Steps to Check Student Visa Status for European Countries

Since there is no single study visa for the whole of Europe, students need to apply for the student visa for their own country. Hence, the status of their student visas can be checked on their country’s official immigration website. This article describes how to check the Student Visa Status in Europe. 

Europe is home to some of the top study abroad destinations in the world. Each of these study destinations has its own regional visa systems and agreements, and has dedicated country-specific visa application and tracking websites. This eases the process of applying and checking the status of the student visas for studying in chosen European countries. This comprehensive guide covers everything Indian students need to know about checking their visa status across European countries.

Also Read: Top 10 European Countries to Study at in 2025

Who needs a Study Visa to Study in Europe?

If you belong to any of the 29 countries that make up the Schengen area, then you don’t need a visa to come and study in these countries. However, if you do not belong to any of the 25 EU countries or 4 non-EU countries, then you would need a student visa to come and study in these countries. These countries in the Schengen area include: 

• 25 EU Countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
• 4 Non-EU Countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

Note that Indian students would need a student visa to study in any of the Schengen/European countries. 

Why is Tracking Your Student Visa Status in Europe Important?

Just applying for your student visa is not enough; you need to track the status of your visa to plan your flight and accommodation in a timely manner. Here are some benefits of tracking your student visa application’s status for European countries:

• Helps you plan your travel and accommodation.
• Allows timely follow-ups with authorities.
• Helps you to make prompt decisions on the next steps of your application - this includes making appointments for your visa interview (if required), submitting documents (if your application gets stuck and the authorities ask for more/original documents for verification) or visiting the visa office for other updates. Read: Tips for a Successful Visa Interview
• Reduces anxiety through real-time updates.

Read: Complete Student Visa Guide to Study Abroad

Common Platforms to Track Student Visa Status - Europe

Nowadays, most European countries release the status of visa applications online, and you can check it on the designated website for your host country rather than visiting the visa office and/or waiting for the visa status confirmation email. Here are some official platforms where you can track the status of your student visa to European countries:

1. VFS Global 

VFS Global is the most prominent visa processing company, partnering with a vast number of European countries. If you submitted your application at a VFS Global centre, you can track its status through their website. You will typically need the reference number provided on your application receipt and your last name to access the status of your student visa application for European countries. 

VFS Global also offers email and SMS notification services for real-time updates. Check if this service is available at your nearby VFS Global centre when you visit it for your visa application. 

Countries like Germany, Italy, France, the Netherlands, etc., use VFS Global for visa application processing.

2. TLScontact

Similar to VFS Global, if you applied through a TLScontact centre, you will use their online portal to track your application. The TLScontact is another big name in the visa application sector, serving several European nations. You will need to log in to your TLScontact account to view the progress of your student visa application to European countries, or you can also do the same using their mobile app for convenient tracking. Countries like the UK, France and Germany often partner with TLScontact for accepting student visa applications from students across the globe.

3. BLS International

The BLS International portal is quite famous for submitting your study visa application to Spain. It is a significant partner for Spanish visa applications in numerous countries, and its website provides a "Track Application" feature where you can enter your unique reference number (received at the time of application) and date of birth to check your visa status.

4. National Visa Portals and Embassy/Consulate Websites 

In addition to the third-party providers, some European countries have their own national visa portals where you can track your application, especially for long-stay student visas. For example:

• France: The official "France-Visas" website at ‘https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/track-your-application’ is the central platform for all French student visa applications. You can monitor the status of your long-stay student visa application in France in your personal "My Applications" area. The website will also direct you to the appropriate tracking tool if your application was processed by VFS Global, TLScontact, or Capago.
• Germany: You can track the status of your German student visa on the VFS visa tracking website at ‘https://visatracking.vfsglobal.com/Global-Passporttracking’. However, the German government also has a "Consular Services Portal" which allows for online application submission and provides updates on the processing status.
• Netherlands: If you applied directly at a Dutch embassy or consulate-general, you can use their dedicated "track & trace" system at ‘https://ind.nl/en/my-ind’ to track the status of your Netherlands student visa application. 

