

Of his or her vaccination and medical records to the exam. Or her passport, any prior chest x-rays, passport-style photographs of him or herself, and copies The applicant must bring the interview appointment notice, his The medical exam must be performed by a panel physician approved by the Department of State and located in the country where the Required to undergo a medical examination. Prior to the interview all immigrant visa applicants, including dependent family members, are

The new date could be in a month or not until several months later, as consulates are very The applicant must either attend the interview on the date and time specified by theĬonsulate, or submit a request to reschedule the interview. The interview itself usuallyįalls approximately 4-6 weeks after the date on which the applicant receives the appointment Weeks after the case has been transferred to the consulate abroad. The appointment notice is generally sent approximately 2-4 Once the consulate receives the application from NVC, it performs an additional review and then Review the materials, and if all the necessary documents are present, NVC forwards the caseĪlong to the appropriate consulate for further processing. The case is being processed through, to the NVC. The applicant's supporting documentation by mail or email, depending on the consulate The applicant or the attorney also submits Once the fees have been paid, the applicant completes and submits an online form, the DS-260. The feeīill is usually sent out approximately 6-8 weeks after the approval of the I-140 petition. Of the I-140 petition, NVC sends a fee bill to the applicant or the applicant's attorney. Department of State runs the NVC, which is located in New Hampshire. Processing Through the National Visa Center Processing procedures vary depending on the consulate at which the applicant will apply for the If consular processing is not selected on the I-140 petition, and the applicant later decides toĬonsular process, he or she must file an I-824 application, with fee, requesting that the previouslyĪpproved I-140 petition be forwarded to the National Visa Center to begin processing. Petition itself, and notification of its approval, along to the National Visa Center (“NVC”). Upon approval of the I-140, USCIS sends anĪpproval notice to the petitioning employer or to the attorney of record. It be forwarded to the National Visa Center.

employer files an I-140 petition with USCIS requesting that when the petition is approved, Consular Processing: How it WorksĪn employment-based consular processing application begins when the prospective (or current) This article discusses the pros and cons of each option. However, in some cases consular processing may be a better Option, both due to the lack of a travel requirement and because the applicant is afforded anĪppeal in the event of denial. Typically adjustment of status is the favored Travel to his home country for an immigrant visa interview whereas adjustment of status permitsĪll processing to occur within the United States. Consular processing requires the applicant to Permanent resident status in the United States. Consular processing and adjustment of status are two means to the same end: obtaining
