Attorney YunJuan "Sarah" Bai opens law firm to assist clients facing immigration issues

Yunjuan "Sarah" Bai uses her experiences with the immigration process to help others deal with immigration issues.

Bai, 41, is the founder and managing attorney of BW LAW, PLLC, which she established in January.

She strives to spot potential issues in cases and will use her ability to provide holistic solutions to clients by relying on her more than 10 years of experience in immigration law, Bai said.

“My goal is to build a strong reputation for my firm as a trusted and reliable brand for immigration legal services through consistently providing high-quality legal services and client care,” Bai said. “I value the opportunity to be a trusted advisor for immigrants, not just during their initial case, but throughout their entire journey as they build their lives in a new country.”

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Bai, who grew up in a small city in Shanxi Province, China, came to the United States with her husband and earned a law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School. The couple moved to Gainesville in 2018 when her husband got a job offer from the University of Florida. They have two kids.

“Running my own firm gives me the autonomy to create a schedule that accommodates both my professional responsibilities and family commitments,” Bai said.

Helping clients navigate through the immigration process to reduce the challenges they might face is her top priority, Bai said.

“Immigration laws and policies are constantly changing, so staying up-to-date with the latest regulations and understanding the nuances can be a significant challenge,” Bai said. “I stay updated with the latest changes through continuous legal education, attending seminars and participating in professional forums.”

Bai, who specializes in employment- and family-based immigration and visa applications, said she works with all foreign nationals and can meet clients via Zoom and in libraries or any place they choose.

She also helps foreign nationals get work visas or green cards through employment or investment and helps foreign talents get green cards through their outstanding achievements.

Bai said prices vary based on case type and the complexities of the cases.

Yong Zhang is a restaurant owner who currently resides in Florida with her husband and son. She grew up in Beijing, China and said she has businesses in China and in the United States. Zhang contacted Bai when she wanted to apply for an investor visa.

She said her and her husband almost gave up on the process, but Bai’s persistence kept them hopeful.

“She worked very hard on my case,” Zhang said of Bai. “She prepared a very detailed, clear and organized application package for me. Because of her excellent work, the visa officer just asked me a few simple questions and approved my visa. Unbelievably smooth process.”

Gordon, who requested to not use his last name to remain anonymous, is an executive director of a real estate development investment firm.

He grew up in China, has lived in Texas and is currently living in Los Angeles.

He contacted Bai because he had to respond to H-1B RFE, repeal a denial of an H4 renewal application and needed help on his Form I-140 application, which is an Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker form submitted to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) by a prospective employer to petition an alien to permanently work in the U.S.

H1B-RFE is a request from the USCIS for additional evidence to review an H-1B visa application.

U.S. businesses use the H-1B program to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require a bachelor’s or higher degree in a specific specialty that is directly related to the H-1B position.

“I have now obtained my green card and I’m grateful for her assistance,” he said. “I liked her service because she was not just professional and knowledgeable, but also candid and straightforward in her suggestions. It was important and valuable during those difficult times when we were anxious and had to make critical decisions.”

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Sarah Bai opens Gainesville firm to help others with immigration