Consular Processing: Frequently Asked Questions

The following questions and answers are based on those frequently posed to the Attorneys and staff at Chávez & Associates, P.C., L.L.O. We generously share this information as a courtesy to our clients and the immigrant community.

Should you have questions that are not addressed in this FAQ section, contact us for professional and personalized legal counsel.

Q. How long will it take to process the respective applications?

A. This is generally the hardest question to answer, however, as mentioned previously, processing times vary to according to the respective embassy or consulate. Family members need to be prepared for lengthy delays especially in the case when a waiver of inadmissibility is necessary. For example, from the filing of a visa petition to the time a waiver is actually approved it generally takes 28 months in Ciudad-Juarez, Mexico.

Q. When will a family member who has resided in the United States illegally have to depart?

A. There is no simple answer except that based on this office’s experience, an applicant who leaves the United States prior to their interview will be found inadmissible if they have remained illegally for more than 180 days. It is also necessary to advise the client that should they choose to remain illegally up and till the time of the interview that they could also be subject to removal from the United States.