What to Expect After Submitting Your Visa Application: A Guide for Indian Nationals

Ranjeet Singh Champawat
11 minutes ago
11 min read

Submitting a visa or immigration application is more than just uploading forms and documents. It’s a process that depends on accuracy, timing, and understanding how different categories work. Whether you’re applying for an OCI card, renewing your Indian passport, renouncing Indian citizenship, adjusting your U.S. immigration status, or applying for a foreign visa from the U.S., getting the submission process right is crucial.

What Submission Actually Involves

At its core, submitting a visa application means collecting the required documents, completing the correct forms, and sending them to the appropriate agency—digitally or via mail. For most immigration applications within the U.S., this includes forms submitted to USCIS with supporting documentation. For foreign visa applications like Schengen or UK visas, it often involves applying through a consulate-approved service center with biometric appointments shortly after.

Once your application is submitted, the review process formally begins. You’re not guaranteed approval at this stage. You’ve simply entered a queue for evaluation. That’s why submission accuracy matters. Errors, missing documents, or outdated forms lead to delays or outright denials.

Different Visa Categories – What You’re Actually Submitting

OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) Card: Requires proof of Indian origin, past Indian passport, renunciation certificate (if applicable), and U.S. citizenship evidence.
Indian Passport Renewal: Involves documenting your current visa status in the U.S. and confirming Indian nationality with previous passports and valid ID.
Renunciation of Indian Citizenship: Mandatory if you acquired foreign citizenship and need to formalize the loss of Indian nationality before OCI application.
Adjustment of Status (Green Card): Submission includes Form I-485, supporting identity documents, medical exams, and prior visa proof.
Naturalization (U.S. Citizenship): Typically involves applying under Form N-400 with proof of lawful permanent residence and physical presence in the U.S.
Schengen, UK, and Canada Visas: Applications vary by country but usually require travel insurance, proof of accommodation, itinerary, employment verification, and financial statements.

What to Expect Right After Submission

Depending on your application, you may receive an automated confirmation email, a receipt notice, or login credentials to track your status. But don’t assume silence means a problem. Some agencies take time to acknowledge initial submissions. What matters is that your documents are complete, legible, and consistent with your declared purpose.

Your next steps hinge on getting this phase right. Once submitted, corrections become more complicated. Take submission seriously. It sets the tone for approval, delay, or pushback later on.

Initial Confirmation and Communication Channels

Once your visa or immigration application is submitted, you’ll start to receive official confirmations. These acknowledgments vary by application type and agency but generally fall into a few consistent formats. Understanding what to expect helps you avoid uncertainty while waiting for updates.

Receipt Notices and Tracking Numbers

For U.S. immigration-related applications like Adjustment of Status or Naturalization, you'll usually receive a formal receipt notice from USCIS. This is known as a Form I-797C, Notice of Action. It confirms your application has been accepted for processing and includes a unique receipt number. This number is your key to accessing your case status online through the USCIS website.

If you submitted a visa application for a foreign country (such as Schengen or UK consulates), the confirmation may come from a visa outsourcing provider via email. You’ll often get a reference or tracking ID that lets you monitor progress through the service provider’s portal.

For Indian government services like OCI or renunciation, the confirmation might come in two steps—one from the VFS or BLS processing center and another from the Indian Consulate once they officially receive your packet. Again, you’ll be provided a tracking ID to follow the status.

Where and How Updates Are Communicated

Email: Most agencies send automated updates as your application moves through stages like “received,” “under review,” “in process,” or “decision made.”
Online Portals: Government sites or outsourcing interfaces let you check real-time updates using your receipt or tracking number.
Postal Mail: USCIS and consulates may still send physical letters for interview appointments, RFEs, or decisions. Don’t ignore your mailbox.
SMS/Text Alerts: Some services offer optional SMS notifications during application steps. These are helpful if you opt in early in the process.

Best Practices for Status Monitoring

Check your portal weekly unless you've been told to expect a specific timeline. Set calendar reminders if needed. Make sure your contact details—including email and mailing address—are always current within the system you applied through. Missed updates can delay your response to time-sensitive requests.

Your application won’t sit silently forever. Agencies do send updates, but you are responsible for monitoring. Don’t assume no news is good news until you’ve seen progress reflected in the system.

Stay alert, stay responsive. Early notices often set the pace for everything after.

Processing Timelines and Factors Affecting Them

The time it takes to process your immigration or visa application depends on what you’ve applied for and how complete your submission is. While each agency or consulate has its own internal benchmarks, timelines often shift depending on demand, staffing, and whether your application triggers further review.

Average Timelines by Application Type

OCI Cards and Indian Passport Renewals: These typically take several weeks but can vary based on consulate workload and document completeness. Summer months and holiday periods tend to slow processing.
Renunciation of Indian Citizenship: Usually processed faster than OCI cards but still subject to postal delays and appointment schedules at the processing center.
Adjustment of Status (Green Card): Depending on your application specifics, this could take several months or longer, especially if background checks or interviews are triggered.
Naturalization (U.S. Citizenship): Timelines vary by field office. Some move quickly, while others can stretch over a year from submission to oath ceremony.
Schengen, UK, and Canada Visas: These are generally faster but can still experience delays during peak travel seasons. Biometric appointment availability plays a role too.

