Scott D. Pollock & Associates, P.C. has over 30 years of experience helping employees and employers in San Francisco with employment-based immigration. Employment-based immigration is critical for San Francisco companies to thrive in the United States’ global economy. You deserve legal help from a team with a deep understanding of national immigration law and the unique dynamics of the Bay Area.
Our Employment Immigration Lawyers for San Francisco Residents specialize in guiding professionals, entrepreneurs, and employers through every step of the employment visa and green card process. We provide remote support and deep experience, tailored to San Francisco’s specific employment-immigration landscape.
Why Choose Scott D. Pollock & Associates, P.C. as Your Employment Immigration Lawyer in San Francisco?
With over three decades of practice in employment immigration law, Scott D. Pollock & Associates, P.C. has had the privilege of assisting thousands of individuals and companies nationwide. We take pride in the recognition we’ve received and the impactful work we have done.
- The Martindale-Hubbell association reports that our peers rated us as AV (very high to preeminent).
- Our founder, Scott D. Pollock, has been recognized on the Illinois Super Lawyers list for excellence in immigration law since 2007.
- We are rated a “10”, or superb, by Avvo for immigration law.
- We are active in professional organizations, including the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
At Scott D. Pollock & Associates, P.C., we are committed to providing professional, compassionate, and strategic counsel to employers sponsoring international talent and to those seeking to live and work in San Francisco. We offer bilingual support and are committed to bridging language gaps with our Spanish-speaking clients, as we understand the importance of clear communication for all of our clients.
Steps to Take If You Seek Employment Immigration in San Francisco
We assist both employers and employees in the employment-based immigration process.
Contact our firm for a consultation.
Schedule a remote meeting to discuss your options and to determine the correct visa type for you.
Gather any necessary documents.
Documents for employers and employees differ depending on the visa category.
Begin employer sponsorship (if applicable).
We’ll guide you and your employer through the permanent labor certification (PERM) or petition preparation process.
File your petition.
Submit your visa application with our help.
Respond to Requests for Evidence (RFEs) if needed.
We’ll prepare any additional evidence requested by USCIS.
Adjust status or consular process.
We support employees through the interview and final steps, whether in San Francisco or abroad.
Maintain Compliance.
Once your visa is approved, we can help employees with renewals, status changes, and green card applications. We assist employers with submitting Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, and maintaining ongoing compliance with immigration employment laws.
Immigration Challenges Unique to San Francisco
San Francisco’s thriving economy and highly skilled workforce make it a magnet for international talent. The competition for global talent, particularly in life sciences and biotech; IT and software; social and digital media; environmental and cleantech; and international business make it particularly challenging to obtain an employment-based immigrant visa, underscoring the need for legal guidance.
Roughly one-third of the San Francisco population is foreign born. The large immigrant community contributes to the city’s innovation, economy, and cultural opportunities, but it also means higher demand and longer wait times for immigration services.
Local U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offices and the San Francisco Immigration Court experience significant backlogs. According to Syracuse University’s Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), which analyzes Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) data, as of mid-2025, the San Francisco Immigration Court had over 120,000 pending immigration cases.
The USCIS San Francisco Field Office reports average processing times of 14 to 18 months, depending on case type. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provides information on processing times for specific petitions. The high volume of applications causes delays in USCIS visa processing.
Our firm is familiar with San Francisco’s local immigration landscape. We work closely with our San Francisco clients to manage delays, ensure petitions are filed accurately to avoid setbacks, and help maintain lawful status throughout the process.
How Employment Immigration Works in San Francisco
Although our office is located in Chicago, we work with our nationwide clients through a secure virtual process and travel directly to you when needed. Our attorneys can assist with:
- Remote Consultation and Assessments: We begin with a secure video conference or phone call to review your background, goals, and potential visa pathway.
- Document Preparation: We help collect and prepare all required forms and documentation.
