Mergers and acquisitions pose significant immigration law challenges for any institution, public or private. This is no less true for educational institutions seeking to merge or acquire another school, or otherwise change ownership structure to meet their educational mission and strategic goals. This article provides an overview of the main immigration-related considerations for educational institutions planning a merger, acquisition or similar endeavor.

The top priorities from an immigration law standpoint include the status of international students and the institutional infrastructure that supports them. This includes Designated School Officials (DSOs) and the status of international employees who may range from international faculty and research scholars to international employees who fill a host of essential roles at a university. A merger or other change in the school may impact their status and it is essential to identify these issues before any merger to ensure their ability to work for the school in the United States without interruption.