Where to check your visa status depends on which country issued your visa

The method for checking your visa status varies by country. If you applied for a U.S. visa, you use the State Department's website. If you applied for a Canadian visa, you use Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Each country maintains its own system, and you cannot check one country's visa through another country's portal.

You will need your process reference number or case number to look up your status. This number appears in your confirmation email or receipt from when you submitted your process. Keep this number in a safe place — you will use it every time you check.

Key Takeaways

  • Each country's visa system has its own status-checking tool, and you must use the correct one for the country where you applied.
  • Your process reference number or case number is required to check status, and it appears in your confirmation email.
  • Status updates usually appear online before you receive an email notification, sometimes by several days.
  • If your status has not changed in longer than the stated processing time, contact the visa office directly rather than submitting a new process.
  • Some visa types and countries offer SMS or email notifications if you provide your phone number or email during the process.

How to check U.S. visa status online

Go to the State Department's Visa Status Check page at ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker. Enter your case number, which begins with letters (usually your country code) followed by numbers. You will also need to enter your date of birth. The system will show you whether your visa is being processed, approved, denied, or ready for pickup.

The status page updates once per business day, usually in the morning. If you checked yesterday and saw "in process," checking again the same day will show the same status. Check once every two or three days rather than multiple times daily — the information does not change between updates.

If your visa was approved, the status page will tell you when and where to pick it up. For visa applications at a U.S. embassy or consulate, you typically pick up your passport in person. Some locations offer courier pickup or mail delivery for an additional fee.

How to check Canadian visa status online

Visit ircc.canada.ca and select "Check process status" from the main menu. You will need your Unique Client Identifier (UCI), which is an 8-digit number, or your process number. Both appear in your receipt email. You will also need the date of birth of the principal applicant.

The IRCC system shows your current stage — whether your process is in queue, under review, or awaiting a decision. It also displays any requests for additional documents. If the system shows "additional documents required," you have a important date to submit them, which appears on the same page. Missing this important date can result in your process being returned without a decision.

Processing times vary widely depending on visa type and your country of residence. IRCC publishes average processing times on its website, but individual cases may take longer. If your process has exceeded the published processing time by more than 30 days, you can contact IRCC through their web form to ask for an update.

How to check UK visa status online

Use the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) status checker at visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/status. Enter your process reference number and your email address. The system will show whether your process is being processed, approved, or if a decision is ready.

The UK system typically updates within 24 hours of any change to your case. If your visa was approved, the status page will tell you how to collect your passport. Most applicants collect their passport from the visa process centre where they submitted it, though some locations offer courier delivery.

How to check Australian visa status online

Go to immi.homeaffairs.gov.au and use the "Check process status" tool. You will need your Transaction Reference Number (TRN), which appears in your receipt email. Enter your TRN and date of birth to see your current status.

The Australian system shows whether your process is awaiting processing, under assessment, or finalized. If the status shows "finalized," your decision is ready, and the page will tell you how to read or collect your visa grant notice. Australian visas are usually issued electronically rather than stamped in your passport.

What to do if your status has not changed

If your process status has remained "in process" or "under review" for longer than the published processing time for your visa type, you have the option to contact the visa office. Do not submit a new process — this will delay your original case and may result in both applications being rejected.

Contact methods vary by country. The U.S. State Department accepts inquiries through its online form on the visa status page. IRCC accepts inquiries through a web form on its website. The UK and Australia both provide contact information on their respective visa status pages. When you contact them, have your process reference number ready and explain how long your process has been in process.

Response times for inquiries typically range from one to four weeks. Some visa offices will not respond to inquiries until your case has exceeded the processing time by 60 days or more, so check your published processing time before contacting them.

Why your status might not update when ready

Visa offices process applications in batches rather than one at a time. Your case may be completed and approved before the status page updates. This delay is normal and usually lasts between one and five business days. The online status page is the most current information available — an email notification will arrive after the status page shows your decision.

If your process requires additional documents, the status page will show this before you receive an email. Check your status page at least once per week if you are waiting for a decision, because you may have a important date to submit documents that you will not see in your email inbox.

Some visa offices experience delays during peak process seasons. If many people are explore at the same time, processing can take longer than the published estimate. This is especially common for student visas in spring and summer, and for work visas in certain industries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check someone else's visa status?

No. Visa status is confidential, and you can only check an process using the reference number and personal information of the person who submitted it. If you are a family member or representative, ask the applicant to share their reference number with you, or contact the visa office to ask about adding you as an authorized representative.

What does "administrative processing" mean?

Administrative processing means the visa office is conducting additional background checks or security reviews. This is common for certain professions, nationalities, or visa types. Processing can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. You cannot speed this up, but you can contact the visa office to ask for an estimate of when it will be complete.

My status still says "in process" but I need my visa soon. What should I do?

Contact the visa office directly and explain your timeline. Some offices can expedite cases for travel emergencies, though this is not may provide. Have your reference number and travel dates ready. If expediting is not possible, ask whether you can travel on a provisional visa or whether your destination country offers any alternatives.

Can I change my visa process while it is being processed?

This depends on the country and the type of change. Contact the visa office before making any changes. Some changes, like updating your address, can be made online. Other changes, like switching your intended job or destination city, may require submitting a new process. Submitting a new process while your original is still in process can result in both being rejected.

What if I lost my reference number?

Check your email for the confirmation message you received when you submitted your process — your reference number is in that email. If you cannot find the email, contact the visa office with your passport number and date of birth, and they can look up your reference number for you. Keep your reference number in a safe place once you have it.