Consular Processing Attorney in San Antonio, Texas
Immigrant Visas Abroad
Consular Processing: Obtaining an Immigrant Visa From Outside the United States
When the relative you are sponsoring lives abroad, or cannot adjust status inside the country, the green card is obtained through consular processing at a U.S. embassy or consulate. For families across South Texas, that usually means an immigrant visa interview at the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. It is a well-worn path, but it is unforgiving of missing documents and inadmissibility problems that should have been solved before travel.
At Lozano Law Firm, consular cases are directed by Alfredo Lozano, Board-Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law. Our bilingual team prepares complete National Visa Center packages and interview coaching for families in San Antonio, Eagle Pass, and San Angelo. Start with a free consultation so we can choose the right path before anyone leaves the country.
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How Consular Processing Works
Consular processing has more moving parts than an application filed inside the United States, and each stage has its own requirements. We manage the whole chain so nothing stalls.
From Petition to the National Visa Center
The process begins with an approved petition, most often a Form I-130 family petition. Once approved and a visa is available, the case moves to the National Visa Center, where we pay fees, submit the DS-260 immigrant visa application, gather civil documents, and file the Affidavit of Support.
The Affidavit of Support
The sponsor must show enough income, generally at least 125 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, to support the immigrant on Form I-864. When income falls short, a joint sponsor can be added. Weak or poorly documented affidavits are among the most common reasons cases get delayed at this stage, so we build them carefully.
The Consular Interview
After the National Visa Center completes its review, the case is scheduled for an interview abroad, and for our Mexican-national clients that is typically Ciudad Juarez. The applicant completes a medical exam with an approved physician and attends the interview. Preparation matters, and we coach every applicant on what to bring and what to expect.
Inadmissibility and Waivers
Prior unlawful presence, certain crimes, or past immigration violations can make an applicant inadmissible, which is why we screen for these issues before anyone travels. When a bar applies, a waiver may restore the path, sometimes filed before departure so the family is not separated for long.
Our Process
What to Expect
Free Case Evaluation
We start with a no-cost consultation to review your situation, explain your options, and identify the strongest path forward for your family.
Case Preparation
Our team assembles your petition with the documentation and evidence USCIS expects, prepared accurately the first time to avoid delays.
Filing & Follow-Through
We file, track deadlines, respond to USCIS, and prepare you for every interview until your case is resolved.
Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing?
Choosing the wrong path can separate a family or trigger a bar, so this decision deserves real analysis. Applicants already in the United States after a lawful entry can often complete their green card here through adjustment of status, staying with family while the case is pending.
Consular processing is the right or the only path when the applicant is abroad, entered without inspection, or is otherwise ineligible to adjust. The catch is that leaving the United States can trigger the unlawful presence bars, which is exactly why we evaluate inadmissibility and, where needed, secure a provisional waiver before departure. In our experience, the families who plan this decision with an attorney avoid the painful surprises that come from guessing.
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Hire a Board-Certified Immigration Attorney
Fewer than five percent of Texas immigration attorneys are Board-Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Attorney Alfredo Lozano holds that distinction, and since founding the firm in 2006 he has brought a Marine Corps veteran's discipline, more than 20 years of immigration experience, and a fully bilingual team to every case the firm handles.
Our approach combines personalized counsel with the documentation rigor these cases demand, so your petition is prepared correctly the first time. Board Certification means the state has independently verified his experience, tested his knowledge, and confirmed his standing among peers, which is the kind of assurance that matters when your family's future is on the line.
Meet
Our Team
Our team includes experienced attorneys, legal professionals, and client-care specialists who share a common commitment: making the immigration process as clear and manageable as possible for every family we serve.
Alfredo Lozano
Managing Attorney
Board-Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law and a Marine Corps veteran who leads every case strategy.
Linda Hamilton
Attorney
Guides families and employers through petitions, waivers, and interviews with steady, detailed advocacy.
Minerva Gonzalez
Legal Assistant
Prepares documentation and keeps every case organized, accurate, and moving forward.
Mayra Juarez
Legal Administrator
Coordinates case management and client communication across our three Texas offices.
Download Our Free E-Book
How to Obtain Residency If You Are in the U.S. Illegally
Entering the country without inspection does not always close the door to a green card. Our free guide walks through the options that may apply, from Section 245(i) and Military Parole in Place to the I-601A provisional waiver, in plain language.
Download the guide to understand the paths that could be available to your family, then contact us for advice on your specific situation.
Consular Processing Help for South Texas Families
We prepare consular cases for families throughout South and West Texas, in English and Spanish, with particular focus on cases that finish in Ciudad Juarez. For border families in Eagle Pass and Maverick County, we weigh the consular route against adjustment of status and plan for any waiver needs before travel. From the National Visa Center package to interview day, we stay with you. Every case begins with a free consultation.
REQUEST A CONSULTATION
Request Your Free Consultation
Tell us about your family's situation and our bilingual team will reach out to schedule your free case evaluation.
Consular Processing FAQs
How is consular processing different from adjustment of status?
Consular processing ends with an immigrant visa interview at a U.S. consulate abroad, while adjustment of status is completed inside the United States. Adjustment lets an eligible applicant stay here with family during the process. Consular processing is used when the applicant is abroad or cannot adjust, and it requires careful attention to the unlawful presence bars.
Why do so many Texas cases go through Ciudad Juarez?
Ciudad Juarez handles immigrant visa processing for Mexican nationals, so most of our South Texas clients with relatives in Mexico interview there. It has a high volume of family cases and a medical exam process we know well, and we prepare clients specifically for that consulate.
What if my relative entered the U.S. illegally before?
Leaving the country after unlawful presence can trigger a three-year or ten-year bar, so this must be analyzed before anyone departs. In many cases a provisional waiver on Form I-601A can be approved before travel, which shortens the time a family is apart. Never leave for a consular interview with unlawful presence without getting advice first.
How long does consular processing take?
It varies widely by category and consulate. After petition approval, National Visa Center processing and interview scheduling can take many months, and preference categories add priority-date waits on top. We give you a realistic estimate for your category and consulate and keep the case moving.
What documents does the National Visa Center require?
Typically the DS-260 application, civil documents such as birth and marriage certificates with translations, police certificates where required, passport pages, the Affidavit of Support with financial evidence, and fees. Names and dates must be consistent across documents, and we review the whole package before submission.
Lozano Law Firm
Cases We Do Not Handle
Lozano Law Firm focuses exclusively on the practice areas listed above. We do not handle asylum or criminal immigration cases. When clients come to us with needs outside our scope, we refer them to trusted colleagues who specialize in those areas. Our referral network includes attorneys who handle asylum claims and criminal immigration consequences, so every person who contacts us receives direction toward the right help.
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Start Your Journey Today
Immigration goals should not wait. Whether you are exploring your options for the first time or ready to move forward with a case, our team is here to help. Contact Lozano Law Firm for a free case evaluation and let us put our Board-Certified expertise to work for you.
Schedule your free case evaluation today.
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