Immigration Specialist

Date: Feb 4, 2026

Location: Chicago, IL, US, 60607

Company: McDonald's Corporation

Company Description: 

McDonald’s is proud to be one of the most recognized brands in the world, with restaurants in over 100 countries that serve 70 million customers daily. We continue to operate from a position of strength. Our updated growth strategy is focused on staying ahead of what our customers want and realizing further growth potential. Our relentless ambition is why McDonald’s remains one of the world’s leading corporations after almost 70 years. Joining McDonald's means thinking big and preparing for a career that can have influence around the world. 

At McDonald’s, we see every day as a chance to create positive impact. We lead through our values centered on inclusivity, service, integrity, community and family. From support of Ronald McDonald House Charities to our Youth Opportunity project and sustainability initiatives, our values keep us dedicated to using our scale for good: good for our customers, people, industry and planet. We also offer a broad range of outstanding benefits including a sabbatical program, tuition assistance and flexible work arrangements. 

Role Description

We are seeking an Immigration Specialist to support the day-to-day execution of our U.S. and global immigration programs. This role is ideal for someone with strong technical fundamentals who can independently manage assigned workstreams, exercise sound judgment, and deliver accurate results under time pressure.

You will partner closely with internal stakeholders and external immigration counsel to ensure compliant, timely, and high-quality immigration support for our employees and global assignee population.

Job Description

Immigration Program Execution

  • Independently manage assigned U.S. immigration cases through its lifecycle, in coordination with outside immigration counsel.
  • Act as liaison between candidates, employees, and outside immigration counsel to provide continuous support and coordination, and drive immigration matters forward efficiently.
  • Monitor and respond to U.S. immigration matters, managing case activity, deadlines, and follow-ups to ensure timely and compliant execution.
  • Track sponsored employees’ job changes (location, duties, role, terminations, etc.).
  • Maintain accurate immigration records and case documentation.
  • Support global immigration transfers by working directly with global immigration providers and internal mobility partners.

Stakeholder & Vendor Management

  • Serve as a point of contact for employees, Talent, People Partners, and hiring managers on immigration-related questions.
  • Direct and follow up with external service providers to ensure deliverables are met on time and to standard.
  • Provide clear, practical immigration assistance to stakeholders, escalating when necessary.
  • Deliver high-quality, professional experiences to employees and internal stakeholders through clear communication, sound judgment, and reliable follow-through.

Process & Compliance

  • Identify process gaps, inefficiencies, or compliance risks and propose practical improvements.
  • Support ongoing process documentation, immigration resources, and workflow updates for internal stakeholders.
  • Partner with global mobility and related teams on continuous improvement initiatives.

Operational Support

  • Assist with invoice review, approvals, and proper cost allocation.
  • Participate in immigration education efforts and knowledge sharing across teams.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, International Relations, or a related field.
  • 3 to 5 years of hands-on experience in a technical U.S. immigration role, with demonstrated ability to independently manage cases in an in-house and/or immigration law firm setting.
  • Strong working knowledge of U.S. visa types and immigration processes, with the ability to review case facts and determine appropriate next steps.
  • Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple immigration matters simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and appropriately to different audiences.
  • Strong attention to detail, organizational, and data management skills, with a high degree of accuracy under pressure.
  • Proven ability to exercise sound judgment, identify risks, anticipate issues, and escalate appropriately.
  • Effective time management skills, including the ability to prioritize workload, meet assigned deadlines, and manage distractions with minimal supervision.
  • Ability to execute assigned workstreams independently.
  • Demonstrated integrity and discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Working knowledge of global immigration processes and experience coordinating with international service providers.
  • Familiarity with global mobility or international assignment programs and related compliance considerations.
  • Experience supporting or partnering with Global Assignees, relocation teams, finance partners, or regional business stakeholders.
  • Experience contributing to process improvements or operational efficiencies in an immigration or mobility program.
  • GMS (Global Mobility Specialist) certification preferred.

This role requires a degree of independence, accountability, and sound judgment, with an emphasis on execution speed and accuracy.

Salary Range

The expected salary range for this role is $85,014.00 - $106,267.00 per year
 
The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we may also consider your experience, and other job-related factors.

Additional Information: 

Benefits eligible: This position offers health and welfare benefits, a 401(k) plan, adoption assistance program, educational assistance program, flexible ways of working, and time off policies (including sick leave, parental leave, and vacation/PTO). Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on job classification and length of employment.  

Bonus eligible: This position is eligible for a bonus, calculated based on individual and company performance. 

McDonald’s is an equal opportunity employer committed to the diversity of our workforce. We promote an inclusive work environment that creates feel-good moments for everyone. McDonald’s provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities as part of the application or hiring process or to perform the essential functions of their job. If you need assistance accessing or reading this job posting or otherwise feel you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact mcdhrbenefits@us.mcd.com. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis. 

McDonald’s provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to sex, sex stereotyping, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, age, disability status, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, protected military or veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. 

Nothing in this job posting or description should be construed as an offer or guarantee of employment. 


Nearest Major Market: Chicago