If dependents (spouse and children) reside outside of the U.S., it is often advantageous for the entire family to process their immigrant visa applications together at the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate abroad. Otherwise, the family must wait for the primary applicant to receive approval of an Adjustment of Status application (receive the green card) before they can be granted their immigrant visas. This can result in significant delays for the dependents to join the primary applicant in the U.S.