Malta Visa Tracking 2026: How to Check Your Schengen Application Status Online and Offline

Wondering how to check your Malta visa status after applying? Staying informed about the progress of your visa application is crucial for your travel plans. Whether you're concerned about potential delays or just want peace of mind, the Malta visa tracking process can help you stay on top of things. By using the VFS Global Malta visa tracking system, you can quickly check the current status of your application, making it easier to plan your trip to Malta without any unnecessary stress. Below, we’ll explain how to track your Malta visa application and provide useful tips for smooth tracking.

Indian applicants filed a growing number of Schengen visa applications for Malta through VFS Global in 2024, consistent with the broader trend of Indian outbound travel to southern Europe increasing year on year. Understanding what the tracking portal shows, and what it deliberately does not show, prevents the most common anxiety point in the post-submission period: misreading a neutral status as a problem.

VFS Global's tracking system reflects the physical custody of your passport and application documents, not the decision-making stage within the consulate. When your status shows "Received," it means VFS has logged your application. When it shows "In Progress" or "Under Processing," it means your application is sitting with the consular officer who will make the decision. Neither status tells you how close you are to a decision or how your application is being assessed.

The consulate that processes Malta Schengen visa applications for Indian nationals is the Identità Malta authority operating through the Embassy of Malta. The consular officer reviews your application and makes an independent decision. This decision is never reflected in the VFS portal until after the officer has communicated it. Checking the portal multiple times per day does not accelerate the process.

Tracking your Malta visa application online requires two pieces of information that you received at the time of application.

Reference number: Issued by VFS Global when you submitted your application at the visa application centre. This number appears on your Application Receipt (also called the ICR — Individual Confirmation Receipt). If you have misplaced the ICR, you can still visit the VFS centre in person with your passport copy to retrieve the reference number.

Last name: Use the last name exactly as it appears on your passport and as it was entered on your visa application form. A spelling variation — a missing letter, a differently hyphenated surname — will return an error on the tracking portal. This is a data entry check, not an indication that your application has a problem.

Both fields are required on the VFS tracking portal. There is no alternative login or passport-number-based lookup available for Malta Schengen applications from India.

VFS Global is the exclusive visa application centre operator for Malta Schengen visa applications in India. All tracking for applications submitted in India goes through the VFS portal.

Step 1: Visit the official VFS Global website tracking page for Malta. The URL is visa.vfsglobal.com. Select India as your country of application and Malta as your destination country.

Step 2: Navigate to the "Track Your Application" section. This is available from the main navigation or from the Malta-specific landing page.

Step 3: Enter your reference number in the field provided. Enter your last name exactly as it appears on your passport.

Step 4: Click "Submit" to view your current application status.

The portal is available 24 hours a day. Status updates typically appear within one business day of a change occurring at the consulate or VFS centre. Do not expect real-time updates: the system reflects end-of-day batch processing in most cases.

To check the status of your Malta visa application at the visa application centres in India, follow these steps:

The VFS tracking portal displays a limited set of status labels. Each label corresponds to a specific stage in the process.

Submitted: Your online booking was completed or your documents were handed to VFS staff at the counter. This status typically updates to "Received" within 1 to 2 working days.

Received: VFS Global has logged your application and dispatched it to the consular authority. This is the baseline status for most of the processing window. Seeing "Received" after day 5 is normal. Seeing "Received" after day 12 is also normal.

Under Processing / In Progress: Your application is with the consular officer for assessment. This is an active and positive status. It means your file is in the decision queue and no documents are outstanding.

Additional Documents Required: The consulate has identified a gap in your submission and is requesting supplementary documentation through VFS. You will receive a communication specifying what is needed. Do not wait for the VFS email if your travel date is within 10 days. Contact VFS by phone immediately.

Approved: The consulate has issued a visa decision in your favour. VFS will begin processing the physical return of your passport. This does not mean your passport is available for collection yet.

Refused: The consulate has rejected your application. Your passport will be returned with the refusal letter. The refusal letter contains a checkbox-style reason indicating the ground of refusal, which gives you a starting point for a reapplication or appeal.

Ready for Collection / Dispatched: Your passport is at the VFS centre and ready for collection, or it has been dispatched to you via courier if you opted for courier delivery.

The standard Malta Schengen visa processing time for Indian applicants is 10 to 15 working days from the date VFS receives your complete application package. This is the timeline cited in VFS Global's official guidelines as of 2026. In exceptional cases, such as applications requiring additional verification, processing can extend to 30 working days.

The 10 to 15 working day window begins from the date VFS logs your application as "Received," not from the date of your appointment. If you submitted documents on Monday and the VFS batch-processing updated your status to "Received" on Wednesday, the processing clock starts on Wednesday.

Working days exclude weekends and Indian public holidays. Malta public holidays also affect consular processing timelines, as the consular authority operates on the Maltese public holiday calendar, not the Indian one. Malta observes 14 public holidays per year, several of which fall on weekdays.

A delayed or refused application is stressful, especially when travel dates are close. Most situations have a clear next step and the key for it is to know which action applies to your specific status and acting through the right channel before time runs out.

If your application is delayed: 

A delay means your processing has extended beyond 15 working days with no status change. Before contacting VFS, confirm that you are counting working days correctly; excluding weekends and both Indian and Maltese public holidays. If the delay is genuine, contact the VFS Global helpline for Malta applications. The phone helpline provides faster resolution than the email channel, which has a response time of 3 to 5 working days.

If your travel date is within 21 days and your status is still "Under Processing," escalate through VFS by requesting a status check on your behalf. VFS can contact the consulate for an update. This does not accelerate the decision but gives you a clearer picture of where your application stands.

If your application is refused: 

The refusal letter attached to your returned passport contains a checkbox indicating the ground of refusal. The most common grounds cited for Malta Schengen visa refusals from Indian applicants are insufficient financial documentation, incomplete travel insurance coverage, and accommodation proof that does not meet the Malta consular standard (social booking platforms are not accepted).

You can appeal a Malta Schengen visa refusal. Appeals are submitted through VFS Global and addressed to the Embassy of Malta. An appeal must include a cover letter addressing the stated ground of refusal with specific evidence that resolves the gap. Appeals that simply restate the original application without new supporting evidence are unsuccessful.

Verify working hours directly on the VFS Global website before your visit, as holiday schedules and temporary closures are updated there first.

For applicants in cities without a VFS centre, the nearest operational centre accepts applications regardless of which Indian city you are based in. There is no geographic restriction on which VFS centre an Indian national uses.

By keeping track of your Malta visa status, you ensure a smooth and organised travel experience. Whether you're checking online through VFS Global Malta visa tracking or visiting a visa application centre, staying updated helps you avoid any surprises and plan your trip confidently. With all the necessary information in hand, including the reference number and last name, the process to track your Malta visa application is straightforward and hassle-free. Make sure to stay proactive, so you’re always prepared for the next step in your visa journey.