Definition
Consular processing is the route in which a migrant submits documents, attends appointments, or receives a visa through a diplomatic mission or outsourced application centre abroad instead of filing entirely inside the destination country. This is common for first-entry work and residence applications that require a long-stay visa before travel. Even where the core residence decision is taken by a domestic authority, the final visa collection stage often still happens through consular processing.
Related terms
Entry Visa
A visa issued so a foreign national can lawfully enter the country and then complete the next immigration step, such as collecting a residence permit.
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In-Country Application
An immigration filing made from inside the destination country instead of through an embassy or consulate abroad.
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National Visa
Type D Visa (Long-Stay Visa)
A long-stay visa (Type D) issued by a Schengen country that allows the holder to reside and work in that country for more than 90 days, typically the first step before obtaining a residence permit.
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