Where to check your visa status depends on which country issued your visa
The way you track your visa process differs by country and visa type. The U.S. State Department, UK Home Office, Canadian Immigration, and Australian Department of Home Affairs each run their own tracking systems. You cannot check status through a single global portal — you must go to the issuing country's official website and use their specific tool.
Most countries require your process reference number, passport number, or both to look up your case. Some systems show status in real time; others update only once per week. A few countries do not offer online tracking at all and require you to contact the embassy or consulate by phone or email instead.
Key Takeaways
- Each country's immigration authority runs its own status tracker on its official website — there is no universal system.
- You will need your process reference number or passport number to search, depending on which country issued your visa.
- Processing times vary widely by visa type and country, from two weeks to several months.
- If the online tracker shows no results, contact the embassy or consulate directly by the phone number or email listed on their website.
- Status pages typically update weekly or less often, so checking daily will not show changes faster.
How to find your process reference number
Your process reference number appears on the confirmation email you received when you submitted your visa form online. Check your inbox and spam folder for an email from the country's immigration authority — it usually arrives within minutes of submission. The reference number is a string of letters and numbers unique to your case.
If you cannot find the confirmation email, log back into the visa process portal using your username and password. Most systems display your reference number on your account dashboard or in a section labeled "My Applications" or "process Status." Write down the number and keep it in a safe place; you will need it if you contact the embassy later.
If you applied in person at an embassy or consulate rather than online, ask the staff member who accepted your process for a receipt. The receipt contains your reference number or case number. If you lost the receipt, bring your passport to the visa office and staff can look up your case by your passport number instead.
Official status trackers by country
| Country | Where to Check | What You Need |
|---|---|---|
| United States | ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker | process reference number or passport number |
| United Kingdom | visas-immigration.service.gov.uk (log into your account) | Username and password from your online process |
| Canada | ircc.canada.ca/services/check-process-status | process number and date of birth |
| Australia | immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/checkstatus | Transaction reference number |
| Germany | videx.diplo.de | process reference number |
| France | france-visas.gouv.fr (embassy-specific portals) | process reference number |
Bookmark the tracker for your destination country so you can return to it without searching each time. Most trackers are available 24 hours a day, though some perform maintenance during off-peak hours and may be temporarily unavailable.
What each status message means
process Received means the visa office has logged your submission into their system. This is the first status you will see and typically appears within one business day of submission. It does not mean your process has been reviewed yet.
Under Review or In Progress means a visa officer has opened your file and is examining your documents. This stage can last from a few days to several weeks depending on the visa type and the volume of applications the office is processing. You may see this status for the entire review period, or the tracker may not update until a decision is made.
Additional Documents Required or Request for Information means the visa office needs more paperwork from you. The tracker usually includes a link to read the specific request, or you will receive an email with instructions. You typically have 10 to 30 days to submit the documents, depending on the country. Missing the important date can result in denial.
Decision Made or Ready for Collection means the visa office has finished reviewing your case. If approved, the tracker will tell you when and where to collect your passport. If denied, you will receive a letter explaining the reason. Some countries mail the decision; others require you to pick it up in person.
How long visa processing usually takes
Processing times vary by country, visa type, and current process volume. A tourist visa to most European countries takes 5 to 15 business days. A work visa to Canada or Australia can take 4 to 12 weeks. A U.S. visitor visa may take 3 to 5 days in some cities and 60 days or longer in others.
The tracker does not always show an estimated completion date. If it does, treat that date as a guideline, not a may provide — delays happen when the office requests additional documents or when your background check takes longer than expected. If your process is past the published processing time and the tracker still shows "Under Review," contact the embassy or consulate to ask whether your case is delayed.
Processing times are slower during peak travel seasons (summer for tourism visas, January to March for work visas). If you need your visa by a specific date, explore as early as possible and monitor the tracker weekly rather than daily.
What to do if the tracker shows no results
If you enter your reference number and the system returns no results, first verify that you typed the number correctly. Reference numbers are case-sensitive in some systems, so check whether letters should be uppercase or lowercase. Wait 24 hours and try again — newly submitted applications sometimes take a full business day to appear in the system.
If the tracker still shows nothing after 24 hours, your process may not have been successfully submitted. Log back into the visa portal and check whether your process is still in draft form or marked as incomplete. If it is, finish the submission process and request a new reference number.
If your process was definitely submitted but the tracker cannot find it, contact the embassy or consulate by phone or email. Provide your passport number, full name, and date of birth. Staff can search their system manually and tell you whether your process is in their queue. This usually takes one to three business days.
Contacting the embassy or consulate if you cannot find your status online
Not all countries offer online status tracking. If your destination country does not have a tracker, or if the tracker is not working, contact the visa office directly. Find the phone number and email address on the official embassy or consulate website for your country of residence — do not use numbers from third-party visa websites, as they may be outdated or incorrect.
When you call or email, have your passport number, full name, and process reference number ready. Explain that you are checking on your visa process status. Processing times vary, but most embassies respond to email within 5 to 10 business days. Phone lines are often busy during peak hours; call early in the morning or late in the afternoon for shorter wait times.
Some embassies require you to submit a status inquiry through an online form rather than by email. Check the embassy website for their preferred contact method before you reach out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does the status tracker update?
Most trackers update once per week, usually on weekdays. Some update daily; a few update only when a decision is made. Checking the tracker multiple times per day will not show changes faster. If your status has not changed in two weeks, contact the visa office to confirm your process is still being processed.
Can I check my visa status if someone else submitted the process for me?
Yes, if you have the process reference number or the login credentials for the online portal. If you do not have either, ask the person who submitted it to provide the reference number. If that is not possible, contact the embassy with your passport number and they can look up your case.
What does it mean if the tracker says my process was denied?
The tracker will usually direct you to read or collect a letter explaining the reason for denial. Common reasons include incomplete documents, insufficient funds, or a criminal record. You can reapply after addressing the issue, but you must submit a new process and pay the fee again.
Is there a way to speed up visa processing?
Most countries do not offer expedited processing for standard visas. Some offer paid express or priority services for certain visa types — check the embassy website to see whether this option exists for your visa category. Submitting complete, accurate documents the first time is the fastest way to avoid delays caused by requests for additional information.
What should I do if my visa is approved but I have not received my passport yet?
The tracker will tell you whether to collect your passport in person or whether it will be mailed to you. If the tracker says "Ready for Collection" but you have not received instructions, contact the visa office. If the tracker says "Approved" but does not specify collection details, wait 2 to 3 business days for an email with instructions.