Checking your UK visa status can feel confusing with different portals, reference numbers, and the ongoing shift to digital eVisas. Whether you are waiting for a decision on a new application from abroad or need to prove your existing rights inside the UK, the process is straightforward once you know which system to use. This guide explains every official method—online via GOV.UK, through the UK Immigration: ID Check app, using your UAN number, and how to track US and UAE visa applications.
How Do I Check My UK Visa Status Online?
The answer depends entirely on where you applied from and whether you are checking a pending application or your existing immigration status. For a pending application made outside the UK, you will use your GWF number on the official GOV.UK tool. For your current status as a resident inside the UK, you will log into your UKVI account to view your eVisa.
Check Your UK Visa Status: All Official Methods at a Glance
Online Via GOV.UK
Use your UKVI account to view your eVisa status and get a share code.
UK Immigration: ID Check App
Official Home Office app to confirm identity and check application status.
Using Your UAN Number
Track your visa application status online using your Unique Application Number.
International Options (US & UAE)
Check US visa status on CEAC or UAE visa validity on ICP.
For those who applied from outside the UK, the official GOV.UK tool is the starting point. You will need your GWF (Global Web Form) reference number, the location where you applied, and your date of birth. Some portals may allow queries with just a passport number, but the GWF remains the primary identifier for tracking.
Applicants who used commercial partners can track progress directly on those platforms. If you applied via VFS Global, enter your reference number and last name on their track your application page. If you applied via TLScontact, sign into your GOV.UK account, select Provide Documents and Biometrics, then continue to TLScontact and click Track for real-time updates. It is important to note that the UKVCAS website does not provide application status updates.
There is no single public portal that shows a live visa decision. The GOV.UK tool and commercial partner trackers show the progress of your application—such as received, under consideration, or decided—but you will typically receive the final decision via email or post. The UK Immigration: ID Check app is mandatory for most new applications and is used to confirm your identity rather than to check a live decision status.
What Do I Need to Log In to My UKVI Account?
Your UKVI account is the gateway to your digital immigration status. To log in, you will need the email address and password you created when you first registered. The account was likely created when you submitted your visa application or when you first accessed the GOV.UK eVisa page. If you have forgotten your password, the site offers a recovery option. This account is different from a commercial partner account like VFS or TLScontact.
Can I Check My UK Visa Status With My UAN Number?
Yes, you can use your UAN (Unique Application Number) to track a pending visa application. The UAN is a 16-digit number found on all letters and emails from UKVI. You enter it on your UKVI account login page on GOV.UK. However, you do not need a UAN to generate a share code if you are already signed into your UKVI account. The UAN is most often found on your decision letters and is used for specific Home Office inquiries.
What Is an eVisa and How Do I Use It to Prove My Status?
An eVisa is a digital record of your immigration status that you can view and manage online through your UKVI account. It has replaced the physical Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) for most new visa holders. As the UK government states: Your eVisa shows your identity and immigration status. This includes what rights you have in the UK, for example to work, rent or claim benefits.
How Do I Get a Share Code for My UK Immigration Status?
A share code is a temporary code that allows you to prove your immigration status to third parties, such as an employer, landlord, or the NHS. You generate it by signing into the View and Prove service on GOV.UK. The code is valid for 90 days and can be generated at any time while you are logged into your account. You do not need your UAN to generate a share code if you are already signed in.
How Do I Check My Immigration Status With a Share Code?
Share codes are primarily for sharing your status, not for checking it. To view your full immigration status, including your rights and any conditions, you must log into your UKVI account directly. Share codes allow the person or organisation you are sharing with to verify your status via a secure online portal. This system is designed to protect your personal data while providing a reliable way to confirm eligibility for work, housing, or benefits.
When generating a share code, ensure you select the correct purpose—either to prove your right to work, your right to rent, or your status for other reasons. Each share code is purpose-specific and will only show the information relevant to that check. For example, a right-to-work share code will display your permission to work but not your full immigration history.
How Does the UK Immigration: ID Check App Work?
The UK Immigration: ID Check app is the official Home Office mobile application used to confirm your identity when applying for a visa or updating your UKVI account details. It is available on both Google Play and the Apple App Store. The app uses your phone’s camera to scan your passport or BRP and then takes a photograph of your face to verify your identity. It is a mandatory step for most new visa applications made from inside the UK.
The app does not replace the UKVI account login for checking your status. After you have confirmed your identity via the app, you still must log into your UKVI account to view your eVisa, generate a share code, or check the progress of your application. The app is a one-time tool used during the application process, though you may be asked to use it again for certain updates or renewals.
How Do I Track International Visa Applications?
Visa tracking systems vary significantly between countries. For UK applicants, the methods described above apply. For those who hold or are applying for visas from other countries, different portals and identifiers are used. Below are the official methods for the United States and the United Arab Emirates.
How Do I Check My US Visa Application Status on CEAC?
The US system uses the CEAC (Consular Electronic Application Center) website, operated by the US Department of State. The website states: On this website, you can check your U.S. visa application status. Please enter your Case Number.
