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Giacomo Jacques Behar
also known as Giacomo Behar
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About Giacomo
Biography
FLUENT in 7 languages, Giacomo Jacques Behar is a Certified Specialist, Immigration & Nationality Law, The State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization. We are a full service immigration law firm headquartered in San Diego, California, with a second location in the Westwood area of West Los Angeles. Our firm specializes in U.S. immigration and Naturalization Law and has assisted clients in different U.S. states and from more than 40 countries around the world since 1993.
We offer a full range of family-based immigrant and non-immigrant visa and consular application services including K-1, R-1, H-1B, L-1, O-1, P-1, as well as our "house specialty", Treaty Investor (E-2) and Treaty Trader (E-1) visas and also specialize in employment-based permanent residence through Labor Certification ("PERM"). We also assist our clients with their political asylum applications and appear with clients at asylum interviews. In addition, our firm is also ideally equipped to speedily and efficiently process your and your family's citizenship applications. Last, but not least, we also offer to our clients expert personalized assistance on a full range of non-immigrant and work visa applications at U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide.
Meet your lawyer: Giacomo Jacques BEHAR
LICENCED BY THE STATE BAR OF CALIFORNIA SINCE 1993 - CERTIFIED SPECIALIST, IMMIGRATION & NATIONALITY LAW - THE STATE BAR OF CALIFORNIA, BOARD OF LEGAL SPECIALIZATION.
With now 32 years of practicing experience, I dedicate my practice exclusively to U.S. Immigration and Nationality law. Immigration Law is Federal & therefore uniform throughout the U.S. A world traveled multilingual polyglot, I am FLUENT in seven (7) languages: Spanish, French, Italian, Turkish, Hebrew, German and of course, English. For the last 26 years I take pride in having assisted clients in most of these languages, on an almost daily basis. I am myself an immigrant who arrived in San Diego 38 years ago from Switzerland to get my Masters in Business Administration (MBA) degree in the USA.
Fluent In 7 Languages. CA Board Certified Specialist In US Immigration Law. Call For In-Depth Consultation 7 days/wk. No free consultations. Phone/Google Meet/Skype/Zoom Consultations available 7 days a week.
Fluent in 7 languages. CA Board Certified Specialist in U.S. Immigration. Call for in-depth consult 7 days/wk. No free consultations. Phone/Google Meet/Skype/Zoom Consultations available 7 days a week.
Practice Areas
1
Practice Area
Immigration
100%
33 years | 3,700 cases
Fees and Rates
Awards
2026 2025 2024
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12
2026 2025 2024
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12
Licenses
Licensed in California for 32 years
State: California
Acquired: 1993
No misconduct found
Location
Behar International Counsel, PLC
(619) 234-5962
Fax
(619) 231-1775
Fax
402 West Broadway, Suite 1520, San Diego, CA, 92101
immigratingtousa.comGiacomo Jacques Behar's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
296 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Case Results (154)
Practice Area Knowledge (143)
Recommendation (101)
Professionalism (91)
Advocacy (82)
Communication Style (71)
General Knowledge (71)
Responsiveness (64)
Staff & Support (37)
Character & Conduct (33)
Trustworthiness (29)
Compassion (24)
Cost of Services (18)
Punctuality (7)
Free Consultations (3)
Showing 1 - 5 of 217 reviews | Immigration
Posted by Kamrujaman Lion | April 08, 2026 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Clear Guidance Through a Complicated Immigration Journey
My journey toward obtaining a green card as a former public employee from a South Asian country and the spouse of a U.S. citizen was far more complicated than I had anticipated. I found myself stuck in immigration limbo with little clarity on how to move forward. Turning to Mr. Behar was the best dec...
Posted by anonymous | April 03, 2026 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Excellent service
My Employment Authorization was approved in less than a month, and my green card came through in just two months—without any RFE or interview, even though we live in different states. Behar provided outstanding guidance throughout the entire process. His professionalism and dedication made everything...
Posted by Julianna | March 27, 2026 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Honest and Professional
Giacomo Behar is by far a cut above the rest. He is not only honest and genuinely concerned for his clients, but very up to date with changes in immigration laws. He presented information to us that other lawyers who were charging twice his fees were not aware of. I cannot express enough gratitude to...
