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Call Us Today

630-392-8101 | 630-392-8101
info@kasturilaw.com

The immigrant visa process can feel like an emotional waiting game for Illinois families seeking to bring loved ones to the United States. Even after an I-130 petition is approved, many families experience unexpected delays that postpone reunification and disrupt long-term plans. At Kasturi Law, LLC, we help families across Illinois identify the causes of these delays and take strategic steps to address them.

Below are today’s five most common reasons for hold-ups in immigrant visa issuance.

Limited Consular Staffing and Shifting Priorities

A growing number of U.S. embassies and consulates are experiencing reduced staffing and changing priorities, which can result in longer wait times for family-based visa interviews. With resources increasingly focused on urgent or employment-based petitions, many family immigration cases are pushed further down the scheduling list.

For Illinois families sponsoring relatives from countries with high demand and limited consular capacity, this means longer processing timelines, especially when interview slots are scarce. Understanding your consulate’s current processing trends and timelines can help manage expectations and planning.

Missing or Incomplete Documentation

One of the most common reasons a visa case is delayed is due to missing or improperly prepared documents. If U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or the National Visa Center (NVC) finds that a required form is incomplete or incorrectly filed, your case may be placed on hold until the issue is resolved.

These mistakes include unsigned forms, expired financial documents, or failure to submit required civil documents, such as birth or marriage certificates. Even minor oversights can trigger major setbacks. Working with an experienced immigration attorney ensures all documents are complete, compliant, and submitted correctly the first time.

Errors in Consular or USCIS Systems

System errors—both digital and clerical—can result in unnecessary delays. Sometimes, documents are lost, uploaded to the wrong file, or not correctly marked as received. In other cases, status updates may not reflect a case’s progress, leaving families in the dark about what’s causing the delay.

Illinois families should regularly monitor their case status and respond quickly to notices. At Kasturi Law, LLC, we actively follow up with government agencies to clarify timelines and correct errors that could otherwise drag on unresolved.

Administrative Processing Holds

The visa application may enter administrative processing when a consular officer requires additional time to review a case or complete background checks. This often occurs after an interview and can last from a few weeks to several months, depending on the complexity of the review.

Administrative processing is widespread for applicants with common names, previous visa overstays, or employment in sensitive industries. While applicants cannot speed up this process, they can avoid making it worse by responding quickly to consular requests and ensuring their file is complete.

Financial Sponsorship Issues

Another frequent cause of delay is incomplete or inadequate financial sponsorship. The U.S. petitioner must meet income guidelines through Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) to prove that the immigrant will not become a public charge. A joint sponsor may be required if the petitioner doesn’t meet the income threshold.

Many families are caught off guard by this requirement, or submit incomplete financial records. From the outset, preparing a strong, properly supported I-864 can prevent these issues from holding up your case.

Don’t Wait For Delays to Resolve Themselves

Visa delays don’t always have a simple fix, but they often have preventable causes. At Kasturi Law, LLC, we help Illinois families take proactive steps to avoid and overcome the most common obstacles in immigrant visa processing.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and protect your family’s immigration goals from unnecessary delays. Connect with us in the best way for you—a phone call, Zoom meeting, or in-person visit. Easily schedule a 30- or 60-minute consultation through our online calendar to receive clear, tailored guidance and take the next step with clarity and confidence.