Expert Verified
Amanda Foster — Reviewed writer, former magazine editor
Approved Guide

How to Handle Check Your Visa Status Step by Step

When check your visa status leaves you confused, worried, or unsure what it means, a clear step-by-step approach can help you sort the signal from the stress. This guide explains how to understand the situation, reflect on what matters, choose a practical next step, and know when to ask for trusted support.

Link copied to clipboard!
Part 1

Checking Your U.S. Visa Status

1

Visit the website.

Visit the website.
You can check your visa status by visiting the U.S. Department of State’s Consular Electronic Application Center website. Once there, you will be prompted to provide various information.
  • You can check your visa status by visiting the U.S.
  • Department of State’s Consular Electronic Application Center website.
  • Once there, you will be prompted to provide various information.
  • You can check your visa status by visiting the U.S.
  • Department of State’s Consular Electronic Application Center website.
2

Enter your Immigration Visa Case Number.

Enter your Immigration Visa Case Number.
When you applied for a visa, the embassy or consulate should have given you an Immigrant Visa Case Number or an Application ID. It may also be your “confirmation number.” You should enter it in the box.
  • When you applied for a visa, the embassy or consulate should have given you an Immigrant Visa Case Number or an Application ID.
  • It may also be your “confirmation number.” You should enter it in the box.
  • When you applied for a visa, the embassy or consulate should have given you an Immigrant Visa Case Number or an Application ID.
  • It may also be your “confirmation number.” You should enter it in the box.
  • When you applied for a visa, the embassy or consulate should have given you an Immigrant Visa Case Number or an Application ID.
3

Enter a code.

Enter a code.
The CEAC website also requires that you enter a CAPTCHA code so that they know you are not a spam bot. The code will differ each time you visit the screen, but it is usually a mix of letters and numbers.
  • The CEAC website also requires that you enter a CAPTCHA code so that they know you are not a spam bot.
  • The code will differ each time you visit the screen, but it is usually a mix of letters and numbers.
  • The CEAC website also requires that you enter a CAPTCHA code so that they know you are not a spam bot.
  • The code will differ each time you visit the screen, but it is usually a mix of letters and numbers.
  • The CEAC website also requires that you enter a CAPTCHA code so that they know you are not a spam bot.
Part 2

Checking Your Canadian Visa Status

1

Visit the website.

Visit the website.
You can check the status online if you applied for a tourist, business, super, or transit visa. Visit the Citizen and Immigration Canada website. It is available in both the English language and in French.
  • You can check the status online if you applied for a tourist, business, super, or transit visa.
  • Visit the Citizen and Immigration Canada website.
  • It is available in both the English language and in French.
  • You can check the status online if you applied for a tourist, business, super, or transit visa.
  • Visit the Citizen and Immigration Canada website.
2

Link a paper application.

Link a paper application.
You might have applied for your visa using a paper application. In order to check the status, you can link your application to an online account. Once you create the link, you can view the status of your application. You can also receive emails about the status of your application.
  • You might have applied for your visa using a paper application.
  • In order to check the status, you can link your application to an online account.
  • Once you create the link, you can view the status of your application.
  • You can also receive emails about the status of your application.
  • You might have applied for your visa using a paper application.
3

Create an account to link your paper application.

Create an account to link your paper application.
You can create an account using either Sign in Partner or GCKey. You will need a copy of your application in your hand. Once you create an online account, you will stop receiving messages by mail, so don’t create an account if you still want to receive mail messages.
  • You can create an account using either Sign in Partner or GCKey.
  • You will need a copy of your application in your hand.
  • Once you create an online account, you will stop receiving messages by mail, so don’t create an account if you still want to receive mail messages.
  • You can create an account using either Sign in Partner or GCKey.
  • You will need a copy of your application in your hand.
Part 3

Checking Your U.K. Visa Status

1

Call or email the office.

Call or email the office.
If you want particular information about your visa, then you can call the U.K. Visas and Immigration office from outside the U.K. The number you call will depend on where you are calling from. Visit their website and then select your country from the drop-down box.
  • If you want particular information about your visa, then you can call the U.K.
  • Visas and Immigration office from outside the U.K.
  • The number you call will depend on where you are calling from.
  • Visit their website and then select your country from the drop-down box.
  • If you want particular information about your visa, then you can call the U.K.
2

Click on the location where you applied.

Click on the location where you applied.
A drop-down box will appear. Click in the box to find the city where you applied for your U.K. visa. The cities are listed in alphabetical order, with the city name first. For example, “Accra, Ghana.”
  • A drop-down box will appear.
  • Click in the box to find the city where you applied for your U.K.
  • The cities are listed in alphabetical order, with the city name first.
  • For example, “Accra, Ghana.”
  • A drop-down box will appear.
3

Select your visa category.

Select your visa category.
There will be several options in the drop-down box, such as “Show All” or “Points Based Systems Visas.” The precise options will differ depending on the country you are applying from.
  • There will be several options in the drop-down box, such as “Show All” or “Points Based Systems Visas.” The precise options will differ depending on the country you are applying from.
  • There will be several options in the drop-down box, such as “Show All” or “Points Based Systems Visas.” The precise options will differ depending on the country you are applying from.
  • There will be several options in the drop-down box, such as “Show All” or “Points Based Systems Visas.” The precise options will differ depending on the country you are applying from.
  • There will be several options in the drop-down box, such as “Show All” or “Points Based Systems Visas.” The precise options will differ depending on the country you are applying from.
  • There will be several options in the drop-down box, such as “Show All” or “Points Based Systems Visas.” The precise options will differ depending on the country you are applying from.
4

Receive an estimate of processing times.

Receive an estimate of processing times.
Based on your information, you will receive a list of estimated processing times. For example, a Business Visit visa from the U.S. has the following processing times:
  • Based on your information, you will receive a list of estimated processing times.
  • For example, a Business Visit visa from the U.S.
  • has the following processing times:
  • Based on your information, you will receive a list of estimated processing times.
  • For example, a Business Visit visa from the U.S.

Community Q&A

Be the first to ask a question about this guide.

Was this guide helpful?

11 people found this helpful

Subscribe to the HowDadDo Newsletter

Get expert tips, weekly how-to guides, and dad wisdom delivered straight to your inbox. No spam, just good stuff.

Help us build the world's best
dad manual.

Every guide on HowDadDo is written and fact-checked by real people — no AI-generated fluff. Join our community of experts helping dads figure life out.