Applying for permanent residency through consular processing is extremely important for people in other countries. Having a clear list of the steps and when they take place will help you stay calm and be more ready for everything you face. We’ll outline the whole consular processing timeline for you in this blog
What is Consular Processing?
A foreign national can use consular processing to receive a U.S. green card (lawful permanent residency) from a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the United States. Most people who use this use it after being selected through employment- or family-based immigration.
Step-by-Step Timeline of Consular Processing
1. It is the receiver who files a petition with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The process normally takes between 2 and 12 months.
It all begins when a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident or employer file an immigrant petition.
To start a family-based petition, complete I-130.
Form I-140 should be used for employment-based petitions.
Processing Time:
I-130 applications are processed in 6–12 months (depending on the center).
Working on an I-140results in an estimated time frame of 2–6 months (premium processing may speed up the time, though).
2. It is USCIS approval that causes the file to be transferred from them to the NVC.
You should complete this in 2 to 4 weeks.
When the petition is passed by USCIS, NVC takes over the application. Your case is assigned a number by the NVC and is set up for consideration by the consulate.
3. Documents Collection and Paying Fees
The process from your application to getting results should take about 2 to 4 months.
At this time, you have to:
Cover the government’s visa charges
Fill out your Immigrant Visa Application, DS-260.
Present original civil papers (for example, birth certificate, passport and police certificates)
Include and agree to submit an affidavit of support for family petitions (this is Form I-864)
Remember, any missing documents or errors can hold up this process, so be extra careful before putting in your documents.
4. The appointment scheduling service from NVC
The process should take 1–3 months.
When your paperwork is approved, you get an invitation from the NVC for an interview at the local U.S. embassy or consulate. You’ll receive:
Interview invite letter
Rules for how to conduct a medical exam by a certified physician
5. Getting ready for a medical examination and a job interview
A timeline of 1–2 weeks before the interview should be observed.
You should do the following before you have your interview:
Visit a medical examination at an assigned clinic.
Get hold of all the original and copy versions of necessary documents
Make sure you have both your appointment letter and any documents you were asked for.
6. A Visa Interview takes place at the U.S. Consulate.
The entire process: from Interview Day to up to two weeks afterward
When I met with you:
A consular officer will require you to answer questions about your application
In some cases, you will be approved right away, but in others your case will require more examination.
Upon approval, your passport will come with your visa and an sealed package related to immigration.
7. How Visas Are Issued and How People Enter the United States
The project is completed after 1–2 weeks.
With your successful visa face, you will have as many as 6 months to journey to the U.S.
You will present your visa, I-20 and packet to the officer at Customs and Border Protection (CBP) when you arrive in the U.S. After that, you will be identified as a lawful permanent resident.
8. How your Green Card Delivery is Processed
Between two and four weeks after signing a contract in the United States
You will receive your green card by mail to your home in the United States. As long as you are waiting, your visa is considered your legal proof of residency.
If you need more detailed guidance, support, or just the latest updates to help you apply for a
green card outside the U.S., visit https://helpingreencard.com/ or call us at +91 8305233223.
We are here to help you every step of the way.
