You track a Schengen visa application through the visa centre that took your file, not through the embassy. What you need depends on the centre:
- VFS Global: your reference number and your surname as it appears in your passport
- BLS International (Spain): your reference number and date of birth
- TLScontact: the account you booked with
The tracker never shows the decision. “Processed” only means the consulate has finished and your passport is on its way back. Decisions normally take 15 calendar days and can be extended to 45.
Checked on 5 November 2026 against Article 23 of the EU Visa Code and visa centre guidance for the UAE. Your reference number is on your submission receipt and in the email you receive after your appointment.
What you need to track your application
| Visa centre | Details needed | Where |
|---|---|---|
| VFS Global (most Schengen countries in the UAE) | Reference number + surname | The “Track your application” page for your destination country on visa.vfsglobal.com |
| BLS International (Spain) | Reference number + date of birth | uae.blsspainvisa.com |
| TLScontact (where used) | Email and password of your TLS account | Your TLScontact account |
| Embassy portals (some countries) | Passport number and application date | The embassy’s own system |
Not sure which centre handles your country? See visa application centres in the UAE by country.
What each status means
| Status | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Application received | The centre accepted your documents | Nothing; wait |
| Submitted / forwarded to embassy | Your file and passport are with the consulate | Nothing; wait |
| Under process | The consulate is assessing it | Wait; answer at once if you are asked for more documents |
| Processed | The decision is made and the passport is coming back. It does not mean approved. | Wait for collection or courier |
| Ready for collection | Your passport is at the centre | Collect it with your receipt and ID |
| Courier dispatched | Your passport is on its way to you | Use the courier’s tracking number |
How to track your application: step by step
- Find your reference number on the receipt or in the confirmation email.
- Open the tracker for the centre and destination country you applied to.
- Enter your details exactly as they appear in your passport or on the receipt.
- Check every 2 to 3 working days. Trackers are not live.
- When it says “Processed”, wait for collection or courier. Then open the passport and look for the visa sticker. A refusal comes as a separate letter.
How long is normal?
- Standard: the consulate decides within 15 calendar days of a complete application.
- Extended: up to 45 calendar days in individual cases, for example when more checks or documents are needed.
- Decisions made outside the UAE: some countries decide UAE files in another country. Sweden, for example, decides them in Amman. This can add courier time.
See Schengen processing times and the best months to apply.
When and how to follow up
- Before 15 days: don’t chase. Status emails are automatic.
- After 15 days with no change: contact the visa centre with your reference number.
- After 45 days: contact the embassy’s visa section by email with your reference number and passport number.
- If you are asked for documents: send them through the channel named in the request, and quickly.
Questions people ask
Does “Processed” mean my Schengen visa is approved?
No. It only means a decision is made and your passport is returning. You find out the result when you open the passport.
How do I track my VFS application in Dubai?
Use the “Track your application” page for your destination country on the VFS Global website, with your reference number and surname.
How do I track a Spanish visa with BLS in the UAE?
Use the tracker on uae.blsspainvisa.com with your reference number and date of birth.
My application has said “Under process” for 3 weeks. Is that bad?
Not necessarily. Decisions can be extended to 45 days. Contact the visa centre after 15 days, and the embassy after 45.
Related guides
- Schengen visa from Dubai and the UAE
- Schengen refusal letter explained
- Visa application centres in the UAE by country
Sources
- Regulation (EC) 810/2009 (Visa Code): Article 23, decision deadlines (as amended by Regulation (EU) 2019/1155: 15 days, extendable to 45)
- Wego: How to track your Schengen visa application status (2026)
- BLS International UAE: Spain visa tracker
Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications or sell visa services. Read the editorial policy.
Last checked 5 November 2026. Found an error? Email [email protected] and it will be fixed and logged.