Overview of Consular Processing

Many immigrants become eligible for permanent residence through an employer or family member petition. Others become permanent residents via special provisions such as refugees seeking asylum. If your family member who is a U.S. citizen will be petitioning for you, they may file a Petition for Alien Relative. If it’s a United States employer petitioning you, they will file a Petition for Alien Worker. Finally, if a relative is currently outside the United States, they may apply at the nearest United States Consulate office or Embassy.

Upon approval of your petition, USCIS will transfer your case to the Department of State’s National Visa Center (NVC) for pre-processing. NVC’s primary function is to prepare applications for consular officers to judge. If approved, a designated immigrant visa number eventually becomes available from the NVC. The NVC will require extensive documentation from you before even assigning you this case number. They will need your financial documents and may require other supporting documentation. The NVC will also require the completion of an affidavit of support signed by the petitioner, who will act as a sponsor. A sponsor must meet the appropriate income requirements to qualify for signing an affidavit.

Additionally, an online application or Form DS-260 must also be completed before your permanent residency interview. Finally, after the interview process, which includes considerable preparation, you will be required to submit even more documentation. If this sounds like a lot, that’s because it is. The entire process can last up to a year. However, with the assistance of an experienced consular processing lawyer, you can rest assured that your case is moving along as fast as possible.

The consular process may be overwhelming given the length of the process, the complexities of the procedures involved, and the documentation requirements. A USCIS consular processing lawyer can accomplish all the essential tasks to ensure the process is as smooth as possible. Our consular processing law firm will also ensure that all requirements are fulfilled without unnecessary delay. For assistance with consular processing cases near Plainfield, NJ, our skilled consular processing lawyer will make an impactful difference in the efficiency of your immigration process.

What is the H-1B Visa?

The H-1B Visa is a work visa that allows nonimmigrant foreign workers who hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent to perform in U.S-based employment positions. The H-1B allows for temporary employment under the condition that the employer demonstrates an absence of competent U.S. applicants for the job. The job offered must explicitly require the skills of at least a bachelor’s degree in the field related to the presented occupation. Furthermore, a worker whose H-1B has been approved by one employer cannot proceed to work for another unless the second employer has also successfully completed the H-1B.

Contact Our Expert Immigration Attorneys

A consular processing lawyer familiar with the H-1B application process is essential to a smooth experience. With the Law Offices of Patrick C. McGuinness at your side, you will save time and energy, securing that you have the best application possible. We will review the timeline with you and your employer, so everyone is on the same page and thoroughly prepared. Or suppose you or an acquaintance requires a USCIS consular processing lawyer to support you throughout the consular processing. In that case, the expert attorneys at Law Offices of Patrick C. McGuinness LLC, in Plainfield, NJ, are also at your disposal.