Immigration Attorneys in San Francisco, CA

San Francisco families dealing with green cards, work visas, asylum, citizenship, or removal can get clear guidance. A licensed immigration attorney serving San Francisco will review your case for free.

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How we match your San Francisco immigration case

When you submit a San Francisco immigration matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.

Case type

A immigration matter needs someone who handles immigration work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.

Size and complexity

Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.

Federal jurisdiction

This is federal law, so an attorney does not need to be licensed in California to represent you — but they do need to know how your local office and courts handle these cases.

Capacity and fit

Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.

Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.

Start my free case review How DearLegal works

DearLegal provides marketing and matching services and is not a law firm, and is not a State Bar-certified lawyer referral service. Submitting a case does not create an attorney-client relationship. Matches depend on case type, jurisdiction and firm availability.

Immigration cases in San Francisco

More about legal help in San Francisco →

International tech workers on H-1B visas, families navigating green cards, students at local universities, and long-time residents seeking citizenship all make immigration a daily concern in San Francisco. Most matters are handled through federal agencies and the immigration court located in the city rather than San Francisco County courts. California offers additional protections and services for immigrants, but federal deadlines and filing rules remain unforgiving. DearLegal matches you with a California-licensed attorney who handles immigration cases in San Francisco, with a free review.

Employment-based visas for tech workers are a large share of San Francisco immigration work.
Immigration matters are federal, handled through agencies and the immigration court in the city rather than county courts.
San Francisco is home to many consulates and nonprofit legal clinics, though complex cases still need private counsel.

California immigration rules at a glance

San Francisco cases run under California law. The full walkthrough — timeline, when to call, case types, and what a recovery can include — is on the California page.

Read the full California immigration guide →

Federal Immigration Authority: INA
Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. § 1101 et seq. — federal law governs all visas, green cards, asylum, and removal.
Local Immigration Courts (EOIR): Los Angeles
Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Diego, Imperial, Otay Mesa (detained), and Adelanto (detained) Immigration Courts. California has more EOIR venues than any state.
Local USCIS Field Offices: USCIS field
USCIS field offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Diego, San Jose, Santa Ana, Fresno, and other cities. The largest USCIS footprint in the country.
Driver’s License Policy: AB 60
California AB 60 (Veh. Code § 12801.9) issues driver’s licenses without regard to lawful status. SB 54 (California Values Act) limits ICE cooperation.
In-State Tuition Policy: AB 540
California AB 540 (Educ. Code § 68130.5) and the California Dream Act (AB 130/131) provide in-state tuition and state financial aid to undocumented students.
Typical attorney fee: Flat fee
Flat Fee per Petition

Exhibit D

How much do San Francisco immigration attorneys cost?

Typical fee schedule

California · Immigration

Fee modelFlat Fee per Petition

Family green card$3,000–$7,000

Naturalization$1,800–$3,500

Asylum$5,000–$10,000

Detained removal defense$8,000–$20,000+

EB-1A/EB-2 NIW$5,000–$12,000

I-601A waiver$3,000–$6,000

Case reviewFree

Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.

Immigration matters in California are usually a flat fee per filing — quoted before you commit, not billed by the hour.

Immigration cases are flat-fee, never contingency. USCIS filing fees, biometrics, and translation costs are separate. Reputable attorneys provide written engagement letters.

A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.

Start my free case reviewTakes about two minutes. No obligation.

Exhibit F

San Francisco immigration questions, answered

Still unsure? Tell us what happened and a California attorney will review it for free.

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Immigration is federal, so applications go to federal agencies and removal cases go to the immigration court in San Francisco rather than county court. Appeals move to federal bodies as well. An attorney will tell you which office has your file and what the current processing timelines look like.

Yes, and quickly matters. After a layoff, H-1B holders generally have a short grace period to find a new sponsor, change status, or depart. An immigration attorney can evaluate options like a new petition, a change to a different visa, or a pending green card strategy before the window closes.

Many straightforward naturalization applications are filed without one, but an attorney is valuable if you have any arrest, long trips abroad, tax issues, or a prior denial. A free review can tell you whether your case is simple or whether a mistake on the application could create a serious problem.

Family-based, employment-based (the Silicon Valley/biotech engine — EB-1A, EB-2 NIW, EB-3, EB-5), humanitarian (asylum, U/T/VAWA), and the diversity visa lottery. California also drives the largest H-1B and L-1 pipelines in the country. Many California families use consular processing combined with an I-601A waiver.

After 5 years as an LPR (3 if married to a USC), file N-400, attend biometrics, and interview at a California USCIS Field Office. English/civics testing applies. Common pitfalls include unresolved tax issues, prior misdemeanors, and lengthy absences abroad.