The question of waiting for a visa for the USA, Great Britain, Canada and countries of the Schengen Agreement is always of interest to many tourists. Citizens of every country in the world have a different rejection rate and time to receive a document. Find out the statistics and how long you will have to wait for a visa in 2023

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Planning trips in 2022 was quite difficult. The main reason for this was the long queues and delays associated with visa processing. For example, in some cases, it was necessary to wait more than 1000 days for a tourist visa to the USA, that is, almost 3 years from the moment of submitting the application. However, experts believe that the situation will improve in 2023.

How long will a tourist wait for visas of different countries of the world in 2023? More details below.

Tourist visa (B1/B2) to the USA

The US visitor visa, in particular categories B1 and B2, is in high demand among foreigners. The wait time for this visa increased significantly in 2022, reaching a peak of 1,000 days. However, the US government has taken steps to reduce the waiting period, which has resulted in its reduction by almost half. According to the US State Department, the waiting period is currently 600 days. This means that if you apply today, an interview will be scheduled for September or October 2024.

How to issue a tourist visa (B1/B2) to the USA?

A tourist visa (B1/B2) is a visitor visa that must be obtained by individuals who wish to enter the United States temporarily for business (B-1 visa category), tourism (B-2 visa category), or a combination of both. (B-1/B-2).

Holders of this type of visa do not have the right to work for an American company, study at a university or apply for permanent residence in the USA.

Visa issuance takes place in several stages:

- Complete the online application for a nonimmigrant visa and upload your photo.

- Make an appointment for a visa interview at a US embassy or consulate.

- Pay the visa application fee.

- Collect the necessary package of documents: passport, application form, photo, receipts, purpose of travel, proof of financial ability to pay for the trip, etc.

- Attend a visa interview, where a consular officer will determine whether you meet the requirements for a visitor visa.

- Get a visa.

Citizens of every country in the world have a different percentage of B1/B2 visa refusals. Residents of Argentina, Israel, Luxembourg, and Switzerland received the fewest refusals in 2022.  Citizens of Tajikistan, Yemen, Afghanistan and Benin were most often refused. Check out the statistics published by the US government for 2022 at the link.

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Visa to Great Britain

In 2022, the average processing time for UK visa applications was 7 weeks. However, in 2023, the UK government's official website announced that the waiting period had been reduced to the country's standard processing time of three weeks. According to the notice, applicants who are outside the UK should receive a decision on their visa within three weeks of registering at a visa center.

It is worth noting that the standard processing time only applies to applications that have been properly completed and submitted with a complete package of documents and biometric data. The absence of any document or information may cause a delay.

The period of issuing a Canadian visa

In recent years, the waiting period for a Canadian visa has remained relatively stable. In 2022, the average application processing time was approximately 130 days, with an all-time high of 158 days last year.

At the beginning of 2023, the waiting time is 122 days. This indicator is compared on the basis of the average result of previous years. However, the period may vary depending on the number of applications received.

To avoid delays, check whether you have a complete package of documents before applying.

Time for processing documents for a Schengen visa

The German High Commission advises applicants to apply for a Schengen visa no earlier than six months and no less than 15 days before the planned trip.

According to statistics, most applications should be processed within 15 days, but in peak periods this can take up to 30 and in complex cases up to 60 days. Therefore, to avoid potential delays, experts advise to applying in advance.