Applicants should apply as early as possible keeping in mind the average processing times and their intended date of travel. Most countries accept visa applications up to 90 days before your date of travel. If you need your visa in a hurry, you can use the Priority Visa service (available for select countries) for your visit, work or study application depending on the Mission/ Embassy. This will put your application at the front of the queue at every stage of the decision-making process. Remember, using this optional service is no guarantee you will get a visa – visa decisions are the sole prerogative of the concerned Embassy/Consulate.
Of course. You can reschedule your appointment (for a future date only) and up to a maximum of two times. If you are late or have missed your appointment on the scheduled day, the system will not allow you to reschedule or cancel, and you will be required to book a new appointment after 24 hours. If you need to travel urgently, miss your pre-booked appointment, or simply cannot book an appointment at your preferred date and time, the Walk-in Without Appointment service, available for select countries, allows you to submit your visa application on a day you choose. Please check with the Visa Application Centre if this service is suitable for your application.
Once you submit your application at the Visa Application Centre, the VFS Global staff will perform a completeness check based on the concerned Embassy/Consulate’s requirements, before submitting your application to this decision-making authority on the same or following business day.
Once the concerned Embassy/Consulate has assessed your application, they will decide to grant or reject a visa, and securely return your passport to the VFS Global Visa Application Centre (VAC).
You will be informed of the returned passport via your preferred method of communication, and an update will be provided on the Online Application Tracking System when your passport is ready to be collected from the VAC. You may then come to the VAC to retrieve your passport.
Yes. Once your application is submitted, you can track its progress through VFS Global’s online tracking service. The status will be updated as and when your passport is ready for collection/delivery.
Please be advised that VFS Global cannot track your application while it is being assessed within an Embassy or Consulate.
If you still have questions, we are happy to help you. please get in touch by using the ‘Contact us’ link at the bottom of this page.
Once you arrive at the visa centre, a token will be issued to you depending upon the purpose of your visit. You will then be required to wait in the applicant area until your token is called. Use this time to go through the checklist provided to you to ensure your application is complete. At the counter, the submission officer will check your documents, process your application if it is completed and issue you a receipt. Information about collection times will be given to you but VFS Global will not be able to advise you on the time it would take to have a decision on your visa made, as that is at the discretion of the concerned Embassy/Consulate. You will be able to track your application through the website until the time your passport is received back with a decision. For a stress-free experience, you can opt for the Assured Courier service, available at select Visa Application Centres, to cover any loss or damage to your documentation and receive guaranteed reimbursement if your application is lost or damaged while in transit.