Why is My Visa Application Delayed? Top 8 Reasons for Visa Delays Explained

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why is my visa application delayed

Have you applied for a visa and received no response? This means your visa application processing is delayed. The visa application processing time is a crucial stage. Your visa can be accepted or rejected. Therefore, receiving no response can result in confusion and worry. For this reason, we have answered your question- ‘Why is my visa application delayed?’ in a detailed manner. Keep reading to find out the most popular reasons for visa application delays.

Understand the 8 Common Reasons for Visa Delay

At times the visa application processing can take longer than expected. There are many reasons why visas get delayed. Some of the most common reasons for this are provided below:

1. Delay in Visa Processing Due to Documentation Errors 

Are you asking yourself the question- why is my visa application delayed? The most common reason for delays in visa processing is making mistakes during document submission. For example,

  1. You have not completed the visa application form 
  2. You have provided vague or incorrect information 
  3. Adequate proof to prove that you are financially stable is not included 
  4. You have not received a letter of invitation (for tourist visa applications)
  5. Any of  the required documents have not been provided

2. You Have Submitted a Complex Application 

Do you have a criminal record? Have you violated visa rules in the past? Has your visa application ever been rejected before? All these reasons are what the visa officials call a complex application. In these cases, further investigation is required Therefore, it can result in a visa application processing delay.

3. Submission of Visa Application During Peak Season 

Why is my visa application delayed? Another reason for this could be the submission of documents during the peak season. A peak season can be defined as a time when the embassy receives a lot of applications. For example, a holiday, or a season when most applications are submitted. In such cases, it can take a lot of time to come to your application.

4. You Have an Interview Scheduled 

Have you applied for a student visa or a work visa? In this case, a visa interview is usually scheduled. Therefore, you are required to attend the interview as the last stage of the visa application process. If you have a visa interview scheduled then it can cause a visa delay. Till you attend the interview, the visa application will not be processed.

5. Country-Specific Visa Rules and Delays 

The visa processing time is not the same for every country. Each country has a different processing time set for each type of visa Therefore, depending on the country you have applied for a visa the processing time can be short or long. 

For example, if you have applied for a UK visitor visa it will take 3 weeks at best to process your application. On the other hand, if you have applied for a Schengen visa (as a visitor) it can take only 15 days to process the same.

6. The Officials are Encountering a Technical Difficulty 

Why is my visa application delayed? Another common reason for this is a technical difficulty. The visa application can be delayed due to technical errors. However, in such cases, the embassy or consulate provides the same as a public notice on their website. Once, the technical difficulties are resolved your application is processed quickly.

7. Your Medical Screening is Taking Longer than Usual 

Some countries require you to submit medical records as a part of the application process. If the medical screening takes longer than usual there can be a processing delay. Only after the institution has sent records can your visa be processed.

8. Administrative Processing Delay 

What is an administrative processing delay? An administrative processing delay is a term used when a visa officer is unable to decide on your application. If you are wondering- why is my visa application delayed- administrative delays can be one of the reasons. Your visa processing time may be extended. However, you will eventually receive a decision on your application.

How to Track Your Visa Application Status Online?

You can track the status of your visa application completely online. These are the 3 ways you can do that-

  1. Email updates– Any communication regarding the status of your visa application is sent through Email updates. Therefore, check your inbox regularly.
  2. Visit the official website (embassy/Consulate/partner agency)– Generally, the official website of the embassy or partner agencies like VFS Global provides you an option to track the status of your visa application. You are expected to enter your last name, and visa application reference number to view the status of your visa application

Watch this video to know how to track the status of visa visa application online.

Credit:@SoftwareTraveller

What to Do If Your Visa Application is Delayed?

Now you know why is my visa application delayed. The next step is to know, what to do if your visa application is delayed. 

  1. Contact the visa application centre- You can contact the visa application centre and ask them to check for the status of your visa application
  2. Provide additional documents- If the visa application processing is delayed due to a lack of sufficient documents, you will be asked to provide additional documents. You need to regularly check your mail to see if the visa offical has requested additional documents and provide the same.
  3. Contact the local MP- The UK government suggests that you contact a local office or a local MP to know the status of your visa application.

Generally, there is anything you can do to speed up the processing time. However, if you suspect fraud contact immigration lawyers. That is, if the official  visa processing time is over, and the extended visa processing time is also over, and you have contracted the concerned office, and recived non response.

Student Visa Delay? Here’s What To Do Instead of Waiting!

5 Expert Tips to Aviod Visa Processing Delays

Now you know the answer to your question- Why is my visa application delayed? Once, you have submitted your visa application, and given the interview there is nothing you can do to speed up the process. On the other hand, if you have not yet submitted the visa application these are some of the things you can do to prevent visa delays.

  1. Carefully go through your visa application, and ensure that you have given every answer
  2. Submit biometric information, and photographs at least within 30 days 
  3. Go through the documents checklist, and ensure you have included every document required for the visa
  4. Ensure that you have submitted sufficient evidence to prove your financial stability
  5. Pay the visa application fee using the right accepted modes of payment. Ensure that you include the payment slip from your application
  6. Lastly, double-check your visa application to aviod any errors. Thereafter submit your visa application.

Why Would a Work Visa Be Denied to Indians?

FAQs

Why is my visa application taking so long?

Your visa application can take a long time to be processed if you have not submitted all necessary documents. Otherwise, you might have send your visa application during peak seasons. The officials will have to conduct further investigation. Therefore, your application can be delayed.

Why are there visa delays?

You have not submitted adequate proof to prove that you are financially stable. Otherwise, you must have not submitted any important documents. If your visa application is complex. For example, if you have a criminal record your visa application processing can be delayed.

How long will it take for visa processing?

The processing time taken differs from country to country. Additionally, it also depends on the type of visa application you have submitted However, in general, the visa processing can take from 2 weeks to 6 months. No visa processing takes longer than that.

How will I know if my visa application has been approved?

You will know if your visa application is approved or not by checking the status of your visa application online. Visa agencies allow you to enter your reference number, and last name (and/or date of birth) to know the status of your website. At times the official website of the embassy also offers this service. To know if your application is approved or not you can also check SMS updates, or your email.

Why is my Schengen visa taking so long?

High demand for the visa, extensive background checks, and submission of incomplete information are some of the reasons why the visa processing is taking so long.

What to do if tourist visa is delayed?

Either you have not provided sufficient proof that you are financially stable, or you have not submitted the relevant documents. Another reason can be additional background checks.

We hope you now have the answer to your question- Why Would a Work Visa be Denied? Want to apply for a Visa for your study abroad journey? Drop us a comment in the section below, or visit our visa page for more such articles. You can also connect with a visa expert at Leverage Edu, and we will guide you on your dream journey! 

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