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

Adjustment of status and consular processing are two different pathways for foreign citizens to become legal immigrants to the United States. The main difference between them is the location of the application process. Adjustment of status refers to when a foreign citizen can apply to become a legal immigrant to the United States from within the United States. This is often used for individuals who are already located in the United States on a student visa, temporary visa, or certain other visas. The application process involves filing paperwork with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and having an interview with a USCIS officer. Consular processing, on the other hand, is used for foreign citizens who are located outside of the United States. The application process involves filing paperwork with the USCIS and then the applicant is scheduled for an interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their home country. This interview is used to verify the applicant’s identity and eligibility to become a legal immigrant to the United States. Overall, the location of the application process is the major difference between adjustment of status and consular processing. Adjustment of status is for individuals already in the U.S., while consular processing is for individuals applying from outside the United States.

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La diferencia entre el ajuste de estatus y el procesamiento consular radica en el lugar donde se presenta la solicitud de inmigración. El ajuste de estado se refiere a un cambio de inmigrante no ajustado a un inmigrante ajustado. Esto significa que el inmigrante solicitante está solicitando un cambio de estado dentro de los Estados Unidos. Por el contrario, el procesamiento consular se refiere a una petición de inmigración basada en la cual el inmigrante solicitante se presenta solicitando una visa de inmigrante mientras se encuentra fuera de los Estados Unidos. El procesamiento consular implica que el inmigrante solicitante debe esperar a que la visa de inmigrante sea aprobada y emitida por las autoridades de inmigración antes de que esté autorizado a viajar a los Estados Unidos. Los estudiantes que viven en California deben tener en cuenta que el proceso de inmigración es extremadamente complicado y que es mejor consultar a un abogado especializado en leyes de inmigración antes de continuar.

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

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