Green Card Through Consular Processing
What is Consular Processing?
Consular Process: The Path to a Green Card Abroad
Consular processing is the procedure for obtaining a green card through a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. If you live outside the United States, this is the path you will take to become a lawful permanent resident.
There are two main ways to get a green card through family-based immigration: consular processing and adjustment of status. Adjustment of status is for people who are already in the United States and eligible to apply for permanent residence without leaving. Consular processing, by contrast, takes place overseas and ends with an immigrant visa interview at a U.S. consulate.
This guide will walk you through the major steps in the consular processing path. You’ll learn how a petition is filed, how the National Visa Center prepares your case, what happens at the consular interview before you receive your immigrant visa, as well as costs and responsibilities.
Petitioning a Relative
How do I start consular processing?
The first step in consular processing is for a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident to file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. This petition proves that a qualifying family relationship exists between the sponsor and the immigrant. Filing the I-130 alone does not grant a green card. Instead, it establishes the basis for the case so the immigrant can eventually apply for a visa through consular processing.
Every family-based green card applicant falls into one of two groups: immediate relatives or family preference categories. The group you belong to determines how quickly your case can move forward.
Note: A similar process is available to U.S. citizens that want to bring a fiancé (as well as any children of the fiancé) to the U.S. for marriage. Learn more in the K-1 Visa Overview.
A complete petition package must include the right supporting documents. CitizenPath makes it easy to prepare Form I-130 with step-by-step guidance and a detailed checklist of supporting documents for your situation. Our affordable service helps you avoid mistakes that cause delays and denials. Learn more about preparing Form I-130 with CitizenPath →
Approval Notice
What happens after submitting Form I-130?
After filing Form I-130, USCIS will issue a written decision to the petitioner. This decision comes in the form of Form I-797, Notice of Action, which is the official record of USCIS’s determination. It will look similar to the approval notice pictured below.
- If denied: The notice will explain why USCIS rejected the petition and outline whether you may file an appeal or motion to reopen the case.
- If approved: The petition is forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC) for further processing. The I-797 approval notice confirms the approval, lists important case details, and should be kept in a safe place.
Only the petitioner receives the original Form I-797 by mail. Beneficiaries abroad usually become aware of the approval once the NVC contacts them with instructions for the next stage of consular processing. For a closer look at how long the process may take, you can check our guide to I-130 processing times →
National Visa Center Processing
Can I enter the United States after I-130 approval?
After USCIS approves your I-130 petition, the case is sent to the National Visa Center, part of the U.S. Department of State. The NVC is responsible for collecting fees, reviewing supporting documents, and preparing your case for the consular interview.
Before the NVC can move your case forward, a visa must be available in your category. This is where the Visa Bulletin becomes important. The Visa Bulletin is a monthly update published by the Department of State that shows when visas are available for family preference categories. If you are an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen, you don’t need to wait — your visa is always available. But if you are in a family preference category, you may need to wait months or even years until your priority date becomes current.
We’ve created a detailed guide to help you understand how the Visa Bulletin works and how to track your case:
Immigrant Visa Application: Fees and Documents
What is the DS-260 application?
Once a visa is available and the National Visa Center is ready to process your case, you must complete the immigrant visa application. In fact, you must act on the approved I-130 within one year to avoid case termination. This stage involves paying required fees, submitting forms, and uploading civil documents.
Pay the fees online
- Immigrant visa application fee
- Affidavit of Support fee (filed by the U.S. sponsor)
Upload the Affidavit of Support
- Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, prepared by the petitioner
- Financial documents and other supporting evidence for the I-864
Submit the immigrant visa application
Upload civil documents
- Birth and marriage certificates
- Divorce or death certificates (if applicable)
- Police clearance certificates from all places lived since age 16
- Valid passport
The NVC reviews all forms and documents for completeness. If something is missing or incorrect, they will issue a checklist asking you to correct the problem before your case can move forward.
Once the NVC deems the case “documentarily complete,” the U.S. embassy or consulate will schedule you for a medical exam and an interview.
Attend Consular Interview
When will I have an immigrant visa interview?
The consular interview is the final critical step in the consular processing journey. Held at a U.S. embassy or consulate, a consular officer will:
- Review your application and all original civil documents
- Verify your eligibility and the authenticity of your family-based relationship
- Confirm that you do not pose a security risk, public charge liability, or any other grounds of inadmissibility
Being honest, well-prepared, and organized can significantly improve your chances. While the interview process varies by location, most applicants are cleared and issued an immigrant visa on the spot.
