Chicago Immigration Attorney
Consular Processing
Sverdloff Law Group
Consular Processing
For people seeking to live or work in the United States who are currently residing in another country, their application for legal permanent residency must go through a procedure known as consular processing. While every application is different, there are some typical steps that most cases go through, which are explained below.
1. Contact Sverdloff Law Group
There is a lot of confusing information out there about immigration, and a qualified immigration lawyer can help you avoid serious mistakes in your application. We recommend contacting an attorney before you apply.
2. Partner to Create Strategy
Receiving a green card through consular processing usually requires you to be sponsored by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. The sponsor must be a close relative, spouse, or employer. Sverdloff Law Group can work with this person in the U.S. to coordinate your application.
3. Determine Type of Application
Family-based immigrant petitions are the most common, followed by employer-based. However, there are also special categories and humanitarian programs that allow immigrants to apply under other circumstances. Your attorney can advise you on which type of application is best for your situation.
4. Gather Documentation
There can often be delays and obstacles in the application process and submitting the most complete application possible is important for avoiding further delays. Your legal team will help you gather the evidence that must be submitted with your application.
5. Apply for Immigrant Petition
The sponsor will submit the completed immigrant petition to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and wait for a decision. USCIS may ask for additional documentation at this time.
6. Submit Fees and Documents to NVC
Once the immigrant petition is approved and a visa number is available, the National Visa Center (NVC) will contact the sponsor, also called the petitioner, and notify them of when to submit processing fees and supporting documentation.
7. Attend Interview
The consular office will then schedule your interview. Original versions of your application documents may need to be presented to the consular office at this time. If information such as your marital status or address changes after the interview, you will need to notify the NVC.
8. Visa Granted
If your visa is granted, the consular office will provide you with a packet of information known as a Visa Packet. Do not open the packet. You will also be required to pay an immigrant fee, and it is recommended that you do this before departing your home country.
9. Travel to the US
When you arrive at a port of entry in the United States, you’ll give your Visa Packet to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). A CBP officer will then inspect the documents and admit you as a lawful permanent resident.
10. Receive Green Card
Your green card should be sent to your U.S. address within 45 days of arriving in the country. If you haven’t paid the immigrant fee to the USCIS, you will need to do so before the green card is sent to you.
We Help People Make America Their Home
The U.S. immigration process can be intimidating, but there is help available. Sverdloff Law Group is dedicated to helping individuals, couples, and families start their lives together in America. For assistance with consular processing or another immigration matter, contact our office today.
Helping You Realize Your Dreams for a New Life in the United States
Our immigration attorneys will fight to ensure that you receive the best outcome in your immigration case.
Julia Sverdloff, Esq.
Attorney Julia Sverdloff is the founder and owner of Sverdloff Law Group in Chicago, Illinois. Our firm speaks Russian and Spanish.
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Very knowledgeable attorney. I had the chance to work with many attorneys last ten years. Julia was most knowledgeable and helpful. She got the job done right. Thank you. Read More
Mirrakhim
Julia's help was invaluable. She is very professional, knowledgeable, straightforward, fast, and empathetic. She was able to solve a green card issue I had been dealing with for 5,5 years in 4 months and helped me with the naturalization process as well. She prepared me thoroughly for the interview, and… Read More
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Exceptional Legal Representation for Asylum Cases
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Alexander
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Mir M.
Sverdloff law group is the best immigration and visa attorney I have ever worked with. From our first phone meeting, she explained everything to me in terms I could easily understand she also tells you right away how much you’ll be paying and she’s always very responsive when you have… Read More
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From the first contact with Sverdloff Law Group and Julia and her team I was delighted with such professionalism and care that they have provided to me in process to obtain the Green card and obtaining the necessary documentation, providing guidance if you are in need to obtain Green card… Read More
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Julia and her team were so helpful throughout the entire process of our case. They were super efficient and always very responsive if we had questions or needed updates. They made our case so easy and we got our case approved without having to go on an interview. They are… Read More
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We liked the fact that she told the price right away on the phone. Others wanted to say this only in a paid consultation. Julia met us immediately. It was a pleasure to work with her during about 4 years. She prepared us perfectly for the interview. She also did… Read More
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The Julia Sverdloff law group is highly professional, trustworthy and exceptional for legal representation that any client may wish to have. I was denied of US Citizenship before, but meeting her as my attorney brought a positive result to become a US citizen today. I highly recommend that anyone looking… Read More
John
I want to start by saying a very big thank you to Julia and her team for their thorough work in getting my adjustment of status filed and approved. I will highly recommend her to every single person who needs an immigration lawyer. Her professionalism and guidance was so impressive.… Read More
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I have since had a consultation call with Julia and she explained the basics and costs, will certainly be giving it some consideration. Thank you Read More
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