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

The method for checking your visa status varies by country and visa type. The United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia each run separate systems, and you will need to use the correct one for your situation. Most countries require your process reference number, passport number, or both to look up your case.

Start by identifying which country's visa you applied for, then go to that country's official immigration website. Do not use third-party sites or paid services — the official government portals are always free and are the only source that holds your actual process data.

Key Takeaways

  • The United States uses the CEAC portal for immigrant visas and the State Department website for nonimmigrant visas, each requiring different reference numbers.
  • The UK Home Office portal lets you check status with your process reference number, and processing times vary from two weeks to several months depending on visa type.
  • Canada's Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) portal shows real-time updates and lets you upload documents if the system requests them.
  • Australia's Department of Home Affairs system requires your transaction reference number, which appears in your initial confirmation email.
  • Processing times are estimates only — your case may move faster or slower, and contacting the immigration office before the stated time has passed will not speed it up.

Checking US visa status through CEAC or the State Department

For immigrant visas (green card applications processed abroad), use the Consular Electronic process Center (CEAC) at ceac.state.gov. You will need your National Visa Center (NVC) case number, which was sent to you by email when your petition was transferred from USCIS to the State Department. Enter this number and your date of birth to see which stage your case is in — whether it is waiting for documents, scheduled for an interview, or approved.

For nonimmigrant visas (tourist, work, student visas), go to the State Department's visa status tool at travel.state.gov. You will need your process barcode number, which appears on your receipt after you pay the visa fee. This tool shows whether your visa has been approved, denied, or is still under review. If your visa was approved, the tool will tell you which consulate or embassy has it and when you can pick it up.

Both systems update once per business day. If you do not see a change for several weeks after submitting documents, check that you uploaded them to the correct case file — many applicants accidentally submit to the wrong reference number.

Checking UK visa status through the Home Office portal

Visit the UK Home Office's visa status checker at visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/status. Enter your process reference number (a 10-digit code that begins with letters) and your date of birth. The system will show you whether your process is being processed, approved, or refused.

UK processing times range from two weeks for some visitor visas to several months for skilled worker or family visas. The Home Office publishes current processing times on the same page where you check status, broken down by visa type and country. These are working estimates, not guarantees — some cases finish faster, others take longer.

If your process shows "decision made" but you have not received a letter, check your email spam folder first. The Home Office sends decisions by email before posting physical documents. If you still cannot find it after three business days, contact the visa processing centre that handled your case — the reference number tells you which one.

Checking Canadian visa status through IRCC

Log into your Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) account at ircc.canada.ca using your username and password. If you do not have an account, you can create one with your email address. Once logged in, you will see a timeline of your process showing each step completed and what is pending.

The IRCC system is more detailed than most — it shows not just whether you are approved or denied, but which documents have been received, which are still needed, and whether you have been invited to an interview or medical exam. If the system says documents are needed, you can upload them directly through your account rather than mailing them.

Processing times for Canadian visas vary widely: visitor visas typically take two to four weeks, while skilled worker applications can take six months or longer. The IRCC website publishes current processing times by process type and country. Your account will show an estimated completion date, though this can shift if additional documents are requested.

Checking Australian visa status through the Department of Home Affairs

Go to immi.homeaffairs.gov.au and select "Check process status" from the menu. You will need your transaction reference number, which appears in the confirmation email you received after submitting your visa form. Enter this number and your date of birth to see your process status.

The Australian system shows whether your process is received, under assessment, or finalised. If it is finalised, the page will tell you whether your visa was granted or refused. Unlike some other countries, Australia does not always send a separate letter — the online status is often your first notification of a decision.

Australian processing times depend heavily on visa type and your country of residence. A visitor visa from a low-risk country may be processed in days, while a skilled migration visa can take months. The Department of Home Affairs publishes processing time estimates, but these are not binding — some applications move much faster or slower than the stated range.

What to do if your status has not changed in weeks

First, confirm that you are checking the right system and using the correct reference number. Many applicants check the wrong portal or enter a number from a different stage of the process — for example, using a USCIS receipt number instead of an NVC case number. Double-check your confirmation emails and any letters you received to find the exact reference number the immigration office assigned.

Second, verify that you have submitted all required documents. Most delays happen because a document is missing or incomplete. Log into your account (if the system offers one) and check whether any documents are marked as needed. If the system does not show a document request but you have not heard back in a long time, contact the immigration office directly — sometimes a document gets lost in the mail or is not properly recorded in their system.

Do not contact the immigration office before the published processing time has passed. These offices receive thousands of inquiries daily, and contacting them early will not speed up your case — it may actually slow it down by adding your inquiry to their queue. Wait until the stated processing time has elapsed, then contact them with your reference number and a specific question about what is missing or delayed.

How to contact immigration offices if your status is stuck

Each country has a different contact method. The US State Department has a phone line for visa inquiries, but wait times are often several hours. The UK Home Office prefers email inquiries through their contact form. Canada's IRCC has a phone line and online chat during business hours. Australia's Department of Home Affairs has an online inquiry form.

When you contact them, have your reference number ready and be specific about what you are asking. Instead of "Where is my visa?", ask "My process reference number is [X], and the processing time was [Y] weeks — it has now been [Z] weeks. What documents are still needed?" This makes it easier for the office to find your file and give you a useful answer.

Some countries also have visa process centres or processing partners in your country. These centres cannot speed up your case, but they can sometimes answer questions about missing documents or help you submit additional paperwork. Check the immigration office's website to see whether a centre operates in your location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my visa status without a reference number?

No. All four major systems require either a reference number or a combination of passport number and date of birth. If you lost your reference number, check your confirmation email or any letters from the immigration office. If you cannot find it, contact the immigration office directly with your passport number and they can look up your case.

What does "under review" or "being processed" actually mean?

It means your process is in the queue and has not yet been assigned to a case officer for a decision. This stage can last weeks or months depending on how busy the office is. The status does not tell you whether your case is moving forward or whether there is a problem — it only means a decision has not been made yet.

Why does the status page say my visa was approved but I have not received it?

Approval and delivery are two different steps. Once approved, your visa must be printed and mailed to you, which takes additional time. Check the page again — it should tell you which office has your visa and when you can expect to receive it. If it says approved but gives no delivery date, contact the office to confirm they have your correct mailing address.

Can I check someone else's visa status?

No. Immigration systems require the applicant's personal information (reference number, passport number, date of birth) to prevent unauthorized access. If you are a family member or sponsor, the applicant must check their own status and share the information with you. Some countries allow sponsors to create linked accounts, but the applicant must authorize this first.

What if the status page says my visa was refused?

The refusal notice should explain the reason — usually missing documents, not meeting the requirements for that visa type, or security concerns. Read the notice carefully to understand why. Some countries allow you to reapply when ready, while others require you to wait a set period. Check the immigration office's website for appeal or reapplication procedures for your specific visa type.