How Long Does H4 Visa Processing Take?

By Tiara

The process of getting your visa can take anywhere from several days to months, even years depending on what country you are applying in and how quickly your documents get processed!

Most immigration offices require you to have proof that you will be able to support yourself and your family once you leave Canada. This can include showing employment records or evidence of savings.

It is very important to start preparing for your departure well before you arrive in Canada so that doesn’t hold up your travel plans. Once you are ready to depart, make sure to check out our tips for leaving Canada early.

There are many things that can affect the length of time it takes to process your visa application. General concerns like having enough money to spend while you are waiting may hurt your chances of being approved soon.

Certain countries may also require you to apply at an embassy instead of directly through Immigration, which could complicate things if you are not careful.

The USCIS will review your application

After submitting all required documents, filling out applications, and sending in copies of documents, the next step is to wait for a response!

The process can take anywhere from several days to weeks, sometimes even months depending on various factors. One of the most important things you can do while waiting is keep up with all of your activities.

It’s very easy to get distracted when waiting for a phone call or email, so be sure to check these messages regularly. Also, try not to become too stressed-out as this could affect how quickly the agency receives your documents.

The USCIS will notify you of their decision

how long does h4 visa processing take

After they receive your application, it is then sent to an adjudication center for review. This can take anywhere from one week to months depending on many things such as how busy that office is at that time.

It is very important to stay in touch with USCIS by either calling or writing them monthly to make sure everything is going well with your process.

They may need more information, so do not forget to update them!

And remember, even though it may feel like there is no progress being made, know that this is completely normal during the visa processing process.

It takes some time before your file is handed over to another employee for approval.

You may be required to pay a fee

how long does h4 visa processing take

Even though it seems like there’s no progress happening, your application is still being processed. This is because most employers require additional documents or paperwork from you before processing your visa petition.

It’s totally normal for employers to do this, but unfortunately, some don’t!

If you have been notified that an employer has asked for more documentation, then call the USCIS at the earliest opportunity so they can look into it and fix the problem.

Remember, even if you aren’t able to start working right away, you are still eligible to work in Canada while your papers are being sorted out.

Contact the USCIS to find out the latest processing time

how long does h4 visa processing take

If you are in the midst of applying for your visa, there is something important we must address. What happens if your application is rejected?

A re-application process typically begins once the decision has been made. This can be up to one year after the initial submission! During this period, it is very difficult to work, so most employers have policies that allow workers to apply for an extended job stay while the first visa stays active.

However, what if you need to return home unexpectedly or travel for business? You would no longer have permission to remain in the country, and finding another position may not be easy. In fact, staying in the US as a nonimmigrant employee could become nearly impossible unless you have the right documents and proof.

Luckily, there is help! The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offers several options for individuals who run into issues during the visa approval process. It is our hope that these tips will keep you informed about your visa status and how to get things back under control.

Apply for a visa if your situation requires it

how long does h4 visa processing take

It is totally up to you whether or not you should apply for a work visa in America. If you feel that you have enough money saved up, then you can wait out the process and still be able to make necessary payments such as rent and bills.

However, if you do not have enough savings to last you during this time, then it may be best to look into other options. Bank loans and credit cards can sometimes be more lenient when it comes to paying back debt, so instead of looking at expensive long term visas, try looking into those first.

In fact, many people choose to stay in America longer because they find cheap ways to live via living off of food stamps and free health care. Having a stable income source makes it much easier to keep yourself healthy and relaxed.

The way to ensure the most pleasant experience while waiting for your visa approval is by being aware of what things could take extra time.

Keep your visa and passport secure

how long does h4 visa processing take

It is important to remember that even though you do not have to remain in the United States while your employment authorization is processed, you must keep your I-94 form and your passport up to date at all times during this time.

If you are traveling for business or vacation, it is important to know what to expect from INS so you can plan appropriately.

You should also be aware of your rights as an employee being terminated due to undocumented status. Some states offer special protections to employees who receive such notices.

In some cases, employers may be held liable if they fail to give you adequate notice before terminating your employment.

Know the rules and regulations

how long does h4 visa processing take

The process of getting your visa can take anywhere from a few days to several months, depending on how quickly your documents are verified and processed.

Making an immigration claim while on H-1B status is tricky because you must be able to prove that it was intended to be a long term stay. You also have to be able to show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family for the length of time being in this country implies.

In some cases, employers may try to sneak people into the United States under the guise of them working here. If this happens, then the person seeking citizenship will not agree to work for the company and could face deportation as well as criminal charges.

Stay positive

how long does h4 visa processing take

Even though it can be frustrating waiting for your visa to come through, you must stay positive about your future in America. If there’s anything that we learn from this article, is how important it is to understand immigration process times.

We all have different personal deadlines when it comes to staying in our country. Sometimes, life gets in the way and things take longer than expected. Life happens!

Don’t get discouraged or give up hope because of what may seem like an extended processing time. There are many reasons why it could take more than a week to receive your visa decision including but not limited to:

The consulate taking their time to review your documents

A lot of people being approved for immigrant status at once which creates a backlog

They need to verify your residence by doing a property search or collecting mail at your current address

There might be someone already living in the US with American citizenship who they want to confirm as an additional dependant

It just so happened to be during fiscal year (FY) budget season, so office resources were very tight

You made a big deal about moving here, so they wanted to make sure everything was legit before approving you

If you would still like to live in the United States after these delays, don’t stress out too much unless you really feel like giving up.

Chances are, if you owned a house, then you already have proof of residency.