Welcome to Law Offices of Girija P. Gautam, PLLC.
Law Offices of Girija P. Gautam, PLLC., (LOGG) is dedicated to the practice of immigration and nationality law. LOGG provides representation in employment, investment, and family-based immigration matters such as H-1B visas for professionals, L-1 visas for intra-company transferees, PERM Labor certification for professionals and skilled workers, immigrant visas for investors, relative petitions, and adjustment of status applications. The firm also provides representation before the Immigration Court in removal proceedings.
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Our Practice Areas
Non-Immigrant
Non-immigrants are foreign nationals authorized to enter united states and to stay for a specified temporary period to pursue certain activities, which includes visitors, students, temporary workers, business executives, and managers etc. The non-immigrant should posses an appropriate type of visa and comply with all legal requirements while staying in the U.S. For example, an individual must have employment authorization to work and similarly a student must have a valid student visa to study at an educational program in the U.S.
Students
U.S. educational institutions host a large international student population at different levels of educational programs. International students may come to the U.S. with F-1, J-1, or M-1 visas to pursue their respective programs.
Medical Professionals
Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) who aspire to have a career in the field of medicine in the US, must apply for Residency or a Clinical Fellowship after meeting the USMLE test requirement. FMGs have to manage different sets of immigration issues immediately upon arrival into the United States. The immigration concerns might relate to a variety of issues, which may include but are not limited to: staying in status (while applying for residency or fellowship), changing status to H-1 or J-1 (to start residency or fellowship), seeking a J-1 waiver and securing permanent residence in the United States.
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Family Based
Family reunification is at the core of U.S. immigration law. Family based immigration enables immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (USC) and lawful permanent residents (LPR) (green card holders) to immigrate to the United States. Immediate relatives include spouses of USCs, unmarried minor children of USCs, and parents of USCs.
Employment Based
Immigration Workers are important to the U.S. economy. Congress has provided several classifications for employment-based immigration to allow a limited number of noncitizens to obtain green cards based on certain skillsets. To immigrate on an employment basis a person or their employer must file a Form I-140. For some of these petitions an employer must file a labor certification from the Department of Labor (DOL) but in other specific circumstances a beneficiary may self-petition, avoiding the lengthy labor certification process.
Investment
The immigrant investor visa program enables immigrant entrepreneurs to obtain permanent resident status in the United States through investment in a commercial enterprise. This immigration benefit however can be secured by investing $800,000 in a targeted employment area. Congress enacted this provision in 1990 to support and promote commercial enterprises in rural areas with high unemployment rates. This category is ideal for foreign investors looking for freedom and flexibility to live and work in the U.S. There is no specific background, skill or experience needed for those with sufficient funds.
Testimonials
Mr. Gautam represented me in my H1-B petition. He was very thorough, upto date and produced high quality professional work. My petition was approved in less than two weeks. I highly recommend his services.
Mr. Gautam represented me in my EB-1 case. I was very impressed with his professionalism, creativity and competence. My petition was promptly approved and I am so glad I retained his professional services.
I am extremely happy with Mr. Gautam's representation for my EB-1 petition. His attention to detail, understanding of the process and quality meant that my petition was approved in SIX DAYS, something I had not thought possible. I have already recommended him to many of my friends.
Our Expert Team
Girija P. Gautam
Founding Attorney
Anil Bhandari
Associate Attorney
Sanjit Raj Joshi
Office Manager
General F.A.Q
Both immediate relatives and family preference relatives must first file a Form I-130 with the USCIS. Once the I-130 is approved immediate relatives may apply immediately for adjustment of status to that of an LPR (green card holder) if they are in the U.S. or start consular processing to obtain the green card if they are outside the United States. For preference category relatives they may do the same once a visa is available to them meaning their I-130’s priority date is current in the visa bulletin. For more information click here or schedule a consultation with our office.
To apply for an employment based green card you or an employer must file a Form I-140 with USCIS. Most individuals need an employer to sponsor them and file the application on their behalf. Those who qualify for an EB-1 or an NIW may self petition meaning they will not need an employer to sponsor them. Once the I-140 is approved you may file a I-485 adjustment of status application if you are in the US or complete consular processing if you are abroad once your visa is available. For more information click here or schedule a consultation.
To apply for a non-immigrant visa you will need to file the application with the consulate which can be done online through a DS-160 if you are abroad. If you are in the United States and have a different non-immigrant status (like a B visa) you can file a form I-539 to change statuses to that of an F-1 student or E-2 treaty investor for example. For more information click here or schedule a consultation with our office.
For an investment visa you will need to apply for a Form I-526 or I-526E. Once this is approved you may file for a green card through consulate processing if you are abroad or through an adjustment of status application if you are in the U.S. For more information click here or schedule a consultation with our office.