What is Consular Processing?
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Hi everyone, and welcome back to Kriezelman Burton and Associates. This is Erin Cobb, a partner here at our immigration law firm. As mentioned in our previous blog post about entering without inspection (EWI), we are talking bout consular processing today.
Picture this: you are visiting an immigration lawyer, and you are excited because it is finally time to apply for your green card. However, your lawyer tells you that you have to consular process. What is it? And why do you have to do it?
First, what is consular processing? It means that you have to process your green card through the consulate. Usually, we use this phrase when we talk about applying for your green card. It is officially called lawful permanent residency by going through the State Department and then the U.S. consulate in your home country.
Here is how it works:
- Your relative or employer files a petition for you with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, or the USCIS here in the U.S.
- Once approved, the USCIS sends it over to the State Department, specifically the National Visa Center, or NVC. The NVS then reaches out to you and collects your application fee, immigrant visa application, and biographical documents such as birth and marriage certificates.
- Once the NVC has all the required documents, it will schedule you an appointment at the U.S. consulate in your home country and passes on your information.
- Once you have completed this appointment, and if you are eligible, you are granted your immigrant visa. The day that you enter the United States on that visa, you will become a permanent resident.
Of course, however, the process is not really that simple. Unfortunately, there are many ineligibility grounds that can cause issues when someone is applying for their green card through consular processing. Due to this, you must talk to an attorney who specializes in immigration law before you depart the country.
Anyone outside of the United States and applying for permanent residency uses the consular process to obtain their green card. However, many individuals are in the U.S. who also have to go through the consular process when applying for permanent residency.
Sometimes the phrase consular processing is used to talk about other visas as well. For example, a person who wants to apply for a student visa and is already in the U.S. may not be able to change their status unless they complete the process abroad. Why would someone have to depart the U.S. and go back to their home country to apply for the green card through the consulate? That’s going to be the topic of our next blog post.
Thank you for reading. Be sure to check back soon for more information and explanations of the immigration process and immigration law. If you have any questions, or you or someone you know requires legal representation or assistance in your immigration case, please contact our office. We are here to help.
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Mr. Jeffery and Mr. Kevin Racia were the attorneys handling a complex immigration case of mine. On the assurance of both attorneys that the case is going to be presented in a systematic way, I went ahead with confidence. I was able to become a legal permanent resident. I highly recommend Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC for all your immigration needs.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to the remarkable team of Khiabett Osuna, Brittani Rivera, and Rafael Rodriguez, who were responsible for the successful release from detention of one of our parishioners, husband and father of four, after over 10 weeks of incarceration. From his detention to the payment of his bail and from Immigration Court to his reunion with his family, there were blessings aplenty made possible through the…
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my attorney, Brittni Rivera, for her professionalism and support during a very difficult time. I was in detention for 6 months, and thanks to her hard work and filing a habeas corpus petition, I was finally released. In addition, when I was released, ICE did not return my documents. Brittni did not ignore this issue — she took action and successfully…
My aunt was recently detained by ICE and sent to El Paso, Texas to the East Montana Detention Facility. This place is essentially a prison in the middle of the desert, and the majority of the detainees here get deported. My family and I interviewed a dozen immigration attorneys around the country to help my aunt, and we decided to hire Kevin Raica, an attorney with Kriezelman Burton and Associates.…
Our case was very difficult, and at times it felt like there was no way out. My wife was detained for a long period of time, and it was an extremely challenging experience for our family. Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC truly changed our situation. I would especially like to thank our attorney, Brittni Rivera, as well as Natalia. They were attentive, honest, and always ready to help. It was…
I cannot recommend Kevin Raica highly enough. He helped me successfully obtain my U.S. green card, and the entire process was smooth and stress-free because of his expertise and dedication. From start to finish, Kevin was professional, organized, and extremely knowledgeable about immigration law. He made sure every document was prepared correctly and took the time to explain each step clearly. Anytime I had questions, he responded promptly and made…
Great experience with this attorney office. They helped me with my I-751 waiver after divorce. Kevin was very professional, and supported me through the interview. Everything went smoothly and my case was approved. Highly recommend!
We contacted Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, based on a recommendation, when my wife was detained by ICE. Attorney Khiabett Osuna handled our case, and it turned out to be the right choice. From the very beginning, she proved herself to be a caring and competent professional, clearly explaining the process. You can tell she's truly invested in each case and achieving results for her clients. We've also heard of…
I would like to express my gratitude to Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, and especially to attorney Khiabett Osuna, who handled my case. I contacted them based on a recommendation and have never regretted it. From the very beginning, she demonstrated high professionalism. I could tell she was genuinely committed to the outcome and was doing everything possible to protect her client.
Mr. Kriezelman, Mr. Burton and Ms. Erin Cobb, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for handling my case. Your knowledge and dedication to my case is truly appreciated. Thank you.
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