How to Track a Work Permit Application

Co-authored by Valery Cury

Last Updated: December 15, 2022 References

U.S.

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Canada

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Other Countries

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Expert Interview

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Q&A

In the U.S. and Canada, work permits allow temporary immigrant workers and foreign students to take jobs. These may be given in addition to a non-work visa. Both countries allow you to check the status of these applications online and to lodge inquiries if you don’t hear back in time. Keep in mind that these work permits are not the same as work visas offered in countries like Australia or the U.K. You may, however, still be able to check the status of these applications online or by phone.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

U.S.

1
Sign in to your online account if you applied online. If you made an online account during your initial application, you can easily track your case by signing into https://www.uscis.gov/. Click “Case history” to see updates on your work application and other visa documents.^{[1]
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- You can track any immigration documents through this website. This includes visas, green cards, and Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
2
Search for your case by receipt number if you don’t have an online account. Visit the case tracker on the USCIS website: https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do. Type in the full receipt number without any dashes. Click search to see your status.^{[2]
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- To find this number, check your copy of the application. The receipt is a 13-character code that was issued to you when you submitted your application. The first 3 characters are letters and the last 10 are numerical digits.
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3
Sign up for email or text notifications. Instead of checking the website every day, just sign up for text or email updates. To do this, visit https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/disclaimer.do. Read through the terms and conditions before filling out the form. Provide your name, receipt number, email, and phone number. Choose whether you want text or email updates.^{[3]
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- You will be notified when your case has been received and processed.
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Submit an inquiry if your case has been pending for longer than 75 days. To submit an inquiry, visit the USCIS website at https://egov.uscis.gov/e-Request/Intro.do. Click “Case Outside Normal Processing Time.” Fill out the form with your receipt number, filing date, name address, and other identifying information.^{[4]
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- How long it takes to receive your permit depends on how busy the processing centers are. It should not take longer than 75 days (or 15 days for a H-2A visa). If too much time has passed, submit an inquiry.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Canada

1
Create an online account to access your application. If you submitted a work permit application online, you already have an account. If you filled out a paper application, however, you can create an account by linking your paper application to the account.^{[5]
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- To make an account, visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/account/link-paper-online.html. Fill out the form using information found on your paper application.
- If you have a Sign-In Partner account through your bank, use your login information for that account that to create your account. If you don't, select "GC Key" to create a new account through the government.
2
Check the status of your work permit through your online account. To track your application, visit https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-status.html. Choose “Work Permit” from the drop down list. A prompt will appear for you to sign into your account.^{[6]
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- If you forgot your username or password, click "forgot your password" below the sign in.
- If you used a Sign-In Partner ID to create your account, select "Sign-In Partner" and use that login information. If you did not use this account, click "GC Key" to sign in.
3
Check the current processing times. To check processing times, visit http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/index.asp. Under “What Are You Applying For,” choose “Visiting, Studying, or Working Temporarily.” Under “Which Temporary Residence Application,” choose work permit. Choose your country from the last box and click submit.
- For example, if it states processing times are currently 3 weeks, wait 4 weeks before submitting an inquiry.
4
Send an inquiry if the process takes longer than current wait times. The Canadian government updates processing times for immigration documents once a week. Check the current wait time. If you have been waiting longer than this time, submit an inquiry through the contact form on the Immigration and Citizenship website.^{[7]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Other Countries

1
Create an ImmiAccount to see the status of an Australian work visa. If you submitted your work visa application online, you may already have an account. If you filled out a paper application, use the information on your copy of the application to make an account. Go here to set up your account: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/visa/immi.^{[8]
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- Once your account is set up, you can check the status of your visa application.
2
Call the immigration center or check online in New Zealand. If you applied for Working Holiday Visa, Silver Fern Job Search Work Visa, or Skilled Migrant visa, use the online account you created when you applied. If you applied for a different type of work visa, call the Immigration Contact Centre at 0508 558 855.^{[9]
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Contact your visa application center for British work visas. There is no way to track your application online for U.K. visas. The only way to check on the status of your application is to call the visa application center where you applied. Tell them your 8 digit case ID number to track your status.^{[10]
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- Look up visa application centers by country here: https://www.gov.uk/find-a-visa-application-centre.
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Check with a visa agency to see the status of a Chinese visa. If you applied using a visa agency, your agency can tell you the status of your application. Visit their website and search for your application using your visa reference number.^{[11]
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- If you live in certain countries, like Canada, the UK, South Korea, or the Netherlands, you can check the status of your visa through the Visa Service Application Center in your country. To find the closest center, visit http://www.visaforchina.org/.
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Look up French visa applications online. To track your application, visit https://france-visas.gouv.fr/web/france-visas/suivre-votre-demande. Choose which application service you used from the list and follow the instructions to track your application.^{[12]
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- In most cases, you will need your reference receipt number from the application and your date of birth to check your status.
6
Contact the consulate if too much time passes. Some countries, like Germany and Spain, don't offer any tracking services. In these cases, look up the average time it takes for a work visa or permit to be processed. If you don't receive your visa in that length of time, call their visa application center or consulate to ask about your application.
- Contact the same department you applied for your visa through for more information. For example, for German visas, contact the Federal Foreign Office. For Spanish visas, contact the local consulate.
- Many countries list their average processing times online. For example, you can find the processing times for Norway on the UDI website.

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Question

How long does it take to receive a work permit after approval in Canada?

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If you’re coming in from outside Canada, you should receive a letter notifying you of your approval. You’ll get your actual permit at the port of entry the day you arrive, when you present the letter. The entire approval process may take over 20 weeks, and the timeframe varies depending on where you’re applying from.
Question

How do I check the status of my I-765 application?

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You can check using the tracker on USCIS.gov. You’ll need the receipt number for your application in order to track your case status.
Question

Can I work with an I-765 approval notice?

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Due to delays in issuing work permit cards because of the COVID-19 pandemic, you can currently use your approval notice (the I-797 Notice of Action form) to secure work before your card arrives. As of now, this is only possible until December 1, 2020. Check the USCIS.gov website for updates.