What is the difference between adjustment of status and consular processing?

Adjustment of status and consular processing are two ways for individuals to obtain legal permanent residency status (green card) in the United States. These two processes are often confused, but they are in fact separate processes with distinct differences. Adjustment of status is the process of applying for a green card through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) from within the United States. An immigrant who is already in the United States must meet certain requirements to be eligible for this process, including physical presence in the United States, admission to the United States with a valid non-immigrant visa, no abandonment of their residence, and ability to prove that they are admissible to the United States before applying. Consular processing, on the other hand, is the process of applying for a green card through an immigration consulate or embassy abroad. This process is used when an immigrant is already outside the United States, or if they are currently in the United States but do not meet the requirements for adjustment of status. It is similar to applying for a visa, except that the immigrant will be granted permanent resident status if the application is approved. Both processes allow the individual to obtain a green card, but the main difference between the two is the location in which the process takes place. With adjustment of status, the individual is already inside the United States, whereas with consular processing, the individual is outside the United States and must apply with a consulate or embassy abroad. Ultimately, the process that a student in Arizona will use to obtain a green card will depend upon their own specific circumstances.

THELAW.TV ofrece respuestas en español a todas las preguntas sobre la ley de inmigración.

La diferencia entre el ajuste de estatus y el procesamiento consular tiene que ver con el camino que un extranjero toma para convertirse en un residente permanente legal de los Estados Unidos. Con el ajuste de estatus, los extranjeros obtienen su tarjeta verde mientras están en los Estados Unidos. Esto se logra mediante el presentar una solicitud de ajuste de estatus al Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de los Estados Unidos (USCIS), que usualmente procesa la solicitud en el país de origen del extranjero. Por otro lado, el procesamiento consular se refiere a los extranjeros que obtienen sus tarjetas verdes fuera de los Estados Unidos. Cuando un extranjero va a través de la vía de procesamiento consular, ellos deben presentar una solicitud de visa de inmigrante y ofrecer toda la documentación apropiada al Departamento de Estado de los Estados Unidos. Si la solicitud es aprobada, entonces el extranjero recibirá su tarjeta verde una vez que entren a los Estados Unidos. Por lo tanto, básicamente, el ajuste de estatus se refiere al proceso por el cual un extranjero se convierte en un residente legal permanente dentro de los Estados Unidos, mientras que el procesamiento consular se refiere al proceso por el cual un extranjero se convierte en un residente legal permanente fuera de los Estados Unidos.

Related FAQs

What documents do I need to apply for a student visa?
Can I become a citizen of the United States through immigration law?
Can I travel outside the U.S. while on a student visa?
Can I apply for a student visa if I have a criminal record?
How long can I stay in the U.S. after I finish my studies?
What is the status of my visa application?
Are there any immigration laws dedicated to student visas?
Can I attend school part-time with a student visa?
What is the processing time for a student visa?
What is a VisaScreen?

What is the difference between adjustment of status and consular processing?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts