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Last Update: 16-05-2026
Malta visa applications from India are processed through VFS Global. The only information you need to track your application is your reference number and the last name used on your application form.
Standard Malta Schengen visa processing takes 10 to 15 working days from the date VFS receives your complete application, though this period extends to 30 working days in exceptional cases.
A "Received" or "In Progress" status visible on the VFS portal means your application is in the consular review queue. This is the expected status for most of the processing window.
If your status has not updated after 15 working days and your travel date is within 3 weeks, contact VFS Global by phone rather than email, as email response times are longer than phone-based enquiry resolution.
Malta Schengen visa applications from India are processed exclusively through VFS Global. There is no separate consular portal for Indian applicants. All online tracking goes through the VFS Global system. You need two pieces of information: your reference number (from your ICR receipt) and your last name exactly as it appears on your passport.
The VFS Global portal is the primary channel to check your Malta visa application status online.
Steps to track your Malta visa status online:
The portal runs 24 hours a day, but updates are processed in end-of-day batches, not in real time. If you submitted your application fewer than 3 working days ago, your status may still read "Submitted" or appear blank. This reflects the intake queue, not a processing delay.
Note: VFS Global is not the Malta consulate. It is a logistics and document-collection partner. VFS does not make visa decisions and cannot predict your outcome. Any statement from a VFS staff member predicting your approval should be treated as speculation, not official guidance.
Malta does not operate a separate direct-tracking system for Indian applicants. All consular communication is routed through VFS Global. The authority processing Malta Schengen visa applications for Indian nationals is Identita Malta, operating through the Embassy of Malta.
If you need to escalate beyond the online portal:
Escalating through VFS does not speed up the consular decision. It gives you a clearer picture of where your file stands.
VFS Global sends automated SMS and email notifications to the contact details you provided during your appointment booking. These notifications are triggered at key status transitions: when your application is received, when it moves to processing, and when a decision is made.
If online tracking is not resolving your query, visiting or calling your nearest VFS Visa Application Centre is the most direct offline option.
What to carry when visiting in person:
VFS centres operate Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 16:00 across major Indian cities including New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Kochi, and Lucknow.
Tip: If you have lost your ICR, VFS staff can retrieve your reference number in person using your passport copy. This cannot be done via the online portal or over the phone.
⚠️ Note:
VFS Global is not the Malta consulate. VFS collects documents and biometrics on behalf of the consulate and handles passport return logistics. VFS does not make visa decisions and cannot tell you whether your application will be approved. Any statement from a VFS centre employee that predicts your outcome should be treated as speculation, not as official guidance.
Beyond the VFS portal and physical centres, a few additional options are worth knowing:
⏳ Note
If you submitted your application fewer than 3 working days ago, your status may still show as "Submitted" or may not yet be updated to "Received." VFS batch-processes new applications at the start of each working day. Checking the portal on the day of submission or the following day may return an empty or pending status that reflects the intake queue, not a processing delay.
💡 Expert Tip:
| Application Stage | Typical Timeframe |
Detail Required | Where to Find It |
VFS Reference Number | On your ICR (Individual Confirmation Receipt) issued at the VAC |
Last Name | As entered on your visa application form and passport |
Email Address (for notifications) | The address registered at time of VFS appointment |
Phone Number (for SMS alerts) | The number registered at time of VFS appointment |
Passport Copy (for in-person queries) | First and last data page of your passport |
⏳ Important:
The VFS Malta tracking portal does not support passport-number-based lookup. Your reference number is the only valid identifier for online tracking. If you have misplaced your ICR, visit the VFS centre in person with your passport copy.
💡 Expert Tip:
| Issue | Likely Cause | What to Do |
Portal shows blank or no status | Application submitted fewer than 3 working days ago | Wait one more working day and check again |
"Submitted" status not updating to "Received" | VFS batch processing delay | Normal within first 1 to 2 working days |
Status stuck on "Received" for 10 or more days | Application is in the consular review queue | Normal; processing takes 10 to 15 working days from "Received" date |
"Under Processing" showing for 7 to 10 days with no change | Consular assessment is ongoing | Do not escalate unless 15 working days have passed |
Reference number not recognised | Typo in entry or wrong reference number | Recheck your ICR receipt carefully |
Last name entry error | Spacing, hyphen, or spelling differs from passport | Enter name exactly as printed on passport, including hyphens |
"Additional Documents Required" status | Consulate has identified a gap in your file | Contact VFS by phone immediately; do not wait for email if travel is within 10 days |
Status unchanged beyond 15 working days | Genuine processing delay | Call VFS helpline at 1800 103 2890 and request a formal consulate status query |
Portal is down or throwing errors | Website maintenance or high traffic | Try again after a few hours; use the VFS helpline as a backup |
No. The VFS Global Malta visa tracking portal does not support passport-number-based lookup for Indian applicants. The only valid inputs are your reference number from the ICR receipt issued at your VFS appointment and your last name.
Two details are required: your VFS reference number and your last name exactly as entered on your passport and application form. No passport number, date of birth, or application date is needed for the online portal. For in-person queries at a VFS centre, carry a copy of your passport as well.
"Under Processing" or "In Progress" is an active, positive status. It means your application is with the consular officer for assessment and no documents are outstanding. This status can remain unchanged for 7 to 10 working days and still result in a timely decision within the standard 15-day window.
Visit visa.vfsglobal.com, select India and Malta, and enter your reference number and last name under "Track Your Application." The VFS helpline at 1800 103 2890 is available for escalated queries Monday to Friday during business hours.
Online tracking requires a reference number. Without it, the VFS portal cannot locate your application. If you have lost your ICR receipt, visit the VFS Visa Application Centre where you submitted your documents in person. VFS staff can retrieve your reference number from their internal records using your passport copy. There is no phone or email-based alternative to recover a lost reference number without an in-person visit.
Malta visa applications from India are processed through VFS Global, and tracking requires only your reference number from the ICR receipt and your last name as it appears on the application form.
Standard Malta Schengen visa processing takes 10 to 15 working days from VFS receipt, extending to 30 working days for cases requiring additional consular verification.
A Received or In Progress status on the VFS portal means the application sits in the consular review queue, which is the expected status for most of the processing window.
If the status has not updated after 15 working days and travel is within 3 weeks, contact VFS Global by phone rather than email, since phone resolution is materially faster.
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