Chattanooga Consular Cases & Waivers Lawyer
Tennessee Immigration Lawyer Representing Clients in Chattanooga Consular Cases & Waivers
If you or a family member has applied for an immigrant petition and been approved, you should have received information about your immigrant visa number in order to begin the process of applying for lawful permanent residence in the United States. However, if you are currently outside the United States, then you need to learn more about consular processing. For anyone who wants to be admitted to the United States as a permanent resident but is living outside the United States, the pathway to permanent residency is usually through consular processing. An experienced Chattanooga consular cases & waivers lawyer at our firm can help with your case.
What is Consular Processing in Chattanooga, Tennessee?
Whether you have family members in Chattanooga with whom you are planning to reside when you come to the U.S. or you had a previous home in Chattanooga prior to receiving an approved immigrant petition, if you are living outside the United States when you hope to return to the United States in order to gain lawful permanent residency, you will need to come to the United States through consular processing.
According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), “you may apply at a U.S. Department of State consulate abroad for an immigrant visa in order to come to the United States and be admitted as a permanent resident,” and “this pathway is referred to as consular processing.”
What Steps Are Involved in Consular Processing?
With consular processing and consular cases, you will need to go through a number of steps required by U.S. immigration law. According to USCIS, the following are the key steps for consular processing:
- First, you must determine whether you are eligible to apply for lawful permanent residence in the United States, which typically occurs when a family member or employer files a petition on your behalf;
- Second, you will need to file an immigration petition (or have a person in the U.S. file the petition on your behalf, depending on your circumstances), which may include a family-based immigration petition, an employment-based immigration petition, or a petition through a humanitarian program or because you classify for a special category;
- Third, you will need to wait for USCIS to notify you of the decision on your petition, including the reasons for denial if you are denied;
- Fourth, if you are approved, you will need to wait for notification from the National Visa Center (NVC) for information about submitting your visa processing fees and any necessary supporting documentation;
- Fifth, you must go for an interview at the consular office;
- Sixth, if applicable, you must notify the NVC of any changes to your petition (such as a change of address or change in marital status);
- Seventh, if you are granted an immigrant visa, you will need to pay certain fees and depart for the United States; and
- Eighth and finally, after arriving in the U.S., if you are admitted to the country, you will receive your Green Card in the mail within 45 days of arrival.
Waivers in Chattanooga
If you are determined to be inadmissible to the United States, you may be able to request a waiver. Waivers are extremely complicated, and it is important to speak with an immigration lawyer about the waiver that is appropriate for your circumstances.
Contact a Chattanooga Consular Cases & Waivers Lawyer
If you have questions about consular processing or waivers, our Chattanooga consular cases and waivers lawyer can assist you. Contact Shirazi Immigration Law, Inc. today for more information.
