Practice areas
Consular processing: getting an immigrant visa from outside the U.S.
National Visa Center documents, interview preparation and waivers.
Consultations by phone, Zoom or WhatsApp, in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
Short answer
If you are outside of the United States, you may have to go through consular processing in order to obtain an immigrant visa or green card. It requires appointments and interviews at your local consulate, where they complete biometrics, a background check and an interview about your purpose and connections in the United States. After USCIS approves the petition, the case moves to the National Visa Center for fees, civil documents and the affidavit of support, then to the embassy. From approval to interview typically takes 8 to 14 months, and it is best to prepare for these appointments with the help of an immigration lawyer.
Bring an approved petition through an embassy interview to a visa.
What is consular processing?
As a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, your family members might be eligible for immigrant visas and green cards. There are two forms of family-based immigration in the United States.
At 360 Immigration Law Group, we understand the importance of family reunification. As immigrants themselves, Jamile and her staff understand first-hand how difficult and frustrating the process can be, especially when you do not have an attorney you can count on, someone you can trust and who has your back. Our experienced immigration attorneys and staff guide families through both adjustment of status and consular processing, and we keep you updated every step of the way.
There are also different processes available for employers who need visas for their employees, and for entrepreneurs and other highly talented individuals.
If you are unsure which family-based immigration process is right for your loved ones, request a consultation with our team today. We are here to listen to your story, examine your situation, assess your needs and eligibility, and educate you about your legal options. Our trilingual team is happy to assist you. We speak English, Spanish and Portuguese.
Adjustment of status
Converts a non-immigrant visa, such as a student visa, a K-1 visa or a B-2 visitor visa, into legal permanent residence from inside the United States.
Consular processing
The immigration process that gives family members living outside the United States a green card, through their local U.S. embassy or consulate.
How an immigration attorney can help
Our immigration attorneys have guided many families through consular processing. We do more than just complete the forms for you. We also:
- Provide accurate information and practical advice about immigration law.
- Help families collect all the right documents and evidence to support their cases.
- Ensure that the information on our clients' petitions and supporting forms is accurate and complies with federal law.
- Assess rejected and denied petitions and evaluate our clients' appeal options.
- Prepare you for the consulate interview by walking you through the entire interview process step by step.
We know how important your loved one's green card is to you and your family. We were once in your shoes, and that is why we work tirelessly on behalf of our clients and spend significant time educating them on their case and the legal options available to them. Consular processing can be a long and confusing journey. Our goal is to make it feel less overwhelming.
Where does the interview take place?
Consular processing is overseen by the Department of State and the National Visa Center. The interview must take place in your loved one's home country, where the U.S. embassy or consulate processes the documents and evaluates your family member's eligibility for a green card. If your loved one is still in their home country, this is not a significant challenge.
However, if they are already in the United States and do not have a valid visa, you should consult with an immigration attorney before starting, because they might need a waiver before beginning consular processing. If the federal government discovers that your loved one was living as an undocumented immigrant in the United States, it can impose significant penalties. The consulate will bar them from entering the U.S. for three years if their stay was between 180 days and a year. If they were undocumented in the United States for more than a year, the bar increases to five or ten years.
While it can be tempting to simply not disclose a loved one's undocumented status, that could result in immigration fraud charges. Instead, speak with our immigration lawyers. We help our clients understand the complexities of the United States immigration system and guide them through its challenges.
If you are outside the United States and are serious about discovering how to win your permanent residency, we are here to help. Let's schedule your Legal Strategy and Planning Session today.
Who qualifies?
You have an approved petition
I-130, I-140 or another immigrant petition.
A visa is available in your category
Immediate relatives always have one; others wait for the visa bulletin.
You can produce the civil documents
Birth, marriage, police and, in some countries, military records.
You are admissible, or a waiver is filed
Unlawful presence bars are often waived through the I-601A before departure.
Schedule a case evaluation
Tell us your situation. We will tell you honestly whether you have a case.
Schedule Free Case EvaluationWe reply within 1 business day, in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
Do you qualify? A four-question check
Do you qualify? A four-question check
Four questions.
What does the process look like?
NVC fees and document upload
2 to 4 months
Affidavit of support, civil documents and the DS-260 application.
Documentary qualification
1 to 3 months
NVC reviews and schedules once the file is complete.
Medical exam and interview
1 to 2 months
At the designated panel physician and the embassy. We prepare you question by question.
Visa issuance and entry
2 to 6 weeks
Enter within the visa's validity; the green card follows by mail.
How long does it take?
From petition approval to a visa in hand, most consular cases take 8 to 14 months. Cases requiring an I-601A provisional waiver add roughly 12 to 30 months for the waiver decision before the interview can be scheduled.
What does it cost?
Flat fee for the NVC stage and interview preparation.
We quote the NVC stage and the interview preparation together as a flat fee. Waivers are quoted separately because they require hardship evidence and expert documentation.
Frequently asked questions
Not before a waiver is approved if you have accrued unlawful presence, departing can trigger a three or ten year bar.
Contact
Tell us about your case
Send us the basics and we'll reply within one business day in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
- We reply within one business day, in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
- Consultations by phone, Zoom or WhatsApp.
- Attorney input is part of our case evaluation process from the start. The information you share is carefully reviewed with an attorney.
Take the Next Step Today
Whether you need help with a visa, a green card, or deportation defense, we're ready to help.
Reach out to our trusted immigration law attorneys in Coral Springs and South Florida.