Introduction: Stop Waiting in the Dark — Check Your Visa Application Status Online
You have submitted your visa application, paid the fees, and gathered every document required. Now comes the hardest part — waiting. However, the good news is that you do not have to wait in the dark. For most countries, you can check your visa application status online from your phone or computer, without visiting any office or making a single phone call.
In this step-by-step guide, we will show you exactly how to check visa application status online for the most popular destination countries — including the UAE, Qatar, the UK, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Japan. Whether you are a student, a worker, or a traveler, this guide is written in plain language so that anyone can follow it easily.
Before You Begin: What You Will Need
Before you check your visa application status online, it is important to keep certain details ready. Without these, most official portals will not be able to find your application. Depending on the country, you will need one or more of the following:
- Your passport number — printed on the data page of your passport
- Your application reference number — provided when you submitted your application (also called GWF number, TRN, or file number)
- Your date of birth
- Your nationality
- The email address you used during your application
Furthermore, if you applied through an agency or visa consultant, make sure to ask them for your reference number before starting. They are required to provide it to you.
Understanding Your Visa Status: What Each Term Means
Once you check your visa application status online, you will come across certain terms that may be confusing at first. Therefore, here is a simple explanation of what each status means:
- Received / Submitted — Your application has arrived and is waiting to be reviewed.
- Under Process / In Progress — An immigration officer is currently reviewing your documents.
- Further Assessment / Information Requested — The office needs more documents or information. Check your email immediately.
- Approved / Issued / Granted — Your visa has been approved. Congratulations!
- Refused / Rejected — Your application was not accepted. You may need to reapply or appeal.
- Decision Made — A decision has been reached. However, you will need to check your email or visa centre to learn whether it was approved or refused.
How to Check Visa Application Status Online — Country by Country
UAE: How to Check Your Visa Application Status Online
The UAE has two separate portals depending on which emirate your visa was issued in. Therefore, make sure you select the correct one.
For Dubai visas: Go to the official GDRFA Dubai website: www.gdrfad.gov.ae
- Click on “Visa Status” from the services menu
- Enter your passport number or visa number
- Complete the CAPTCHA verification
- Finally, click Search to view your status
For all other emirates (Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, etc.): Go to the ICP Smart Services portal: smartservices.icp.gov.ae
- Select “Public Services” then “File Validity”
- Choose “Search by Passport Information”
- Select document type as “Visa”
- Enter your passport number, expiry date, and nationality
- Complete the CAPTCHA and click Search
Additionally, you can download the UAEICP mobile app from Google Play or the App Store to check your status directly from your phone.
Tip: Checking your status on official government portals is completely free. Never pay a third-party website for this service.
Qatar: Steps to Check Your Visa Application Status Online
Qatar’s official visa status check is managed by the Ministry of Interior (MOI). Fortunately, the portal is straightforward to use.
Main portal: www.moi.gov.qa
- Hover over the “Inquiries” tab on the homepage
- Click on “Visa Services” from the dropdown menu
- Select “Visa Inquiry & Printing”
- Enter your 15-digit visa number and select your nationality
- Complete the CAPTCHA
- Finally, click Submit to view your current status
Moreover, Nepali applicants can also use the Qatar Visa Center (QVC) portal, which is specifically designed for applicants from Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Philippines. In addition, the Metrash app — developed by Qatar’s Ministry of Interior — is available on Android and iOS for mobile tracking.
UK: How to Check Your UK Visa Application Status Online
The UK visa process is slightly different from other countries. Unlike most systems, it does not offer real-time online tracking. Nevertheless, here is how you can stay updated.
If you applied from outside the UK (including from Nepal): Most applicants submit through VFS Global or TLScontact. Consequently, you can log in to your account on their respective websites to see milestone updates such as:
- Application received
- Transferred to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)
- Decision returned to Visa Application Centre
VFS Global tracking: www.vfsglobal.com TLScontact tracking: www.tlscontact.com
Using your UKVI online account: If you created a UKVI account on www.gov.uk during your application, you can sign in to check whether a decision has been made. Simply go to www.gov.uk and search for “check visa application status.”
What you need:
- Your GWF reference number (starts with “GWF” — found in your application confirmation email)
- Your date of birth
Important note: The UK does not reveal whether the decision is “approved” or “refused” online. Instead, you will find out the result when your passport is returned or through your UKVI account notification.
Australia: Using ImmiAccount to Check Visa Application Status Online
Australia uses an official online system called ImmiAccount for all visa applications and tracking. As a result, you must have created an account when you first applied.
Step-by-step to check your status:
- Open your browser and go to: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
- Click on “ImmiAccount” and log in with your username and password
- Once logged in, go to “My Applications” on your dashboard
- Find your visa application — it will show the current status next to it
Common status messages in ImmiAccount:
- Received — Successfully submitted and awaiting review
- In Progress — Currently being reviewed by a case officer
- Further Assessment — Additional documents or biometrics required
- Finalised — A decision has been made; check your email for the outcome
Already have your visa and want to verify it? In that case, use the separate VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) tool at: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/already-have-a-visa/check-visa-details-and-conditions/check-conditions-online
Saudi Arabia: How to Track Your Visa Application Status Online
For Saudi Arabia, visa status is checked through official government portals. However, the process differs slightly depending on your visa type.
For tourist e-visas: Go to: visa.visitsaudi.com Enter your application or passport details to check your e-visa status immediately.
