IMMIGRATION HELP PHILADELPHIA
Consular Processing
There are two different paths to becoming a permanent resident in the United States (getting a green card). One of them deals with adjusting your status once you are already in the United States, and the second one deals with getting a visa while you are abroad that will allow you to enter the United States. The second path is called consular processing. Consular processing can be a lengthy process, but we can help guide you along the way.
The first step to consular processing is determining if you are eligible. There are a number of ways in which you can become eligible. You could be eligible because a family member has filed a petition on your behalf, or if an employer files a petition on your behalf. Another way to obtain a green card through consular processing is by obtaining refugee or asylum status first, and then getting a green card. There are a number of ways someone can be eligible for a green card through consular processing and, and the ones listed above are just a few of them. It can sometimes be difficult to determine if you are eligible or not, but we can help you with that as well. The most common way that an immigrant obtains a green card is through a petition filed by a family or employer, so we will explain that process to you in a little more detail. The next step after you determine your eligibility would be to get this petition filed on your behalf. If it is a family member filing a petition on your behalf, they will have to file the I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. If you are having an employer file on your behalf, you will have to file the I-140, Petition for Alien Worker. 
Once the proper petitions are filed, the next step is to wait for a decision. USCIS will let you know if the petition is approved or denied, and if it is denied, they will provide you with a reason for their denial. If the petition is approved, an appointment for an interview will be scheduled when a visa is available. Immigrants obtaining visas through family members become available based on a chronological determination, which is partially determined by the date that the I-130 was properly filed. Immigrants obtaining a visa through an employer are distributed similarly, based on when the I-140 was properly filed.
If you are abroad when your visa is granted, you will receive a Visa Packet, which you should not open. When you actually arrive in the United States, you will need to give this packet to the Customs and Border Protection officer. This officer will look at your packet and inspect you, and once they determine that everything is in order, you will be permitted to enter the United States as a permanent resident, and you will legally be allowed to live and work in the United States. The last step is actually receiving your green card. You will receive this in the mail once you arrive in the United States, and after you pay the USCIS ELIS fee. If you have been in the United States for 45 days and still have not received your green card, you should let USCIS know, or let us know and we can help make sure you receive the green card. |
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