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 tracking system, and you cannot check one country's visa through another country's portal.

To find the right tracking tool, start with the official government website of the country that issued your visa. Avoid third-party websites that claim to check status for you — they often charge fees for information you can access free directly from the government.

Key Takeaways

  • U.S. visa applicants track status through the State Department's Visa Status Check tool using their case number and passport number.
  • Canadian visa applicants use the IRCC's online portal with their process number and date of birth.
  • Most countries require you to enter a case or process number issued when you submitted your visa request.
  • Status updates typically appear within 24 to 48 hours of any change to your process, though processing times vary widely by visa type and country.
  • If your status shows no change after the expected processing time, contact the visa office directly rather than submitting a new process.

How to check a U.S. visa status

Go to the State Department's Visa Status Check page at travel.state.gov. Click on "Check Your Visa process Status." You will need two pieces of information: your case number (a 10-digit code issued when you submitted your process) and your passport number.

Enter both pieces of information and select the country where you applied. The system will display your current status — whether your process is pending, approved, or denied. If your visa was approved, the status page will tell you when and where to pick it up.

The State Department updates this system once per day, usually overnight. If you submitted your process yesterday, check again tomorrow. Checking multiple times in the same day will not speed up the process.

How to check a Canadian visa status

Visit the IRCC website at ircc.canada.ca and select "Check process status." You will need your process number (found in your confirmation email) and your date of birth. Some applicants may also need their Unique Client Identifier (UCI), which appears on official correspondence from IRCC.

The portal shows your process stage — whether it is in queue, under review, decision made, or ready to pick up. It also displays any requests for additional documents. If IRCC has asked for more information, the portal will specify what documents they need and the important date for submission.

IRCC updates this system multiple times per day. Changes usually appear within 24 hours of any action on your file.

What your visa status actually means

Pending or Under Review means your process is in the queue or being examined. This is the longest phase and can last weeks or months depending on the visa type and the volume of applications the office is processing.

Decision Made means the visa office has approved or denied your process. If approved, you will see instructions for picking up your visa. If denied, you will receive a letter explaining the reason. Some countries allow you to reapply after a denial, but rules vary.

Ready for Pickup means your visa has been issued and is waiting for you at the visa office or collection point you selected. You must pick it up within a set timeframe — usually 30 days — or it may be cancelled.

What to do if your status has not changed

Processing times vary widely. A tourist visa might be decided in two weeks; a work visa might take two months or longer. Check the visa office's website for the current average processing time for your visa type. If your process has been pending longer than the posted timeframe, contact the visa office directly.

For U.S. visas, call the visa office where you applied. The phone number is on the State Department website under your country. For Canadian visas, use the IRCC's online inquiry form or call 1-888-242-2342. Have your case number ready when you contact them.

Do not submit a second process while your first one is still pending. This will delay both applications and may result in both being denied.

If your visa was denied

The denial letter will explain the reason — common reasons include incomplete documentation, failure to prove ties to your home country, or security concerns. Read the letter carefully to understand what went wrong.

Some visa types allow you to reapply when ready; others require you to wait a set period. Check the denial letter or the visa office's website for reapplication rules. If you reapply, address the reason for the denial directly — submit the missing documents, provide stronger evidence of your ties to home, or clarify the issue the office raised.

Tracking visas for other countries

Australia, the United Kingdom, and other countries each maintain their own status-check systems. Search "[country name] visa status check" to find the official government portal. The process is similar to the U.S. and Canadian systems — you enter an process number and personal information, and the system displays your current stage.

Always use the official government website. Scam websites mimic real visa portals and charge fees for information or collect personal data. If you are unsure whether a website is official, search for it on the country's main government website or call the visa office directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I check my visa status?

Check once every few days if you are within the expected processing window. Checking multiple times per day will not speed up the process. Most systems update once or twice daily, so frequent checking wastes your time.

Can I check someone else's visa status?

No. Visa status systems require personal information like your passport number or date of birth. You cannot look up another person's status without their case number and personal details. If someone else needs their status checked, they must do it themselves or give you their case number and authorization.

What if I lost my case number?

For U.S. visas, check your confirmation email from the State Department — it contains your case number. If you cannot find the email, contact the visa office where you applied. For Canadian visas, your process number is in your confirmation email. If you lost it, contact IRCC through their online inquiry form.

Does the status page show why my process is taking longer than expected?

The status page shows only your current stage, not the reason for delays. If processing is taking longer than the posted timeframe, contact the visa office directly. They can tell you whether your file is waiting for additional documents, undergoing security checks, or straightforward in a queue.

Can I change my visa details while my process is pending?

This depends on the country and the type of change. For U.S. visas, contact the visa office before making changes. For Canadian visas, use the IRCC's online portal to update certain information. Do not submit a new process — contact the office handling your current one.