April 7, 2020. The U.S. visa application system will be partially impacted by revised visa schedules released by the Department of State on April 7, 2020. The revised schedule includes an increase in visas for high-income workers, an increase in visas for children, and increases in the processing of spouses and children travelling with U.S. citizens. The Department of State stated that the increase in visas is in part due to revised policies regarding eligibility for economic category visa (EET) eligibility, which is currently only available to certain specified spouse and children who accompany their eligible parents.
- Applicants must submit visa application forms online via the department’s website or through secure electronic channels. Electronic forms are the preferred method because applicants can immediately receive notifications from the visa office if their visa appointment request has been denied. The visa office is also sending confirmation letters via email to applicants who opt to receive these letters by mail. Applying via an electronic form online saves applicants the time required to visit an u.s. embassy or consulate to collect additional paperwork.
- The second step in filling out the visa appointment application is to choose the gender and age that meet the requirements. A gender selection option is available on the gender selection page. Next is the country destination and intended destination. The list contains many countries from which visa applicants may choose. The list contains passport requirements specific to each country. Each of the countries is listed in descending order of proximity to the applicant’s intended country of departure.
- The third step in the visa application process is to choose the primary language in which to apply. The language preference used will affect the cost of the application. Applicants may also need to pay a filing fee, and the number of pages in the application must be submitted with the fee. If the applicant chooses not to use a particular language for submission of the application, they may select from a list of language options that are provided. Once all of the required documents are submitted, the application will be sent to the visa office for review.
- The fourth and final step in the visa application processing involves the decision on approval or denial. Applicants will receive a letter of approval, which informs them of their status. Applicants who are approved will be given a visa number and will have an opportunity to apply for an immigrant visa. There is no need to apply for immigrant visas via this channel. Visa application fees must still be paid through the same external service that processing the visa.
There is no cost-effective alternative to applying at the visa application page website. Applicants must pay a non-refundable visa deposit to secure their visa application. In addition to the deposited visa fee, applicants must also pay for any passport photos, visa stamps or lost passport information, and for visa processing assistance (if necessary).
For many people travelling to Australia, visa processing is not an easy task. It can take weeks or months for visa applicants to receive their visa applications, notification of approval, and visa fees. The increased use of the internet has dramatically reduced processing times, but visa processing centres are still working around the clock to process visa applications. While it’s unlikely visa applicants will receive visa approval over the weekend, visa processing centres can provide fast, efficient service.
Applying online can save both time and money for both the traveller and the business applying for a visa. The increased efficiency of visa application pages means visa applicants can usually complete their application in a matter of minutes. If you’re not sure whether you’re eligible for a visa, check out our comprehensive visa guide. The eBook has detailed advice on choosing your immigration partner, what documents you need to bring with you to the interview, how long it will take to receive a visa, and where to apply. If you’re applying for an exchange visitor visa, our eBook can help you complete the process quickly and easily.
