Where to check your visa status
The place you check depends on which country issued your visa and which visa type you applied for. Most countries run their own online tracking system where you enter your process number and passport details. The United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia all maintain separate portals — there is no single global system.
Start by going to the official immigration website for the country where you applied. Look for a section labeled "check process status", "track my process", or "process tracker". Avoid third-party websites that claim to check status for you; they often charge fees for information you can access free on the government site.
If you applied through a visa processing center or agency in your country, you may also be able to check status through their portal. Some countries use companies like VFS Global or TLScontact to collect applications, and these centers sometimes offer their own tracking tools alongside the official government system.
Key Takeaways
- Each country maintains its own visa tracking system on its official immigration website — there is no universal tracker.
- You will need your process reference number and passport number to check status in most systems.
- Status updates usually appear within 24 to 48 hours of a change, though some countries update less frequently.
- If the online system shows no record of your process after two weeks, contact the visa office directly rather than waiting.
- Email and phone contact information for visa offices is always on the official government immigration website, never on third-party sites.
What information you need to check status
Have your process reference number ready before you log in. This number appears on your receipt or confirmation email sent when you submitted your process. If you cannot find it, check your email inbox (including spam folders) for the original submission confirmation.
You will also need your passport number and sometimes your date of birth. Some systems ask for the email address you used when you applied. Write down all of these details before you start, so you do not have to search while the portal is open.
If you applied through a visa processing center, that center may have given you a separate tracking number different from your official process number. Keep both numbers in one place.
Understanding the status messages you see
Most visa systems show one of a few standard statuses. "process received" or "submitted" means the office has your paperwork but has not yet reviewed it. "Under review" means someone is looking at your documents. "Additional information requested" means the office needs more from you — check your email when ready, because there is usually a important date to respond.
"Decision made" or "approved" means a decision has been reached. Some systems tell you the decision in the portal itself; others tell you only that a decision exists and that you must check your email or collect your passport from the visa office. "Rejected" or "refused" appears when the process has been denied.
The exact wording varies by country. If the status message is unclear, the official immigration website usually has a page explaining what each status means. Do not guess — look it up on the government site.
How long status updates usually take
Most countries update their tracking systems once per business day, usually in the morning. Some update multiple times per day; a few update only once per week. The official website for your visa type will state how often updates happen.
A status change in the system does not always mean you will receive an email at the same time. Some countries email you when something changes; others do not. Check the portal yourself rather than waiting for an email notification.
Processing times vary widely. Tourist visas for some countries take days; work visas and residence permits often take weeks or months. The official website lists the expected processing time for your visa type. If your process has been in the system longer than that timeframe without a status change, contact the visa office.
What to do if your process does not appear in the system
If you have been waiting more than two weeks and the system shows no record of your process, your submission may not have gone through. Check your email for a confirmation message from the immigration office or visa processing center. If you have no confirmation email, the process likely did not submit successfully.
Contact the visa office or processing center by phone or email using the contact information on the official government website. Have your passport number and the date you believe you submitted ready. Ask them to search their records manually and confirm whether they received your process.
If they confirm they have no record, you will need to submit again. Before you do, verify that you used the correct website and that your browser did not block the submission. Some visa portals have technical issues on certain browsers or with certain internet connections.
Contacting the visa office if you need help
Every official immigration website lists a phone number and email address for the visa office handling your process. Use these contacts if your status has not changed in longer than the stated processing time, if you received a request for additional information and do not understand what is needed, or if the system shows an error.
When you contact them, have your process reference number, passport number, and the date you applied ready. Be specific about what you are asking — do not ask "where is my visa" without first checking the online status yourself. Instead, say "my status has shown 'under review' for 90 days and the processing time listed is 60 days" or "I received a request for documents but the message was unclear".
Response times vary. Some offices answer emails within one business day; others take two to three weeks. Phone lines are often busy during peak hours. Try calling early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
Why your status might not update for a long time
Applications sometimes sit in "under review" for weeks or months without moving. This usually means the office is working through a backlog, not that something is wrong with your process. High-volume visa types (like tourist visas during peak season) can have long waits.
Your process might also be waiting for a background check or security clearance, which can take months. The portal may not tell you this is happening — it may just show "under review" the entire time. If the processing time on the official website is longer than you expected, this is normal.
Occasionally an process gets stuck because the office is missing a document or needs clarification on something you submitted. If you received no request for additional information but your status has not changed in much longer than the stated processing time, contact the office to ask whether they need anything else from you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check my visa status if someone else submitted my process?
Yes. You need your process reference number and passport number, which the person who submitted it should have given you. If they did not, ask them for the confirmation email sent when the process was submitted. That email contains the reference number you need.
What does "additional information requested" mean and how long do I have to respond?
It means the visa office needs more documents or clarification from you. The portal or your email will usually state what they need and the important date to send it. The important date is often 10 to 30 days. Send the documents when ready — missing the important date can result in your process being rejected.
My status has not changed in three months but the website says processing takes 60 days. Should I contact them?
Yes. Contact the visa office using the phone number or email on the official immigration website. Processing times are estimates, not guarantees, but if you are significantly past the stated time, the office should tell you where your process stands and whether they need anything from you.
Is there a way to speed up my visa process?
Some countries offer expedited processing for an additional fee, but this is not available for all visa types. Check the official immigration website for your visa type to see whether expedited processing is an option. If it is, the website will explain the cost and how to request it.
What if the portal says my process was rejected?
The portal or an email from the visa office should explain the reason for the rejection. Read the reason carefully. Some rejections are final; others allow you to reapply after addressing the issue. The official website usually has information about appeals or reapplication for your visa type.