Understanding the Visa Approval Process
At VisaHQ, we work hard to make sure the visa application process is as simple as possible for our clients. However, we know certain aspects can still be confusing even for expert travelers. One issue we frequently receive questions about is visa approval. In this brief guide, we hope to clarify how the visa approval process works for travelers who are struggling to understand this part of obtaining a travel visa.
What VisaHQ Does
Once you submit your application via VisaHQ’s online system, your dedicated visa agent’s job is to review the information provided on your application, ensure that all necessary supporting documents are included, and check that there are no spelling or grammatical errors in your paperwork. Even minor discrepancies can hinder visa applications from being approved in a timely fashion.
Judy M., one of our clients, said, “VisaHQ totally took out the stress of applying for my visa. From completing the online form to sending the documents, it was a stress-free process. Your agents secured my biometrics appointment. Without their help, I don’t know how I would have been able to get the visa so quickly.”
Another client, Kelly G.,t, who just received a Chinese visa, added, “What was a nightmare with other companies’ online systems was a breeze with VisaHQ. I appreciated how seamless your questionnaire was, and when it came time to complete and print, it magically converted over to the Chinese form…genius!”
After your documents have been received and reviewed, a VisaHQ consular liaison will deliver your application and supporting documents to the appropriate consular authorities. Although we have excellent relationships with diplomatic missions around the world, it is imperative for you to understand that once your application is submitted for processing, it essentially out of our hands. The guidelines and approval timelines we provide are based on past experience and information from each individual country’s diplomatic mission and are subject to change at any time.
What Happens to Your Application
Upon submission to the embassy or consulate, your visa application will be processed and reviewed by agents employed or contracted by that facility. The VisaHQ team inquires on the status of your application on a regular basis, but we cannot make the approval process go any faster or interfere with a foreign government’s internal operations.
We know you are looking forward to receiving your visa and we inform you of its status every step of the way.
Our client, Christopher P., experienced this firsthand, “I was very impressed with how they kept me updated throughout the process. They told me when they received my documents if anything was missing or wrong, when they dropped them off at the embassy, and what the status was upon completion.”
In some cases, our clients are asked to provide additional documentation, appear for in-person interviews, or provide biometric data (fingerprints). Unfortunately, we have no say in who has to complete these tasks, however, your VisaHQ agent can help you prepare for any necessary appointments.
Furthermore, if the approval of your visa is delayed by the consular authorities, your VisaHQ agent can continually check its status, but cannot speed up the process. After your application has been submitted to the appropriate embassy or consulate, our role becomes to support you until you receive your approval notice. Processing times and approvals are at the sole discretion of consular authorities.
After Approval
Whether it takes days, weeks, or months for your visa to be approved, what happens next remains the same. A member of the VisaHQ team will carefully pack your passport and any other necessary documents and mail them back to you via your preferred delivery method. At this point, you are ready to enjoy your trip!
Remember, though, that if you have any additional questions before your departure date, we are here to help. We hope this has clarified any confusion you may have had surrounding the visa approval process and we look forward to serving you for years to come.
