UK Visa Status Tracking

What is UK visa status?

UK visa status refers to the current progress of your visa application, such as pending, approved, refused, or expired. You can check it online via the UK government portal or by contacting the application center.

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Applicants who submit their visa applications to the respective Home Offices face a common issue of "long waiting time." But at times, even a quick online search can return some frustrating results.

The reports vary frone applicant to the other, especially for the applicants who have received their confirmation within a few weeks. At times, this can even take months. Fortunately, the government has trailed an advanced system to help check the UK visa application status online. This is available on the official UK Government website.

How to Check for UK Visa Status Online

Here is a step-by-step guide for tracking the status of the UK visa online.

UK Visa Status

Step 1: Go to the link https://iasservices.org.uk/track-uk-visa-status/.

Step 2: One will require any one of the following details handy:

  1. Case ID or Case Identification Number: This information is available on all the letters that are received from the Home Office. It is an 8-digit number. However, if the case ID starts with the number zero, then it can be omitted. Type the numbers following zero in the status form.
  2. Unique Application Number (UAN): This is a 16-digit number, which is available on all the emails and letters that an applicant receives from the Home Office.
  3. Payment Reference Number (PRN): Once the payment is made, the applicant receives a Payment Reference Number, which can be used for tracking the visa application.
  4. Biometric Resident Permit Number (BRPN): This information is a combination of numbers and letters, which is found on the biometric resident permit number.
  5. Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) Number: This number is received only when the applicant pays an NHS Immigration Health Surcharge Number at the time of application processing. It is a combination of letters and numbers of the format IHS013256748.
    Step 3: With the help of the above details, an applicant can enter and track the status of his or her application.

Types of UK Visa Status

The following are the various types of statuses of UK Visa:

  1. Approved: Approval letter with terms of your stay and a visa vignette (sticker) will be sent by the UKVI if the visa application is approved, which will allow entry into the country. 
  2. Refused: UKVI will issue a letter mentioning the reason for refusal, after which you can reapply for a new visa. 
  3. Received: This status denotes that your visa application has been received at the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) office and is being processed for further verification. 
  4. Processing: The application is being processed which may take few weeks to some months depending on the type of visa applied and complexities of the application. 
  5. Under Consideration: After being received and checked the visa status changes to ‘under consideration’, which denotes that UKVI is reviewing the application. 
  1. Issued: After the application is being processed, verified, and accepted, the visa vignette will be issued and placed in your visa. This will state your duration of stay in the UK and purpose of stay. 

How to Check UK Visa Status Offline?

Here are the steps to check your UK Visa Status offline: 

  1. Keep your passport handy 
  1. Call the helpline of UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)- +44 (0)300 123 2241
  2. Provide the officials with required details, such as: 
  1. Full name 
  2. Passport number 
  3. Application reference 
  1. Date of birth 
  1. Do as instructed by the representatives 
  2. Keep a not eof the information provided 
  3. Ask for necessary clarification if required 
  4. After verification of the details, you will be able to check your UK Visa status 

Centres for UK Visa Application in India

The following is the list of UK Visa Application centres in India: 

State

Address

Phone number

Timing

Ahmedabad

First Floor, Shree Balaji Agora Mall, Between Tapovan & Bhat Circle, 200 Ft, Sardar Patel Ring Road, Motera, Ahmedabad – 382424

011 2419 2100

8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Bengaluru

UK Visa Application Centre, VFS Global Services Pvt Ltd. Gopalan Innovation Mall, 22, Bannerghatta Main Rd, Sarakki Industrial Layout, 3rd Phase, J. P. Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560076

080 2210 0200

8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Chandigarh

Unit no. B-611-612, 6th Floor, Elante Office Block, Entry from Gate No. 2, Plot no. 178- 178A, Industrial & Business Park, Phase - I, Chandigarh (UT) 160002.

0172 492 5100

8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Chennai

Ramee Mall, 2nd Floor, No. 365, Anna Salai, Teynampet, Chennai – 600018, Tamil Nadu, India.

