How Long Does It Take to Get a Visa?

Unfortunately, there is no straight-forward, simple answer to this often-asked question. The fact is that there are a number of things that play into how long a person has to wait for his visa to be processed and approved, and various factors can end up delaying the process. 

First and foremost, the type of visa that a person is requesting will be a major factor in determining the timeline associated with processing that visa. For example, while temporary visas associated with tourism can take weeks or even months, visas associated with permanently staying in the U.S. can take years to get approved.

Other factors that can play a role in how long it takes a visa to be approved include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Whether all necessary documentation was properly completed
• Whether these documents were submitted to the proper agencies within the specified deadlines
• Whether the immigration officer handling a given case ends up requesting additional paperwork
• The number of other visa applications that are submitted by others at the same time
• Whether an individual needs to undergo a medical examination prior to having his visa approved
• Whether there is a “cap” on the specific visa for which a person is applying. 

When it comes to the timeframe associated with obtaining a visa, the only thing that is certain is that those who work with experienced immigration attorneys will have the best chances of obtaining the visas they need in the most efficient manner possible.

The Los Angeles, California Immigration Lawyers at the Hanlon Law Group

At the Hanlon Law Group, P.C., our Los Angeles immigration attorneys have more than 15 years of experience successfully representing clients in various types of immigration cases, including those that involve the most basic immigration applications to those associated with extremely complicated federal court litigation. Our firm offers state-of-the art technology to deliver these services efficiently while also providing each of our clients with old-fashioned personal service. That means you can count on your case progressing as quickly as possible while feeling confident that your Hanlon Law Group lawyer will answer your questions quickly, clearly and honestly.

Given the constant change and complexities associated with U.S. immigration laws, today’s immigration cases demand attorneys like those at the Hanlon Law Group who have an unrelenting commitment to understanding every change in the law while providing clients with superior legal service at every stage of their case. In fact, clients who choose us will benefit not only from our experienced immigration attorneys and staff, who provide personal care and attention to every case, but also from our state-of-the-art immigration case management system that promotes both efficiency and effectiveness.

To learn more about our citizenship, immigration and deportation defense services contact our Los Angeles immigration law firm today by calling (626) 765-4641 or (866) 489-7612 or by emailing us using the form at the upper right-hand side of the screen. From our office in Pasadena, we serve clients throughout the Los Angeles area, across the state of California and from around the world.

We offer free, confidential initial consultations to provide potential clients with expert advice regarding their immigration law needs. Additionally, we are able to provide immigration legal services in various languages, including in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, Bahasa Indonesian, Tagalog and Fukienese.