Where to check your visa status

You can check your US visa status through the State Department's official visa status tool, called Visa Status Check, at travel.state.gov. This tool works for most visa types and tells you whether your process is still being processed, approved, or ready for pickup. You will need your passport number and the country where you applied.

If you applied through a US embassy or consulate, you can also call that specific location directly. The embassy's visa section has a phone line for status inquiries, and staff can tell you where your process stands. This is slower than the online tool but sometimes necessary if the online system shows an error or your process is stuck.

Some visa categories — like diversity visa (DV) lottery cases — use a different system. The State Department's Consular Electronic process Center (CEAC) at ceac.state.gov lets you track diversity visa cases by case number and date of birth.

Key Takeaways

  • The State Department's Visa Status Check tool at travel.state.gov is the fastest way to check most visa applications using your passport number and country of process.
  • Your visa status will show as "process Received," "Administrative Processing," "Approved," or "Ready for Pickup" — each means something different about where your case stands.
  • If you applied for a diversity visa, use the CEAC system at ceac.state.gov instead, which requires your case number and date of birth.
  • Calling the embassy or consulate where you applied works if the online tool is not working or your process has been pending for longer than the posted timeframe.
  • Processing times vary by visa type, country, and current workload — the State Department website lists typical wait times for each location.

What each visa status means

process Received means the embassy or consulate has logged your case into their system but has not yet reviewed it. This is the first status you will see after you submit your process and pay the fee. How long this stage lasts depends on the visa type and the workload at that location.

Administrative Processing means the consulate is still reviewing your case and may be requesting additional documents from you, checking your background, or waiting for information from another government agency. This stage can last anywhere from a few days to several months. If you see this status, check your email and the consulate's website for any requests for documents or an interview appointment.

Approved means the consulate has decided to issue your visa. You will receive an email or letter telling you how to pick it up — usually at the consulate itself, or sometimes through a visa delivery service. Do not assume your visa is in hand until you have physically received it.

Ready for Pickup means your visa has been printed and is waiting for you to collect it. The consulate will tell you the pickup location, hours, and what documents to bring. Some locations require you to pick it up in person; others allow a family member or authorized representative to collect it.

How to use the State Department's Visa Status Check tool

Go to travel.state.gov and look for the "Check Your Visa Status" link, usually under the "Visas" section. You will need two pieces of information: your passport number (exactly as it appears in your passport) and the country code of the location where you applied. The country code is a three-letter abbreviation — for example, "IND" for India, "MEX" for Mexico, "GBR" for the United Kingdom.

Enter both pieces of information and click "Check Status." The tool will return your current status and, if applicable, the date your visa is ready for pickup. If the tool says "No records found," double-check that you entered your passport number and country code correctly. Spaces, dashes, or typos will cause the search to fail.

The tool updates once per day, usually overnight. If you submitted your process or interview very recently, it may not appear in the system yet. Wait at least 24 hours before trying again.

What to do if your status has not changed in a long time

First, check the State Department's posted processing times for your visa type and the location where you applied. These times are updated regularly and reflect the current workload. If your process has been pending longer than the posted timeframe, you have a legitimate reason to follow up.

Call the consulate's visa section directly. Have your passport number, case number (if you have one), and the date you submitted your process ready. Explain that your case has been pending longer than the posted timeframe and ask what stage it is in. The consulate staff can sometimes see notes in your file that do not appear in the online status tool.

If you are in the United States and your visa process is pending, you can also contact the State Department's Office of Visa Services at 202-663-1213 during business hours. They cannot speed up your case, but they can sometimes provide information about delays or missing documents.

Tracking diversity visa lottery cases

Diversity visa cases use the CEAC system at ceac.state.gov, not the regular Visa Status Check tool. After you submit your diversity visa process, you will receive a confirmation number. Use that number and your date of birth to log into CEAC and track your case.

The CEAC system shows the same statuses as the regular tool — process Received, Administrative Processing, Approved, Ready for Pickup — but it is the only place to check diversity visa cases. The regular Visa Status Check tool will not find your case if you applied through the diversity visa lottery.

Why your status might not appear online

If the Visa Status Check tool says "No records found," the most common reasons are a typo in your passport number, an incorrect country code, or that your process has not yet been entered into the system. Wait 24 hours and try again with your information double-checked.

If you applied very recently — within the last few days — your case may not be in the online system yet. The consulate enters applications into the system after they have been logged and assigned a case number, which can take a few days.

If you applied months ago and still cannot find your case online, call the consulate. It is possible your process was lost, rejected, or transferred to a different location. The consulate can tell you what happened and what to do next.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check someone else's visa status?

No. The Visa Status Check tool requires the applicant's passport number, and the system does not display results to anyone else. If you are a family member or attorney and need to know the status, the applicant must check it themselves or authorize you in writing to inquire on their behalf. Some consulates will speak to authorized representatives if you have a power of attorney or written permission.

What does "administrative processing" mean, and how long does it take?

Administrative processing means the consulate is still reviewing your case, often because they are checking your background, requesting additional documents, or waiting for information from another agency. It can last from a few days to several months depending on your visa type and circumstances. Check your email for any requests and the consulate's website for updates.

My visa was approved but I have not picked it up yet. Does it expire?

Your approved visa does not expire while it is waiting for pickup, but the consulate may hold it for only a limited time — usually 30 to 90 days depending on the location. Check your approval notice for the pickup important date and collect your visa before that date. If you miss the important date, contact the consulate to ask if they will extend it.

How often does the visa status tool update?

The State Department's Visa Status Check tool updates once per day, usually overnight. If you checked your status yesterday and nothing has changed, checking again today may show an update. Do not refresh the page repeatedly — one check per day is enough.

What if the online tool is down or not working?

If the Visa Status Check tool is not responding, try again in a few hours. The State Department performs maintenance on the system periodically. If it remains down for more than a day, call the consulate where you applied and ask them to check your status manually.