Atlanta Family-Based Consular Processing Immigration Lawyer

The process for obtaining legal residency for family members living abroad requires both you and your relative to complete a series of precise steps.  You may be familiar with the role of an immigration lawyer in helping you file the petition in the United States. Yet, many people do not realize that an Atlanta family-based consular processing immigration lawyer could also help your family members avoid issues and concerns during consular processing.

If you need help with immigration, contact one of our dedicated family immigration attorneys today.

What is Consular Processing?

Consular processing is the process of applying for a green card while living abroad. The process begins when USCIS approves a petition for a family visa submitted by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. Once a visa number becomes available, the family member living outside the country must complete the consular process, which includes submitting visa application forms, required documents, a medical examination, and an interview. If the applicant meets all requirements and passes the interview, they receive a visa packet to present upon arrival in the United States. An Atlanta Family-Based Consular Processing Immigration attorney could help families navigate each step of this process to avoid delays or denials.

How an Experienced Consular Processing Lawyer Could Help

When the consular process is followed precisely and goes exactly as planned, immigrants can successfully reunite with their families in the United States. Unfortunately, there are many issues that can arise during the time-consuming and complicated process. An experienced consular processing immigration lawyer in Atlanta could assist with the accurate completion of the entire process and help with legal documentation to handle unexpected circumstances.

Filing Provisional Waivers

Immigrants in the United States who apply for lawful permanent residency are typically required to return to their home country for a visa interview through consular processing. An attorney can file a provisional waiver that, if approved, allows the applicant to remain in the U.S. while the government reviews the application. To qualify for a provisional waiver, individuals must meet the following criteria.

• Is at least 17 years old
• Has an approved immediate relative petition
• Is an immediate relative (spouse, child, or parent) of a U.S. citizen
• Is physically present in the U.S. when filing the waiver application
• Is available for biometrics collection at the Atlanta ASC
• Demonstrates that denial of the waiver would cause extreme hardship to the U.S. citizen family member
• Has an approved petition, paid visa processing fee, and a pending case with the U.S. Department of State

An experienced family-based processing lawyer could help eligible petitioners gather all the information essential for applying for a provisional waiver.

Filing a Waiver of Inadmissibility

USCIS denies family visas for several different reasons, including:

• Illegal entry
• Criminal history
• Misrepresentation
• Previous deportation orders
• Issues involving public dependency
• Health conditions (such as TB or Hepatitis C)

An immigration lawyer can help applicants who would otherwise be inadmissible apply for a visa by filing for a waiver of inadmissibility. If approved, the waiver allows an applicant to apply for a visa despite being otherwise inadmissible.

Contact a Knowledgeable Immigration Lawyer for Help with Consular Cases

An experienced Atlanta family-based consular processing immigration lawyer could guide you through the consular process and help you access the right documentation and forms if issues arise. The skilled immigration lawyers at Solano Immigration Law Firm have substantial experience handling complex family visa immigration issues. We are committed to providing the highest level of service to pursue legal residency for family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents living in Atlanta. Contact us to schedule a consultation and learn how we could help you with your family visitation visa case.