How Long Will it Take to Get my Visa?
The visa processing time depends on the visa type and the applicant’s nationality. Nonimmigrant visas (visas for temporary stay) and some immigrant visas (green card visas) are issued in limited numbers each year which sometimes creates backlogs (delays in processing times). Applications submitted with errors or without all required documents could also cause delays in processing times.
Steps to Get a Visa
1. The applicant files the visa application with all supporting documents and proper fee.
The application has to be filed at least three weeks in advance of desired travel date during normal travel periods and at least six weeks in advance during the peak periods (March 15 – April 15; July 15 – September 30; and November 15 – December 31).
2. The applicant receives a receipt number from USCIS, which can be used to track the progress of the application.
The wait time includes the time taken to process the application as well as the time it takes to reach the applicant by mail. Some applicants may have to go through additional administrative procedures that may add weeks or months to the processing time.
Typical wait times differ from country to country and by visa. The U.S. Department of State has developed a tool that allows applicants to view wait times by their country.
3. The applicant attends a visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country.
4. If the interview goes well, the visa application is approved and the applicant is issued a U.S. visa, put in their passport.
