What is the difference between adjustment of status and consular processing?
Adjustment of status and consular processing are two different methods for becoming a permanent resident of the United States. In Washington, adjustment of status allows someone to become a permanent resident without ever leaving the country. It is for those who are already in the United States and eligible to adjust their status. Consular processing, on the other hand, requires someone to apply for a visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy outside the United States and then enter the country with the visa in hand. This option is open to those who are outside of the country, or who cannot adjust their status in the United States. For students in Washington, adjustment of status is often the easier of the two methods for becoming a permanent resident. This requires someone to have an available eligibility category, such as an immigration petition from an employer or family member, as well as a valid status in the United States at the time of filing the application. Consular processing, however, involves additional steps that must be taken outside of the United States, such as attending an interview with a U.S. embassy or consulate.
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 es el lugar donde un inmigrante presenta su solicitud para obtener un estatus legal. El ajuste de estado significa que la solicitud se presenta dentro de los Estados Unidos, mientras que el procesamiento consular significa que se presenta en el consulado o embajada del país de origen del inmigrante. Con el ajuste de estado, los solicitantes pueden presentar una solicitud completa dentro de Estados Unidos, en lugar de salir del país para completar el proceso. Esto es útil para los estudiantes que han entrado legalmente a Estados Unidos y quieren permanecer aquí con un permiso de residencia o ciudadanía. Sin embargo, el procesamiento consular es necesario para aquellos que han entrado ilegalmente a Estados Unidos o han venido con visas de turista, ya que no tienen derecho a solicitar el estatus legal dentro del país. Deben regresar a su país de origen para presentar la solicitud. En resumen, el ajuste de estado se puede aplicar para los estudiantes que ya están dentro de Estados Unidos; sin embargo, el procesamiento consular es necesario para aquellos estudiantes que han entrado ilegalmente al país o han venido con visas de turista.
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