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Consular Processing 

Getting your Green Card outside the United States.

Coming to the U.S. as a Lawful Permanent Resident

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Consular Processing is when an immigrant visa is processed outside of the United States through a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. This process allows a noncitizen who lives outside the U.S., and has an approved I-130/I-140 petition, to apply for an immigrant visa (Green Card), interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate and, if approved, come to the United States as a lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder). 

Step I: Relative/Employer Petition

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U.S. Citizen and Permanent Resident can file Form- I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, for their relatives living outside the United States to come to the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident. 

A U.S. citizen can petition for:

  • spouse;

  • child(ren) (unmarried and under 21 years of age);

  • parents (petitioner must be 21 years old or older); and

  • siblings (petitioner must be 21 years old or older).

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A Lawful Permanent Resident can petition for:

  • spouse; and 

  • child(ren).

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A lawful permanent resident (LPR) can petition for his/her spouse and children to immigrate to the U.S. as permanent resident but not for his/her parents or siblings.  A LPR must first become a naturalized U.S. citizen to petition for parents and siblings

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A U.S. employer will file Form I-140, Petition for Alien Worker, to petition for a future employee living outside the United States.  

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If Form I-130/I-140 petition is approved, USCIS will send a Notice of Approval to the petitioner and forward the approved I-130/I-140 to the U.S. Department of State National Visa Center (NVC) for processing.

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Step II: NVC Processing 

The National Visa Center (NVC) is responsible for processing the Immigrant Visa Application (DS-260), collecting any applicable fees, and supporting documents via the NVC portal.  

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NVC will notify both the petitioner and beneficiary when an immigrant visa number becomes available and when to complete the application, pay the visa processing fees, and upload all supporting documents. All payments and required supporting documents must be processed and uploaded via the NVC portal. 

 

In addition to the DS-260 Immigrant Visa Application, NVC will require that the Petitioner complete and upload Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, (family-based visa). 

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Required supporting documents include original or certified copies of:​

  • birth certificates;

  • marriage certificates;

  • divorce decree (if previously married); 

  • police records; etc.

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Once all required documents are uploaded to NVC portal, reviewed, processed, and approved, NVC will forward the application to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to schedule an immigrant visa interview.

Step III: Interview at U.S. Embassy or Consulate

When an immigrant visa becomes available for your relative/employee, an interview will be scheduled via the Consular office. Your relative/employee will be required to bring original documents, police certification, and medical report to the interview. 

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If the interview goes well, and the visa is approved, your relative/employee's passport will be stamped with the immigrant visa, allowing your relative/employee to enter the U.S. as a Green Card holder. The physical Green Card will be mailed to your relative/employee's address in the U.S.

 

Very important to note, once the immigrant visa is issued, your relative/employee must come to the United States within 6 months. 

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We are innovative and diligent in our process.

Like every other immigration process, Consular Processing requires attention to details and efficiency. 

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At DAGADU Law, we utilize the latest technology to enhance productivity and efficiency.

 

Our innovative approach to technology allows us to effectively assist our clients with their immigrant visa application via the National Visa Center (NVC) processing.

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We are responsive to NVC communications to ensure a smooth and timely processing of your immigrant visa application. 

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Our innovative system allows us to process your immigrant visa application in a timely and efficient manner. 

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Let us handle your Consular Processing immigrant visa application to ensure your  relative or employee application is properly and timely submitted.

Our Mission is to positively change lives through excellence practice of the law.

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Copyright © 2022 - 2024 DAGADU LAW PLLC, All Rights Reserved.

1629 K Street NW, Suite 300

Washington, DC 20006

(by appointment only)

(202) 843-8484

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