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UnitedStatesVisas.gov U.S. Visa Policy -- Visa Processing Time New Procedures | What's the Same | What's Different | Processing Time | Arriving in the U.S. | Acts of Congress | Frequently Asked Questions Visa Processing Time Recent changes in U.S. visa policy and procedures have increased the amount of time it can take to obtain a visa. Apply early! Changes introduced shortly after September 11, 2001 caused long processing times, which varied from country to country. Backlogs accumulated and delays became indefinite in some cases. Improved interagency and automated procedures have reduced delays and speeded up visa processing. The State Department’s goal is visa delivery no more than 30 days from the time of application in most cases. Sometimes it can take less than that, and sometimes longer. If your name or a close variation is matched in a database indicating law enforcement concerns, the process will take several weeks longer to resolve. Even with the visa processing improvements that have been made and will continue to be made, it is inevitable that delays will sometimes occur. Processing times will vary. If you want to visit the U.S., plan to submit your visa application well in advance of your departure date. Contact your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for a current time estimate and recommendations. Doing Business and Working in the U.S. Visiting the U.S. Coming Permanently to the U.S. What is a Visa? U.S. Visa Policy Home | Full Graphic Version | Contact Us | Languages | Privacy Policy |