BAY AREA IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY
Your Career.
Your Future.
We Fight For It.
Strategic employment-based visa and green card representation for professionals and employers across San Francisco, Oakland & San Jose.
AILA Member Firm
Serving All of Bay Area
Results-Driven
Bilingual Support
START YOUR CONSULTATION
Legal Consultation
Request
Tell us about your situation and we’ll outline your options.
Confidential & protected by attorney-client privilege
AREAS OF PRACTICE
Every immigration path,
handled with precision
From green cards to deportation defense — we bring legal clarity and strategic guidance to the most complex immigration situations.
01
Green Card & Adjustment of Status
I-485 filings, USCIS interviews, and permanent residency for those already in the U.S.
02
DACA & Humanitarian Relief
Timely renewals and expanded protections for Dreamers and vulnerable individuals.
03
Removal & Deportation Defense
Aggressive representation in immigration court to fight removal orders.
04
Family-Based Immigration
Spouse visas, fiancé petitions, and consular processing to reunite families.
05
U Visas & VAWA Petitions
Confidential legal support for crime victims and survivors of domestic violence.
06
Asylum & Waivers
Protection from persecution and waivers for grounds of inadmissibility.
YOUR ATTORNEY
Dylan Hackett
Lead Attorney & Managing Partner
Dylan Hackett is the managing partner of Golden Gate Immigration Law. As a former Deputy District Attorney at the San Mateo District Attorney’s Office, he brings prosecutorial experience and strategic precision to every immigration case. His international background — including leading a business in Nicaragua — gives him a unique perspective on the challenges immigrants and families face navigating the U.S. legal system. Our team provides full bilingual support so every client is heard and understood.
California Bar
Former Deputy D.A. · San Mateo County
USCIS & Immigration Court
Managing Partner
Se habla Español
(415) 622-8792
Mon – Fri 8:00am – 6:00pm
San Francisco Bay Area, California
EMPLOYMENT-BASED IMMIGRATION
Two stages of your
employment immigration journey
Employment-based immigration in the Bay Area is among the most complex in the country — particularly for professionals born in India or China facing severe visa backlogs. Attorney Dylan Hackett provides strategic guidance at every stage, from nonimmigrant work visas to permanent residence.
01
Nonimmigrant Work Visas
Temporary authorization to work in the United States for a specific employer or purpose. The right visa depends on your profession, qualifications, and employer sponsorship.
- H-1B: Specialty occupations — technology, engineering, finance, law
- O-1: Individuals with extraordinary ability in their field
- L-1: Intracompany transferees (managers, executives, specialized knowledge)
02
Employment-Based Green Cards
Permanent residence through employer sponsorship. Category and country of birth determine your timeline — which can range from months to decades.
- EB-1: Priority workers — extraordinary ability, outstanding professors, multinational managers
- EB-2 / EB-3: Professionals and skilled workers with PERM labor certification
- EB-2 NIW: National Interest Waiver — no employer sponsorship required
Common Questions
How long does an employment-based green card take in the Bay Area?
It depends on your EB category and country of birth. EB-1 cases for most nationalities take 12–18 months. EB-2 and EB-3 for applicants born in India can take 10–50+ years due to severe per-country backlogs. For most other countries, EB-2 and EB-3 currently take 1–3 years. An attorney can give you a realistic timeline based on your specific situation. Once you have your green card, learn about the path to citizenship & naturalization.
Do I need employer sponsorship for an employment-based green card?
Most employment-based categories require a sponsoring employer. However, the EB-1A (extraordinary ability) and EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) allow self-petition — meaning you can apply without an employer sponsor if you meet the eligibility requirements. An attorney can evaluate whether you qualify. For current EB visa priority dates, visit the Visa Bulletin.
What happens to my green card application if I change jobs?
It depends on the stage of your case. If your I-140 petition has been approved and your I-485 has been pending for 180+ days, you may be able to port your green card to a new employer in the same or similar occupation under AC21 portability. This is a complex area of law — consult an attorney before making any job changes.
Can my family come with me on an employment-based visa?
Yes. Most employment-based visa categories allow derivative status for spouses and unmarried children under 21. For H-1B holders, spouses can apply for an H-4 visa and, in some cases, an H-4 EAD allowing them to work legally in the United States.
AREAS OF PRACTICE
From first contact
to clear strategy
01
Assess Your Eligibility
We evaluate your qualifications, employer sponsorship situation, and country of birth to identify the fastest and most viable employment immigration pathway.
02
File the Petition
We prepare and file your visa petition or I-140 immigrant petition with complete documentation — minimizing the risk of delays, RFEs, or denials.
03
PERM Labor Certification (if required)
For EB-2 and EB-3 cases, we coordinate the PERM labor certification process with your employer to meet Department of Labor requirements before filing the I-140.
04
Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing
Once your priority date is current, we guide you through either adjustment of status at the San Francisco USCIS Field Office or consular processing abroad to obtain your green card.
DON’T WAIT — IMMIGRATION LAW CHANGES FAST
Your situation deserves
a real legal strategy
A consultation could change everything.
Just clarity on your path forward.
Just clarity on your path forward.
Or call directly: (415) 622-8792 · Mon–Fri 8am–6pm · Hablamos Español