You will need your case number, which is found on your application confirmation page. The system displays statuses such as Approved, Refused, or Administrative Processing. The US does not use a UAN or GWF system; it relies on case IDs and passport numbers.
How Do I Track My UAE Visa Application and Validity?
For the United Arab Emirates, the official portal is the UAE government website or the ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security). The UAE government advises: Check the status of your visa application and its validity on the website of Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security – ICP.
To track, you will need your application number or passport number and your nationality. The UAE uses a File Number (e.g., 2024-XXXXX) rather than a GWF. As of 2025, most status updates are available via the ICP mobile app or website.
Users sometimes confuse an eVisa with a share code. They are linked but not the same thing. The eVisa is your full digital immigration record; the share code is a temporary token that allows someone else to view specific parts of that record for 90 days. Additionally, not all countries use the same system—applicants may mistakenly use the UK portal for non-UK visas. Always check the official government website for the country whose visa you are tracking.
Evolution of UK Visa Status Checking: From BRP to eVisa
The UK is transitioning to a fully digital immigration system. This timeline shows the key milestones in how visa status checking has evolved.
- Pre-2023: Physical BRP cards issued for most visa holders; status checks required in-person or via employer.
- 2023: UKVI begins issuing eVisas; online accounts introduced for digital status viewing.
- 2024: UK Immigration: ID Check app launched; BRP cards start being phased out.
- 2025: All new visa holders receive eVisas only; BRP cards expire; share codes become mandatory for status verification.
- Future: Full digital-only immigration system in the UK; physical documents phased out entirely.
Status Verification: What’s Certain vs. What Can Be Confusing
The following table separates established facts about UK visa status checks from areas that remain unclear or commonly misunderstood.
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| GOV.UK is the official source for UK visa status. | Users sometimes confuse eVisa with share code; they are linked but not the same thing. |
| A share code is required to prove your status to third parties (employer, landlord). | Not all countries use the same system—applicants may mistakenly use the UK portal for non-UK visas. |
| The UK Immigration: ID Check app is mandatory for most new applications. | Visa status terms (e.g., Decided, Issued, Refused) are not always explained on official pages. |
| UAN is the identifier for application tracking. | Compatibility of the ID Check app with older phones is not always clear. |
Understanding the Shift to Digital Status
The UK is transitioning to a fully digital immigration system, making the eVisa the primary proof of status. This shift means users must understand how to access and share their digital status, which is a new skill for many. The fragmented nature of visa checking across countries creates confusion for global travellers and applicants. Multiple methods—online, app, and UAN—exist for UK applications, but no single hub explains them all. Share codes are central to proving eligibility for work, housing, and benefits, yet many users do not know how to generate or use them. For context on how official UK processes work, you might find the guide on National Grid – How to Report Power Cuts and Get Help useful, as it follows a similar format for government service navigation. Additionally, issues with name matching and identity verification in visa applications mean that understanding terms like Maiden Names – Definition, Usage, and Common Questions can be relevant.
What Do Official Sources Say?
The following quotes come directly from official government sources and summarise the core principles of each country’s visa checking system.
Your eVisa shows your identity and immigration status. This includes what rights you have in the UK, for example to work, rent or claim benefits.
UK Government, GOV.UK
On this website, you can check your U.S. visa application status. Please enter your Case Number.
US Department of State, CEAC
Check the status of your visa application and its validity on the website of Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security – ICP.
UAE Government, u.ae
What Comes Next for Digital Status Checks?
By 2026, all UK visa holders will rely solely on eVisas, with no physical documents. Future updates may include a single global portal for checking visa status across multiple countries. The UKVI app may also expand to include real-time status push notifications. For now, understanding the current methods—UKVI account, share codes, and the ID Check app—is essential for anyone living in, visiting, or applying to the UK, as well as for those managing international visas from the US or UAE.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check my spouse visa status in the UK?
You can check your spouse visa status by logging into your UKVI account on GOV.UK. You will need your case ID or UAN number. Your eVisa will show your current immigration status and any conditions attached to your spouse visa.
What does my eVisa status tell me about my rights in the UK?
Your eVisa displays your immigration status, including your right to work, study, rent property, and access public funds. It also shows any conditions or restrictions, such as no recourse to public funds.
Can I check my UK visa status with my UAN number?
Yes, you can use your UAN (Unique Application Number) to track the status of a visa application you have submitted. You enter your UAN on your UKVI account login page on GOV.UK.
How do I check my US visa application status?
Use the CEAC (Consular Electronic Application Center) website at ceac.state.gov. Enter your case number (found on your application confirmation page) to view the current status.
How do I track my UAE visa application and validity?
Visit the official UAE portal at u.ae or use the ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) website. You can check the status of a new application or the validity of an existing visa.
What is the UK Immigration: ID Check app?
It is the official Home Office mobile app used to confirm your identity when applying for a visa or updating your UKVI account details. It is available on Google Play and the Apple App Store.
Freddie Arthur Cooper Harrison is Editor-in-Chief of PopCulture UK, covering film, TV, music and celebrity news. He is accountable for the newsroom's editorial standards, and leads its sourcing and fact-checking process so that every article separates verified fact from rumour and is reviewed before publication.