Submitting a UK visa application is only the first step. Once submitted, most applicants want to know exactly where their application is in the process and when they can expect a decision. Fortunately, the Home Office provides several ways to track your UK visa application status. However, the tracking systems work differently depending on whether you applied from inside or outside the UK.
In this guide, we explain every method available for tracking your UK visa application in 2026, what the different status messages mean, and what to do if your application appears stuck.
Why tracking your application matters
Understanding the status of your UK visa application allows you to:
- Know whether your application is being actively processed
- Identify if there is a problem requiring your action, such as a request for additional documents
- Plan travel, employment, and family arrangements around a realistic decision timeline
- Know when to escalate if the application is taking longer than the standard processing time
Therefore, checking your application status regularly after submission is an important part of managing your immigration journey effectively.
Method 1: the UKVI online account
For most in-country visa applications submitted from within the UK, you can track your application through your UKVI online account. This is the same account you used to submit your application.
How to access your UKVI online account
- Go to the official gov.uk website
- Navigate to the UKVI online services section
- Log in using the email address and password you used when creating your account
- Once logged in, navigate to your application to see the current status
Your UKVI account shows the following information:
- The date your application was submitted
- The date of your biometrics appointment
- The current status of your application
- Any requests for additional information or documents
- The decision when it is made
Common status messages in the UKVI account
Application received: Your application has been submitted and received by the Home Office. It has not yet been assigned to a caseworker.
Application being considered: Your application has been assigned to a caseworker and is actively being processed. This is the standard status for most applications during the processing period.
Further information required: The Home Office has identified that additional documents or information are needed before a decision can be made. Check your email and UKVI account immediately for details of what is required. Respond as quickly as possible, as delays in responding extend your processing time.
Decision made: A decision has been made on your application. Check your email for the outcome letter or notification. Your BRP or eVisa update will follow shortly after.
Method 2: the visa application centre tracking tool
For entry clearance applications submitted from outside the UK, tracking works differently. The visa application centre (VAC) where you attended your biometrics appointment typically provides its own tracking system.
How to use the VAC tracking tool
The tracking tool is usually accessible through the website of the VAC operator. The UK uses several VAC operators globally, including TLScontact and VFS Global, depending on the country. Each operator has its own online tracking portal.
To track your application through the VAC tracking system:
- Go to the website of the VAC operator that handled your application
- Navigate to the application tracking section
- Enter your application reference number and other required details such as your date of birth
- View your current application status
Common VAC tracking statuses
Application received at VAC: Your application and biometric information have been received by the visa application centre and are being prepared for submission to the Home Office.
Submitted to UKVI: Your application has been sent from the VAC to the Home Office for processing. The processing clock has started.
Decision received from UKVI: The Home Office has made a decision and sent it back to the VAC. Your passport and decision letter will be ready for collection or return by post shortly.
Ready for collection or dispatch: Your passport and any accompanying documents are ready to collect from the VAC or have been dispatched to your registered address.
Method 3: the Home Office email and SMS notifications
When you submitted your application, you provided an email address and in some cases a mobile phone number. The Home Office sends notifications to these contact details at key stages of your application including:
- Confirmation of receipt of your application
- Biometrics appointment confirmation
- Requests for additional documents or information
- Notification that a decision has been made
Therefore, ensure that the email address you registered with your application is one you check regularly. In addition, check your spam or junk folder, as Home Office emails occasionally end up there.
If your contact details have changed since submitting your application, update them through your UKVI account immediately. Missing a communication from the Home Office, particularly a request for additional information, can significantly delay your application.
Method 4: checking your BRP status
Physical Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) have been entirely phased out, having universally expired at the end of 2024. In 2026, the UK immigration system operates on a fully digital basis. New applicants no longer receive physical cards; instead, your status is managed entirely online via an eVisa.
Checking your eVisa status
Once a decision is made, you will view and prove your immigration status via your UKVI online account. Your digital status is securely linked directly to your passport or national identity document. When you need to prove your right to work, rent property, or travel, you log in to generate a secure, temporary share code to provide to third parties.
Method 5: contacting the Home Office directly
If the online tracking systems do not provide sufficient information, you can contact the Home Office directly to enquire about your application status. However, only do this if the standard processing time for your visa route has passed. Contacting the Home Office before this point is unlikely to produce useful information.
