All immigrant and non-immigrant visas that are processed outside the United States and take place at a US Consulate in the beneficiary’s place of birth or current residence is termed as Consular Processing. The process involves two steps. First, the petitioner must file a petition with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the U.S, although some petitions could be filed at the consulate office.

USCIS sends approved petitions to the National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC handles the collection of visa fees and documents. Applicants in the unlimited family-based category receive interview dates and have to attend an interview at the consular office where the beneficiary is. Applicants who pass the interview are granted visas to come to the U.S, and most receive their green card within 30 days of entering the U.S. Applicants who fall into the limited family-based category must wait till a visa number is available before they can attend interview or adjust status in the U.S, if they qualify to do so.