Where to check your visa or immigration case status

The way you check your status depends on which country processed your case and what stage it is in. If you applied through the U.S. immigration system, you will use the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) online portal. If you applied in another country, you will contact that country's immigration authority directly. The key is knowing which agency handled your process and what document number to have ready.

Most countries issue a case or process number when they receive your paperwork. This number is your fastest route to status information. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe — you will need it every time you check. If you cannot find your number, the agency's website usually has a search tool that accepts your name and date of birth instead.

Key Takeaways

  • U.S. visa applicants use the USCIS case tracker at uscis.gov/case-status, while applicants in other countries contact their local immigration authority directly.
  • You will need your case number, receipt number, or process reference number to search — this was sent to you when your process was received.
  • Status updates usually appear online before they arrive by mail, so checking the portal saves you weeks of waiting.
  • If your case shows no movement for longer than the posted processing time, contact the agency by phone or through their official website contact form.
  • Never pay a third party to check your status for you — the information is always free from the government agency itself.

How to use the USCIS case tracker

Go to uscis.gov and look for "Check Your Case Status" in the top navigation. Click it, and you will land on a page with a search box. Enter your receipt number (it starts with three letters followed by ten digits, like ABC1234567890) or your case number if you have it. The system will show you the last action taken on your case and the date it happened.

The tracker updates every 24 hours, so checking multiple times in one day will not show you new information. If your case is pending, the tracker will say "Case received" or "Case is pending review" — it will not tell you exactly where in the queue you are. If a decision has been made, the tracker will say "Case approved," "Case denied," or "Case returned" with the date the decision was made.

Save your receipt number in your phone or email it to yourself. You may need to check your status months or years later, and the number does not change.

What to do if you cannot find your case number

If you lost your receipt notice or never received one, go to uscis.gov/case-status and select "I don't have a receipt number." The system will ask for your name, date of birth, and country of birth. It will search for all cases filed under that information. If multiple cases appear, look for the one with the date closest to when you submitted your process.

If the search returns no results, your process may not have been received yet, or it may have been filed under a different name (such as a maiden name or a name spelled differently). Call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 to confirm they have your case. Have your passport number and the address where you mailed your process ready when you call.

Checking status for visa applications at U.S. embassies and consulates

If you applied for a visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad (such as a tourist visa, work visa, or family visa), the USCIS tracker will not show your status. Instead, you will use the State Department's visa status tool at travel.state.gov. Click "Check Your Visa process Status" and enter your case number, which was given to you when you submitted your process at the consulate.

The State Department tool shows whether your visa is approved, denied, or still under review. It does not show as much detail as the USCIS tracker — you will see a status and sometimes a note, but not a full timeline. If your case has been pending for longer than the posted processing time (which varies by country and visa type), call the consulate where you applied and ask to speak with the visa section.

Checking status in other countries

If you applied in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, or another country, that country's immigration authority maintains its own status tracker. Canada uses the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) portal at ircc.canada.ca. The UK uses the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) system. Australia uses the Department of Home Affairs portal. Each one works similarly to the U.S. system — you enter your process number and see the current status.

Look for the official government website for the country where you applied. Avoid third-party websites that claim to check your status for a fee. The government agency always provides this information for free. If you cannot find the tracker on the official website, call the immigration office directly or visit in person if you are in that country.

How long status updates usually take

The time between when you submit your process and when you see a status update varies widely. Some cases show "received" within days; others take weeks. Processing times depend on the type of visa, the country you applied in, how many applications that office is handling, and whether your case needs additional review.

Most agencies publish their average processing times on their websites. USCIS posts processing times by case type and location at uscis.gov/processing-times. The State Department posts visa processing times by country at travel.state.gov. If your case has been pending for longer than the posted time, that is when you should contact the agency to ask about a delay.

Do not assume no news means bad news. Many cases sit in "pending" status for months while they move through the normal queue. Status updates usually appear online before you receive official mail, so checking the portal regularly means you will know about decisions before the letter arrives.

What to do if your status has not changed in months

If the tracker shows the same status for longer than the posted processing time, contact the agency directly. For USCIS cases, call 1-800-375-5283 or use the "Contact Us" form on uscis.gov. Have your receipt number ready. Explain when you submitted your process and ask whether there is a delay or whether additional documents are needed.

For visa cases at a U.S. consulate, call the consulate directly. The phone number is on the State Department website under the country where you applied. For cases in other countries, call or email the immigration office listed on your process receipt.

If the agency tells you that additional documents are needed, they will usually send you a formal notice. Do not wait for the letter — if they tell you by phone, send the documents right away. Include your case number on everything you send.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check someone else's immigration case status?

No. The government will only release case information to the person who filed the process or to an authorized representative (such as a lawyer). If someone else needs to check your status, you must give them written permission on official forms. USCIS and the State Department have specific authorization forms for this purpose, available on their websites.

What does "case received" mean, and how long does that status last?

It means the government has logged your process into their system and assigned it a case number. This status usually appears within one to three weeks of mailing your process. How long it lasts depends on the type of case — some move to the next status within weeks, others stay in "received" for months while they wait in the processing queue.

Will the tracker tell me if my case was denied?

Yes. The tracker will show "Case denied" or "Case rejected" with the date the decision was made. You will also receive an official letter in the mail explaining the reason. The letter usually arrives within one to two weeks after the tracker shows the decision. Do not throw away the letter — you may need it if you want to appeal or reapply.

Is it safe to check my status on my phone?

Yes, as long as you use the official government website. Type the web address directly into your browser (uscis.gov, travel.state.gov, or the official site for your country) rather than clicking a link in an email. Never enter your information on a website you reached through a search result or a link from another site — scammers sometimes create fake status checkers that look real.

What if the tracker says my case is approved but I have not received my visa or decision letter?

The tracker updates before the mail does. Once the tracker shows approval, your official documents are being prepared and will arrive within one to three weeks. If more than three weeks pass and you have not received anything, contact the agency and ask them to confirm your mailing address. Occasionally mail gets lost, and they can resend it.