Where to check your process status

You check your UK visa process status through the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) online portal, using your process reference number and email address. The portal shows you the current stage of your case — whether it is being reviewed, waiting for additional documents, or ready for collection.

The portal address is gov.uk/check-visa-process-status. You will need the email address you used when you submitted your process and your unique process reference number, which was sent to you by email after you paid the visa fee. If you applied through a visa process centre, your reference number is also on your receipt.

The status updates automatically as your case moves through each stage. You do not need to contact UKVI to trigger an update — the system refreshes as caseworkers process your process. However, the online status does not always update on the same day the decision is made, so there can be a lag of one to two working days between a decision and when you see it online.

Key Takeaways

  • You check your status at gov.uk/check-visa-process-status using your process reference number and email address.
  • The portal shows which stage your process is at, from initial review through to decision and collection.
  • Status updates are automatic and do not require you to contact UKVI, but can lag one to two working days behind the actual decision.
  • If you applied through a visa process centre, you can also ask the centre directly for a verbal update during their opening hours.
  • Processing times vary by visa type and location, and the online status does not show an estimated completion date.

What each status message means

The portal shows one of several standard messages. "process received" means your case has entered the system and is waiting to be assigned to a caseworker. This stage typically lasts a few days. "process under review" means a caseworker is actively looking at your documents and supporting evidence. This is the longest stage and can take weeks depending on your visa type and whether your process is straightforward or requires additional checks.

"Additional information requested" means UKVI needs more documents or clarification from you before they can make a decision. The portal will show what they are asking for and the important date to respond — usually 7 to 14 days. If you miss the important date, your process may be refused. "Decision made" means the caseworker has finished assessing your case and made a decision to grant or refuse your visa. You will receive a separate email with instructions on how to collect your passport or receive your decision letter.

"Collected" appears only if you applied in person at a visa process centre and your passport has been returned to you. If you applied by post, this status will not appear — instead you will see "Decision made" and then receive your documents by post.

Processing times by visa type and location

Processing times are not shown in the online status checker, but UKVI publishes standard timescales on gov.uk for each visa type. Standard processing for a Skilled Worker visa is usually 8 weeks from the date you submit your process. Family visas (spouse, partner, child) typically take 12 weeks. Student visas are often faster — around 3 weeks during peak season, though this varies by university and time of year.

If you applied outside the UK, processing times are longer. Applications from India, China, and Pakistan typically take 12 to 16 weeks for most visa types because of higher process volumes. Applications from smaller countries or less common visa types may be faster. These are standard timescales, not guarantees — complex cases, security checks, or missing documents can extend the timeline significantly.

You can find the specific processing time for your visa type and country on the UKVI website under "How long it takes". The online status checker does not show a countdown or estimated completion date, so you will need to check the published timescale and count forward from your submission date to get a rough idea of when to expect a decision.

What to do if your process is taking longer than expected

If your process has been under review for longer than the published timescale, you can contact UKVI through the online contact form on gov.uk. You will need your process reference number. UKVI will not give you a specific update date, but they will confirm whether your case is still within the normal processing window or whether it is delayed. Most cases that appear delayed are actually still within the normal range — processing times are averages, not maximums.

If you have a genuine time-sensitive reason for needing a faster decision — such as a job start date or a family emergency — you can request priority processing. This is not always granted, and there is a fee (currently £500 for most visa types). You must request it before your process is decided. Contact UKVI through the online form to ask whether your circumstances meet the criteria for priority processing.

Do not contact the visa process centre where you submitted your process expecting them to speed up the process. They have no control over processing times and cannot access detailed information about your case. They can only tell you the status that is already visible in the online portal.

If you applied through a visa process centre

If you submitted your process in person at a visa process centre (rather than by post), you can ask the centre staff for a verbal update during opening hours. They have access to a separate system and can sometimes see information that is not yet visible in the public portal. However, they cannot change processing times or speed up your case — they can only tell you what stage it is at.

The centre will ask for your process reference number and will tell you whether your case is still with UKVI or has been returned to the centre for collection. If it has been returned, you will need to collect your passport in person during the centre's opening hours. You cannot collect on behalf of someone else unless you have a signed power of attorney.

Some visa process centres offer a "collection notification" service where they will email or text you when your passport is ready. Check whether your centre offers this when you submit your process, as it saves you from checking the portal repeatedly.

Tracking your passport after a decision is made

Once the status shows "Decision made", your passport is either at the visa process centre waiting for collection or in the post to your address. The online portal does not track postal delivery — it only tells you the decision has been made. If you applied by post, allow 5 to 7 working days for your documents to arrive after the decision is made. Royal Mail does not offer tracking for these shipments as standard.

If you applied in person at a centre, you will receive an email or text (depending on what you selected when you applied) telling you to collect your passport. You must collect it within a set timeframe — usually 30 days. After that, the centre may return it to UKVI. Bring your receipt or process reference number when you collect.

If your decision is a refusal, your passport will be returned to you with a refusal letter explaining the reasons. You will have the right to request a review of the decision in some cases, depending on your visa type. The refusal letter will explain whether you can request a review and the important date to do so.

Common reasons applications take longer than expected

Security checks are the most common reason for delays. If you have lived in certain countries, worked in certain sectors, or have any criminal history, UKVI will conduct additional background checks that can add 4 to 8 weeks to processing time. These checks happen in the background and are not always visible in the online status — you will straightforward see "process under review" for longer than the standard timescale.

Missing or unclear documents also extend processing time. If your supporting evidence is incomplete or hard to read, the caseworker will request additional information. You will see "Additional information requested" in the portal. If you do not respond within the important date, your process will be refused. Submitting clear, complete documents from the start is the best way to avoid this delay.

High process volumes at certain times of year — particularly September for student visas and January for work visas — can cause backlogs. During these periods, even straightforward applications may take longer than the published timescale. There is no way to avoid this delay, but checking the portal regularly will show you when your case moves to the next stage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my process status by phone?

UKVI does not provide phone support for status checks. You must use the online portal at gov.uk/check-visa-process-status. If you applied through a visa process centre, you can visit the centre in person or call them directly to ask for a verbal update, but they can only tell you what is already visible in the online system.

What if I have lost my process reference number?

Your process reference number was sent to you by email after you paid the visa fee. Check your email inbox and spam folder for the confirmation email from UKVI. If you cannot find it, contact UKVI through the online contact form on gov.uk and provide your full name, date of birth, and the email address you used for the process. They will send you your reference number.

Does the online status show whether my visa was granted or refused?

The online portal only shows that a decision has been made — it does not show whether the decision is a grant or refusal. You will see the actual decision when you collect your passport from the visa process centre or when it arrives in the post. The decision letter will be inside your passport.

How often should I check the portal?

You can check as often as you like — there is no limit to how many times you can log in. However, the status only updates when your case actually moves to the next stage, so checking more than once a week is unlikely to show anything new. Many people check once a week or once every few days during the final weeks of the expected processing window.

What if the online portal says my process is taking longer than the published timescale?

Contact UKVI through the online contact form on gov.uk with your process reference number. They will confirm whether your case is still within the normal processing window — published timescales are averages, and some cases naturally take longer. If your case is genuinely delayed beyond the normal range, UKVI may be able to escalate it, though they cannot may provide a faster decision.