Say, for instance, that your loved one recently became a lawful permanent resident of the United States and that you wish the same for yourself. Well, one initiative you may take to achieve this is by undergoing consular processing from the United States Department of State consulate. For this, there is a certain procedure that you must follow. Follow along to find out what is consular processing for an immigrant visa and how a proficient green card lawyer in Milwaukee, WI, at the Sesini Law Group, S.C., can take you step by step.
By definition, what is consular processing for an immigrant visa?
First of all, consular processing is applicable if you are currently residing outside of the United States. This is because you may apply for an immigrant visa while abroad. And if successful, the United States Department of State consulate may admit into the United States with permanent resident status.
But if you are already residing in the United States, then you may not have to depart to your home country to apply for an immigration visa. You may go through the adjustment of status process, instead.
What are the steps for this processing?
As you may likely conclude yourself, obtaining permanent resident status in the United States is no easy feat. So if you want to enter the country as soon as possible to reunite with your loved one, then you must follow diligently follow a certain set of steps. These steps are as follows:
- Confirm that you are eligible to apply for permanent resident status in the first place (i.e., you may qualify if your loved one files a petition on your behalf).
- Confirm that your loved one is filing all the necessary documentation for Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, on your behalf.
- Wait to see if the petition is approved, which the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will then send to the Department of State’s National Visa Center (NVC).
- Wait to hear back from the NVC, which will then notify you and your loved one when your immigrant visa number becomes available.
- Anticipate for the consular office to schedule you for an interview, which they will use to determine whether you are eligible for an immigrant visa.
- Pay the USCIS immigrant fee after you receive your visa packet and before you depart for the United States.
- Check for your green card to arrive in the mail within 45 days of your arrival in the United States.
Aside from the provided example of family-based immigration petitions, you must understand that consular processing may be conducted for employment-based immigrant petitions, special categories, and humanitarian programs, as well.
Regardless of what your specific circumstances are, you must not second-guess your instinct to retain the services of a talented Wisconsin family immigration lawyer from the Sesini Law Group, P.C. Schedule your initial consultation with our firm today.