There’s no one-size-fits-all clock. What looks fast on paper may stall if the agency identifies red flags or asks for more documentation.

What Can Delay Your Processing

Incomplete Applications: Missing pages, signatures, or supporting documents are the most common causes of delays. Even minor errors like wrong photo specifications can pause processing.
Background Checks: These are routine but can extend timelines, especially if your name or travel history requires closer inspection by U.S. or foreign authorities.
Requests for Additional Evidence: If the agency sends an RFE (Request for Evidence), the clock often resets once you respond. Delays in responding only compound the wait time.
Administrative Processing: This is an opaque review period often cited in visa denials or holds. It’s hard to predict and varies by case complexity.
Peak Volume Periods: Summer, holidays, and early-year filings typically elevate submission volume, leading to slower turnaround times across agencies.

How to Minimize Your Wait

While you can't control everything, you can control how well you prepare your submission. Double-check every form, review required documents line-by-line, and confirm current processing timelines with the relevant office or consulate before you file. If you're unsure, err on the side of over-preparing.

The cleaner your file, the faster it moves. Agencies prioritize clarity and compliance. Make it easy for them to say “yes.”

Responding to Additional Requests from Authorities

After submitting your visa or immigration application, it's common to receive further communication from the authorities. These follow-up requests are a normal part of the process and can include Requests for Evidence (RFEs), biometrics appointments, or interview notices. Understanding each type and knowing how to respond promptly can prevent major delays.

Types of Follow-Up Communication

Request for Evidence (RFE): This occurs when the reviewing agency needs more documentation or clarification. It doesn't mean your application is in trouble—it just means something is missing or unclear. RFEs often list specific documents or information needed within a strict deadline.
Biometrics Appointment: Government agencies like USCIS often require you to complete fingerprinting and photo capture to verify identity and process background checks. For international visa applications, biometric data may be collected by third-party processing centers.
Interview Notice: Some applications, especially for Adjustment of Status or Naturalization, lead to mandatory interviews. These are scheduled through official letters, often mailed to your address on file. Foreign visa applications may also require in-person visa interviews at consulates, depending on the country and visa type.

Preparing and Responding Effectively

Time is not on your side. Every notice you receive will come with a deadline. Missing it could result in denial or extended delays. Take the following steps:

Read the notice carefully. Don’t skim. Understand what exactly is being requested and by when.
Gather documents right away, and keep copies of everything you submit in response.
If clarification is needed, call or email the listed contact (if available) or consult with an immigration professional.
For biometrics or interview appointments, confirm your attendance and mark the date. Bring only the necessary items listed in the notice; extra paperwork may not be accepted.

Avoiding Delays During This Phase

Keep your address and email up to date. Delays in receiving notices often happen because applicants fail to update contact information.
Refer to the submission portal or case tracker regularly. Some notices are posted online before mail arrives.
Don’t guess what to send. Respond to RFEs with exactly what was requested, not with unrelated materials. Sending more than needed can actually complicate your file.
Be on time, always. Authorities rarely grant extensions unless you've made a strong case and requested one early.

Your response strategy affects how the rest of your application unfolds. Handle follow-up requests with the same care and urgency as your original submission.

Outcomes After Processing

Once your application is processed, the decision will fall into one of three categories: approval, denial, or a request for further action. Each outcome carries specific implications depending on the application type and your current status.

Approval: What It Means

An approval confirms that your application met all legal and procedural requirements. For Indian nationals renewing a passport or applying for an OCI card, this means you’ll soon receive your updated documentation. For U.S.-based immigrants, a green card or naturalization approval changes your legal status permanently. For travelers, a visa approval gives you permission to enter the country for the purpose stated in your application.

If you receive an approval, act fast. Some outcomes require follow-up steps, like scheduling an oath ceremony (U.S. naturalization), booking travel (Schengen/UK/Canada visas), or updating your records with the Indian government. Review the approval notice closely for instructions, next deadlines, and required documents.

Denial: What to Understand

A denial can feel like a setback, but it’s not always final. Applications are denied for many reasons—insufficient documentation, ineligibility, missed appointments, or inconsistencies in the application. The key is understanding why it happened and whether you can challenge or reapply.

Read the denial notice line by line. It will often outline the grounds for rejection and whether you have any right to appeal. In some visa categories (especially foreign visitor visas), there’s no formal appeal process. You may need to start over with a new application. In other cases, like U.S. immigration filings, appeals or motions to reopen may be possible.

Requests for Further Action

This outcome is common and usually means the agency needs additional steps before making a final decision. You may be asked for more evidence, a second biometrics appointment, or another interview. Treat this as a warning sign but not a denial. Quick, accurate responses can still lead to an approval.