How to contact the Home Office about your application
For in-country applications: Use the Home Office webform available on the gov.uk website. Provide your full name, date of birth, application reference number, and the date of your biometrics appointment. The Home Office aims to respond to webform enquiries within 5 to 10 working days.
For out-of-country applications: Contact the VAC operator in your country directly. They can follow up with UKVI on your behalf and provide an update on the status of your application.
UKVI Telephone contact: The UKVI helpline is available for some types of enquiry. Check the current contact details on the gov.uk website as these change periodically.
For a full guide on what to do when your application is taking longer than expected, including escalation options such as MP enquiries and judicial review, read our UK visa delay guide.
Understanding your application reference number
Your application reference number is the key piece of information needed for all tracking enquiries. Depending on the type of application, your reference number will start with different letters:
| Reference format | Application type |
|---|---|
| GWF followed by numbers | Entry clearance applications from outside the UK |
| UAN followed by numbers | In-country leave to remain applications |
| HO reference | Some Home Office internal references |
Keep a record of your application reference number from the moment you receive it. You will need it for every tracking enquiry, webform submission, and communication with the Home Office or VAC.
What to do at each stage of the tracking process
Here is a practical guide to what you should do as your application moves through each status:
Application submitted, awaiting biometrics
Book your biometrics appointment as early as possible. The sooner you attend your biometrics appointment, the sooner the processing clock starts. Do not delay booking the appointment.
Application received or under consideration
Your application is progressing normally. Check your email and UKVI account regularly for any communications from the Home Office. Do not contact the Home Office unless the standard processing time has passed.
Further information required
Act immediately. Respond to the request for additional information as quickly as possible. Read the request carefully and provide exactly what has been asked. Do not send information that was not requested. Keep copies of everything you send.
If you are unsure what documents are being requested or how to respond, seek professional advice before submitting your response. An incorrect or incomplete response to an information request can lead to a refusal.
Decision made
Check your UKVI account and email for the outcome. If the decision is positive, follow the instructions for collecting your BRP or accessing your eVisa. If the decision is a refusal, read the refusal letter carefully and seek professional advice immediately. Time limits for appeals and administrative reviews are strict.
Tracking specific visa types: what to expect
Different visa types have different tracking experiences. Here is what to expect for the most common routes:
Skilled worker visa
Entry clearance applications typically move quickly through the VAC system. Most applicants receive a decision within 3 weeks of their biometrics appointment. The VAC tracking tool usually shows your status updating within a few days of the decision being sent back from UKVI.
Spouse and family visa (entry clearance)
Family visa applications take up to 24 weeks. The VAC tracking tool may show your application as submitted to UKVI for an extended period without further updates. This is normal for family visa applications and does not indicate a problem.
In-country skilled worker extension
Your UKVI account shows the application status throughout processing. Most straightforward extensions are decided within 4 to 6 weeks rather than the full 8-week standard time. If you selected priority service, your account updates to reflect the accelerated processing.
ILR application
ILR applications can take up to 6 months. Your UKVI account may show limited updates during this period. The application is progressing even when the status has not changed. Only contact the Home Office after 6 months from your biometrics appointment date.
Student visa
Student visa entry clearance applications are typically among the fastest processed. Most are decided within 1 to 2 weeks of biometrics for straightforward cases. Monitor the VAC tracking tool closely, as these applications can move through the system quickly.
Common reasons applications appear stuck in tracking
If your application has been showing the same status for a prolonged period, here are the most common reasons:
Biometrics not yet attended: The processing clock does not start until you attend your biometrics appointment. If you submitted your online application but have not yet had your appointment, your application will not appear to be progressing.
Additional checks required: Some applications trigger background checks that are not visible in the tracking system. Your application is progressing even if the status has not updated.
Information request not received: In some cases, the Home Office sends an information request but the applicant does not receive it. Check your spam folder and UKVI account regularly for any unread messages.
High application volumes: During peak periods, processing slows across all routes. The tracking status may not update frequently even when the application is actively being processed.
Technical issues: Occasionally, the UKVI tracking system experiences technical difficulties that prevent status updates from displaying correctly. If the status appears frozen for more than a week beyond what you would expect, try accessing your account from a different browser or device before assuming there is a problem.
