Consular Processing

What Are the Steps for Consular Processing? 

If you are outside of the US, you can apply for an immigrant visa at a US Department of State consulate in your home country so you can come to the US and be admitted for permanent residency. This is called consular processing. On the other hand, individuals who are already in the US can apply for a Green Card without going through consular processing and instead, the adjustment of status process. 

As such, if you live abroad and want to obtain permanent residency in the US, you must complete each of the following steps in consular processing: 

• Determine if you are eligible to apply for a Green Card.
• Once you learn the eligibility category that best suits your situation, someone else must file an immigrant petition for you, such as a family member or employer. The person who files the petition for you will vary on your particular circumstances. 
• Await a decision for your petition (either approval or denial).
  • If your petition is denied, USCIS will include the reasons for the denial and let you know if you can appeal the decision. 
  • If the petition is approved and you live abroad, USCIS will send it to the National Visa Center (NVC) and keep it there until an immigrant visa number is available for you. 
• Await notification from the National Visa Center.
  • You will need to send the applicable fees and supporting documents to the NVC and wait for an immigrant visa number to become available to you. 
• Go to your interview appointment. 
  • The consular office will process your case and determine if you’re eligible for an immigrant visa. 
• Notify the NVC if any of the following changes apply to you:
  • You change your address
  • You were under 21 but have now reached the age of 21
  • You change your marital status
• If your immigrant visa is granted, you must pay all applicable fees and await approval from the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the port of entry. 
• Receive your Green Card. 

How Do I Prepare for a Consular Interview? 

Many applicants worry over the consular interview because it seems intimidating at first. Not to worry, though, as your attorney can help you prepare for the interview and compile all the necessary paperwork. You can rest assured that you will enter the consular interview with confidence and ease when you have LORIC Law Firm on your side. 

That being said, you must take the following steps to prepare for the consular interview:

• Schedule and complete a medical examination with an authorized physician in the country where your interview is located. Ensure to complete the exam and any required vaccinations before your interview. 
• Register for courier service/other pre-interview instructions.
• Gather the required documents, including photos and the original or certified copies of all civil documents you submitted to the NVC. Failing to bring all the required items may delay the process. 
• Hire a lawyer: An attorney who is experienced in consular processing can make a significant difference in your situation, as they have the insights and resources needed to help you complete consular processing with ease. You won’t have to worry about missing a document, skipping a step, or submitting inaccurate information, as your lawyer will handle all of that for you. With this in mind, you can count on LORIC Law Firm to ensure no stone is left unturned. 

To schedule a consultation and discuss your situation, contact our San Jose consular processing attorney online or at (650) 590-8258!