Student Visa Info

New changes in U.S. visa policy and procedures have increased the amount of time it can take to obtain a visa. Apply early!

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.

Changes introduce shortly after September 11, 2001 caused long processing times, which diverse from country to country. Backlogs accumulated and delays became indefinite in some cases.

Advance travel planning and early visa application are important, since visa applications are subject to a greater degree of inspection than in the past. If you plan to apply for a nonimmigrant visa to come to the United States, we know you’d like to estimate how long you will have to wait to get an interview appointment to apply for a visa. See our “Visa Wait Times for Interview Appointment” information below.

It is important to thoroughly review all information on the specific Embassy’s Consular Section website for local procedures and instructions, such as how to make an interview appointment. Consular Websites will also explain any additional procedures for students, exchange visitors and those persons who need an earlier visa interview appointment.

You’ll also want to know how long it will take for your nonimmigrant visa to be processed at the Consular Section, after a choice is made by a Consular Officer to issue the visa, and the visa is available for pick-up by you or the courier at the embassy. See the “Wait Times for a Nonimmigrant Visa to be processed” information, which does not include time required for special clearances and administrative processing. Some visa applications need additional special clearances or administrative processing, which need some additional time. Most special clearances are resolved within 30 days of application. Applicants are advised when they apply. When supplementary special clearances or administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on individual circumstances of each case.

Even with the visa processing enhancement that has been made and will continue to be made, it is inevitable that waits 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 advice.

Visa Processing Time

New changes in U.S. visa policy and procedures have increased the amount of time it can take to obtain a visa. Apply early!

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.

Changes introduce shortly after September 11, 2001 caused long processing times, which diverse from country to country. Backlogs accumulated and delays became indefinite in some cases.

Advance travel planning and early visa application are important, since visa applications are subject to a greater degree of inspection than in the past. If you plan to apply for a nonimmigrant visa to come to the United States, we know you’d like to estimate how long you will have to wait to get an interview appointment to apply for a visa. See our “Visa Wait Times for Interview Appointment” information below.

It is important to thoroughly review all information on the specific Embassy’s Consular Section website for local procedures and instructions, such as how to make an interview appointment. Consular Websites will also explain any additional procedures for students, exchange visitors and those persons who need an earlier visa interview appointment.

You’ll also want to know how long it will take for your nonimmigrant visa to be processed at the Consular Section, after a choice is made by a Consular Officer to issue the visa, and the visa is available for pick-up by you or the courier at the embassy. See the “Wait Times for a Nonimmigrant Visa to be processed” information, which does not include time required for special clearances and administrative processing. Some visa applications need additional special clearances or administrative processing, which need some additional time. Most special clearances are resolved within 30 days of application. Applicants are advised when they apply. When supplementary special clearances or administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on individual circumstances of each case.

Even with the visa processing enhancement that has been made and will continue to be made, it is inevitable that waits 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 advice.

Visa Processing Time

New changes in U.S. visa policy and procedures have increased the amount of time it can take to obtain a visa. Apply early!

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.

Changes introduce shortly after September 11, 2001 caused long processing times, which diverse from country to country. Backlogs accumulated and delays became indefinite in some cases.

Advance travel planning and early visa application are important, since visa applications are subject to a greater degree of inspection than in the past. If you plan to apply for a nonimmigrant visa to come to the United States, we know you’d like to estimate how long you will have to wait to get an interview appointment to apply for a visa. See our “Visa Wait Times for Interview Appointment” information below.

It is important to thoroughly review all information on the specific Embassy’s Consular Section website for local procedures and instructions, such as how to make an interview appointment. Consular Websites will also explain any additional procedures for students, exchange visitors and those persons who need an earlier visa interview appointment.

You’ll also want to know how long it will take for your nonimmigrant visa to be processed at the Consular Section, after a choice is made by a Consular Officer to issue the visa, and the visa is available for pick-up by you or the courier at the embassy. See the “Wait Times for a Nonimmigrant Visa to be processed” information, which does not include time required for special clearances and administrative processing. Some visa applications need additional special clearances or administrative processing, which need some additional time. Most special clearances are resolved within 30 days of application. Applicants are advised when they apply. When supplementary special clearances or administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on individual circumstances of each case.

Even with the visa processing enhancement that has been made and will continue to be made, it is inevitable that waits 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 advice.

This leaflet give details what the Immigration Rules say about how you may sponsor someone, what you can do to support the application, and how the visa application process works in Africa.. What do the Immigration Rules say?The Visa Officer must be happy that the person applying for the visa meets certain criterion. The legal standard of proof that the Visa Officer has to work to is the balance of prospect. This means that the Officer does not have to be 100% certain that the applicant meets the criteria, but s/he has to be satisfied, on balance, that they do.

The Immigration Rules make it clear that it is the applicant’s intentions and circumstances which are the most important aspect of the application, although sponsorship is always taken into account.