Posted by Rahul Roy | March 26, 2026 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Top-Level Legal Expertise
Since the fist minutes of my first consultation I understood, that mr. Behar is that lawyer, who I need for my case. I was shocked in a good way, when he immediately found mistakes of my previous lawyer and said, what we need to fix first. From the begging to the end of my court case, Giacomo showed ...
Posted by anonymous | March 24, 2026 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Exceptional Legal Support & Seamless Immigration Process ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I don't take leaving reviews lightly and this is a well deserved 5 star review! For context, my wife and I hired Behar International Counsel, APC to represent us for my case of adjustment of status via a waiver through marriage process (if you are currently looking to adjust your status, you know...
Giacomo Jacques Behar's Lawyer Endorsements
"Giacomo Jacques Behar consistently provides insightful, accurate, and compassionate answers in Avvo’s Immigration Law Q&A forum. His responses reflect a deep knowledge of U.S. immigration law and extensive experience helping clients in San Diego and beyond navigate complex visa, asylum, and citizenship matters. He offers clear, practical advice with genuine empathy for those facing immigration challenges. I’m pleased to endorse Mr. Behar as a highly skilled and dedicated San Diego immigration attorney."
"I endorse Attorney Giacomo Jacques Behar. His extensive experience, expertise, and diligence is highly sought after. He serves the community to the best of his ability and is one of the best minds in the field of immigration law."
"I endorse Giacomo because of his polite way and informational replies to the general public for their help with immigration questions."
"I endorse Attorney Behar. He has a lot of knowledge in immigration law. His responses to queries on complicated immigration matters are straightforward and detailed; he provides alternative suggestions if needed."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Behar provides a much needed service on Avvo. He donates his time to individuals who are in need of immediately legal answers."
"I endorse this lawyer based on his thorough and knowledgeable answers on this forum."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Incredibly knowledgeable and a valued part of the Avvo community, I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Mr. Behar has provided invaluable resources to the Avvo community. I would not hesitate to recommend his services to any person in need."
"Very experienced and exceptional lawyer. He will be able to handle any of your immigration needs."
"Attorney Behar provides thoughtful and accurate information to people seeking legal advice in the field of immigration law"
"From one attorney to another, I endorse this lawyer. He has answered a large quantity of immigration questions posed by potential clients for their benefit at no charge. He is competent and sincere with all communications."
"Top Lawyer in the Immigration Field. Easily in the top 10 lawyers in the field globally."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I wholeheartedly endorse Mr. Behar. He provides an exceptional service to the immigration community. His solutions to legal inquiries on this forum are well reasoned, clear and sincere."
"An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community, I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of his clients and getting them the most favorable result possible. I endorse this lawyer. - Anthony Munoz, Esq."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"The Einstein of Immigration Law. Giacomo is an immigration law genius and this opinion is coming from a fellow immigration lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Behar gets right to the point in his answers, and his reviews show him to be a pillar of the community."
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Experience
Honors
2014
Listed, Who's Who Legal
2014
Certified Specialist, Immigration & Nationality Law, The State Bar of California, Board Of Legal Specialization
2013
Listed, Who's Who Legal
2012
Semi- Finalist - Top Attorneys in Immigration Practice, San Diego Daily Transcript
2009
Valuable Speaker/Contributor, Jewish Community Center Paris
2009
Guest Columnist Award, Salom Quarterly Newsletter
2009
Registry Of Outstanding Professionals, 2009 - present, America's Registry Of Outstanding Professionals, 2009- present
1983
Top Contestant - Business Law Project, United States International University
1980
Top Volunteer Award, Swiss Confederation - Federal Office for Migration & Refugee Absorption
1979
Top writer - German Literature Essay Contest, Interpreters School, Zurich, Switzerland
Work Experience
1999 - Present
Lead Attorney, Behar International Counsel, PLC
1993 - 1999
Associate Attorney, McEntyre and Mitchell
Associations
2015 - Present
The State Bar of California, Board Of Legal SpecializationCertified Specialist, Immigration & Nationality Law
2010 - Present
The U.S. Court Of Appeals For The Ninth Circuit
2001 - Present
National Lawyers Guild, National Immigration ProjectParticipating Lawyer
1993 - Present
American Immigration Lawyers Association (San Diego chapter)Chair
1993 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaActive Member
1993 - Present
The Supreme Court of CaliforniaActive Member
2010 - 2012
Westwood Ambassador Home Owners AssociationBoard of Directors
2004 - 2005
American Immigration Lawyers Association (San Diego chapter)Chair-CSC Liaison Committee
2003 - 2004
American Immigration Lawyers Association (San Diego chapter)Chair - Consular Affairs Liaison Committee
Sample of Legal Cases
Extremely Complex Diversity Visa Case
Diversity Visas Ultimately Granted by USCIS over DOS objections
National Interest Waiver (NIW) Approval for Research Scientist
Approval
Treaty Investor (E-2) Visa Approval
Approval - 5 year visas granted
E-1 Treaty Trader Application Case
E-1 visa for 5 years granted
Complex Employment-Based Green Card - Labor Certif. w/Substitution of Alien
Permanent Residence Granted
Education
1993
California Western School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1984
United States International University
MBA - Master of Business Administration
1983
United States International University
Bachelor's of Science - Business Administration
1980
Interpreters School, Zurich, Switzerland
Foreign Languages Translator; Conference Interpreter
Speaking Engagements
2016
Istanbul Investment Expo/Summit
EB-5 and E-2 Investment Visas
2014
KUSI News Channel Television Newscast
Asylum or Refugee Status: Two Options For Immigrants
2013
Upcoming Immigration Reform
Immigration Law
2013
Upcoming Immigration Reform
Immigration Law
2013
Radio Newscast
EB-5 Investment Program in U.S.
