| Consular processing(CP) is equivalent to 485 or adjustment
of status process with the difference is that 485 can
be filed only if the applicant is physically present
in USA.
Consular processing is a interview process which, an
applicant can take at us consulate overseas.
In order to apply for the consular processing , applicant's
I-140 must be approved and the visa number (priority
date) should be current.
You can apply for consular processing if 1. You are outside the US
2. You live in the US but prefer processing at a US
consulate abroad for convenience What are the steps in Consular Processing? The following steps are involved in consular processing:
- You can indicate that you will opt for consular
processing at the time of filing your I-40 petition
( If you specified that you will apply for AoS at
the time of filing the I-40 and decide to go for consular
processing instead, you must file Form I-824 with
the USCIS. This is to request consular processing
and there is a filing fee of $195 payable by check
or money order)
- The USCIS will forward the information about your
I-40 approval to the National Visa Center (NVC). The
NVC will sends an Instruction Package for Immigrant
Visa Applicants (Packet 3) to you when your visa number
becomes available
* You and your family complete the forms in the package
and return it to NVC
* NVC will process the forms
* NVC will inform the State Department Visa Office
once the processing is completed and request them
to allot a visa number to you and your family
* The NVC will schedule an immigrant visa processing
appointment for interview that you and your family
must attend. This will be at the US Consulate that
issues the immigrant visa. If there is no problem,
you and your family will be issued immigrant visas.
What documents are required for Consular Processing? The following documents may be required for consular
processing:
- Approved I-40 petition.
- The receipt notice for Form I-824 (only if indicating
to apply for consular processing at first) or the
approved notice for Form I-824 (only if later requesting
consular processing)
- Evidence that your last residence was in the host
country of the post
- Form DS-230: Application for Immigrant Visa and
Alien Registration Part I (Biographic Information)
and Part II (Sworn Statement)
- Birth Certificates: One certified copy for each
person named in your application
- Police Clearance Certificate: each applicant named
in your application must have a certificate from the
appropriate police authority stating whatever their
records show about that applicant. This certificate
must cover the entire period of your stay in any area.
- Court and Prison Records - if applicable
- Updated job offer letter from your employer
- Medical Report: All applicants must pass a medical
examination from one of the approved panel physicians
- Passport: all applicants' passports must be valid
for at least six months beyond the visa issue date.
Minor children should have their own passports
- Proof of Relationship with spouse and children:
this may include marriage certificate (along with
proof of termination of previous marriage, if applicable),
birth certificates etc.
- Photographs: visa photographs must meet the new
requirements
How much time does it take? From the date the immigrant visa is available, an average
of 5 to 13 months processing time is expected - of course,
this may vary depending on the number of pending cases
at that particular time. What are the differences between Consular Processing
and Adjustment of Status?
- The time frame for Consular Processing is quicker
than Adjustment of Status
- Consular Processing must be done in the (foreign)
country of residence or country of birth; If you apply
for adjustment of status, you must reside in the United
States.
- As an alien who applies for Consular Processing,
you have no benefits of work permit and advance parole.
Generally speaking, if you apply for AoS, you may
also apply for the benefits of work permit and advance
parole.
- If you apply for Consular Processing, you must
appear for the interview and medical exam at the consulate
of the country of last residence or country of birth;
if you apply for AoS you will need to take fingerprints
and Physical exam in the US. For more information
about adjustment of status please click here.
The Interview Process? All applicants for consular processing are expected
to attend the interview. The NVC or the Consular Section
will send Information for Immigrant Visa Applicants
(Packet Four) instructing the you to gather the documents
that will be necessary for the interview. This will
be done before the scheduling of the interview. You
must submit documents like birth and marriage certificates,
biographic data, police records and affidavit of support.
There will be a complete checklist of required documents
in the Packet Four. Immigrant visa fees are currently
$335, payable by check or demand draft. When your case arrives at the Consular Section, and
if your priority date is current, you will be scheduled
for an interview. If you cannot make this appointment,
or you know your documents will be incomplete, you should
notify the Consular Section right away to be rescheduled.
Appointments are scheduled approximately 5 – 6
weeks ahead. You will be notified of the scheduled appointments
through the mail and should come to the Consular Office
on the morning of the interview at the scheduled appointment
time, bringing your passports, all relevant documentation
as requested, and bank drafts to pay application and
issuance fees for each person applying for a visa. Please
write your name, address, and telephone number on the
back of each draft. If no problems arise, immigrant
visas are generally approved on the day of the application
and issued later the same day.
After the paperwork and interview
If the application is approved, the person will be issued an immigrant visa, which is good for only six months. If the person does not enter the US within that period of time, the visa will expire and the opportunity to immigrate will be lost.
If the application denied
If the application is denied, the principle consular officer at the post reviews it. If the officer desires, he can get a second opinion from the State Department. However, if, after this point, the denial is upheld, there is no appeal available to the applicant.
Entering to the USA - At the Port of Entry:
When entering into USA , base don this immigrant visa you don't need to fill I-94.You enter US with your immigrant visa, passport, the documents given by the consulate sealed envelope given by the consulate. At the port of entry, after your basic interview you may be taken to the immigration office at POE where immigration officer will revieew the document and issue a I551 stamp ( temporary green card stamp) this stamp is valid for one year. You will receive an actual plastic green card via regular mail within few months.
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