Check your status through the official government website for your country
The fastest way to check your immigration status is through your country's official immigration authority website. In the United States, that is U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). In Canada, it is Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). In the United Kingdom, it is UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). Each maintains a case tracking system where you enter your process number or receipt number to see where your case stands.
You will need your receipt number or process confirmation number to use these systems. This number appears on the receipt notice you received when you first submitted your process. If you cannot find it, check your email for the confirmation message sent when your process was received. The government website will show you the current stage — whether your process is under review, pending additional documents, approved, or denied.
These official trackers are free and do not require you to pay a third party or use a private service. Bookmark the correct website for your country so you do not accidentally land on a look-alike site that charges fees.
Key Takeaways
- USCIS (United States), IRCC (Canada), and UKVI (United Kingdom) each operate free case tracking systems on their official websites.
- You will need your receipt number or process confirmation number, which appears on the notice you received when your process was submitted.
- Official government trackers show your case status at no cost and do not require you to hire a lawyer or immigration consultant.
- Contact the government agency directly by phone or email if the online tracker shows no record of your process or if you cannot locate your receipt number.
What information the tracker will show you
The official case tracker tells you whether your process is pending, approved, denied, or returned. It may also show you the date your process was received, the date a decision was made, and sometimes the reason for a denial or request for more information. The level of detail varies by country and by process type.
The tracker does not always update in real time. USCIS, for example, may take several days to update its system after a decision is made. If your tracker shows no change for weeks, that does not necessarily mean your case is stalled — it may mean the system has not yet reflected the latest action. If you are concerned about a long delay, contact the agency directly rather than relying on the online tracker alone.
How to find your receipt number if you have lost it
Your receipt number appears on the official notice (called an I-797 in the United States) that arrived in the mail or email after you submitted your process. Check your email inbox, spam folder, and any printed mail you received from the immigration authority. If you filed online, log into your account on the government website — your receipt number should appear in your account dashboard.
If you still cannot locate it, contact the immigration agency by phone or through their online contact form. Have your full name, date of birth, and passport number ready. The agency can look up your case using this information and provide you with your receipt number. This process is free and does not require a lawyer.
Contact information for major immigration authorities
USCIS operates a phone line at 1-800-375-5283 for general inquiries and case status questions. You can also use their online form at uscis.gov to submit a question. IRCC has a web form at canada.ca/immigration where you can ask about your case. UKVI does not have a dedicated phone line for status checks, but you can contact them through their online service at gov.uk/contact-ukvi.
When you contact the agency, have your receipt number, passport number, and full name ready. Wait times vary by agency and by season. During peak process periods, phone lines may have long hold times. Email and online forms often have longer response times but do not require you to wait on hold.
What to do if your case shows no record
If you search for your case and the tracker shows no results, first double-check that you are using the correct receipt number and the correct government website. A common mistake is searching on the wrong country's website or entering the number incorrectly. Try searching again with extra care to the spelling and numbers.
If the search still returns no results, contact the immigration agency directly. Bring your original process confirmation email or the receipt notice you received in the mail. The agency can search by your name and passport number if your receipt number is not working. It is possible your process was not received, was lost, or was filed under a different name or number than you expected.
Private immigration tracking services and when to use them
Some private websites and immigration consultants offer to track your case for you. These services are not necessary — the government tracker is free and available to anyone. However, some people use private services because they offer phone support in their native language, or because they want someone to interpret the status for them.
If you choose to use a private service, understand that it will not give you access to information you cannot get yourself. It will straightforward check the same government tracker on your behalf. You are paying for convenience or language support, not for secret information or faster processing. Never pay a private service to "speed up" your case or to may provide a particular outcome — no private company can do either of those things.
Understanding case status messages
Different countries use different language in their status messages. "Under review" or "in progress" means your process is being examined and no decision has been made. "Additional documents requested" or "request for evidence" means the agency needs more information from you before it can decide. You will have a important date to respond, usually 30 to 90 days depending on the country.
"Approved" means your process has been granted. "Denied" means your process has been rejected. "Returned" or "withdrawn" means your process was not processed, usually because it was incomplete or you asked to withdraw it. If you receive a denial or a request for documents, read the full notice carefully — it will explain the reason and what you can do next, such as appealing or reapplying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does the government update case status online?
USCIS updates its tracker several times per week, but may take several days after a decision to show the change. IRCC updates daily. UKVI does not have a public tracker; you must contact them directly. If your status has not changed in many weeks, contact the agency by phone rather than waiting for the online system to update.
Can I check someone else's immigration status?
No. You need the receipt number or process number to search, and only the person who filed the process should have that number. If you are a lawyer or representative, you may have a separate login or authorization code. Family members cannot check another person's status without their permission and receipt number.
What if the tracker says my process was denied but I never received a letter?
Contact the immigration agency when ready. A denial notice should arrive in the mail or email within days of the decision. If you see a denial online but have not received the official notice, call the agency to confirm the decision and ask them to resend the notice. The official letter will explain why you were denied and whether you can appeal.
Is there a way to check my status faster than the online tracker?
Calling the agency directly may give you more detail than the online tracker, but it will not speed up your case. The tracker shows the same information the phone representative will see. If your case is taking longer than expected, the representative can tell you why, but they cannot make it move faster.
What should I do if I think there is an error in my case status?
Contact the immigration agency with your receipt number and explain what you believe is wrong. Bring any documents that support your claim, such as proof that you submitted required documents or that you paid the process fee. The agency will investigate and correct the record if an error is found.