After you are approved as a beneficiary of an immigration petition and an immigration visa number becomes available, there are two pathways to apply for lawful permanent resident status in the U.S. The path depends on whether you are applying from outside the U.S. or already residing in the country. If you are applying for a U.S. green card, contact a knowledgeable Middlesex County, New Jersey, Green Card Lawyer who can help you understand how to apply from outside the U.S. Please continue reading to learn who can apply for lawful permanent resident status through consular processing.
Who can apply through consular processing?
If you are already in the United States, you are permitted to apply for permanent resident status without having to return to your country of origin to complete processing. This process is referred to as adjustment of status. However, if you are outside of the United States, you can apply at a U.S. Department of State consulate abroad for an immigrant visa to be permitted to enter the U.S. and be admitted as a permanent resident. This pathway is called consular processing.
The only people that should apply through consular processing are those already qualified for lawful permanent resident status through marriage, employment, family, or other means and have filed relevant petitions such as Form I-30 for family, Form I-40 for employment, or Form I-360 for particular categories. During consular processing, you must wait in your home country for the United States Citizenship Immigration Services (USCIS) decision on your petition. If USCIS denies your petition, the notice will reveal whether you can appeal the decision. However, if the petition is approved, they will send a notice of the approved petition to the Department of State’s National Visa Center. It will remain there until an immigrant visa number becomes available to you. You should prepare yourself for a lengthy wait for a visa number if you are not married to a U.S. citizen. It is imperative to check the priority date to see when you can apply.
Once your visa or current priority date is available, the consular office will contact you to schedule an immigration interview. You will be asked various questions for USCIS to verify that the information you provided is accurate and that you meet eligibility requirements. To ensure you take the proper steps, contact a qualified Middlesex County, New Jersey, Green Card Lawyer from the Law Offices of Aditya Surti, LLC today. Our firm is committed to helping our clients apply for lawful permanent resident status in the U.S. Allow our firm to help you prepare for your immigration interview to maximize your chances of being approved.
