How long does UAE visa processing take?

Standard processing takes 2 to 4 working days. Express service delivers in up to 48 hours for an additional AED 100.

What documents do I need for a UAE tourist visa?

A passport valid for 6+ months, a white-background photo, a return or onward ticket, health insurance valid in the UAE and your hotel or host details. Pakistani, Iraqi, Iranian and Afghan nationals also need their national ID card.

Can I extend my UAE visa?

Yes. A UAE tourist visa can be extended inside the country, once or several times, up to 120 days in total, through an accredited tourism establishment. Contact us at least 7 days before expiry.

Is the service fee refundable if a visa is rejected?

Visa approval is decided solely by the relevant authority. Our service fee covers application assistance; please see our Payment and Refund policy for the applicable terms.

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Visa Status Check by Passport or Reference Number

Find the official page to track your Schengen, UK, US, Canada or any other visa application — and exactly which reference number you'll need. 68 countries, every link checked.

Checking a Schengen or Europe visa?

There is no single European portal. Most Schengen embassies in the UAE process files through VFS Global, whose tracker needs the reference number on your VFS receipt plus your date of birth — not just a passport number. Only a few countries (for example Italy, Spain via BLS, Romania via eViza) let you check with passport details. Pick the country you applied to below, or start with the Schengen guide if you are not sure which one decided your file.

Schengen visa status check →

Applied through Global Visa Shop? Track your application with us directly — no government reference needed.

Track my application

Or check with the issuing authority

Australia

Department of Home Affairs (VEVO / ImmiAccount)

You'll need Transaction Reference Number (TRN) or visa grant number

Open official portal VFS Global UAE Guide: what each status means

Austria

VFS Global UAE — Austria visa centre

You'll need Reference number from your visa-centre receipt + your last name

Schengen visa. If you applied through a different centre (BLS or TLScontact) or at the embassy, track it there instead.

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Azerbaijan

State Migration Service

You'll need Application number and passport number

ASAN e-Visa applications are tracked through the e-Visa portal you applied on.

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Bahrain

Kingdom of Bahrain — eVisa

You'll need Application number and passport number

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Belgium

VFS Global UAE — Belgium visa centre

You'll need Reference number from your visa-centre receipt + your last name

Schengen visa. If you applied through a different centre (BLS or TLScontact) or at the embassy, track it there instead.

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Bulgaria

VFS Global UAE — Bulgaria visa centre

You'll need Reference number from your visa-centre receipt + your last name

Schengen visa. If you applied through a different centre (BLS or TLScontact) or at the embassy, track it there instead.

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Cambodia

Ministry of Foreign Affairs — e-Visa

You'll need Application number and passport number

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Canada

IRCC

You'll need Your IRCC secure account, or application number

Open official portal VFS Global UAE Guide: what each status means

China

Ministry of Foreign Affairs — COVA

You'll need Application form number and passport number

Open official portal VFS Global UAE Guide: what each status means

Croatia

VFS Global UAE — Croatia visa centre

You'll need Reference number from your visa-centre receipt + your last name

Schengen visa. If you applied through a different centre (BLS or TLScontact) or at the embassy, track it there instead.

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Cyprus

VFS Global UAE — Cyprus visa centre

You'll need Reference number from your visa-centre receipt + your last name

Schengen visa. If you applied through a different centre (BLS or TLScontact) or at the embassy, track it there instead.

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Czech Republic

VFS Global UAE — Czech Republic visa centre

You'll need Reference number from your visa-centre receipt + your last name

Schengen visa. If you applied through a different centre (BLS or TLScontact) or at the embassy, track it there instead.

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Denmark

VFS Global UAE — Denmark visa centre

You'll need Reference number from your visa-centre receipt + your last name

Schengen visa. If you applied through a different centre (BLS or TLScontact) or at the embassy, track it there instead.

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Egypt

Egypt e-Visa Portal

You'll need The account you applied with, or application reference

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Estonia

VFS Global UAE — Estonia visa centre

You'll need Reference number from your visa-centre receipt + your last name

Schengen visa. If you applied through a different centre (BLS or TLScontact) or at the embassy, track it there instead.

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Ethiopia

Ethiopian Immigration — e-Visa

You'll need Application number and passport number

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Finland

VFS Global UAE — Finland visa centre

You'll need Reference number from your visa-centre receipt + your last name

Schengen visa. If you applied through a different centre (BLS or TLScontact) or at the embassy, track it there instead.

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

France

VFS Global UAE — France visa centre

You'll need Reference number from your visa-centre receipt + your last name

Schengen visa. If you applied through a different centre (BLS or TLScontact) or at the embassy, track it there instead.

