Do you wish to know the visa processing time of the visa you applied for, then worry not and just look through this article and know the time at which your visa will take.
A US Visa is a document that allows any foreign person entrance into the United States. And anyone who seeks entrance must first obtain a US Visa which is placed on the traveler’s passport,
A passport is a document used for traveling that is issued by the travelers country of citizenship.
What Types of Visas Are There?
There are various types of Visa that one can obtain and it is determined by the US immigration law, and also show the purpose of your travel.
There are two main categories of US Visa:
Nonimmigrant visas
The is a type of visa that is used by tourists, business people, or students who want to stay for a particular duration of time in the United States to fulfill a specific purpose.
Immigrant visas
This is a type of visa that is for people who want to reside in the United States permanently.
The time at which a US visa application is processed depends on the type of visa you are want to get. While the temporary nonimmigrant visas may be up to a few weeks, or months at most to get, the immigrant visas take years to get approved.
It is not possible to give a sure answer on how long an application takes to get reviewed, the US government can consider each applicant on a case-by-case basis, in the manner in which they are received. It can take up to a few weeks for an applicant that applies.
How Long Does it Take to Get a US Visa?
The time for a US visa to be processed depends on the type of visa you want to apply for. It can take from 3 to 5 weeks for a US visa application to be processed. After being processed, the applicant can get a good reply on their application, and the consulate will give the document. The bringing of the visa can take up to two other workdays.
Applications denied under Section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) pending additional processing, maybe around 60 days from the date of the visa interview to be processed. In exceptional cases, the processing might take more than 6 months.
Applicants who are expected to apply for a waiver of ineligibility for them to get the visa should bear in mind that they will have to wait for 6 to 8 months from the date of their interview to get a reply.
But, countries who are under the visa waiver program, applying through Electronic Travel Authorization System for short-term visits, may get a reply in their ESTA application within 72 hours.
US Visa Processing Times for Different Visa Types
These are the processing times for the US visas:
E-1 visa takes 2 to 4 weeks
The E-1 visa processing time depends on the workload of the US Embassy or USCIS, that Is if you applied from within the US. when the processing period is over. They will alert you about whether you have been given the visa or you were denied.
E-2 visa takes 4 to 6 weeks
As an employee, it will be from 2 weeks.
The processing time differs, but, with the caseload of the U.S Embassy, if you haven’t received an answer within those time frames, that doesn’t imply that your visa application was denied.
E-3 visa takes 2 months
The processing time might be longer because the Embassy might have a bigger caseload.
F-1 visa is Immediately after the interview
The F-1 visa processing time is no longer as much as other visas. The processing of this type of visa happens way before your interview. The interview is the final step for the US Embassy to know whether they should give you an F-1 visa or not.
Sometimes, you will get an answer on the visa immediately after the interview.
F-2 visa takes few days to 2 weeks
when you are done with your F-2 interview, you will get an answer immediately from your interviewer on whether you got the visa or you were denied. However, it is very common that you will wait for few a days or weeks.
This is because the US Embassy had to take time to check your documents and responses. They will majorly focus on you and the F-1 visa holder’s financial records to know whether you can cover your expenses while in the US.
J-1 visa takes 1 to 4 months
The Waiver Review Division will check your case and make a recommendation. This recommendation will be sent to the USCIS, which will enable them to make a final decision on whether you will be allowed to stay or not.
Q-1 visa takes 15 days to 3 months
When done with the processing, they will call you to tell you whether you have been approved for the visa or not.
M-1 visa takes at least 4 weeks
The processing time for the M-1 visa is very short. The processing happens long before your visa interview. There are instances when you get a response as soon as you are done with your visa interview, and the interviewer either congratulates you or tells you the reasons for the rejection of your visa application.
B-1 visa a couple of weeks to 2 months
The processing times for the B-1 visas are not clearly exact. This depends on the caseload of the US Embassy and other factors that may want to consider.
B-2 visa a couple of weeks to 2 months
Processing times for B-2 tourist visas and US visitor visas change from country to country.
H-1B visa takes 3 to 6 months
The US Embassies in various countries/cities have different visa processing times, so it is best to call them for any details or go to the US State Department or USCIS for approximate processing times.
H-1B1 visa takes 4 to 6 months
The time is affected by seasonal fluctuations, so for more good information, you are to contact the US Embassy where you applied.
H-2A visa processing time varies
Visa processing times vary for H-2A visas it is seasonal and can take a longer time. But, it is advised for US employers to file USCIS petitions at least 60 days, but no more than 120 days before they need the foreign workers.
H-3 visa takes 4 to 6 weeks
You should ensure that the institution petitions on your behalf at most 6 months before the training program starts. After which, you will have to arrange your documents and proceed with the application.
H-4 visa processing time varies
H-4 status depends on the status of the H visa holder so your spouse or parent, it can take as long as it takes to process their visa. If you are applying on your own, The. processing time of the H-4 visa will be up to the US Embassy and the caseload that they have.
L-1 visa takes 3 to 4 months
Blanket petitions processing is done faster than individual ones. In addition, employers have the place of getting premium processing for the additional fees, which will give speed to the L-1A processing time and you’ll get a response within 1 to 3 weeks.
L-2 visa takes 15 days to 1 month
This depends on the Embassy’s caseload and other factors, it may be longer.
R-1 visa takes 8 to 9 months
It takes time to get the R-1 visa approved. When the employer sends in the petition, it may take around 6 months for USCIS to respond, this is because they might have to visit the premises of the organization.
P-1 visa takes 3 to 6 months
The wait is long, but the US institutions give you the chance to pay for premium processing. If you want to have premium processing of your visa, you are to pay an additional $1,225 and you will receive a response for your visa within 15 days. If the US institutions do not alert you of your visa status within 15 days, your money is refunded.
I visa takes 10 days
O visa takes 2 to 3 months
If you have no interest in waiting this long to get your response, there is a way to speed up the process. You will have to pay an additional $1,225, for premium processing and it is available for the O visas.
C visa takes 5 working days
The transit visa is for a short duration of time, this visa processing time is basically faster than any other visas.
T visa processing time varies
The time for the T visa processing time varies. USCIS does not give an estimated time for applicants to wait after applying. This implies that the processing time changes from person to person and is given based on the evidence that they give.
U visa takes 12 to 18 months
The U visa takes a long time to process. The visa processing times can vary widely though.
How do I get my Passport Back?
The passport of the applicant is still at the US embassy/consulate that he/she has applied at, and the time at which the visa is processed. The applicant cannot take his or her passport in person. but, it will be sent by the courier service.
The applicant gets an email with a tracking number when the application is completed. The applicant can track his / her passport by login into their account.
bear in mind that the State Department does give expedited interview appointments and processing if you have an emergency situation.
Conclusion
Now you know the various visa processing time for any of the visas that you wish to apply for. We at immigly.com wishes you good luck as you apply.
