Travel During Visa Processing: What to Know

Visa applications can compute very daunting, especially when you are planning to travel currently. One of the most common questions travelers have is Can you travel while your visa is being processed? This is not a simple question to answer and it all depends on a few things: What type of visa are you applying for? What country you are applying to? Are you applying in the country, or outside of the country?

What is Visa Processing?

Visa processing is the amount of time it will take for the consulate or immigration office to complete your visa application. this processing time includes checks of your background, verifying all documents, and in some cases interview. Processing time for a visa application can take a few days, weeks or even longer than that.

Whether you are permitted to travel during the visa processing time is largely determined by the following :

Your current immigration status
The country you’re applying to
Type of visa you’re applying for
Destination of your travel during the hold period

Can You Travel While Your Visa Is Being Processed?

Traveling Within Country (domestic travel)

Generally, in most cases, you should be able to travel within your own country, domestically, while your visa is processing.

For example, where you are applying for a study or work visa from your country of residence is normally not an issue when it is about taking domestic trips.

Travel while waiting on a Visa Application

Traveling internationally while your visa application is pending, can be more challenging. If you have submitted your passport to the embassy or a consulate then you cannot travel without it. If you are able to retrieve your passport, or apply for an eVisa, then it may be a possibility.

Consider the following:

Risks of Visa Decisions Not Returning: Some embassies demand perspective in person or ask for further documentation. If you are overseas, you could be forced to wait or miss out on obtaining your visa.

Legal Status: If you leave the country your current visa will expire and you may be refused re-entry – this applies even if your application for a new visa is pending.

Different options depending on Visa: For example, if you are travelling while applying for a travel visa to the UAE, you may not be able to travel if the UAE requires you to be in person or to submit your passport.

Country Specific Rules

United States

If you apply for a change of status or visa extension and leave the country before they are approved it commonly voids your application while you are in the US.

United Kingdom

Travel is allowed when you apply from abroad. However, if you are applying from within the United Kingdom (example: change of visa category), leaving before your application is approved generally voids your application.

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

When applying for a travel visa for the UAE from abroad, it is advisable not to purchase tickets until your visa is approved. If you apply for an extension, change of status or anything from within the UAE, leaving while your application is being processed may void your application.

What if you travel during your transit?

It is sometimes possible to travel through third countries without needing to clear immigration. However, if you don’t have a valid visa or confirmed travel documents and are in a transit area, it can lead to complications.

Best Practices in your visa processing

Avoid travel

Unless it is absolutely necessary, I suggest you stay where you are until your visa is approved.

Stay Up To Date On Processing Times

Check the embassy or immigration website often to stay up to date on your visa.

Take Advantage To Premium or Priority Options

Some countries have premium processing options available (for an additional fee) that can help reduce uncertainty about travel.

Don’t Leave Lines of Communication Open

Embassies can also ask for other documents, or interviews. If you aren’t available to provide the documents because you travel, this could delay the processing or even be a refusal.

Conclusion

Can I travel while my visa is in process? The short answer is, it depends on the country, the visa type, and your own situation. While travel may be fine domestically; international travel may pose some risk depending on what country you are travelling to, and some risk for the results of your visa.

The Middle East region , particularly for travel visa UAE, it is important to be extremely cautious. Always refer to the official guidelines, never book anything on the early side, and if you are unsure always consult with an immigration consultant and/or the embassy before you travel.