Consular processing is the standard method by which foreign nationals outside the United States apply for an immigrant visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country. Once the visa is approved and issued, the person enters the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident. Congress created consular processing as the default pathway in the Immigration Act of 1924. The alternative — adjustment of status under INA §245 — allows eligible individuals already inside the U.S. to obtain a green card without leaving. Consular processing involves coordination between USCIS and the U.S. Department of State, and outcomes depend on embassy staffing, bilateral relations, and the applicant's country of origin. Wait times at U.S. consulates can extend from months to years depending on the post and visa category.