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.
Julia Sverdloff, Esq.
Attorney Julia Sverdloff is the founder and owner of Sverdloff Law Group in Chicago, Illinois. Our firm speaks Ukranian, Russian, Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian 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
Veronique
I received my Permanent Resident Card in the mail today. I'm impressed by this lawyer's expertise. Julia Sverdloff handled my case with professionalism and achieved an outstanding result. I truly appreciate all your help and definitely recommend the firm. Read More
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Julia was extremely supportive throughout my case, she is very experienced and knowledgeable about immigration laws. She understands the nature of the issues and helps during the whole process. She listens to the clients and pays attention to their needs. I felt extremely confident in her presence during my interview.… Read More
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I cannot thank Julia and her team enough for all the help and support during our challenging immigration process. My husband finally got his green card, and we were so glad we trusted Julia to lead us through this journey. If you are looking for an immigration layer, she is… Read More
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My experience with Attorney Julia Sverdloff has been excellent, her service and dedication is outstanding. She is honest and professional with her approach to my concerns. I trust her expertise. I would highly recommend her to represent any complex legal matter. Read More
Shelssie K.
I had a great experience with Julia while filing my permanent residency and travel document applications. The entire process went smoothly; she answered all my questions in detail and provided support throughout. This isn't the first time Julia's office has assisted me with my immigration inquiries, and each time, they… Read More
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Sverdloff Law Group and Julia was the best law firm I have ever worked with . Julia is so kind and understanding and she will go far and beyond to help you out with your case . My previous lawyer was telling me how complicated and complex my case was… Read More
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I had an AMAZING experience with Julia and her team, and can’t recommend them enough. From the first Zoom meeting with Julia, till the day I got my green card, it was a super smooth process. Love love the way Addilene took care of me; she is amazing at what… Read More
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Julia is a very experience immigration attorney that treats every case with the same drive, compassion, and empathy. I have seen Julia interact, advise, and guide clients in a manner that emits trust and knowledge. Julia is an asset to the practice of law! Read More
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A wonderful team amazing people you feel they are the real professionals who can give you the best for your case , never let you down in communication through the phone or the E-mail. Julia and Scot are the perfect lawyers for my case , Becca was amazing, knowledgeable, and… Read More
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Great experience, I recommend to anyone that's dealing with USCIS. USCIS is a shame itself, and doing things on my own was not the right path, after 3 years waiting we finally got a NOID, that's when we start to work with Sverdloff law group. Sverdloff Law Group, P.C know… Read More
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I highly recommend this law firm, as Julia and her team are top-notch professionals who are always available to communicate and answer any questions. If you are in need of a competent and capable lawyer, I would highly recommend this law firm for their expertise and dedication to their clients. Read More
Raymond D.
Excellent attorney. I am an attorney myself in NYC, but i refer all clients out of state. Everyone been giving extremely positive feed back. Read More
Inara K.
Julia, Addilene and team made very simple and straightforward what could otherwise been a lot of work and research on my own. If you are in need of assistance with the complexities of immigration, it is well worth partnering with Sverdloff Law Group! Read More
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