2013
Radio Newscast
U.S. Immigration Reform Update
2012
Univision Newscast on Deferred Action (DACA)
Responding to Hispanic community questions re. Deferred Action Application which began August 15, 2012
2012
Special Immigration Law Meeting
Immigration Law
2012
Radio Newscast
U.S. Citizenship Laws
2012
Radio Newscast
Political Asylum In The U.S.
2012
Radio Newscast
VAWA Eligibility For Adjustment Of Status
2012
Radio Newscast
Obtaining A Green Card In the U.S.
2012
Radio Newscast
Types Of U.S. Nonimmigrant Visas
2012
Radio Newscast
Deportation Defense In Immigration Court
2012
Radio Newscast
Responding to Immigrant community questions re. Deferred Action (DACA)
2012
Radio Newscast
Difficult Aspects Of Immigrating To USA
2012
Radio Newscast
DACA: Pitfalls in Processing
2012
Opportunities for Settling in the U.S.Through Work or Investment
Obtaining a Green Card Through Investment in the U.S.
2012
Monthly Meeting
Immigration Law
2010
Settling and working abroad
U.S. Immigration & Visa Laws
2010
Business opportunities in the U.S.
U.S. Visa Laws
2009
Monthly Meeting
Immigration Law
2009
E-2 Treaty Investor Visas & L-1 Multinational Executives
U.S. Immigration and Visa Laws
2008
Special Immigration Law Meeting
Immigration Law
2008
Settling and Working Abroad
U.S. Immigration & Visa Laws
2008
Business Opportunities in the U.S.
U.S. Visa Laws
2005
U.S. Business Law Seminar
U.S. Business Law Seminar
2005
Investment and Work Opportunities in America and U.S. Visa Laws
U.S. Immigration and Visa Laws
2004
Monthly Chapter Meeting
American Contracts Law vs. European Jurisprudence
2003
U.S. Business Law Seminar
Business & Contracts Law
2003
Monthly Chapter Meeting
American Contracts Law vs. European Jurisprudence
2002
Monthly meeting
American Contracts Law vs. European Jurisprudence
1995
U.S. Business Law Seminar
Business & Contracts Law
N/A
Radio Newscast
Fiancee Visa K-1
Publications
2007
Salom Quarterly Newsletter
U.S. Non-immigrant Visa Categories Leading to Green Cards
1999
Union des francais a l'etranger Newsletter
E-2 Investor Visas: How "Substantial" must the investment be?
1998
Uniion des francais a l'etranger newsletter
Diversity visa/ green card lottery application process
1997
Union des francais a l'etranger newsletter
No longer worth to overstay visa - the 3 & 10 year bars to readmission
Languages
French
Italian
Turkish
Hebrew
German
Spanish
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Top Contributor
Giacomo earned significant contribution points in 2026.
Legal Answers
Q&A
Can a J2 re-enter the US while the J1 holder is still abroad?
10 Apr 2026
Q&A
What are the options/pathways an F-1 student not selected in H-1B in last attempt?
10 Apr 2026
Q&A
I-134
10 Apr 2026