Where to check your visa status depends on which country issued it
The fastest way to check your visa status is through the official government website of the country that issued your visa. If you applied for a U.S. visa, you use the U.S. State Department's system. If you applied in Canada, you use Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Each country maintains its own tracking system, and you cannot check one country's visa through another country's portal.
You will need your process reference number or case number to look up your status. This number appears in your receipt email or on any official documents you received when you submitted your process. Without it, most systems cannot find your record.
Status checks typically show whether your process is still being reviewed, whether a decision has been made, or whether additional documents are needed. The system does not usually show the detailed reasoning behind a decision, only the current stage of processing.
Key Takeaways
- Each country's government website is the official source for visa status—U.S. visas through the State Department, Canadian visas through IRCC, and so on.
- You need your process reference number, which appears in your receipt email or official documents from when you submitted your process.
- Status pages show whether your process is under review, a decision has been made, or documents are missing—but not the reasoning behind decisions.
- Processing times vary widely by visa type and country; the status page will show the current estimated wait time for your category.
- If your status has not changed in longer than the posted processing time, contact the visa office directly rather than waiting.
How to check U.S. visa status
For U.S. visas, go to the State Department's Visa Status Check tool at travel.state.gov. You will enter your process barcode number (found on your receipt notice) and your date of birth. The system will then display whether your visa is approved, denied, or still under review.
If you applied at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the United States, you can also call the visa section of that specific embassy or consulate during business hours. The phone number is listed on the embassy's website. Have your passport number and process reference number ready when you call.
The State Department's processing times vary by location and visa type. Nonimmigrant visas (tourist, work, student) typically take several weeks to several months. Immigrant visas (permanent residence) can take much longer. The visa office's website will show the current average wait time for your specific visa category and location.
How to check Canadian visa status
For Canadian visas, use Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's (IRCC) online portal at ircc.canada.ca. You will need your process number and date of birth. The portal shows your process status in real time and notifies you when a decision has been made.
If you applied through an immigration consultant or lawyer, they may also be able to check your status on your behalf if you have given them authorization. IRCC will only release information to the applicant or someone with a signed letter of authorization.
IRCC's processing times depend on the visa type and the country from which you applied. Work permits and study permits often process faster than permanent residence applications. The IRCC website lists processing times by process type and location.
How to check visa status for other countries
For visas to the United Kingdom, use the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) portal. For Australia, use the Department of Home Affairs ImmiAccount system. For European Schengen visas, check the website of the specific country's embassy or consulate where you applied—there is no single Schengen tracking system.
Most countries' visa portals work the same way: you enter your process number and date of birth, and the system shows your current status. Some countries also allow you to upload additional documents through the portal if the visa office requests them.
If you cannot find an online tracking system for your country, contact the embassy or consulate directly. Smaller countries or those with lower process volumes may not have automated status checks and may require you to call or email instead.
What to do if your status has not changed
If your process status has not changed after the posted processing time has passed, contact the visa office directly. Do not wait indefinitely—visa offices sometimes experience delays, and contacting them can help identify whether your process is stuck or straightforward delayed.
When you contact them, have your process number, passport number, and the date you submitted your process ready. Explain that you have checked the status online and that it has not changed since a specific date. Ask whether your file is still being processed or whether additional information is needed.
Some visa offices respond faster to email than to phone calls, while others prefer phone contact. Check the embassy or consulate's website to see which method they recommend. If you applied through an immigration lawyer or consultant, they may also be able to contact the visa office on your behalf.
Documents you may need when checking your status
Keep these documents in one place so you can reference them quickly when checking your status or contacting the visa office:
- Your process reference number or case number (from your receipt email)
- Your passport number
- The date you submitted your process
- The visa type you applied for (tourist, work, student, permanent residence, etc.)
- The country or location where you applied
- Your date of birth
If you have lost your receipt email, check your email spam folder first. If it is not there, go to the visa office's website and look for an option to resend your receipt or retrieve your process number. Most systems allow you to do this by entering your passport number and date of birth.
When to contact the visa office instead of checking online
Contact the visa office directly if your status page shows that documents are missing or additional information is needed. The online system will usually tell you what is required, but the visa office staff can clarify important date and explain how to submit the documents.
You should also contact them if you need to reschedule an appointment, if your contact information has changed, or if you have a question about what happens after your visa is approved. Some visa offices have specific email addresses for different types of inquiries, so check their website to send your message to the right department.
If you are calling from outside the country where you applied, be aware of time zone differences and business hours. Most visa offices are only open during standard business hours in their local time zone, and many are closed on weekends and local holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check someone else's visa status?
No, unless you have a signed letter of authorization from the applicant. Government visa systems only release information to the person who applied or to someone with written permission. If you are helping a family member or friend, ask them to check their own status or to give you written authorization to inquire on their behalf.
What does "process received" mean?
It means the visa office has logged your process into their system and begun the initial review. This is the first stage and does not mean a decision is close. After this, your status will typically move to "under review" or "in process" as the office examines your documents.
How long does a visa decision usually take?
Processing times vary widely by country, visa type, and current process volume. Tourist visas may take weeks, work visas may take months, and permanent residence visas can take a year or longer. The visa office's website will show the current average processing time for your specific visa category.
What should I do if the status page says my process was denied?
The denial notice will usually explain the reason. Read it carefully to understand why your process was rejected. Some visa types allow you to reapply after addressing the reason for denial, while others may have waiting periods. Contact the visa office or consult an immigration lawyer to discuss your options.
Can I change my process while it is being processed?
This depends on the country and the stage of processing. Some visa offices allow you to submit updated information or correct errors through their online portal. Others require you to contact them directly. Check your status page or the visa office's website to see whether you can make changes, or call them to ask.