Recent reports claim that it takes American immigration officials up to eight months to process visa applications from foreign workers. This is simply not true!
Immigration attorneys are speaking out about this rumor because it seems to suggest that employers can pay little to no attention to whether or not their employee visas have expired, and instead focus on finding new employees.
This isn’t very realistic though since most employers verify job offers with potential employers before hiring someone.
Furthermore, even if an employer were to forget to check for visa expiration dates, they would still need to re-apply once those expire anyway. So, in reality, it doesn’t matter how long it takes for your department to do its job; what really matters is just how much you spend checking employee paperwork!
Another big problem with this rumor is that it assumes all immigrant visa processing happens in one place, at one time. But that's never been the case!
There are actually several steps involved in each individual employment-based visa (e.g., H1B, F-1, etc.). Some of these steps happen quickly, while others can take longer depending on the type of visa being processed and our current staffing levels.
This article will go into more detail about the different types of employment-based visas as well as some tips for speeding up visa processing.
To apply for immigration into the United States, you must first prove that you have legitimate business in the country and proof of enough money to support yourself while here. This is what is referred to as a “conditional” entry or "non-immigrant" status.
Once this has been verified, you can then apply for either a tourist visa or non-visa entry (such as employment) visa. Both types require your application to be matched with another applicant or applicants already living in the US, which makes it difficult to process visas quickly unless you have someone who lives close by that can vouch for you.
Visas typically take two months to a year depending upon how many people applying under you and whether there are any red flags when reviewing your applications.
The process of obtaining a US visa usually takes around eight (8) months, with the exception of employment-based visas where it can be much longer. Applicants are typically notified of their status in one of two ways: by receiving word via email or through phone call from federal officials.
It is very important for applicants to keep up with updates on their application because there could be delays due to unforeseen issues. For example, if there was an audit done at the embassy, that would hold up processing times as well.
There are several different types of immigration documents required during the visa process. These include: I-94 cards, biographies, employment forms, health certificates, proof of return travel plans, etc. All these items must match what is listed in the visa eligibility criteria.
The next step in our visa processing checklist is to determine if you are eligible for employment authorization or ETA. If you do not have this, then it cannot be started on your behalf.
Getting employment authorization or an ETD (Extension of Temporary Status) does require proof that you will remain in the country after your visa expires. This includes showing proof of finding another job, housekeeping records, etc.
It also requires verifying that you understand your rights as an immigrant under US law. For example, you must show knowledge of what documents you need to bring into the United States when traveling here. You should know these things before coming here!
Because employers check online employee information, making sure yours works is important too. It is best to make no changes until at least two months out since most businesses look there first before reaching out to other sources.
If you are in this situation, there is something that you can do. You can start preparing for your next step earlier than later by starting to live more comfortably than before. This includes saving money for phone bills, transportation fees, and additional visas cost.
It’s also important to be aware of what days they may hold court hearings so that you can attend at a specific time and avoid being too busy during those times.
In both cases, staying positive and healthy will help you feel better about yourself and keep up morale. Also, try looking into potential opportunities outside of work towards improving your life (for example, could studying art or photography improve your career?).
There are many different websites and applications where individuals share their experiences with immigration services. Some even offer to pay for or cover part of the costs for someone else seeking assistance from an agency.
All immigration processes have what is known as the first interview or intake. This is when officials will ask you about your health, criminal history, and determine if you need sponsorship for employment or residence in America.
After this initial meeting, it can take months before there is another face-to-face conversation with an Immigration Officer. The reason for this is to prevent someone from staying undocumented or lying about their identity to gain access into the United States.
By law, every employee of a U.S. business must be verified through work authorization documents and visa status. If employers are not aware of someone’s legal status, they could get fined heavily or even prosecuted!
There are many things that can delay the processing of immigrant visas, such as having no proof of income, being unable to prove relationship to family members living in the country, or lack of documentation proving nationality.
Even if you are not currently employed, there is still an easy way to process your visa! You can apply via VISAINSIDER.COM. This website has all of the same requirements as any other business or government agency does, so it must be vetted properly.
VISA INSIDER goes through several quality control checks before they approve anyone’s application. They look at previous employment records and documents, make sure business licenses exist, and that enough money was put into the account for the duration of the stay in America.
This last one is very important because most people applying from abroad will likely spend some time traveling back home after their visit, and then planning on coming back later. It costs money to live in the United States, even when you only plan on visiting for a few weeks.
Making a deposit into your VISA INSIDER account can take days, sometimes even weeks while your bank verifies who you are and what businesses you run. When preparing your application, remember that it takes around two hours per person, not including the processing time.
Even though there is a one year deadline to leave the country, this doesn’t mean you can sit around waiting for your paperwork! If you are applying for a tourist or business visa, you must begin the process well before the expiration of your visa.
Immigration offices are not always accessible by public transportation so it is important to have a plan B in case you run into any delays.
You should know what days they close for holidays, as some may be closed due to staff vacations or other events. You also need to know how long it takes to get to the office from home so that you don’t waste time traveling back and forth.
Some cities only offer limited access to transit services or none at all during off-hours, making it even more difficult to reach the embassy quickly. When possible, try to arrive early to ensure an easy visit.
Online applications are becoming the new norm for immigrant visas. Gone are the days when you had to pick up an application at an embassy or consulate in person, fill it out, then mail back copies of documents. Now, all of that can be done from anywhere with a good internet connection!
This is great because it cuts down on time spent traveling and moving around, as well as money spent on transit tickets and travel accommodations. It also helps ensure your personal information will not be stolen during the process, as everything is done remotely.
There are even some companies that offer “application-packaged” services, where they have pre-filled forms and templates for certain types of immigrants.
