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

The method you use to check your visa status depends entirely on which country's visa you applied for. The United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia each run their own systems, and checking one country's portal will not tell you anything about another. Start by identifying which country issued your visa or which country you applied to, then use that country's official tracking tool.

Most countries offer online status checks through their immigration website or visa processing portal. Some require you to enter your process reference number and passport number. Others ask for your email address or case number. A few still require you to call or visit in person. The fastest route is almost always the official government portal for that specific country.

Key Takeaways

  • Each country maintains its own visa tracking system — there is no single international portal that covers all visa types.
  • You will need your process reference number, passport number, or email address to check status on most government portals.
  • Processing times vary by country, visa type, and current workload, so the portal may show "under review" for weeks or months.
  • If the official portal shows no record of your process, contact the visa office or embassy that processed it before assuming it was lost.

How to find your process reference number

Your process reference number is the key to checking status on most portals. This number appears on the confirmation email you received when you submitted your process online, or on the receipt you were given if you applied in person at a visa office or embassy.

Check your email inbox and spam folder for any message from the immigration authority of the country you applied to. The confirmation email usually arrives within minutes of submission and includes a reference number, case number, or process ID. If you applied through a visa processing center rather than directly with the government, the center's confirmation email will also contain this number.

If you cannot find your confirmation email, check any printed receipts or documents you received at the time of process. Some visa offices print a receipt with the reference number on the spot. If you still cannot locate it, you will need to contact the visa office directly — they can look up your process using your passport number and date of birth.

Status checks for the United States

For U.S. visas, use the Consular Immigrant Visa Status tool at travel.state.gov if you applied through a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Enter your case number and passport number. The tool shows whether your process is pending, approved, or denied, and whether your visa is ready for pickup.

If you applied for an employment-based visa (H-1B, L-1, O-1, or similar), check the USCIS case status tool at uscis.gov instead. Enter your receipt number, which begins with three letters followed by ten digits. This tool tracks applications from initial filing through approval or denial.

Processing times for U.S. visas range from a few weeks for tourist visas to several months for employment-based categories. The status tool does not always update when ready, so a delay in the portal does not mean your process is stalled.

Status checks for the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia

For UK visas, use the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) status checker at gov.uk/check-visa-process-status. You will need your process reference number and passport number. The tool shows whether your process is being processed, approved, or rejected.

For Canadian visas, check your status through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) portal at ircc.canada.ca. You can create an account and log in to see real-time updates on your process. If you applied through an online portal, you can also check status by email or through the IRCC mobile app.

For Australian visas, use the ImmiAccount portal at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Log in with your ImmiAccount username and password to view your process status. If you do not have an account, you can create one using your email address and passport details. The portal shows each stage of processing, from initial assessment through final decision.

What different status messages mean

A status of "under review" or "in progress" means your process is being assessed but no decision has been made. This is the most common status during normal processing. The length of time an process stays in this status depends on the visa type, the country, and current workload at the visa office.

A status of "approved" or "granted" means your visa has been issued. For some countries, this means you can collect your passport and visa from the office where you applied. For others, the visa will be mailed to you or added to your passport electronically. Check the status message for instructions on next steps.

A status of "rejected" or "refused" means your process was denied. The status message may include a reason, but often does not provide detail. Contact the visa office to request the full decision letter, which explains why your process was refused and whether you can appeal or reapply.

A status of "additional information requested" or "further documents required" means the visa office needs more from you before they can make a decision. The status message or a separate email will specify what documents are needed and the important date for submission. Submit the requested documents as quickly as possible to avoid delays.

What to do if your status has not changed in weeks

Processing times vary widely by country and visa type. A tourist visa to the United States might be processed in two weeks, while an employment visa can take three to six months. Check the published processing times on the official government website for your visa type — these are updated regularly and give you a realistic timeline.

If your process has been in "under review" status for longer than the published processing time, contact the visa office by phone or email. Have your process reference number and passport number ready. Ask whether your file is still being processed or whether additional information is needed. Some visa offices have dedicated inquiry lines for applications that are delayed.

Do not assume your process is lost if the status has not changed. Government processing is often slower than expected, especially during peak seasons or when additional security checks are required. A call to the visa office can confirm whether your process is still active and moving forward.

Tracking visas issued before online portals existed

If you applied for a visa many years ago and the country has since updated its system, your old process may not appear in the current online portal. This is common when visa offices migrate to new technology. In this case, contact the visa office directly with your passport number and the approximate date you applied.

For very old visas, you may need to contact the embassy or consulate in the country where you applied rather than a central processing center. They can search their archived records and tell you whether your visa is still valid, expired, or cancelled. Some countries allow you to request a copy of your original visa approval letter if you need proof of the visa for travel or immigration purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check someone else's visa status?

No. Visa status is confidential information tied to a specific passport and process. Only the person who applied can check their own status using their reference number and passport details. If someone else needs to know the status, they must contact the visa office directly and provide written authorization from the applicant.

What if the portal says no record found?

This usually means your reference number was entered incorrectly, or your process was submitted through a different channel than the portal you are using. Double-check your reference number against your confirmation email. If you applied through a visa processing center rather than directly with the government, try the processing center's portal instead. If you still find no record, call the visa office to confirm your process was received.

Does the status tool show when my visa will be ready?

No. The status tool shows only the current stage of processing, not an estimated completion date. Processing times depend on your visa type, the country, and current workload. Check the official government website for average processing times for your specific visa category, but be prepared for delays beyond those estimates.

Can I check my visa status by phone?

Most countries prefer online status checks, but you can call the visa office if you cannot access the portal or need more detail than the online tool provides. Have your process reference number and passport number ready. Some countries charge a fee for phone inquiries, while others offer this service for free.

What should I do if my visa was approved but I have not received it?

Check the status message for instructions on collection or delivery. Some countries mail visas to your address, which can take one to three weeks. Others require you to collect your passport in person from the visa office or processing center. If the status says approved but you have not received instructions, contact the visa office to confirm the next step and expected delivery date.