044 4219 2151

8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cochin

UK Visa Application Centre, First Floor, Coastal Chambers, MG Road, Ravipuram, Cochin, Kerala – 682015, India

NA

8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Goa

Gera Imperium Grand, 6th Floor,Office No. 619, 629, 621,Patto Plaza, Behind Ginger Hotel,Panjim,Goa - 403001

0832 663 6800

9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Hyderabad

Unit 1, Lower Concourse , Punjagutta Metro Station, 8-2-340/1, Punjagutta Rd, Punjagutta Officers Colony, Punjagutta, Hyderabad, Telangana 500082 India

040 6666 9147

8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Jalandhar

Aman Plaza, 3rd Floor, 310 Lajpat Nagar, Mahavir Marg, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Chowk, Jalandhar, Punjab India - 144001

NA

8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Kolkata

UK Visa Application Centre, Fourth Floor, RENE tower, Plot No- AA-I, 1842, Rajdanga Main Road, Kasba, Kolkata 700107

033 40822200

8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Mumbai South

Urmi Axis Building, 1st Floor, Behind Famous Studio, Opp E Moses Road, Mahalaxmi West, Mumbai 400011

022 6650 2222

8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

New Delhi

Mezzanine Floor, Baba Kadak Singh Marg, Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, Connaught Place, New Delhi 110001, India

011 2419 2100

8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Pune

93 Avenue Mall, 4th Floor, Kalubai Chowk, Near Fatima Nagar Junction, Wanowarie, Pune - 411 022

NA

8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

How to Check UK Visa Status with Passport Number?

The following are the steps to check UK visa status with passport number:

  1. For services related to visa and immigration, visit the official UK government website
  2. Click on ‘Check your visa’ or ‘Check your visa status’ option
  3. Enter your passport number
  4. Provide required details, such as:
  1. Full name
  2. Date of birth
  3. Visa application reference number, if asked
  1. Click on ‘Submit’ or ‘Check’ button to initiate the process of visa verification
  2. Visa status will be displayed on the screen after some time
  3. Review the information
  4. Take a note of the reference number or visa status for future

Common Issues Related to UK Visa Status

The following are some of the common issues related to UK visa status:

  1. Visa Extension: Make sure you apply for a visa extension before your current visa expires to continue to stay in the UK.
  2. Visa refusal: Incorrect information, failing to meet the eligibility criteria, or submission of insufficient documents, may result in refusal of visa application.
  3. Administrative errors: Visa may be refused or rejected due to any mistake by the immigration authorities.
  4. Visa expiry: Ensure that your visa is valid, as if you overstay your stay even after expiry then you be barred from re-entry the UK.
  5. Immigration policy changes: The sudden change in immigration policy may impact the requirements for visas or eligibility criteria, thereby impacting the visa application procedure.
  6. Visa conditions: Provide the accurate condition for the visit to the UK which is required to apply for visa application.
  7. Change of circumstances: You may need to apply for a new visa, in case there is any change in circumstances, such as marriage, job change, etc.
  8. Financial requirements: Financial reequipments is one of the challenges that applicants may face while applying for visas, as some visas criteria ask for adequate funds needed to support your stay in the UK.
  9. Language requirements: English language ability can be one of the issues related to UK visa status, as some of the visa type may need you to provide document supporting your ability of speaking English language.

What to do if your Visa is Delayed or Rejected

Here are all that you can do in case your visa is delayed to rejected:

  1. Determine the reason behind rejection: Contact the embassy or consulate where you applied for your visa to find out the reason behind visa rejection or delay.
  2. Provide needed information: Provide required documents or additional information missing due to which visa has been rejected or delayed.
  3. Reach out for legal advice, if necessary: You can reach out to an immigration lawyer, in case you feel that the delay or rejection of visa application was wrongly done.
  4. Reapply for visa: Address the issue that caused the visa rejection or delay and reapply for it.
  5. Check for other visa options, as applicable: If you are unable to reapply, check for other visa applications, such as other visa types or for different countries.
  6. Wait until processed: Keep in touch with the consulate or embassy and follow their instructions, and wait until the visa application is being processed, as it can be lengthy and time taking.

FAQs on UK Visa Application Status

  • Can we check the status of our UK visas online?

