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Whether you’re in the United States or abroad, we guide you through the complete green card process with clarity, compassion, and expertise.
by hundreds of families
All-female, immigrant-founded team
Getting your green card is one of the most important steps in your immigration journey. At the Law Office of Carrie Nguyen, we’ve helped hundreds of families navigate both paths to permanent residence: staying in the United States (Adjustment of Status) or processing through a U.S. consulate abroad (Consular Processing).
As immigrants ourselves, we understand this journey. We’ll evaluate your unique situation and recommend the strategy that keeps your family together, protects your rights, and gives you the best chance of success.
The right path depends on where you are now, how you entered the U.S., and your immigration history.
Adjustment of Status (AOS)
Apply for your green card from within the United States. Complete your entire process—including your interview—without leaving home.
Key Benefits: Stay with your family throughout the process. No international travel required. Work authorization available while you wait. Travel permit available. No consulate interview abroad.
Best For:
Timeline: 12-24 months from filing to approval
Consular Processing (CP)
Complete your green card process through a U.S. consulate or embassy in your home country. Your interview takes place abroad, and you receive your immigrant visa before entering the U.S.
Key Benefits: Required if you’re living outside the U.S.. May be faster in some cases. Avoids certain inadmissibility issues. Better option for some immigration violations. Clean entry with immigrant visa.
Best For:
Timeline: 6-18 months (varies by country and consulate)
Your eligibility depends on multiple factors: how you entered the U.S., your current status, immigration history, and family situation. Making the wrong choice can result in years of delays, separation from family, or permanent bars from the United States.
We’ll help you choose the right path. Schedule a consultation, and we’ll evaluate your complete case.
Adjustment of Status (AOS) — Stay Home, Stay Together
Adjustment of Status allows you to apply for permanent residence from within the United States. To qualify, you must meet several requirements:
Lawful Entry Required
Approved Petition Needed
Admissibility Matters
Immediate relatives have the most flexibility and strongest protections:
Who Qualifies:
Special Advantages:
This is usually the best path if you qualify as an immediate relative.
Family preference categories have annual limits, so you may wait for a visa number to become available.
Categories:
Requirements:
We monitor the Visa Bulletin and notify you when your priority date is current.
Asylees & Refugees:
VAWA Self-Petitioners:
Special Immigrant Juveniles:
Diversity Visa Lottery Winners:
Cuban Adjustment Act:
U & T Visa Holders:
You likely need consular processing instead if you:
Exception: Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens may still adjust their status despite certain immigration violations.
Let our experienced immigration attorneys review your case to determine if a waiver or alternative path may apply.
Common Interview Questions:
Common Interview Questions:
Processing Time Summary Box: Total Timeline: 12-24 months from filing to green card in hand. Varies by USCIS field office and case complexity
Our Accountability Promise: We ensure your case shows progress every 30/60/90 days or we’ll reevaluate our engagement.
Consular Processing (CP) — Immigrant Visa Interview Abroad
Consular Processing is the path to a green card for immigrants who are outside the United States OR for those inside the U.S. who cannot adjust status. Your immigrant visa interview takes place at a U.S. consulate or embassy in your home country, and you receive your immigrant visa abroad before entering the United States as a permanent resident.
When Consular Processing Is Your Best (or Only) Option:
If you’re currently in the United States and considering consular processing, you MUST understand these risks:
3-Year Bar: If you’ve been unlawfully present in the U.S. for 180-364 days and then leave, you’re barred from returning for 3 years.
10-Year Bar: If you’ve been unlawfully present for 365+ days and then leave, you’re barred from returning for 10 years.
These bars are triggered when you LEAVE the U.S. — not while you’re here.
You may need a waiver (Form I-601A or I-601) to overcome these bars. We help you determine if you qualify for a waiver BEFORE you leave.
Never leave the U.S. for consular processing without consulting an attorney first.
Consular Processing is available to most immigrant categories, but requires:
General Requirements: Approved immigrant petition (I-130, I-140, or Fiancé). Immigrant visa number available (priority date current). Admissible to the U.S. (or qualify for waiver). Not barred from receiving a visa.
Eligible Categories (Same as AOS):
Before consular processing begins, your U.S. citizen/permanent resident relative or employer must file and receive approval for:
Once USCIS approves your petition and a visa number is available:
We handle all NVC submissions and follow-ups on your behalf.
We provide comprehensive interview preparation and document checklists.
Interview typically lasts 10-30 minutes.
Note: We cannot attend consular interviews abroad, but we prepare you thoroughly and can provide consular representation strategies.
Total Timeline: 6-18 months (varies significantly by country and consulate)
Administrative Processing Some cases are placed into “administrative processing” for additional security checks. This can add weeks or months to your timeline. Certain countries and certain fields (STEM, military, government) face more scrutiny.
Visa Denials Consulates can deny visas for:
If denied, you may be stuck abroad without a way to return to the U.S.
Document Challenges Some countries have difficulty obtaining required civil documents (birth certificates, police clearances, etc.). We help you navigate these challenges.
Waivers If you’re inadmissible, you’ll need to apply for a waiver:
Join hundreds of families who’ve achieved their American dream with our guidance
⭐ 4.9/5 Stars Based on 290+ Google Reviews
We’ll evaluate your case, explain your options, and guide you toward permanent residence.
Three-Step Process:
Book your consultation—available by phone, video, or in-person
We review your case and recommend Adjustment of Status OR Consular Processing
Start your green card application with confidence and expert guidance
It depends. Consular Processing CAN be faster (6-18 months) in some countries with efficient consulates. However, Adjustment of Status (12-24 months) allows you to work and stay with family during processing. Speed isn’t everything—staying together and avoiding risks matters more.
Generally no. Once you file Form I-485 for Adjustment of Status, you’ve committed to that path. Switching to Consular Processing requires withdrawing your I-485. Similarly, starting Consular Processing means you’ll interview abroad. Choose carefully from the start—we’ll help you make the right choice.
You MUST have Advance Parole (Form I-131) approved before leaving the U.S. We file for this along with your I-485. Traveling without Advance Parole will abandon your application. We include this application in our service and guide you on safe travel timing.
If you accumulate unlawful presence in the U.S. (overstaying your visa) and then LEAVE the United States:
These bars are triggered when you depart. That’s why leaving for consular processing can be extremely risky. We help you assess this risk.
The I-601A provisional waiver allows certain immediate relatives to apply for a waiver of the unlawful presence bars BEFORE leaving the U.S. for consular processing. If approved, you can attend your consular interview knowing you’ve already been provisionally cleared to return. We handle I-601A waivers.
Government fees:
Our legal fees vary based on case complexity. We provide transparent pricing during consultation.
Attorneys generally cannot accompany you into consular interviews abroad. However, we provide extremely thorough preparation, practice sessions, document review, and can be on standby during your interview for consultation if issues arise.
If denied, you may be placed in removal proceedings. However, you can often reapply, appeal, or pursue other options. We fight to prevent denials with thorough preparation and strong applications.
You’ll remain in your home country without a visa. Depending on the reason for denial, you may be able to overcome the issue with additional evidence or a waiver. Consular denials are why we emphasize thorough preparation.
Yes, both require medical exams:
We provide lists and guidance for both.
Yes! With Adjustment of Status, you can work as soon as your EAD is approved (before green card). With Consular Processing, you can work upon entry to the U.S. with your immigrant visa.
