Consular Processing
Following I-526 Petition Approval if the investor is resident outside of the US they will complete Consular Processing.
Approval of the I-526 petition does not mean that the investor has been granted admission to the United States as a lawful permanent resident. Approval of an I-526 means that the investment documented by the I-526 petition has qualified the investor as an alien entrepreneur.
In consular processing, the interview for an immigrant visa takes place at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate that has the jurisdiction over the beneficiary.
Consular processing begins when USCIS transmits the approved alien’s I-526 petition to the National Visa Center (NVC). At appropriate intervals, the NVC issues instructions and appointment packages and requests required documents and information. In time, the applicants will be instructed to obtain fingerprints and medical examinations and to report to a consular interview. Immigrant visas usually are issued shortly after the interview unless the consul detects problems in the visa application, the underlying I-526 petition or during the interview process. Visa applicants should allow about six to twelve months after the I-526 is approved to complete consular processing, although times for processing vary greatly among consular posts.
The purpose of the interview is to make sure you are not subject to a grounds of exclusion. The consular post must determine if each alien is admissible to the U.S. Approval of the I-526 petition does not by itself establish admissibility. An alien is admissible who proves that no grounds of inadmissibility exist
If the consular post finds that the investor is admissible, it will issue an immigrant visa to the investor. The consular post will also determine if the spouse and the qualifying children of the investor are admissible. A determination of admissibility must be made as to each visa applicant. If the investor is denied an immigrant visa, applications by the spouse and children of the investor for such a visa will also be denied.
Upon approval you receive a form evidencing the approval and as well as a travel document. If you are abroad you must enter the US within six months of the date of the Embassy approval.
After two years, you may file for I-829 removal of conditions.