Instructions for CONSULAR PROCESSING

Using this method, Baker Law Corporation will complete the required forms on your behalf for processing with INS, using the information you supply on the questionnaire (see below). You will then schedule and complete an interview with the U.S. Consulate in your home country.

Processing time may vary from 6 weeks to 24 months. Each Consulate may differ in scheduling time. If you are choosing Consular Processing please follow these steps:

  1. Download and complete a Consular Processing Questionnaire for yourself and each person who will be accompanying you at Please fill out the questionnaire(s) as completely as possible. Missing information will cause a delay in processing time.
  1. Return the completed questionnaire(s) to our AOS office via mail, e-mail or fax at (408) 971-8108.
  1. The National Visa Center will send your Instruction Package for Immigrant Visa Applicants to our office within two months. When we receive the packet you will be notified via email.
  1. We will complete the forms in the Instruction Package for Immigrant Visa Applicants using the information you have supplied on the questionnaire. We will then forward the completed Instruction Package for Immigrant Visa Applicants, ORIGINAL AND DRAFT, to you for review and signature.
  1. Gather the documents as indicated on the checklist below and retain them for your interview appointment. You will need one set of these documents for each family member.

Please note that each specific U.S. Consulate has the final decision on the type of documents needed for your immigrant visa interview. Please refer to your Consular Office for a listing of the documentation they require. A listing of Embassy Web sites is located at

  1. When you receive the Instruction Package for Immigrant Visa Applicants from Baker Law Corporation, you will review it for accuracy, sign where indicated and return it to our office in the envelope provided. After we have received confirmation that you are in possession of the documents required by your Consulate, we will forward the completed, signed Instruction Package for Immigrant Visa Applicants to the Consular Office in the country of your nationality, requesting an interview.
  1. Your Consulate will return an Appointment Package for Immigrant Visa Applicants to Baker Law Corporation, along with an appointment notice for your interview. We will complete the Appointment Package for Immigrant Visa Applicants and forward it to you along with the interview appointment notice.

(Be very sensitive to the interview date and the medical examination instructions (see #8). The scheduling times for interviews can vary, as they are Consular Post specific. Be sure to read the instructions from the Consulate carefully, as each Consulate may have differences in instruction and/or biographic documentation requirements).

  1. At the direction of the Department of State (DOS), you must complete a medical exam in the country where you are applying for Consular Processing. (The local consulate has a list of DOS approved Doctors. The results of this exam MUST REMAIN UNOPENED).

Recommended Support Documents Checklist for CONSULAR PROCESSING:

Support Documents

Original Passport

Original Birth Evidence & one copy

Original Marriage Certificate & one copy (must be from recorders office, or governmentally issued certificate)

Original Court/Prison records (if any)

Original Military Records (if any)

Original Green Card type photographs (2-6)

Original Divorce Decree & one copy (if any)

Original Medical Exam (must be done in Country of interview, and MUST REMAIN UNOPENED)

Visa fee of $325 or local currency equivalent per applicant

Proof of bona fide marriage (i.e. joint bank accounts, deed, etc.)

Copies of previous old/expired passports & copies of visa stamps

Divorce decree or death certificate from all previous marriages

Evidence of name change

Copies of all previous INS documentation

Police clearances from all places of residence 6 months or longer

Original Evidence of Support (for example, a notarized employment letter)

Please note again:

  1. This is a general list for your information only. Documentation is Consular specific. Please refer to your Consular Office for a listing of the documentation they require.
  2. You will need an original notarized English translation for all documents not in English.