Next Moves After a Decision

Keep a copy of the decision notice for your records. This document may be needed for future renewals, appeals, or travel.
Follow timelines exactly. Whether it’s an appeal window or a travel deadline, missed dates can reset your progress or force you to reapply.
Consult a professional if you receive a denial or unclear request. Unlike approvals, these outcomes often raise legal and procedural issues that benefit from expert guidance.
Update your records everywhere. If your status or document changes, make sure it’s reflected with your employer, DMV, educational institution, or relevant agencies.

Your outcome isn't just a result—it's your next starting point. Whether you're cleared to travel, adjust status, or try again, knowing what the decision means enables you to take the right next step without delay.

Managing Your Immigration Journey Post-Submission

Once your visa or immigration application is submitted, the real work shifts to maintaining momentum without slipping into passive waiting. Being proactive, organized, and strategic makes a tangible difference in how smoothly the rest of the process moves—especially when timeline uncertainties or further requirements come up.

Stay Organized With Your Application Materials

Keep a digital and paper copy of everything. Store your completed forms, appointment notices, submission receipts, and correspondence in one central place. Create labeled folders (physical and on your devices), sort by application type, and lock in naming conventions so you’re not scrambling when an official requests proof or when you prepare for the next phase.

Use a master checklist for each application to track completed steps and remaining to-dos. Include items like biometric appointments, responses to RFEs, upcoming ID renewals, or deadlines for application-specific actions.

Maintain Valid Identification and Immigration Documents

Double-check the expiration date on every document you possess. This includes passports, visas, EADs, green cards, travel authorizations, or I-94s. Renewal processes often require lead time. Late action here can create gaps in legal presence or travel eligibility.

For Indian nationals in the U.S., keeping your Indian passport valid is mandatory even while applying for renunciation or OCI cards. For foreign visa applicants, keep evidence of legal U.S. status on hand as most consulates will require proof before approving international travel permissions.

Prepare for Interviews, Travel, and Status Transitions

Interviews: If an interview may be part of your application, start prepping early. Review your submitted documents, rehearse key questions you’re likely to be asked, and gather originals and supporting materials required at your interview location.
Travel Plans: Avoid booking travel until your visa is approved and in hand. If travel is unavoidable, consult with legal counsel about applying for advance parole, valid reentry, or emergency documentation options.
Status Changes: If your current visa or permit is nearing expiration while a new application is pending, verify what’s legally allowed. Some statuses allow automatic extensions, others require active bridging filings to prevent unlawful presence.

When to Bring in Professional Help

If anything feels unclear, inconsistent, or high-stakes, don’t wing it. Complex cases, application errors, prior visa issues, or overlapping immigration processes can’t always be resolved with a quick web search. Consulting an immigration attorney or visa specialist keeps you on the safest path, especially when deadlines or legal status are involved.

This phase is not passive. What you do—or fail to do—post-submission has real consequences. Stay engaged, track dates, update documents, and act on changes as they arise.

Common Challenges and How to Navigate Them

Post-submission, smooth processing isn’t guaranteed. Whether you're waiting on an OCI card, a U.S. green card, or a foreign visa from the U.S., a number of snags can crop up. These might not derail your application entirely, but they can add weeks—or months—to your timeline if not handled swiftly. For Indian nationals and immigrants managing cross-border documentation, catching these early is key.

Typical Issues Applicants Run Into

Processing Delays: Backlogs, staffing shortages, or seasonal submission surges can slow progress. Even fully accurate, complete applications sometimes stall with no explanation.
Document Discrepancies: Mismatched names, inconsistent dates, or missing immigration history can prompt further scrutiny or RFEs.
Status Changes Mid-Processing: Natural life changes—like switching jobs, renewing foreign passports, or expiring visas—may affect eligibility or documentation.
Address or Contact Errors: A wrong mailing address or outdated email can cause you to miss critical notices. Some systems don't resend, even if a delivery fails.
Unclear Application Instructions: Filings like renunciation or OCI have shifting documentation guidelines depending on consulate jurisdiction, which leads to confusion.

How to Handle Delays or Stoppages

Check your status online weekly. Don't rely on email updates alone. Portals often update before notices are delivered.
Track your timeline. If your wait has clearly exceeded standard processing timeframes and no action has been taken, consider submitting a case inquiry or escalation request through the official channel.
Audit your application materials. Re-read what you submitted to identify possible triggers for delay, such as incomplete education history, missing signatures, or unsupported claims.
Stay reachable. Confirm your current contact info is saved in every platform or system associated with your visa or immigration file.

Resources to Help You Course-Correct

Official Case Inquiries: Use agency-specific forms (like USCIS e-Requests) or consulate contact portals to nudge dormant cases into motion.
InfoPass Appointments: If you’re dealing with USCIS, schedule an in-person visit to your local field office when digital channels aren’t producing updates.
Consulate Helplines: For Indian government services or foreign visa centers, consular hotlines can clarify jurisdiction-specific documentation issues or appointment gaps.
Legal Consultation: If you suspect a policy violation, improper denial, or time-sensitive issue, do not self-navigate. Contact a licensed immigration expert without delay.

Every delay wastes more than time—it creates uncertainty, missed travel, or risk to immigration status. If you're stuck or confused, act now. Use the resources available, follow up consistently, and don’t assume problems will resolve themselves.