Who can deny that starting the green card process in the United States takes time and requires patience and even perseverance? Each stage of the residence visa process has specific requirements, and meeting them correctly from the start can help you proceed more clearly and in a more orderly manner.
So in this guide, we will explain the main stages of the process and the basic requirements to start your process correctly from choosing your immigration category to the immigration medical exam, and what to expect at each stage.
First steps: the importance of legal advice in the residence visa process
Many people starting their immigration process have doubts, incomplete information or even misconceptions about which visa type applies to them. Well, it is very common for future applicants to start the process guided by recommendations from acquaintances, info on social networks, or others’ experiences. The problem? They don’t consider that each step in the immigration process is absolutely unique.
Thus, one of the first steps must be to understand the legal basis on which the process will be carried out. That is, to identify well the migratory category and the applicable petition for each case. This is where legal advice is key.
Of course, an attorney can always help analyze the applicant’s profile and review key factors related to immigration eligibility and inadmissibility. Obviously, it is needed to clarify whether certain aspects. For example, is the person inside or outside the United States? Did they enter the country with or without a visa? Or is there a history of prior deportation or unauthorized periods of stay?
Having a professional guide from the beginning allows you to anticipate obstacles and properly prepare the documentation. In addition, it tells you if additional steps are missing and the Time spent in the city.
Beyond the technical classification, legal support is decisive in establishing real expectations about the duration of the procedure and the requirements. It is about having clarity from the beginning, which makes it easier to understand the procedure and to make more informed decisions.
How to choose the right path for your profile?
Choosing the right path depends on a crucial factor: total honesty and clarity. To start the visa process well, provide complete info about previous entries to the United States. Besides, tell everything about encounters with immigration authorities, or any relevant criminal or migratory history that has been committed in the United States.
Omissions at this stage are usually the main cause of future complications. It is because certain data were omitted from the outset, due to ignorance, fear, or confusion about their importance in the process. Consequently, a proper legal evaluation allows us to identify which immigration options are really viable for each applicant and/or family.
Immigration status is generally determined by the type of relationship or petition that supports the case. Some of the most common processes are:
- Marriage. It is when a U.S. citizen or permanent resident asks for their spouse outside the United States.
- K1 Fiancé(e) Visa. This type of visa is for couples in which one applicant is a U.S. citizen and the other is outside the country where the wedding will take place.
- Family petition. This is one of the most common types. Family petitions are usually made between immediate relatives, and the rules change depending on the relationship and immigration status of the person filing the application. For example, a child over the age of 21 can ask his mother if she is a U.S. citizen. In other cases, parents who are permanent residents can petition for children under 18.
- Adoption. This procedure is for minors in an adoption process, either by direct relatives or by U.S. adoptive parents.
Once the category is defined and the case’s eligibility is reviewed, the application is filed with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). From there, wait times may vary depending on the category and the applicant’s specific situation. Also at this stage, it is determined whether the case will continue through adjustment of status within the United States or through consular processing from abroad.
Basic documentation for the start of the residence visa process
To ensure your residence visa application is not delayed by missing documentation, it is critical to have the documents organized. Certainly, it can cause delays, additional requests, or even pauses in the process. Hence, prepare the papers from the outset and keep them always up to date.
Among the most common papers that are usually requested are the following:
- Original and valid passport. It is the most important document to start with the consular process and the continuous process of it. Don’t forget that the passport must be valid and in good condition.
- Birth certificates of the applicant, his parents, and his children, depending on the type of immigration petition. These help to prove identity, nationality, and family ties.
- Civil status documents. Marriage certificates and, if you have previous marriages, legal proof of the dissolution of the same (such as divorce or annulment certificates).
- Immigration history. Certainly, this point is relevant, since within the visa process, whether residency or any other, you will be asked for data related to previous entries and stays in the United States. Gather all the necessary papers such as: entry permits, immigration forms, crossing records, work permits or any document issued by U.S. immigration authorities. Furthermore, report any visa rejections or prior immigration processes.
- Criminal record: In some cases, it may be necessary to present a criminal record from Mexico and/or the United States, especially when there are immigration or legal situations that must be reviewed within the process.
Having these documents on hand from the beginning facilitates the lawyer’s work and speeds up the loading of information into the immigration system when the NVC requests them. In addition, it allows the visa process to advance more quickly and effectively.
What’s next after I submit your application?
Once the documentation is complete and in order, the legal professional who is handling the case can submit the green card application to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
From that moment on, a waiting period begins that can take months or even years, depending on the immigration category applied for, the type of petition, and the family reaction under which the process is being carried out. During this period, immigration authorities review the case and determine if the application meets the requirements established by U.S. immigration laws.
Once the petition is approved by the U.S. government, the applicant enters a new stage of the process focused on logistics, follow-up, and the collection of additional documents. In this phase, new civil, financial, or immigration documents are normally requested and must be delivered to the lawyer in charge of the case. Subsequently, this information is uploaded to the corresponding immigration systems, such as the National Visa Center (NVC) portal, to continue with the consular process.
After completing this stage and once the case is progressing successfully, the applicant receives confirmation of their consular interview appointment via email from the U.S. Consulate General in Ciudad Juárez.
Before attending the interview, there are two mandatory steps that must be completed beforehand:
- The appointment of fingerprints and biometric data at the Applicant Service Center (CAS)
- The immigration medical exam with a clinic authorized and official by the American consulate.
The medical appointment can be scheduled before or after attending the CAS, as long as both procedures are completed prior to the consular interview.
You can schedule your immigration medical appointment at Clínica Médica Internacional, before or after going to the CAS, as long as both are done before your consular interview. At CMI, the Immigration Medical Examination is conducted in accordance with the guidelines established for residency processes, so upon completion of the exam, the residency results are sent electronically to the consulate the next business day, ensuring that the information is ready for your official appointment. It is a clear and transparent mandatory process, although it requires some Important considerations.
Do you have questions or need to schedule your appointment?
We put at your disposal our Call Center telephone number to provide you with information and help you schedule your immigration medical appointment.
- From Mexico: (+52) 656 227 2800
- From the U.S.: (+1) 844 624 9447
Our staff is trained to answer your questions about immigration and health and to guide you through the process.
Frequently asked questions about the residency visa process
Can I take my consular medical exam before receiving the official notification of the consular appointment?
No. To schedule the consular medical exam at Clínica Médica Internacional, it is mandatory to have already received official notification of your consular appointment. The exam should be taken in advance of the interview to ensure that electronic results arrive on time.
How are the migratory medical results sent to the consulate for the residence visa?
The results are sent directly electronically to the American consulate the business day after the process is concluded. The applicant is given proof of completion that must be presented on the day of their official interview.
What documents are essential so that my residence visa process does not stop?
You must have your valid passport, birth certificates (your own, parents’, and children’s), marriage or divorce certificates, and a history of entries into the U.S. In addition, it is vital to submit a complete criminal record so that your legal counsel can determine the viability of the profile.
What role does legal counsel play in determining my residency category?
Legal advice is decisive in correctly classifying your profile and analyzing possible factors of inadmissibility. Having a professional from the beginning helps to establish real expectations about the duration of the procedure and avoids delays due to errors in the forms.