Guide to Marriage-Based Green Cards: Consular Processing

If you are married to a U.S. citizen or Green Card Holder and live outside the United States, consular processing may be your best path to permanent residency. This process involves multiple government agencies and culminates in an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country.

Note: While the steps below focus on marriage-based applications, the consular process is similar for other family-sponsored or employment-based immigrant visas, though specific forms and eligibility requirements may vary. Please note that the spouses of green card holders may be subject to “delays” in their processing while they wait for a visa to become available. 

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice about your specific situation be sure to consult a licensed immigration attorney.

The Three Main Agencies

Applying for a marriage-based green card through consular processing involves moving through three distinct stages/agencies of the U.S. government. Each agency plays a different role, and your case is handed off from one to the next as you progress.

• USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) USCIS reviews the initial petition to confirm that a qualifying relationship exists. Their job is to determine whether the marriage is legally valid and bona fide, meaning it is real and supported by sufficient evidence—not entered into solely for immigration purposes.
  
  
• National Visa Center (NVC) Once USCIS approves the relationship, the case is transferred to the NVC. The NVC collects your government fees, visa application, and supporting documents, organizes everything into a complete digital file, and ensures the case is ready for an interview. They do not make approval decisions but act as a critical gatekeeper before the final stage.
  
  
• U.S. Embassy or Consulate The embassy or consulate conducts the in-person interview with the foreign spouse and makes the final decision on whether to issue the immigrant visa. A consular officer reviews your documents, asks questions about the relationship and background, and confirms that all eligibility requirements are met.
  

Together, these agencies form the full consular processing pipeline. While it may feel like a single application, your case actually moves step-by-step through each of these agencies in a specific order.

Next, we’ll walk through what this process looks like in practice—starting with the first filing and moving through each stage in detail, so you know exactly what to expect at every step.

Step 1: Filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative

The consular process begins when the U.S. spouse (the petitioner) files Form I-130 along with the I-130A supplement through USCIS.

Purpose:

The goal of this step is to prove that the marriage is bona fide, meaning it is a real, ongoing relationship and not entered into solely for immigration benefits.

What USCIS Reviews:

USCIS is focused on two questions:

1. Is the petitioner eligible to sponsor a spouse?
2. Is the marriage genuine?
   

Some Evidence to Include:

In addition to a valid marriage certificate, identity documents, and birth certificates USCIS expects evidence that shows a shared life together. This may include but is not limited to:

• Joint bank or credit accounts
• Lease or mortgage agreements
• Photos together over time (not just wedding photos)
• Travel records or itineraries
• Insurance policies or beneficiary designations
• Affidavits from friends or family who can attest to the relationship

The stronger and more consistent the evidence, the smoother this stage tends to be.

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Step 2: The NVC “Welcome Letter”

Once USCIS approves the I-130 petition, they transfer the case to the National Visa Center (NVC) for the next phase of processing.

The Waiting Period:
It typically takes 30–60 days for the NVC to receive the file and create your case in their system.

The Welcome Letter:
When the case is ready, the NVC sends a Welcome Letter by email. This letter includes:

• Your Case Number
• Your Invoice ID Number

These credentials are essential — you cannot move forward without them. They allow you to log into the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC), where all remaining steps are completed.

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Step 3: Paying Fees and Completing Form DS-260

After logging into CEAC, there are two required actions before document submission can begin.

Pay Government Fees

You must pay:

• Immigrant Visa Application Fee (approximately $325)
  
• Affidavit of Support Fee ($120)
  

Payments are made online. It usually takes 2–3 business days for the system to reflect the fees as “Paid,” and document uploads are locked until payment clears.

Complete Form DS-260

The DS-260 is the official immigrant visa application completed by the foreign spouse. 

Some of What It Covers:

• Full address history
• Employment history since age 16
• Family information
  Travel and immigration history

Accuracy is extremely important. The DS-260 becomes part of your permanent immigration record, and inconsistencies can cause delays or questions at the interview stage.

Step 4: Financial and Civil Document Submission

At this stage, the NVC requires two separate document “packages” to be uploaded through CEAC.