- Filing and USCIS Interaction: We file your petition with USCIS, handle Requests for Evidence (RFEs), and monitor case status.
- Interview and Status Adjustment: For those eligible for an adjustment of status, we help prepare you for interviews.
- Court Representation: If needed, we can travel to you and represent you before a San Francisco immigration court.
San Francisco Immigration Court Locations and Jurisdictions
The San Francisco Immigration Court handles cases for many counties in the Bay Area and Northern California. The court often experiences extensive backlogs due to the high volume of applicants that they serve. Our attorneys stay current on local procedures and filing requirements to ensure your case is managed correctly.
San Francisco Immigration Court
100 Montgomery Street, Suite 800
San Francisco, CA 94104
(415) 705-4415
Concord Immigration Court can also handle cases for San Francisco residents, depending on the specifics of each case.
Concord Immigration Court
1855 Gateway Blvd, Suite 850
Concord, CA 94520
(925) 680-9015
Common Employment Immigration Cases in San Francisco
Our team helps you manage tight deadlines, complex documentation, and coordination with U.S. employers and international offices.
Given the Bay Area’s economic profile and employment needs, some of the most common employment-immigration cases we handle for San Francisco are:
H-1B Visas for highly skilled tech workers, engineers, and financial professionals.
L-1 Intracompany Transfers for Silicon Valley-based multinational companies.
EB-1 visas for those with extraordinary ability or knowledge in the arts, sciences, education, business, or athletics; outstanding researchers; and multinational executives and managers with qualifying employment.
EB-2 visas for professionals with advanced degrees, extensive professional experience, or exceptional abilities. Case types include National Interest Waivers and PERM labor certifications from the Department of Labor (DOL).
EB-5 visas for foreign investors who will create new jobs through their new commercial enterprises.
Adjustments of Status for employment-based applicants living in San Francisco.
Our Experience with Employment Immigration
Scott D. Pollock and Associates, P.C. has served clients nationwide for over three decades, supporting employment-based immigrants of all backgrounds. Our experience, deep knowledge of federal immigration law, and ability to navigate San Francisco’s employment landscape make us an effective legal team.
We have successfully handled numerous employment immigration cases, guiding our clients through every step of the process with personalized attention and strategic advice. Our success rate is a testament to our competence and reliability.
We offer:
- Strategic, Tailored Guidance: Each case is managed based on a client’s background, employment goals, and timing.
- Federal Immigration Law and Local Knowledge: Our profound knowledge of federal immigration law, combined with our understanding of the local challenges that San Francisco immigrants often face, means you are in capable hands.
- Bilingual Services: Our team includes attorneys and staff who are fluent in Spanish.
Local Resources for Immigrants in San Francisco
For additional assistance beyond legal services, San Francisco offers strong community support for immigrants. These trusted organizations can assist with local resources, integration, and advocacy:
- San Francisco Interfaith Council for immigration support and resources
- Catholic Charities of San Francisco Immigration Services for legal and support services
- Refugee and Immigrant Transitions for making community connections
- Immigrants Rising for education, career, and mental health assistance
Frequently Asked Questions About Employment Immigration in San Francisco
Processing times vary by visa type and USCIS workload. Backlogs and RFEs can extend processing, but our firm helps clients anticipate these potential delays and respond effectively.
Yes. Many of our clients begin with H-1B status and later adjust to permanent residency through EB-2 or EB-3.
We can file an appeal, a motion to reopen, or help you explore alternative visa options.
Yes. We work with startups of all sizes to navigate PERM, H-1B, and other employment-based options.
Speak to an Experienced Employment Immigration Lawyer for San Francisco Residents
If you live in San Francisco or hope to move to the Bay Area and are ready to explore employment-based visa opportunities, the attorneys at Scott D. Pollock & Associates, P.C. are prepared to help. We combine our experience in federal immigration law with our knowledge of the San Francisco immigration system.
Let our employment immigration attorneys for San Francisco help you realize your professional goals in the United States.