When Might You Need an Urgent Visa?
Even the most prepared traveler can find themselves in a situation where they need a visa as quickly as possible.
Typical scenarios include:
- A sudden business trip
- An unexpected invitation to an event
- An urgent visit to a relative abroad
- A last-minute tour package departing in a few days
Unfortunately, most visa processes take 5 to 30 working days. But there are options — some countries offer priority services or accelerated processing. The key is knowing how to use them correctly.
Which Countries Offer an Urgent Visa?
Not all countries have official expedited programs, but several popular destinations do. Below is an overview:
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
One of the few countries where priority visa processing is an official, structured option:
- Priority Visa — decision within 5 working days (additional fee ~£500)
- Super Priority Visa — decision within 24 hours (fee up to £1,000+)
🇺🇸 United States
You can request an expedited appointment only for a valid reason via the Emergency Appointment Request system, in cases like:
- Medical emergency
- Funeral or critical illness of a relative
- Important business meeting
Important: the embassy will require documented proof, and approval is not guaranteed.
🇪🇺 Schengen Area
Formally, Schengen visas have no official “urgent” tariff. However:
- In individual cases, the visa center or consulate may expedite processing at the officer’s discretion
- Expedited handling is more likely if you submit in person with a complete dossier and a compelling reason (e.g., conference, business meeting)
See our article "Preparing Your Visa Application" for tips on having everything ready to avoid emergencies.
How to Justify Urgency
To qualify for expedited processing you need a genuine reason. “I’m on vacation” won’t suffice. Examples that may be accepted:
- An invitation from a foreign company with event dates
- Medical documents (in English)
- A death or illness notice for a relative
- Tickets to a conference, festival, etc.
All supporting documents must be official, stamped, and signed. Without compelling proof, expedited requests are usually denied.
What If an Urgent Visa Isn’t Available?
If a country does not offer expedited visas and time is tight, consider:
- Adjusting your travel dates (if possible)
- Choosing a visa-free destination — e.g., Turkey, Georgia, Serbia
- Consulting a visa agency — professionals often know how to accelerate even standard applications
At InfoVisaAgent we offer an "Urgent Visa" service — our specialists will prepare your documents correctly, advise where you can speed up the process, and minimize refusal risks.
Risks of Expedited Submission
Rushing often leads to mistakes. Remember:
- Even for urgent cases, documents must be perfectly prepared
- Errors in forms, date inconsistencies, or missing certificates can cause a refusal
- A reapplication takes even more time and money (new consular fee, document collection, etc.)
Therefore, in a time crunch, don’t risk it — turn to professionals right away.
Conclusion
Urgent visa processing is possible, but only under certain conditions: official programs, a valid reason, and thoroughly prepared documents. Expedited service is not a magic button but a tool to be used wisely.
If you’re in an emergency situation, we can help assess your chances, choose the optimal route, and minimize time lost.
