Robert P. Gaffney - a San Francisco, California (CA) Business Immigration Lawyer

San Francisco Business Immigration Lawyer

Updated: 03/10/2026

Areas of Practice

Business Immigration
Investment-based Immigration
Employment-based Immigration
Family Immigration

Attorney Information

Overview

Robert Gaffney received his J.D. degree from University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 1980. Mr. Gaffney is an attorney licensed to practice in the State of California and is certified by the California State Bar Association as a Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law. Through his law firm in San Francisco, Mr. Gaffney has 30 years of experience counseling a wide range of corporate and individual clients in areas of employment-related, investment, and family-based visa and immigration matters.

Mr. Gaffney is rated “AV,” the highest such rating for skill and integrity available to individual lawyers from Martindale-Hubbell, generally recognized within the U.S. legal profession as the most complete and trusted source for identifying qualified legal counsel. Mr. Gaffney is honored to have been selected through peer review for the list of Super Lawyers of Northern California, awarded to only 5% of practicing attorneys in the area.

Mr. Gaffney, who is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, received his B.A. degree in Chinese Studies with highest honors from the University of California in 1973. He attended the University of Michigan, Center for Chinese Studies as a National Defense Foreign Language Fellow. He is a long-time member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, a member of the immigration law panel of the San Francisco Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service and a regular speaker to professional and business groups on immigration law topics.

Mr. Gaffney has developed significant expertise and a strong practice focus representing alien entrepreneurs under the EB-5 visa program. He publications include “Country-Specific Issues and Challenges in Representing EB-5 Petitioners from the People’s Republic of China” published in Immigration Options for Investors & Entrepreneurs (2nd Ed.), AILA 2010, and “Issues and Approaches to the Preparation of I-526 Petitions for Minor Petitioners” published in Immigration Options for Investors & Entrepreneurs (4th Ed.), AILA, 2019.

Awards and Honors

Super Lawyers® Selectees

Robert P. Gaffney included in a Super Lawyers® list

Honors

Rated “AV", Martindale-Hubbell
Super Lawyers of Northern California
“Top 25” Attorney List – EB5Investors.com

Other Sources of Feedback About Robert P. Gaffney

Included on the 2026 Northern California Super Lawyers list

Past Lists

2025 Northern California Super Lawyers list
2024 Northern California Super Lawyers list
2023 Northern California Super Lawyers list
2022 Northern California Super Lawyers list
2021 Northern California Super Lawyers list
2020 Northern California Super Lawyers list
2019 Northern California Super Lawyers list
2013 Northern California Super Lawyers list
2012 Northern California Super Lawyers list
2011 Northern California Super Lawyers list
2010 Northern California Super Lawyers list
2009 Northern California Super Lawyers list

Education

Legal Education
- University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings), San Francisco, California, 1980
  J.D.
Non Legal Education
- University of California, 1973
  B.A.
  Honors: Highest Honors
  Major: Chinese Studies
- University of Michigan, Center for Chinese Studies National Defense
  Major: Foreign Language Fellow, (1973-1976)

Languages

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Mandarin Chinese
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Published Works

Articles

Gaffney, R. P. “Issues and Approaches to the Preparation of I-526 Petitions for Minor Petitioners”, 4th ed., Immigration Options for Investors & Entrepreneurs, American Immigration Lawyers Association (2019).
Gaffney, R. P. “Can a Minor Child File an EB-5 Petition?”, EB-5 Investors Magazine, (2016).
Gaffney, R. P. “Practical Approaches to Lawful Sources of Funds Issues”, The EB-5 Book, ILW.com, (2012-2018).
Gaffney, R. P. “Country Specific Issues and Challenges in Representing EB-5 Petitioners from the People's Republic of China” 2nd ed., Immigration Options for Investors & Entrepreneurs, American Immigration Lawyers Association (2019).

Bar Admissions

California, 1980

Specialties and Certifications

Certified Specialist Immigration & Nationality Law

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Contact

San Francisco, CA

601 Montgomery Street
Suite 1114
San Francisco, CA 94111

Directions

Phone: 415-503-9653

Email: Send a message

Website: https://www.usvisanet.com

Hours: Monday-Friday: 9am-5pm; Saturday-Sunday: Closed

Credit Cards Accepted

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Robert P. Gaffney - San Francisco, CA