center and chairs the Legal Advisory Committee of the Global Entrepreneur in Residence Coalition. She has written for Above the Law and Entrepreneur and hosts Tahmina Talks Immigration. She previously served as president of King County Washington Women Lawyers. Her combination of client representation, publications, and policy work supports businesses and individuals seeking to navigate United States immigration opportunities and barriers.

Law Office Affiliations

• Founder, Watson Immigration Law
• Member, Washington State Bar Association
• Member, New York State Bar Association
• AILA WA Response Committee Chair, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
• Member, King County Bar Association
• Columnist, Above the Law
• Adjunct Fellow, The Niskanen Center
• Chair, Legal Advisory Committee, Global Entrepreneur in Residence Coalition
• Member, Middle Temple, London, UK
• Contributor, Entrepreneur Magazine

Licensed State

• Washington
• New York

Education

• Brunel University, London, England
  Bachelor of Laws (LLB) in Law
• Middle Temple Inn of Court, London
  Called to the Bar (Barrister)
• Bridewell Chambers, London
  Pupillage (Apprenticeship)

Awards & Badges