How to Check US Visa Status Online
If you are looking to study abroad, your search results must have pointed you to the USA. Now, after getting admitted into an American university, what comes next?
The next thing you need to do is apply for a temporary student visa, commonly known as the F1 visa. Foreign students who want to study in the United States must obtain an F1 visa. After applying for a visa to the United States, all you require before getting into your dream university is a visa approval.
When you apply, the uncertainty and curiosity about your visa status will keep you on your toes. This blog will teach you simple ways to check your visa status online.
Applying for a US Visa
First, you must create an online account to apply for a visa. You can do this on the US Embassy website by opting for a Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV) application. Fill in your personal details to complete your application process. You will then be asked to submit documents, pay the application fee, schedule an appointment with a US consulate, and attend an interview accordingly.
Most US consulates and embassies utilize the CGI Federal website to schedule appointments for US visas.
Checking Visa Status Online
After completing the visa application process, you will be asked to attend an interview with a consulate. While some people may know the result of their visa application during the interview, this is not the case for everyone.
If you have gone for an interview and are unsure about how it went, whether it got rejected or approved, it will be awful to remain in the dark. You will be at ease and decide what you want to do next only after verifying your visa status. You can keep track of your visa status online as soon as you step out of the interview with a consulate by following these simple steps:
Step 1: Visit the CEAC Website
- You must go to the Consular Electronic Application Center website of the US Department of State in order to verify the status of your US visa. You will probably have used this platform when filling out the DS-160 and DS-260 forms.
- Next, you must log in with your application credentials, usually your Applicant ID. You can then provide the details required to monitor the status of your visa application.
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Step 2: Click on "Check My Visa Application Status"
- After going to the CEAC website, locate the option labeled "Visa Status Check." This is usually found at the bottom of the page. Temporary student visas are filled under Non-Immigrant Visa, so click on the corresponding link to proceed.
- By selecting the appropriate option, you can access the status of your visa application and stay updated on its progress. make sure to choose the correct link that corresponds to the type of visa you applied for to check the status accurately.
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Step 3: Fill in the Required Information
- Location: Select the place where you attended your interview from the dropdown menu.
- Application ID: Fill in the Application ID mentioned in your US Visa Appointment Confirmation letter.
- Case Number: Enter the case number provided by the US Consulate on the slip given to you. Make sure to carefully fill in the number with the correct spacing to get the correct visa status result.
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Step 4: View US Visa status
- After filling in all the required details correctly, you will be able to view the current status of your visa application.
Different Visa Status
After you click on the option to view your visa status, you will be able to identify the exact status of the visa. This can be in different statuses, such as Administrative Processing, Issued, or Refused. So, what do these different statuses mean?
Status | Meaning |
| No Status | If you are checking your visa status for the first time and it says "No Status." you could become concerned. It is common to see this status in Dropbox options. This is because it takes time to review the documentation and update the status of the case on the website. It could take anywhere from a few days to 10 days for you to view this status. Reach out to the consulate if the issue persists longer than 10 days. |
| Administrative Processing | This means that the visa is under review and has not been issued yet. In recent years, changes have been made by replacing the previous "Administrative Processing" status with the simple "Refused" status. It's important not to panic if you see the "Refused" status. If your visa is still processed and under review, it will be mentioned that it is undergoing additional review, and you will receive further adjudication once the processing is complete. |
| Issued | The "Issued" status indicates that your visa is nearing completion and is in the final stage. You can expect it to reach you within a week or ten days. If you do not receive any updates within this timeframe, reach out to your visa consulate for further assistance. |
| Rejected | The CEAC will show a 'Refused" status if your application for a US visa is rejected or denied. This status means that the consular officer was not able to verify your eligibility for issuing a visa to you. Denials can happen for a number of reasons, including not meeting Section 214(b) standards or for other reasons. Your consular officer will provide you with a slip or explain why the request was denied. |
Connect with other people on their journey to getting the US visa application and get the latest updates on US visas.
Other Ways to Track Your Visa Status Online
Another way to check your visa status is by simply visiting USTravelDocs.com, which is the CGI Federal website. By clicking on "Check Visa application status," you will be redirected to the CEAC website, where you can check your visa status.
If you have applied for a visa through VFS Global, you can track your application through the VFS Global website. However, this website is exclusive to VSF applicants. If you applied directly through the government or diplomatic missions, you may not be able to access as much information through VFS Global.
Conclusion
Staying on track with your visa application process by checking it online will help you plan your trip to the US ahead of time. You will not have to be on edge waiting for the response from the consulate if you learn about the status beforehand.
Remember, visa applications are time-consuming, so be patient throughout the process. Consider every step of the process as an educational experience for your journey abroad. Do not be disheartened if the results do not turn out as you hoped. Even if it gets rejected, there is always a next time, and you can reapply for it again.
Connect With Us!
We hope this blog taught you how to keep track of your visa status online by following the steps mentioned above. If you are enrolled in our Visa Application Help, you can contact our team. Our counselors will assist you in ensuring a smooth transition to the US and answer any queries you have.
Frequently Asked Questions!
In some cases, it may be possible to request expedited processing of your US visa application. You will need to contact the US embassy or consulate where you applied for your visa for information on the requirements and procedures for expedited processing.
Typically, you will be notified by mail or email when your passport is ready for collection. It is essential to respond promptly to any notifications received from the consulate to avoid delays.
Yes, after your visa is approved, you can expect to receive an email notification within the next 5-10 business days informing you that your passport is ready for pick-up at the designated location specified in your profile.
Depending on the type of visa needed and the applicant's specific situation, the time needed to process a US visa application can change. It's important to check with the US embassy or consulate where you applied for your visa for the latest information on processing times.
Yes, you can check the status of your US visa application online using the Department of State's Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website.
You will typically need to provide your name, date of birth, passport number, and visa application number to check your US visa status.
If your US visa application is denied, you can review the reasons for the denial and consider whether you can address the issues identified by the embassy or consulate. You may also want to consult with an immigration lawyer for guidance on your options.
You can typically find contact information for the US embassy or consulate where you applied for your visa on their website or by calling their customer service line.
To check your visa status, you will need the 13-digit barcode number from your visa application and, depending on the visa type, either your interview location or your case number.
Checking your visa status through the CEAC website or by phone is free. However, some specific actions related to your visa status, such as requesting copies of documents, may incur a fee.