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Georgia

Ministry of Foreign Affairs — e-Visa

You'll need Application number and passport number

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Germany

VFS Global UAE — Germany visa centre

You'll need Reference number from your visa-centre receipt + your last name

Schengen visa. If you applied through a different centre (BLS or TLScontact) or at the embassy, track it there instead.

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Greece

VFS Global UAE — Greece visa centre

You'll need Reference number from your visa-centre receipt + your last name

Schengen visa. If you applied through a different centre (BLS or TLScontact) or at the embassy, track it there instead.

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Hungary

VFS Global UAE — Hungary visa centre

You'll need Reference number from your visa-centre receipt + your last name

Schengen visa. If you applied through a different centre (BLS or TLScontact) or at the embassy, track it there instead.

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Iceland

VFS Global UAE — Iceland visa centre

You'll need Reference number from your visa-centre receipt + your last name

Schengen visa. If you applied through a different centre (BLS or TLScontact) or at the embassy, track it there instead.

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

India

Bureau of Immigration — Indian e-Visa

You'll need Application ID and passport number

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Indonesia

Directorate General of Immigration — e-Visa

You'll need The account you applied with, or application number

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Ireland

VFS Global UAE — Ireland visa centre

You'll need Reference number from your visa-centre receipt + your last name

If you applied through a different centre or at the embassy, track it there instead.

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Italy

VFS Global UAE — Italy visa centre

You'll need Reference number from your visa-centre receipt + your last name

Schengen visa. If you applied through a different centre (BLS or TLScontact) or at the embassy, track it there instead.

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Jordan

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

You'll need Application reference and passport number

Many Jordan visas are issued on arrival or through the Jordan Pass.

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Kenya

Republic of Kenya — eTA

You'll need The account you applied with, or application reference

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Kuwait

Ministry of Interior — eVisa

You'll need Application reference and passport number

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Latvia

VFS Global UAE — Latvia visa centre

You'll need Reference number from your visa-centre receipt + your last name

Schengen visa. If you applied through a different centre (BLS or TLScontact) or at the embassy, track it there instead.

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Liechtenstein

VFS Global UAE — Liechtenstein visa centre

You'll need Reference number from your visa-centre receipt + your last name

Schengen visa. If you applied through a different centre (BLS or TLScontact) or at the embassy, track it there instead.

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Lithuania

VFS Global UAE — Lithuania visa centre

You'll need Reference number from your visa-centre receipt + your last name

Schengen visa. If you applied through a different centre (BLS or TLScontact) or at the embassy, track it there instead.

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Luxembourg

VFS Global UAE — Luxembourg visa centre

You'll need Reference number from your visa-centre receipt + your last name

Schengen visa. If you applied through a different centre (BLS or TLScontact) or at the embassy, track it there instead.

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Malaysia

Immigration Department of Malaysia

You'll need Application / sticker reference and passport number

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Malta

VFS Global UAE — Malta visa centre

You'll need Reference number from your visa-centre receipt + your last name

Schengen visa. If you applied through a different centre (BLS or TLScontact) or at the embassy, track it there instead.

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Nepal

Department of Immigration

You'll need Submission ID and passport number

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Netherlands

VFS Global UAE — Netherlands visa centre

You'll need Reference number from your visa-centre receipt + your last name

Schengen visa. If you applied through a different centre (BLS or TLScontact) or at the embassy, track it there instead.

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

New Zealand

Immigration New Zealand

You'll need Your RealMe / INZ account or application number

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Nigeria

Nigeria Immigration Service

You'll need Application ID and reference number

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Norway

VFS Global UAE — Norway visa centre

You'll need Reference number from your visa-centre receipt + your last name

Schengen visa. If you applied through a different centre (BLS or TLScontact) or at the embassy, track it there instead.

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Oman

Royal Oman Police — eVisa

You'll need Application number and passport number

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Philippines

Republic of the Philippines — e-Visa

You'll need Application reference and passport number

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Poland

Embassy of Poland in Abu Dhabi — e-Konsulat

You'll need The e-Konsulat registration you applied with

Schengen visa. Poland has no visa centre in the UAE: you register on e-Konsulat and attend the Embassy in Abu Dhabi in person.

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Portugal

VFS Global UAE — Portugal visa centre

You'll need Reference number from your visa-centre receipt + your last name

Schengen visa. If you applied through a different centre (BLS or TLScontact) or at the embassy, track it there instead.

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Qatar

Ministry of Interior — MOI Portal

You'll need Visa / application number and passport number

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Romania

Romania eViza (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

You'll need The eViza account you applied with

Schengen visa. Romania has no VFS or BLS centre in the UAE: you apply on eViza, then attend the Consulate General in Dubai or the Embassy in Abu Dhabi.

