At the time that the immigrant visa petition is filed, the alien must indicate whether s/he will be processing the application for the visa abroad through a U.S. Consulate or in the U.S. through the USCIS. If the alien will be processing the visa application through a U.S. Consulate, upon approval of the petition, the USCIS will notify the National Visa Center (NVC). Once the NVC receives the petition, it will send a Visa Packet III application package to the alien. Packet III consists of a set of forms and instructions of additional documentation that will be required. Upon the Consulate's receipt of the alien's completed forms, it will generate Packet IV and advise the alien of the date/time of his/her immigrant visa interview. The alien will usually have several weeks advance notice of the appointment.

U.S. Consulates may require additional documents that are not required when the alien adjusts status in the U.S. Some of the additional documents can include Police Certificates for each country in which the alien has resided for more than 6 months after reaching the age of 16. In addition, Consular Processing requires actual interviews for all aliens and attorneys are not normally allowed to accompany aliens at the interviews. If something goes wrong at the interview or the Consular Official requests additional information, the alien will be "stuck" outside the U.S. until the issues are resolved.

Foreign Consular Offices in the United States

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