Where to check your visa or immigration case status

The place you check depends on which country processed your case and what stage it is in. If you applied through a U.S. consulate or embassy, you use the State Department's system. If you are already in the U.S. and filed with immigration authorities here, you use U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). If your case is with a different country's immigration authority, you will need that country's tracking system.

Most tracking systems require your case number or receipt number, your date of birth, and sometimes your passport number. You will not be able to check status without at least one of these identifiers. If you do not have your case number, look in your confirmation email or the receipt letter you received when you submitted your process.

Key Takeaways

  • USCIS cases filed inside the U.S. are tracked through the USCIS Case Status tool at uscis.gov, which updates every 24 hours and shows your current step in the process.
  • Visa applications processed at a U.S. embassy or consulate are tracked through the State Department's Visa Status Check tool, which shows whether your interview is scheduled or your visa is ready.
  • You will need your case receipt number, process number, or passport number to search, depending on which system you use.
  • Status updates usually appear within one to three business days of a change in your case, though some steps take weeks or months with no visible change.
  • If your status has not updated in longer than the stated processing time, contact the office directly rather than waiting for an online update.

Checking USCIS cases filed in the United States

If you filed your visa petition, green card process, work permit, or other immigration form with USCIS while already in the U.S., use the USCIS Case Status tool at uscis.gov. Go to the homepage, click "Check Your Case Status," and enter your receipt number (it starts with three letters, like EAC or WAC, followed by numbers). The tool updates every 24 hours and shows your current step — whether your process is pending, approved, denied, or ready for pickup.

The status page tells you what stage your case is in and sometimes gives an estimated completion date. If your case shows "Initial Review," it means USCIS is checking whether your process is complete. "Biometrics Appointment Scheduled" means you need to go to a local office for fingerprinting. "Interview Scheduled" means you have a date set with an officer. "Decision" means a final information has been made.

The tool does not always show every step. You may see no change for weeks, then suddenly a new status appears. This is normal — some background checks and security reviews happen behind the scenes and do not show online. If your case has been pending longer than the published processing time for your form type, call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 to speak with an officer.

Checking visa applications at U.S. embassies and consulates

If you applied for a visa (tourist, student, work, or immigrant visa) at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the U.S., use the Visa Status Check tool at travel.state.gov. Click "Check Your Visa process Status," select your country, and enter your process barcode number (found on your receipt) or your passport number.

The tool shows whether your process is under review, ready for interview, interview scheduled, approved, or denied. If it shows "Ready for Interview," you will receive an email with your interview date and time. If it shows "Approved," your visa is being printed and will be ready for pickup at the consulate. The system updates once per business day, usually in the morning.

Processing times vary widely by country and visa type. Tourist and student visas often take two to four weeks. Work visas and immigrant visas can take several months. If your status has not changed in longer than the posted processing time for your location, contact the consulate directly — the phone number is on the State Department website for your country.

What to do if your status does not update

Online status tools sometimes lag behind actual progress in your case. A background check might be complete, but the system may not reflect it for several days. An interview might be scheduled, but you may not see it online until an email arrives. This delay is common and does not mean your case is stuck.

If your case has been in the same status for longer than the published processing time, or if you have not received communication in over a month, contact the office directly. For USCIS cases, call 1-800-375-5283 or use the "Contact USCIS" tool on uscis.gov to request a callback. For visa cases, call or visit the consulate where you applied — the number is on the State Department website.

When you contact them, have your case number, passport number, and date of birth ready. Be prepared to explain what step you are waiting for and how long you have been waiting. They can sometimes see notes in your file that do not appear online.

Understanding processing times and delays

USCIS and the State Department publish processing times for each form type and location. These are estimates, not guarantees. A form that says "4 months" might be done in 6 weeks or might take 8 months, depending on background checks, security reviews, and how busy the office is.

Some delays are normal. Requests for additional documents (called a "Request for Evidence" or RFE) can add weeks or months. Background checks can take longer if you have lived in multiple countries. If your case involves a visa category with a waiting list, you may be in line for months before your interview is even scheduled.

The online status tool will not tell you why a case is delayed. If you want to know whether your case is waiting for something from you, or whether it is waiting for the government to complete a review, you need to call and ask.

Tracking cases with other countries

If you applied for a visa or residence permit with a country other than the U.S., that country has its own tracking system. Canada uses the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) portal at ircc.canada.ca. The United Kingdom uses the UK Visas and Immigration portal. Australia uses the Department of Home Affairs portal. Each system works differently and requires different information to search.

Most countries' systems require your process number or reference number, which you receive when you submit your process. Some also require your passport number or date of birth. If you cannot find your process number, check your confirmation email or the receipt letter you were given.

If you are unsure which country's system to use, look at the address on your receipt letter or confirmation email. That tells you which office is handling your case.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often does the online status update?

USCIS updates every 24 hours. The State Department's visa tool updates once per business day, usually in the morning. Neither system updates in real time. A change in your case may take one to three business days to appear online.

What does "case received" mean?

It means the office has logged your process into their system and confirmed it arrived. They have not yet reviewed it for completeness. This is the first status you see after submitting your process.

Can I check someone else's case status?

No. The online tools require personal information (case number, passport number, date of birth) that only the applicant should have. If someone else needs to check your status, you must give them your case number and date of birth, or you can contact the office on their behalf.

What if my status shows "decision" but I have not received a letter?

The online status updates before the physical letter arrives in the mail. If it shows "decision," check your email for a notification. If you see "approved," your visa or document is being prepared. If you see "denied," a letter explaining the reason will arrive within a few days. If you do not receive anything within a week, call the office.

Why does my case show the same status for months?

Some steps in the process do not show online. Background checks, security reviews, and administrative processing happen behind the scenes. If your case has been in the same visible status longer than the published processing time, contact the office to ask what step you are actually waiting for.