How should the interviewee and I prepare the interviewee? Visa Officers intense to make decisions without interviewing applicants, and so it is vital that applications are properly documented when they are submitted. If the appropriate documents are not submitted, the application may be refused without an interview. Please make sure that all supporting papers are included with the application, and are not sent, or faxed, to us separately. If you, or the applicant, want to submit documents which are not in English, we strongly advise you to get them translated before making the application, as this helps the Visa Officer to make his choice. It is important for the Visa Officer to have all the relevant information before he or she reaches a decision. Whilst the evidence that sponsors provide in support of an application is important, it is not necessary for you to accompany the applicant to the High Commission, if they are invited for an interview. If you do go to the Visa Department, the Visa Officer may not ask to speak to you, unless he or she needs to clarify certain points.

Please note that you do not need to have any letters, or supporting documents, attested before a solicitor or Commissioner for Oaths.

How are applications processed? Entry permission Officers, who are posted for 3 years from Foreign Office and Home Office departments in the UK make decisions on applications. They are professional and highly trained, and work alongside locally engaged South Africa-based) staff who have extensive experience of the UK’s immigration requirements; local cultures; and local languages. Only Visa Officers are authorised to make a decision on a visa application, and they do this by assessing the papers carefully, and often by interviewing applicants, using an interpreter where required. If a Visa Officer refuses an application, this decision is generally reviewed by an Entry Clearance Manager on the same day, before the papers are returned to the applicant. How long does it take? We advise that you allow at least 3 months for settlement visas (if you are applying to live in the UK) or a month for non-settlement visas (all other types of applications). We aim to process straightforward applications within 5-10 working days of receipt at the High Commission, but we cannot guarantee to do this. What if the visa is refused?Visas can be reject because the applicant has not provided sufficient evidence; does not meet the requirements of the Rules or because – for whatever reason - has not been honest. Remember that the Visa Officer has to be satisfied, on a balance of probabilities that the applicant qualifies for a visa. It is simply a waste of money to apply without providing enough, or correct, evidence. Don’t assume that the Visa Officer knows anything of your circumstances – it is up to you, and your visitor, to provide as much evidence as you can to support the application. If the application is refused, your visitor will be given a written notice of refusal, which will explain the reasons for the Visa Officer’s decision. Certain types of visa refusal attract a right of appeal, and information about this will be included with the refusal notice if appropriate. If there is a right of appeal, then the visitor has the right to lodge a formal appeal against the Visa Officer’s decision within 28 days. Where there are exceptional or compassionate circumstances they will be fully considered by the appeal authorities. If the appeal is dismissed under the requirements of the Immigration Rules, but the Immigration Judge makes a special recommendation that entry clearance be granted, you may ask for the case to be looked at again.

Step 1. Decide the kind of UK Visa or Permit, if any, for which you are qualified to apply. This is an important step and you can find information to help you with this question on the British Government’s official visa and work permit information sites. If you do not seem to be qualified for any of the UK Visas, Certificates or Passports listed, or the consulate or embassy tells you that you need to be sponsored by a UK employer - you will likely need a UK Work Permit.

Step 2. Once you know for what you are eligible to apply, you will need to contact your nearest British High Commission, Consulate or Embassy and ask to have the suitable application forms sent to you, or you can often download these forms quickly and easily from their websites.

Step 3. Read through the forms cautiously to make certain you qualify and to see what documents you will need to supply. Fill out the forms completely and return to the British High Commission or Consulate in your country with all of the information and supporting documentation they have requested. If you have questions about filling out the forms, you should contact the British High Commission or Consulate on the number provided on your UK visa application forms.

Step 4. Wait for receipt of written confirmation of your successful UK Visa application from the British High Commission or Consulate to which you applied. If there are any problems they will contact you, usually by phone.

Step 5. If you are preparation to work in the UK and have not already created a UK file online with WORK gateways – you can do so now! Apply for jobs and to agencies to start your UK job search. Be sure to upload your resume and keep your file updated as your travel plans become clear. Have a great time in the UK! If you are just “thinking about going” you can donate to to our e-newsletter.

Timing: When to apply for your visa

With regards the timing of your application, you should check with the individual UK High Commission or Embassy as they all have different processing times. However in general, be careful not to apply too early (a year ahead) for your UK Visa as they often have a ‘use before’ date. However don’t leave it too late either! Most UK Visa applications (Ancestry, Working Holiday, Right to Abode, Spouse etc) will be processed within six weeks in most Commonwealth countries, but that is not a guarantee. If you are applying for the Highly Skilled Migrant Program this may take much longer and you should give yourself several months. It is not in general recommended to purchase your airline tickets until you have received your UK visa if this is something that will effect whether you go to the UK or not.

This information should be used as a principle only. For official information on work visa and permit processing times please contact your nearest British Embassy or Consulate.