Common VFS Tracking Status & Their Meaning

If you want a visa for any one of the millions of applicants for the UK, Canada, Australia or Europe, VFS Global is the go-to service provider managing your application process. It is the only way you have access to track your visa processing, once you have completed your biometric appointments and submitted all necessary documents, until you receive your decision. VFS Global provides a monthly passport tracking service, but unfortunately, it is not as helpful as many would like because the status updates tend to be vague and confusing, creating unnecessary anxiety and concern among many applicants. 

To alleviate some of this uncertainty, it is important to understand what status updates from VFS Global passport tracking actually mean, and what you should expect next in the process from the time your application leaves the VFS centre, through the Embassy, until the time it is returned to you.

The Tracking Journey

The tracking number of your passport from VFS (located on your receipt) allows you to monitor a logistical chain but not the actual process for deciding on whether or not to approve your visa application. VFS is responsible for the courier and administrative procedures, while visa assessment is undertaken confidentially by the appropriate embassy or consulate.

Status Update 1: On Date/Time, your visa application with tracking ID No. XXXXXXXX has reached the Visa Application Centre (VAC).

This is the first status update and indicates that your physical application documents and passport have been entered into the Visa Application Centre (VAC) following your biometric appointment. Thus, the processing of your application has now started.

Status Update 2: On Date/Time, your visa application with tracking ID No. XXXXXXXX is currently under process at the Visa Office.

This is an important update for you. Your application package has left the VAC and been sent to the relevant Embassy, High Commission or Consulate (Visa Office) and has now been passed to Immigration Officers for assessment. The clock for the processing time for your visa type will start from approximately this point.

Status Update 3. The visa application for tracking ID XXXXXXXX is currently being processed by the Visa Application Centre (VAC).

Meaning: Do not confuse this with Status 2. This status signifies that the embassy has made a decision regarding your application, and the Visa issued as well as any letters of refusal have been returned from the Embassy to the Visa Application Centre (VAC). The VAC will now be processing your application to either collect directly from the VAC or courier it to you.

Status Update 4. Visa Tracking ID XXXXXXXX indicates that your passport is available for collection at the VAC.

The processed passport is now ready for you to pick up in person from the VAC where you originally submitted your application. In order to collect the passport you will need to present the original receipt and proof of identity (ID). Some Visa Application Centres will send you an SMS when this status is displayed.

Status Update 5. The Visa tracking number XXXXXXXX indicates that your passport has now been dispatched via Courier Service.

The passport has been given to the Courier Service Provider (usually Blue Dart) for the delivery to your home address as specified in the application. You will receive tracking details of the Courier Service Provider separately so you can track your passport until it arrives at your designated address.

Status Update 6. Visa application, tracking ID No. XXXXXXXX has been received at the VAC from the Visa Office.

The VFS tracking passport service is essentially a logistics tracking service; however, it does provide tracking information. By evaluating the different status categories correctly, you can gain more certainty about the status of your application.

Also Read: Travel Insurance

Conclusion 

For instance, an "under process at Visa Office" status means that the application is being assessed (the assessment phase). Conversely, an "under process at VAC" status means that the application has been received back at the VAC from the embassy (the passport has been returned).

Please be aware that you will find out if your application was successful or unsuccessful only after opening your passport, so the VFS tracking site should be used as an approximate representation of where your passport is along the journey (from your VAC to the Visa Office) and not as an indication of a result.

As a reminder, be ready to be patient for as long as it takes.