Tracking your application after a biometrics appointment: what to expect
Here is a realistic timeline of what to expect between your biometrics appointment and receiving a decision, based on the most common visa routes:
Skilled worker entry clearance
- Days 1 to 3: Application transferred from VAC to UKVI
- Days 4 to 10: Application under consideration at UKVI
- Days 10 to 21: Decision made and communicated to VAC
- Days 21 to 28: Passport returned via VAC
Spouse visa entry clearance
- Weeks 1 to 4: Application transferred and initial review
- Weeks 4 to 20: Application under active consideration
- Weeks 20 to 24: Decision made and communicated to VAC
- After week 24: Passport returned via VAC
In-country skilled worker extension (standard service)
- Days 1 to 7: Application received and assigned
- Weeks 1 to 6: Application under consideration
- Weeks 6 to 8: Decision made and communicated
In-country extension (priority service)
- Days 1 to 5: Application processed under priority stream
- Day 5: Decision made in most cases
How LawSentis can help with your UK visa application
LawSentis is regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) at Level 3, which is the highest level of authorisation in the UK. We advise clients at every stage of the visa application process, from preparation and submission through to tracking, chasing delayed applications, and responding to information requests.
Our team can:
- Help you prepare and submit a complete application that processes smoothly
- Advise on the correct tracking method for your visa route and application type
- Draft webform enquiries and escalation letters for delayed applications
- Respond to Home Office requests for additional information on your behalf
- Advise on next steps if your application receives a negative decision
- Take urgent legal action where a delay is causing serious consequences
We also advise on what to do if your visa is refused. Read our guides on UK visitor visa refusal, UK visa delay, and how long UK visas take in 2026 for more information.
Book a consultation with LawSentis today. We will review your application status and advise on the most effective next steps for your situation.
Frequently asked questions
How do I track my UK visa application in 2026?
For in-country applications, log in to your UKVI online account at gov.uk. For entry clearance applications from outside the UK, use the tracking tool provided by your visa application centre operator, such as TLScontact or VFS Global. You can also monitor your email for notifications from the Home Office.
What does application being considered mean?
It means your application has been assigned to a caseworker and is actively being processed. This is the standard status for most applications during the normal processing period. No action is required from you unless the standard processing time passes without a decision.
What should I do if my application shows further information required?
Act immediately. Check your email and UKVI account for details of what is needed. Respond as quickly as possible and provide exactly what has been requested. Seek professional advice if you are unsure what is being asked.
What is my application reference number?
Your application reference number is assigned when you submit your application. It starts with GWF for entry clearance applications from outside the UK and UAN for in-country leave to remain applications. Keep this number safe as you need it for all tracking enquiries.
Can I track my visa application by phone?
The UKVI helpline provides limited tracking information by phone. The online tracking systems and the webform are generally more effective for obtaining application status updates.
What should I do if my application status has not changed for several weeks?
First confirm that the standard processing time for your route has not yet passed. If it has, use the Home Office webform to make a formal enquiry. If that does not produce a result, contact your MP for assistance. For more detail, read our UK visa delay guide.
How do I check my eVisa status after approval?
Log in to your UKVI online account. Your eVisa is linked to your passport and visible in your account. Generate a share code when you need to prove your immigration status to an employer, landlord, or other party.
My UKVI account says decision made but I have not received anything. What should I do?
Check your email including spam and junk folders. If you applied in-country, your eVisa update or BRP dispatch notification may take a few working days after the decision. If you have not received anything after 5 working days, contact the UKVI resolution centre.
What happens if I do not respond to a Home Office request for additional information?
If you do not respond within the stated deadline, the Home Office may decide your application based on the information already provided, which often results in a refusal. Always respond to information requests as quickly as possible.
Does tracking my application affect how quickly it is processed?
No. Checking your application status through the online tracking systems has no effect on processing speed. However, contacting the Home Office repeatedly before the standard processing time has passed can be counterproductive. Check your status regularly through the online tools but only make direct contact when genuinely necessary.
Note:
This article is for general information only. Immigration rules change frequently. Always seek advice from an IAA-regulated immigration adviser before making any application.
LawSentis is regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) at Level 3. Contact us for professional advice.