Financial Package (Form I-864)

The Affidavit of Support proves that the U.S. petitioner can financially support the immigrant spouse.

• Income must generally meet or exceed 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines based on the petitioner’s household size.
• If the petitioner does not qualify, a Joint Sponsor may be used
• Supporting tax returns and proof of income are required
  

Civil Documents

These documents establish identity, marital status, and eligibility. Common requirements include:

• Birth certificates
• Marriage certificate
• Passport biographic page
• Police clearance certificates from:
  
  • Any country where the applicant lived more than 6 months
  • Or 12 months in their country of nationality (since age 16)
    

All documents must be clear, legible scans, and any document not in English must include a certified translation.

Step 5: Medical Exam and Consular Interview

Once the NVC confirms that all fees and documents are accepted, the case is marked “Documentarily Qualified.” At that point, the interview is scheduled.

Medical Examination

Before the interview, the applicant must complete a medical exam with an embassy-approved Panel Physician. Typically the Embassy sends out information about how and when to schedule the medical exam. 

• Regular doctors are not accepted, they must be an embassy-approved panel physician
• The physician reviews medical history and vaccination records
• Results are sent electronically or provided in a sealed packet, depending on the embassy

The Consular Interview

The foreign spouse attends the interview in person. The interviewing officer will ask questions and review submitted documents to ensure that everything has been provided and that the applicant is eligible for this green card benefit. 

What to Expect:

• Questions about how the couple met and their relationship history
• Review of submitted documents
• Clarifying questions about the applicant’s background or travel history

Visa Decision

If approved:

• The officer keeps the passport to place the immigrant visa inside
• The passport is typically returned by courier within 1–2 weeks
• This immigrant visa, placed inside the passport is what the foreign spouse shows border and custom patrol when seeking entry into the United States. 

Step 6: Paying the Immigrant Fee and Entering the U.S.

USCIS Immigrant Fee

Before traveling to the U.S., the applicant must pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee (currently $235) online. This fee covers the production and mailing of the physical green card.

Entry into the United States

Upon arrival at a U.S. airport:

• A CBP officer reviews the immigrant visa in the passport
• If admitted, the passport is stamped

This entry stamp serves as temporary proof of permanent residence for up to one year and can typically be used to work and travel while in the United States.

Green Card Delivery

The physical green card is mailed to the U.S. address on file, usually within 45–90 days after entry.

Comparison: CR-1 vs. IR-1 Visas

The government grants different "status" based on how long you have been married on the day you enter the U.S.:

Quick Tips for Beginners

• Scan Everything: Keep digital copies of every single document you mail or upload.
• Check Expiration Dates: Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended interview date.
• Be Patient: Consular processing currently takes anywhere from 12 to 24 months depending on the country and embassy backlogs.

Conclusion 

Consular processing for a marriage-based green card can feel complex at first, but when broken down step by step, it follows a clear and predictable path. From proving the authenticity of your marriage to gathering financial and civil documents, completing the visa application, and attending the consular interview, each stage serves a specific purpose in helping the U.S. government evaluate eligibility for permanent residency.

We’re happy you’re here! If you’re looking to get your application off on the right foot, SimpleCitizen can help. Our Petition by Spouse application is designed to guide couples through the USCIS stage of the process, helping you prepare and submit Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with clarity and confidence. This phase is the foundation of your entire green card journey. 

SimpleCitizen focuses on helping you:

• Complete the I-130 and I-130A accurately
  
• Organize and upload strong relationship evidence
• Reduce common errors that can lead to delays or RFEs
• Submit a well-prepared petition to USCIS
  

Once USCIS approves the petition and your case is transferred to the National Visa Center (NVC), the remaining steps—such as paying NVC fees, completing the DS-260, uploading civil and financial documents, and attending the consular interview—are completed directly by the applicant through their NVC (CEAC) portal and assigned U.S. embassy or consulate.

By helping you start strong at the USCIS stage, SimpleCitizen sets you up for a smoother experience as your case moves forward. You’ll have a solid, well-documented petition in place—so when it’s time to take the next steps with the NVC and the embassy, you can move ahead with confidence knowing your foundation is already in great shape.

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