Consular Processing Step by Step: From Petition to Immigrant Visa

Immigration » Consular processing » Process

Consular processing is how many people become permanent residents from outside the United States. The case moves from USCIS, to the National Visa Center, to a U.S. embassy or consulate.

Step 1: Approved petition

A family or employer petition is approved by USCIS, or the applicant is selected in another program.

Step 2: National Visa Center

The case is sent to the National Visa Center, which assigns a case number.
You pay fees, submit the visa application and upload civil documents.
The sponsor submits the affidavit of support in family cases.

Step 3: Wait for a visa number

For preference categories, you wait until your priority date is current under the Visa Bulletin. Immediate relatives do not wait for a number.

Step 4: Medical exam and interview

A panel physician performs the medical exam.
The embassy schedules your interview.
You attend with original documents.

Step 5: Visa issuance and entry

If approved, you receive an immigrant visa packet. You enter the United States, and your green card is mailed after you pay the immigrant fee.

Delays and administrative processing

Some cases take longer for security checks or further review. We follow up and advise on options.

Consular processing guide

How our firm helps with consular processing

We prepare the National Visa Center submissions so the case is complete and ready for scheduling.
We plan around unlawful presence bars and provisional waivers before you leave the country.
We prepare you for the consular interview and for questions about your history.
We follow up on delays and respond to notices such as section 221(g).

Situations we handle

Cases stuck in administrative processing
Applicants who need a waiver
Interviews with complicated family histories
Refusals that need a response

Why clients choose our firm

A Texas-licensed attorney serving immigration clients in all 50 states.
Russian-language service for clients and families.
Clear communication and updates through our client portal.
A full review of your history before anything is filed, so problems are caught early.
Organized filings and representation through interviews, requests for evidence and appeals.

Get help with consular processing

Request a consultation to review your situation. Legal plan members can mention their plan when booking.

This page is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Immigration rules, policies and fees change often. Last updated: November 2026.