Consular processing is the procedure by which a foreign national applies for and receives a U.S. visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad after an immigrant or nonimmigrant petition has been approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
In the immigrant visa context, consular processing refers specifically to the final step of obtaining a green card from outside the United States. After USCIS approves a petition (such as Form I-130 or I-140), the case is forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC) and then to a U.S. consulate. The applicant attends an interview at the consulate, and if approved, receives an immigrant visa in their passport. Upon entering the U.S., they become a lawful permanent resident.
In the nonimmigrant visa context (e.g., H-1B, E-2, L-1), consular processing typically refers to applying for a visa stamp after USCIS approval of a petition. Applicants complete Form DS-160, schedule a consular interview, and if approved, receive a visa that allows them to travel to the U.S.
Consular processing is distinct from adjustment of status, which is used by applicants already inside the U.S. seeking to change their immigration status without leaving the country.