Family-based consular processing is a pathway for immigrants to obtain lawful permanent resident status. This program is available to individuals living outside the United States who have a U.S. citizen or permanent resident family member to sponsor them.
To begin the application process, you must apply for the visa at the U.S. Department of State consulate abroad after receiving approval of your immigrant petition and a visa number. A skilled Union City family-based consular processing immigration lawyer can help you navigate this process. Contact the Law Office of Lloyd E. Bennett Esq., P.C. to speak to a family immigration attorney and start your application today.
Family-based consular processing eligibility includes being a beneficiary of an approved immigrant petition that a qualifying family member has filed. It is available to spouses, parents, children, or siblings of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. Your sponsor can file the appropriate petition using Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for immediate relatives, or choose the proper preference categories.
Immediate relatives include spouses and unmarried children under 21, while preference category relatives include adult children and siblings. While there are no restrictions on the number of immediate relative visas the federal government issues annually, other relatives may face extended wait periods.
To apply for a visa under this program, you must reside outside the U.S. In Union City, our immigration attorney is well-versed in family-based consular processing. They can review your case and supporting documentation, determine your eligibility, and provide more detailed information during your consultation.
After reviewing the guidelines to determine and verify that you meet the requirements, your sponsor will file the petition with USCIS for review, establishment of a qualifying relationship, and approval. After approval, your information is passed to the Department of State’s National Visa Center (NVC) for processing.
After USCIS forwards your case to the NVC, you can complete the DS-260 Immigrant Visa Electronic Application, pay the necessary fees, and provide the supporting documents. While the required information may vary, supporting documentation typically includes birth certificates, marriage certificates, police clearances, and affidavits of support. When your visa number is available, the NVC notifies you and transfers the case to the appropriate U.S. consulate or embassy.
The next step is attending a scheduled interview abroad, where the consular officer will review your application, assess admissibility, and conduct a medical exam if necessary. In some cases, they may schedule your exam in advance and notify you of the details.
If the consular officer determines that they have everything they need and that you meet all the requirements, they will issue an approval. You will receive your passport and a sealed visa packet, and you must travel to the U.S. within the validity period stated in the documentation. Upon entering the country, you must present your visa packet to U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the port of entry for admission as a lawful permanent resident.
Timelines can vary significantly depending on specific factors, including petition category, USCIS processing times, country of origin, and visa backlogs. NVC processing generally takes between one and three months, and there is a waiting period for visa availability. Filing a petition to initiate the process of receiving a green card can take anywhere from one to 10 years.
Our family-based immigration lawyer understands how stressful consular processing in Union City can be and is here to help you every step of the way.
Starting the immigration process to reunite with your family is an exciting time, but it can also be confusing and frustrating. Working with a qualified Union City family-based consular processing immigration lawyer can help you relieve some of the stress and navigate the process without unnecessary delays.
We understand the process and requirements and can provide you with legal advice, guidance, and reassurance. Contact the Law Office of Lloyd E. Bennett Esq., P.C. today to schedule an appointment.
(201) 330-8883