Where to Check Your Visa Status Online
The fastest way to check your visa status is through the official website of the country's immigration authority. For U.S. visas, use the Consular Immigrant Visa Status tool at travel.state.gov — enter your case number and National Visa Center (NVC) reference number to see where your process stands. For Canadian visas, log into Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) online services with your username and password to track your file. Australian applicants use ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Each country's system works differently. Some show only major milestones (received, under review, decision made), while others display detailed notes about what documents are missing or what stage your file is in. Write down your case number and reference number the moment you receive them — you will need these numbers every time you check.
Government websites are the only source that shows your actual file. Do not trust third-party websites that claim to check status for you, and never pay someone to look up information you can access yourself for free.
Key Takeaways
- Check your visa status through the official immigration website for the country you are explore to, using your case number and reference number.
- Processing times vary by visa type, country, and current workload — the website will show an estimated timeline when you check.
- If your status shows "additional documents required," read the list when ready and send those documents to the exact address or portal specified.
- Contact the visa office or immigration authority directly if your status has not changed in longer than the stated processing time, or if you see an error in your file.
Understanding the Status Updates You Will See
Most visa tracking systems show your process moving through stages. "process received" means the immigration office has logged your file. "Under review" means an officer is examining your documents. "Additional information requested" means you must send more papers before they can decide. "Decision made" means they have approved or denied your visa.
The time between each stage depends on the visa type and how busy the office is. A work visa might take 4 to 12 weeks; a family sponsorship visa might take 6 to 18 months. The website will show you an estimated processing time when you log in — this is the time from when they receive your file to when they make a decision, not from when you first submitted it.
Some countries send email notifications when your status changes, but do not rely on email alone. Check the website directly at least once a week if you are waiting for a decision, because emails can be delayed or go to spam.
What to Do If Documents Are Requested
When your status changes to "additional documents required," the website will list exactly what is missing. read that list and read it carefully — the immigration office will not move forward without these specific papers. Common requests include a police certificate, a medical exam, a letter from your employer, or proof of funds.
Send the documents to the exact address or online portal shown on the website. Do not email them to a general inbox or send them to a different office. Include your case number and reference number on every page of every document you send. Keep a copy of everything you submit and note the date you sent it.
Once you send the documents, your status may not update when ready. Wait at least one week, then check again. If the status still shows "additional information requested" after two weeks, contact the visa office to confirm they received your papers.
How Long Processing Actually Takes
The processing time shown on the immigration website is the average time from when they receive your complete file to when they make a decision. This does not include the time your process sits in a queue before anyone looks at it, and it does not include time waiting for you to send missing documents.
If your process has been "under review" for longer than the stated processing time, or if the status has not changed in three months, contact the visa office. Have your case number ready. Some offices have a phone line; others require you to submit an inquiry through their website. Be specific about what you are asking — "Can you tell me why my file has not moved?" is better than "Where is my visa?"
Processing times also vary by season. Many countries are slower during holidays or summer months. If you applied during a busy period, expect to wait longer than the average shown on the website.
Contacting the Immigration Office About Your process
Before you call or email, gather your documents: your case number, reference number, passport number, and the date you submitted your process. Look on the immigration website for the correct contact method — some offices only accept inquiries through an online form, others have a phone line, and some accept email only during certain hours.
When you contact them, be clear and factual. Say "My status has shown 'under review' since [date], which is longer than the [X weeks] processing time listed on your website" rather than "My visa is taking too long." Provide your case number first thing so they can pull up your file when ready.
Response times vary. A phone call may get you an answer the same day. An email inquiry might take two to four weeks. An online form submission might take even longer. If you need an answer urgently — for example, because you have a job start date — mention that in your message, but understand that immigration offices prioritize by their own rules, not by individual urgency.
What Happens After a Decision Is Made
When your status changes to "decision made," the website will usually show whether you were approved or denied. If approved, the next step depends on the visa type. Some visas are issued when ready and sent to you by mail. Others require you to pick up your passport at a visa office or embassy. The website will tell you what to do next.
If your visa was denied, the website may show a brief reason. You can usually request a detailed explanation by contacting the visa office. Some countries allow you to reapply; others have waiting periods. Read the denial notice carefully to understand whether you can try again and what would need to change in your process.
Keep checking the website even after a decision, because sometimes additional steps appear there before you receive official mail. If your status says "approved" but you have not received your passport or visa in the mail after two weeks, contact the visa office to confirm the mailing address they have on file.
Common Reasons Your Status May Not Update
Your status might stay the same for weeks because the office is working through a backlog, not because something is wrong with your file. Immigration offices process applications in the order they receive them, not in the order you check your status. A busy office might have thousands of files ahead of yours.
Your status also will not change if documents are missing. If the website requested additional information and you did not send it, your file will sit in the same status indefinitely. Check the website again to see exactly what was requested, and send those documents when ready.
Sometimes the website itself is slow to update. If you sent documents two weeks ago and the status still shows "additional information requested," contact the office to ask whether they received your papers. They may have processed them but not updated the website yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check someone else's visa status for them?
No. Immigration offices will only show status to the person whose name is on the process. If you are helping a family member or friend, ask them for their case number and reference number, then have them log into the website themselves. Some countries allow a representative to check status if you have a power of attorney, but this requires paperwork filed with the immigration office first.
What if I lost my case number or reference number?
Check your email for the confirmation message you received when you submitted your process — it will have both numbers. If you cannot find the email, contact the immigration office with your passport number and date of birth; they can look up your case and send you the numbers again. This may take a few days.
Does checking my status online affect my process?
No. Checking your status does not slow down your process, speed it up, or change anything about your file. You can check as often as you want without any effect on the outcome.
What should I do if the status shows an error, like the wrong visa type?
Contact the immigration office when ready with your case number and explain what is wrong. Bring a copy of your original process to show what you actually submitted. They can correct errors in their system, but you have to report them first — they will not catch mistakes on their own.
How do I know if my visa was approved if I have not received it yet?
The website will show "decision made" or "approved" before your physical visa arrives in the mail. Once you see that status, your visa has been approved. Mail delivery can take one to three weeks depending on the country, so check the website to confirm approval before you assume something went wrong with the mail.