For a full breakdown of preparation steps, typical questions, and what to expect afterward, see our in-depth guide: Consular Interview Success: Your Guide to Family-Based Green Card Interviews →
Enter the U.S. as a Permanent Resident
When do I get a green card?
If your visa is approved at the consular interview, you won’t receive your green card immediately. Instead, the U.S. embassy or consulate will send you a visa packet, a sealed envelope containing your immigration documents. This packet usually arrives within several days by courier.
When you travel to the United States, present the visa packet to a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at your port of entry. The officer will review your documents and, if admitted, you officially become a lawful permanent resident. Your physical green card is then produced by USCIS and mailed to your U.S. address a few weeks later.
Petitioner and Applicant Responsibilities
Who needs to do these tasks?
Consular processing is a team effort. The petitioner (the U.S. citizen or permanent resident who files the petition) and the applicant (the family member seeking a green card) each have important responsibilities at different stages. The petitioner’s role is to establish the qualifying relationship and provide financial sponsorship, while the applicant completes the visa application, attends the medical exam, and appears for the consular interview.
The table below provides a breakdown of the sequential steps in consular processing and identifies which tasks belong to the petitioner and which belong to the applicant.
| Step | Task | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Submit Form I-130 (Petition) | Petitioner |
| 2 | Case Creation & Welcome Letter (NVC) | Both (notice sent; initiated by petitioner) |
| 3 | Pay Immigrant Visa and Affidavit of Support Fees | Applicant (petitioner provides financial details) |
| 4 | Submit Form I-864, Affidavit of Support | Petitioner (and joint sponsor, if needed) |
| 5 | Upload Financial Documents | Petitioner |
| 6 | Complete Form DS-260 Online Application | Applicant |
| 7 | Upload Civil Documents | Applicant |
| 8 | Submit Documents via CEAC Portal | Applicant (petitioner may assist) |
| 9 | Prepare for Interview (medical exam, courier, etc.) | Applicant |
| 10 | Attend the Consular Interview | Applicant |
| 11 | Receive Visa Packet & Pay USCIS Immigrant Fee | Applicant |
| 12 | Travel to U.S. and Present Visa Packet | Applicant |
Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
Use Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) to start the immigration process for a family member. Each year, USCIS rejects or denies thousands of I-130 petitions. Rejections and denials delay the process and can cost you money. Therefore, it's important to get it right.
* Data based on USCIS Forms Data and Lockbox Rejection Data.
Consular Processing Costs
What are the total fees for the consular process?
In total, most applicants can expect to pay $1,340 in government fees. These fees are required for every case. The good news is that they are not all due at once. They are collected in stages over several months as your case moves forward.
This table outlines the consular processing fees from various government agencies in the family-based process, including USCIS and U.S. Department of State (via an NVC and consulate). It also lists the costs of using CitizenPath for preparation.
| USCIS, NVC or U.S. Consulate Item | Government Fee | CitizenPath Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative | $675 | $149 |
| Form I-130A, Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary | $0 | Included with Form I-130 |
| DS-260, Immigrant Visa Application | $325 | N/A |
| Form I-864, Affidavit of Support | $120 | $129 |
| Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record | $0 | N/A |
| USCIS Immigrant Fee | $220 | N/A |
| Total for Typical Adult Applicant | $1,340 | $278 |
In addition to government fees, you should expect other expenses during consular processing. Each applicant must complete a medical exam with an embassy-approved doctor. The doctors are independent and set their own fees. You may also need to budget for travel to the exam or consular interview, passport-style photos, postage, and police certificates (if required).
Government fees can’t be avoided, but mistakes that cause delays or denials can. That’s where CitizenPath helps. For a fraction of the cost of hiring an attorney, CitizenPath’s online service is ideal for straightforward cases where you want the peace of mind that everything is done correctly.
Consular Processing FAQs
How CitizenPath Helps You Prepare the I-130 Petition
How do I prepare Form I-130 and other immigration forms?
CitizenPath’s affordable online service makes it simple to prepare Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. Designed by immigration attorneys, our Immigrant Visa Petition Package helps you avoid the common mistakes that cause delays, rejections, and denials. The software flags potential problems, provides step-by-step guidance, and gives you personalized filing instructions. You stay in control with an easy, do-it-yourself tool that's backed by live customer support and a money-back guarantee of USCIS approval. Get started →
STEP 1 | Check Eligibility | |
We're going to ask you a few questions to make sure you're eligible and preparing the correct form. | ||
STEP 2 | Prepare Form I-130 | |
Our software will guide you through the I-130 petition using simple step-by-step instructions. | ||
STEP 3 | Download, Print and File | |
Once you're completely satisfied, you’ll be able to print your I-130 and customized filing instructions. | ||
