What Happens After You Submit Your Visa Application? (Behind the Scenes for Indian Applicants)

Submitted Your Visa Application? Here’s What Really Happens Next (Indian Context)

You’ve gathered your documents, filled out your forms, paid the fees, and finally submitted your visa application - now what? Whether you're applying for a tourist visa, student visa, work visa, or any other category, understanding what happens after a visa application is submitted is crucial - especially for Indian applicants.

In this article, we take you behind the scenes of the visa approval process, revealing every step your application goes through after submission.

 

Step 1: Initial Scrutiny at the Visa Application Centre (VAC India)

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After submission at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) like VFS Global or BLS International, your documents go through a preliminary check.

 

What they verify:

 

• Completeness of application form
  
  
• Valid passport and passport-size photos
  
  
• Proof of visa fee payment
  
  
• Correct biometric data (if required)
  
  

If something is missing, you’ll be asked to rectify it immediately to avoid processing delays.

 

Step 2: Forwarding Your Application to the Embassy or Consulate

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Once cleared by the VAC, your application is sent to the respective embassy or consulate.

 

How it’s transmitted:

• Digitally for online or e-visas (like Dubai or Malaysia)
  
  
• Physically couriered for visa stamp-based countries (like Schengen, UK, or Canada)

 

Step 3: Security and Background Checks

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This is the most critical part of the visa processing time in India. Your profile undergoes several background and security checks.

 

Verified aspects include:

• Identity confirmation (name, DOB, passport number)
  
  
• Travel history (previous visas, overstays, deportations)
  
  
• Criminal records (Indian or international)
  
  
• Financial documents (bank statements, IT returns)
  
  
• Employment or education verification

 

Some countries even consult Indian authorities or international bodies like Interpol for validation.

 

Step 4: Visa Officer Assessment at the Embassy

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Now your file is in the hands of a visa officer who makes the final decision based on several factors.

 

Evaluation criteria:

 

• Purpose of travel and proof of it
  
  
• Whether your financial documents are consistent with the trip
  
  
• Your “intent to return” to India (strong home ties)
  
  
• Past visa history and refusals
  
  

 

For countries like the USA, you may have to appear for an in-person visa interview. For others like the UK or Schengen, interviews are rare but possible.

 

Step 5: Third-Party Verifications (If Needed)

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If something looks unclear or suspicious, embassies may perform additional verifications.

 

They may:

 

• Call your employer to confirm your position
  
  
• Contact your university for admission details
  
  
• Verify property papers or bank transactions
  
  
• Request additional documents via email or phone
  
  

Such checks can delay visa approval but are essential to ensure application authenticity.

 

Step 6: Visa Decision – Approval or Rejection

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Visa Approved:

• Your passport gets the visa sticker (if applicable)
  
  
• For e-visas, you'll receive an approval email with a PDF to print
  
  

Visa Rejected:

• You get a refusal letter detailing the reason
  
  
• You may be allowed to reapply or appeal depending on the country
  
  
  

Common reasons for visa rejection in India:

• Incomplete or suspicious financial documentation
  
  
• Lack of travel history
  
  
• Unclear intent to return to India
  
  
• Errors in application form
  
  
  

Step 7: Passport Return and Visa Status Tracking

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Once a decision is made:

• Your passport is dispatched back via courier or made available for pick-up
  
  
• You can track your visa status online using your reference number
  
  

Platforms like VFS Global offer SMS and email notifications for Indian applicants, making the wait less stressful.

 

Step 8: Data Storage and Global Record-Keeping

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Even after your visa decision, your information is:

 

• Stored by the embassy and immigration authorities
  
  
• Shared with other countries (especially for Schengen, US, Canada, UK, Australia)
  

 

Your visa approval or rejection can impact future visa applications, so accuracy and honesty are key.

 

How Long Does Visa Processing Take for Indian Applicants?

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Processing times vary based on country and season:

 

• USA student visa (F1): 3–7 working days (post interview)
  
  
• Schengen visa (tourist/business): 15–30 calendar days
  
  
• UK visa: 15–21 working days (standard service)
  
  
• Canada visitor visa: 30–60 working days
  
  
• Australia eVisitor visa: 7–21 days
  

 

Always apply well in advance, especially before peak travel months like May–June and November–December.

 

Pro Tips While You Wait for Your Visa

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Here’s what you can do:

 

• Keep an eye on your email and phone for embassy messages
  
  
• Avoid booking non-refundable flights until your visa is confirmed
  
  
• Prepare for an interview if your visa category requires one
  
  
• Stay calm — delays are common but not always negative
  
  

 

Final Words: Be Prepared, Be Honest

 

Submitting your visa application is just one part of the journey. The real work happens behind the scenes, involving a lot of verification, screening, and expert judgment.

For Indian applicants, having complete, genuine, and well-organized documents is the best way to speed up visa approval and avoid rejection.