    Check the status of your application for a UK visa by going to the official UK government website. To view the information, you must enter your date of birth and application reference number. 

  • What is the tracking of GWF numbers?

    When you apply for a visa to enter the United Kingdom, you are given a unique reference number known as the UK Visa Tracking GWF Number. This number allows you to follow the progress of your visa application, from "Submission" to "Pending for a decision" to "The decision is delivered to your visa application centre." 

  • How can I follow my TLS application for a UK visa?

    By selecting "Check status" under "Application status" on the "Application information" page, you can check the status of your application. When your application is sent to UK Visas and Immigration and subsequently returned to the TLScontact visa application centre, this will automatically change. 

  • Can I get my UK visa more quickly?

    Receive your visa determination by the close of business the following day. The quickest route to a visa determination is through the Super Priority Visa programme. After their appointment at the visa application facility, qualified customers can use this service to receive a decision by the end of the following business day. 

  • When should I check the status of my UK visa application?

    Once your application has been submitted, you can check the status of your UK visa application at any time. To give yourself enough time for processing, you might wish to wait until the processing period has elapsed before checking.  

  • What details are necessary to verify the status of my UK visa application?

    To check the status of your UK visa application, you'll need your date of birth and application reference number. 

  • What does "processed" mean in the context of a UK visa application?

    The status "processed" for a UK visa application indicates that your application has been examined and a decision has been taken. This ruling may be an acceptance, a rejection, or a request for more details or supporting materials.  

  • What does "dispatched" mean in the context of a UK visa application?

    The status "dispatched" for your UK visa application indicates that your application has been handled and that you have received your passport and any necessary supporting documentation returned. 

  • If my application for a UK visa is rejected, what should I do?

    You will receive information on how to appeal the decision and the reason(s) for the refusal of your UK visa application, if it is denied. Additionally, you might be able to reapply with updated or new information.  

  • Can I use my passport number to follow up on my application for a UK visa?

    No, you cannot use your passport number to follow the progress of your UK visa application. To check the status of your application, you must provide your date of birth and application reference number. 

  • How to quicken the UK visa status?

    If an applicant has used the forms given below, he or she can obtain a decision for the UK visa within 4-5 working days. SET (F), SET (AF), SET (M), SET (LR). An applicant has to download and complete the requests as well as the payment forms at the Home Office. Make a note that only 5 requests are processed per day, which is accepted between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. The fee for this speed service if 490 EUR per person including the application fee.   

  • Is there a facility to track the visa application through SMS for Indian applicants?

    An applicant just has to send an SMS to the number - 7333 from his or her mobile phone. This service is available for all Indian network service providers both on CDMA and GSM platforms. The content of the message is as follows: VISA -space- UK - space- Your Passport Number. 

  • How to use a GWF number for tracking the UK visa application?

    While telephoning the UK service center or emailing them, give your GWF number. If you are wondering what a GWF number is, then know that it is a unique application number, which is given to the applicant at the time of submission. Without a GWF number, the UK visa and Immigration department cannot give you an update on your visa status.

  • How to contact the UK visa and immigration department?

    Phone: The telephone number is +44 2034811736, which is accessible from Monday to Friday for 24 hours. The call costs £1.37 for a minute with other international call costs. Email: Any inquiry via email costs £5.48 but follow-up emails aren't charged. 

  • How long do they take to respond?

    If its email, they the UK Immigration Department takes at least 2 days to respond. However, phone services are rather better than email.

  • Where to send SMS to check UK visa status?

    You can check UK visa status by sending an SMS 7333 in the format VISA (space) UK (space) passport number.

  • What information do I need to check my UK visa application status?

    To check your UK visa application status, you need your date of birth and application reference number.

  • Where can I find my GWF number?

    GWF number is assigned to your UK visa application, which is a unique reference number which you can find on the application form that you submitted or on your visa application confirmation email.

  • Can I contact UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) if I have questions about my application status?

    Yes, you can contact UKVI regarding any queries related to application status or process, and the contact details are available on the UK government website.

  • How long does it take to get a UK visa decision?

    The time required for processing UK visa application depends on the type of visa and number of applications being processed. The current processing time can be tracked on the government website.

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