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Russia

Consular Department, MFA — e-Visa

You'll need Application ID and passport number

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Rwanda

Irembo (Government of Rwanda)

You'll need Application number and passport number

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Saudi Arabia

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

You'll need Application number and passport number

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Schengen — not sure which country?

Start here if you don't know where your file went

You'll need The receipt from the day you applied — it names the centre and carries your reference

Every Schengen country is listed separately below. Track with the centre you actually applied at (VFS, BLS or TLScontact) — the receipt tells you which. France-Visas also lets you check a France application directly.

Open official portal France-Visas Guide: what each status means

Singapore

Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA)

You'll need Application number and passport number

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Slovakia

VFS Global UAE — Slovakia visa centre

You'll need Reference number from your visa-centre receipt + your last name

Schengen visa. If you applied through a different centre (BLS or TLScontact) or at the embassy, track it there instead.

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Slovenia

Embassy of Slovenia in Abu Dhabi — consular section

You'll need Your application details; contact the consular section by email

Schengen visa. Slovenia has no visa centre in the UAE: you apply at the Embassy in Abu Dhabi, by appointment requested by email.

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

South Africa

Department of Home Affairs

You'll need Application reference and passport number

Applications from the UAE are usually tracked through the visa centre you applied at.

Open official portal VFS Global UAE Guide: what each status means

South Korea

Korea Visa Portal

You'll need Passport number and date of birth, or application number

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Spain

BLS International UAE — Spain visa centre

You'll need Reference number from your BLS receipt (with your passport number or date of birth, as the page asks)

Schengen visa. Spain uses BLS International in the UAE, not VFS. Files from the Dubai and Abu Dhabi centres are decided by the Embassy of Spain in Abu Dhabi.

Open official portal Spanish government tracker Guide: what each status means

Sri Lanka

Department of Immigration & Emigration — ETA

You'll need Application reference and passport number

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Sweden

VFS Global UAE — Sweden visa centre

You'll need Reference number from your visa-centre receipt + your last name

Schengen visa. If you applied through a different centre (BLS or TLScontact) or at the embassy, track it there instead.

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Switzerland

VFS Global UAE — Switzerland visa centre

You'll need Reference number from your visa-centre receipt + your last name

Schengen visa. If you applied through a different centre (BLS or TLScontact) or at the embassy, track it there instead.

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Tanzania

Immigration Department — e-Visa

You'll need Application ID and passport number

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Thailand

Thai e-Visa (MFA)

You'll need The account you applied with, or application number

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Türkiye

Republic of Türkiye — e-Visa

You'll need Application / e-Visa reference and passport number

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

United Arab Emirates

ICP (Federal Authority for Identity & Citizenship)

You'll need Application / request number, or passport number with nationality

Visas issued through Dubai (GDRFA) can also be checked at gdrfad.gov.ae.

Open official portal GDRFA Dubai Guide: what each status means

United Kingdom

UK Home Office (GOV.UK)

You'll need The account you applied with, or your GWF / UAN reference

If you applied via a visa centre in the UAE, updates usually come by email from the centre.

Open official portal VFS Global UAE Guide: what each status means

United States

US Department of State — CEAC

You'll need DS-160 barcode / case number and the interview location

Status moves through Submitted → Administrative Processing → Issued.

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Uzbekistan

Republic of Uzbekistan — e-Visa

You'll need Application ID and passport number

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Vietnam

Vietnam Immigration Department

You'll need Registration code, email and date of birth

Open official portal Guide: what each status means

Watch out for look-alike sites

Many paid sites copy the look of government visa portals and rank in search results. Before you enter your passport details, check that the address ends in an official government domain (for example .gov, .gov.uk, .gov.ae, .gouv.fr). A genuine government portal will never ask you to pay to simply view your application status.

Common questions

How often should I check my status?

Once every few days is plenty. Checking repeatedly does not speed anything up, and some portals temporarily lock accounts after too many attempts.

My status hasn't changed in weeks — is something wrong?

Usually not. Most systems only update at a few fixed points: received, under process, and decision. Long gaps between updates are normal, especially during peak travel season and around public holidays.

The portal says "administrative processing". What does that mean?

It means the authority needs more time or further checks before deciding. It is not a refusal. Timelines vary widely and are decided entirely by the authority.

I can't find my reference number.

Check the confirmation email or payment receipt from the day you applied. If you applied through a visa centre, the receipt they gave you carries the tracking number.

Global Visa Shop is a private visa facilitation service by OutMazed^® Tourism (DTCM licensed). We are not a government authority and we cannot see or influence the status of an application made directly with an embassy or government portal. Links above are provided for convenience and were checked at the time of publishing; government websites can change without notice.

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