If you just got your visa application approved, congratulations!
I remember my first visa approval and the thrill of seeing the approval stamp myself – it was exciting.
Now that you’ve your visa, you’ve been authorized to travel to the issuing country for the purpose specified in your application.
And, below is when you should travel.
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But before “when to travel”, take a moment and review the terms and conditions of your visa.
Every visa approved has terms attached to it – that’s how it works.
In some cases, these conditions (attached to your visa) determine when you’ll travel.
After visa approval when should I travel?
After your visa is approved, it will become valid, you should travel within 7 days of approval, however, if your visa is tied to an engagement in the issuing country, you need to travel according to the instructions specified in your visa.
For instance, if you applied for a visitor visa that is valid for 6 months, you should travel within seven days of getting approval.
Although, you’re allowed to travel any moment from the date your visa was issued till its expiration date.
But if it is a business visa that is tied to a particular business meeting, the date of the meeting will determine when you should travel.
In such situations, you should travel between the date your visa was issued and the day before the business meeting.
For visas like student visas that are tied to your program resumption date, you can travel months or weeks before your school activities resume.
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Your target with a student visa is to travel before the start of your academic program in the issuing country.
For a work visa which is tied to your work resumption date, you should travel as close as possible to the start date on your job contract.
Most work visas allow you to enter up to 14 days before your job start date.
Generally, after visa approval, you must travel within the visa validity period.
If the visa is valid for 3 months, you can travel within this period.
The most important thing is that you travel while your visa is still valid.
If your visa is not tied to any program or engagement in the issuing country and you are not in a hurry for your trip, you can travel any time (you like) within the period your visa is valid especially if it’s a visitor visa.
What should I do after getting my visa?
After your visa is approved, you’ll receive a vignette (sticker) or visa stamp in your passport, this authorizes you to travel to the issuing country for the purpose specified in your visa application.
The stamp or vignette is proof that you met all the requirements to enter the country and have been granted access.
Your approval will come with details about your visit like:
- When you are expected to enter the country
- Where you will be visiting
- What you will do in the country
- And how long you’ll stay in the issuing country.
Please read the details thoroughly, (the conditions attached to your visa) and make sure that they align with your travel plans.
What to consider before choosing when you should travel after getting visa approval
Before you decide when you should travel after getting a visa approval, consider the following:
1. Your visa validity
One of the factors that determine when you should travel after getting a visa is your visa validity period.
Upon getting your visa, it’ll have a “valid from” date, indicating when you can start using the visa.
If your visa isn’t tied to an engagement –Â you don’t have a meeting to attend or other stuff that has a particular date attached, then you can travel any moment from the date your visa is tagged valid.
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However, if your visa type requires you to enter on a specific date then, that’s when you should travel.
For visas like student visas, the case is different.
For example, when I got my student visa, it allowed me to enter Canada up to 90 days before my course started.
So, I entered the country 50 days before my course started.
By arriving early, I had time to settle in, find my way around, and adapt to the new environment before my studies.
On the other hand, arriving too late could have cut into my academic time, forcing me to rush through initial tasks or miss the early activities.
That’s why I choose to arrive early – days ahead.
You can do the same even with other visas.
2. Your visa’s entry requirements
Some visas have specified entry requirements which can include when you should travel.
If this is the case for your visa, then, you should travel when specified on your visa.
In cases like this where the visa has a specified entry date (whether you’re a student, employee, or visitor), you have to align your travel plan with the visa requirement.
The date can be the start of a course, a job contract, or a special event, it doesn’t matter, follow the visa requirements – which will be communicated to you.
3. Consider the purpose of your trip
Another important factor you have to consider before deciding when you should travel after getting a visa is the purpose of your trip.
If it’s for leisure or tourism, there is no need to be in a hurry, you can travel anytime within the validity period of your visa.
You can take your time and plan your trip properly.
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However, for business or work visas, the case is different.
You must travel on time to meet your job resumption date or the date of your business meeting.
4. Time of the season
You should consider the seasonality of your destination before deciding when you should travel after getting a visa.
Consider weather patterns, peak tourist seasons, and any seasonal activities or events you wish to be part of.
When I was preparing for my move to Canada, I was careful of how much the weather could affect my experience.
I knew that arriving in the middle of winter would have been a shock, both physically and mentally, as I was coming from a much warmer climate.
Whether it’s the cold of winter, the heat of summer, or even the rainy season, consider how the time of year will affect your arrival.
If you’re not in a hurry, you should avoid travelling during extreme weather conditions even if you have gotten your visa.
5. Personal commitments
If you have any personal commitments like work schedules, family events, or other engagements, it will determine when you should travel.
If you have a family meeting to attend, then, once your visa is approved, you have to travel before the date of the meeting.
6. Travel seasons
If your visa is approved within peak travelling seasons, like summer holidays or major festivals, and you’re not in a hurry to travel, you should consider waiting for a while before you travel.
Travelling during peak travel seasons can make your journey more expensive and stressful.
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I remember almost getting caught in the rush of the holiday season, where ticket prices skyrocketed and airports were packed with travellers.
If you have the flexibility – maybe you have a visitor visa that is valid for 6 months, you can travel a month or two after getting your visa to avoid these peak periods.
This way, you’ll save on travel costs and avoid the chaos that comes with crowded airports and full flights.
7. Flight and accommodation availability
Before you conclude when to travel after getting your visa, ensure that your flight and accommodation have been sorted out.
You can’t travel if your accommodation or flight hasn’t been resolved even if your visa has been approved.
How long does it take for a visa to arrive after approval?
It takes between 2 – 7 days for your visa to arrive after approval. If you use an expedited processing service, it will arrive faster after approval.
In addition, some embassies are faster in delivering your passport with the visa stamp than others so, check with the embassy where you applied for the visa to know how long their delivery takes.
If you use a courier service, it makes the delivery faster as well.
Peak application periods and holidays can also delay the delivery of your visa after approval.
FAQs
What does “a decision has been made on your UK visa application” mean?
The message “a decision has been made on your UK visa application” means that the UK immigration authorities have completed the processing of your visa application and decided on your application.
This decision could be an approval or refusal.
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To know what the decision is, check the details of the notice – you’ll find their decision.
You can also check the UK online visa application status portal to find out the decision that has been made about your application.
Conclusively, after visa approval, the right time to travel depends on your visa validity period, the purpose of travel, the season, and preferences.
Read also: Is there a time limit to enter the UK after getting a visa?
If you don’t have any specific engagement to meet up with in your destination and your visa isn’t tied to a specific travel date, you can decide to travel any moment from the date your visa becomes valid.
The most important thing is that you travel while your visa is still valid.
If you don’t travel and your visa expires, you need to apply for a new visa before you will be allowed to travel.
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