For work visas (through an employer or sponsor): Your employer or sponsor typically manages the process through the Musaned or Qiwa portals. Therefore, ask your employer for updates if your work visa is being processed on your behalf.
For general visa inquiries: Visit: www.mofa.gov.sa — the official Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
Note for Nepali workers: Most work visa applications for Saudi Arabia are handled by your recruitment agency or employer sponsor. Always save your application file number from your agency so you can follow up whenever necessary.
Kuwait: Official Portal to Check Visa Application Status Online
Kuwait visa status is checked through the official Ministry of Interior portal. Fortunately, the process is simple and straightforward.
Official portal: www.moi.gov.kw (also accessible via kuwaitvisa.moi.gov.kw)
- Go to the visa inquiry section
- Enter your passport number and other requested details
- Submit to view your current visa status
For work visa applicants, your sponsor or employer in Kuwait generally manages the application process. Consequently, contact them directly if you do not have your reference number available.
Japan: How to Check Your Japan Visa Application Status Online
Japan’s visa status tracking depends on how you originally applied. Therefore, follow the correct path below based on your application method.
For eVisa applicants: Go to the official Japan eVISA portal: www.evisa.mofa.go.jp
- Log in using the email and password you created during your application
- Navigate to “Application List” to see your current status
Common status messages:
- Entered — Application successfully submitted
- Under Examination — Officers are currently reviewing your documents
- Issued — Visa approved; eVisa applicants receive a Visa Issuance Notice by email
For applicants who applied through VFS Global: Visit www.vfsglobal.com, select Japan, and use the tracking section with your application reference number.
Important: Japan does not allow status checks by passport number alone. Instead, you must use your application reference number together with your passport number for security verification.
Summary Table: Official Portals to Check Visa Application Status Online
Use this table as a quick reference whenever you need to check your visa application status online through official government portals.
| Country | Official Portal | What You Need |
|---|---|---|
| UAE (Dubai) | www.gdrfad.gov.ae | Passport number or visa number |
| UAE (Other emirates) | smartservices.icp.gov.ae | Passport number, expiry date, nationality |
| Qatar | www.moi.gov.qa | 15-digit visa number, nationality |
| UK | www.gov.uk / VFS Global / TLScontact | GWF reference number, date of birth |
| Australia | immi.homeaffairs.gov.au (ImmiAccount) | ImmiAccount username & password |
| Saudi Arabia | visa.visitsaudi.com / www.mofa.gov.sa | Passport or application details |
| Kuwait | www.moi.gov.kw | Passport number |
| Japan | www.evisa.mofa.go.jp / VFS Global | Reference number + passport number |
Common Mistakes to Avoid When You Check Visa Application Status Online
Even though the process is simple, many applicants make avoidable mistakes. Therefore, read through the following carefully before you begin.
Using unofficial or third-party websites Many websites pretend to offer visa status checks but are not official government sites. Some may charge money or steal your personal information. Always verify the web address — official government sites use domains like .gov, .gov.qa, .gov.ae, .gov.uk, or .gov.au.
Not having your reference number ready The most common reason people cannot find their application is a missing reference number. Therefore, always save your confirmation email from when you applied — it contains this number.
Checking too frequently Visa systems are not updated in real time. As a result, checking every few hours will not speed up your application. Instead, check once every few days unless you have received an email asking for action.
Ignoring emails from the visa office Sometimes the system sends an automatic email saying more documents are needed. Unfortunately, these emails can accidentally land in your spam folder. As a precaution, check your spam folder regularly while your application is being processed.
Trusting social media for visa updates Your visa status is only available through the official government portals listed above. Therefore, no Facebook group or WhatsApp contact can access your application status — regardless of what they claim.
How Long Should You Wait Before Following Up?
Processing times vary by country and visa type. Nevertheless, here are general waiting times as of 2026:
- UAE: A few days to 2 weeks for visit visas; longer for work visas
- Qatar: 1 to 4 weeks depending on visa type
- UK: 3 to 6 weeks for applications submitted from outside the UK
- Australia: A few weeks for tourist visas; several months for student or work visas
- Saudi Arabia: 1 to 4 weeks for tourist e-visas; longer for work visas
- Kuwait: 1 to 3 weeks
- Japan: 5 to 10 working days typically
If your application has gone well beyond these timeframes without any update, contact the relevant visa office or embassy directly. For example, UKVI offers a paid email inquiry service for UK applications, while Australia’s Department of Home Affairs accepts web enquiries through their official website.
Final Thoughts: Make It a Habit to Check Your Visa Application Status Online
Knowing how to check your visa application status online is one of the most useful skills you can develop while waiting for a decision. Not only does it save time, but it also reduces anxiety and ensures you can respond quickly if the office needs anything from you.
To summarize, here is a simple checklist before you begin:
- Save your application confirmation email with your reference number
- Bookmark the official portal for your destination country from the table above
- Check every 3 to 5 days — not every few hours
- Monitor your spam email folder regularly
- Never pay a third-party site to check your status — all official portals listed here are free
Traveling, studying, or working abroad is a big and exciting step. Consequently, staying informed and using the right official tools puts you firmly in control of your journey.
Good luck with your application.
This blog post is for educational purposes only. Visa rules and portal links may change over time. Always verify the latest information directly through the official embassy or government website of your destination country.