5. Email/SMS Notifications (usually opted during application): This service is not available at all the visa application centres, but you can opt for one if it is available. With this service, you can get the decision on your student visa application directly on your mobile via SMS or on your registered email. 

Documents Required to Check the Status of Your Student Visas to European Countries

Irrespective of whether you applied with a visa processing company or directly at the visa office, for the purposes of Schengen visa tracking online, France visa tracking from India or the VFS Global visa tracking, you would need the same information on the tracking website as is given below. 
As you visit any of the above given platforms to check the status of your student visa to European countries, you will be required to enter the following information:

• Visa application reference number received at the time of application.
• Passport number, date of birth or your last name (depending on platform)

Here is what the visa tracking portal may look like:

Image: Screenshot taken from the VFS Global Visa Tracking Website for Germany

Also Read:

A Step-by-Step Guide for Tracking Your Student Visa Application for European Countries

To track your student visa status for Europe from India, you need to either check the website of the visa processing company with which you applied, such as VFS Global, TLScontact and more or the national visa tracking website of the country you’re going to study in. For either case, we have mentioned the steps to track the status of your European student visa below.

1. Identify the right platform: Your visa tracking platform will be the one from which you submitted your application. If your application was processed by a third-party provider, then your visa tracking portal will be like VFS Global, TLScontact, or BLS International. And if you applied directly via the country's consulate or embassy, then you will need to check their dedicated website. 
2. Gather your tracking details: You will typically need a reference number (also known as a file number or application number) and your personal details, like your last name or date of birth. Your reference number can be found on the receipt issued at the time of your visa application submission.
3. Visit the tracking website: Navigate to the online tracking portal of your visa service provider or the national visa website.
4. Enter your details: Insert your application/reference number and date of birth/last name as asked by the required fields on the tracking portal. 
5. View your visa status: The system will then display the current status of your student visa application to the European country you have applied to.

Also Read: Requirements for Getting a Student Visa to Study Abroad

Can You Work on a Student Visa in Europe?

Yes, in most European countries, international students are allowed to work part-time alongside their studies. However, the rules and the number of hours allowed vary significantly from one country to another.

As a general rule, most countries allow non-EU/EEA students to work up to 20 hours per week, which counts to 964 hours a year during the academic term and full-time during holidays or semester break. For example:

• Germany: Non-EU/EEA students in Germany can work for 140 full days or 280 half days per year. This does not require a separate work visa, and if you work as a student assistant or research assistant at your German university, the working hour limits may not apply.
• France: International students are entitled to work up to 964 hours per year, which equates to about 60% of a full-time job (roughly 20 hours per week). Students don’t need an additional work visa to take up part-time work while studying in France.
• Spain: Students are allowed to work up to 30 hours per week, as long as the work does not interfere with their studies. A work permit is generally required to take up part-time work in Spain; the same can be checked on “activities you are allowed to engage in” on your Spanish student visa official website.
• Italy: Non-EU/EEA students with a work contract can work up to 20 hours per week. 
• Netherlands: Non-EU/EEA students can work for a maximum of 16 hours per week while studying in the Netherlands. They need a work permit for the same.  

Read: How to find the perfect part-time student job abroad

Can You Extend Your Study Visa in Europe?

Yes, you can extend your long-stay student visa or residence permit in European countries if you still need more time to complete your course for which you applied for the visa in the first place. However, you cannot extend a short-stay Schengen visa for study purposes, and in that case, you will be required to return home and apply for a long-stay visa.

You can apply for the renewal of your current visa or apply for another visa type, based on your condition and eligibility. The process of extending your study visa must be initiated in the same country where you are studying, typically at least two months before your current student visa or residence permit expires.

Here is the list of documents that you will need at the time of requesting an extension of your current/existing student visa in European countries:

• Proof of continued enrollment: It is an official letter or certificate from your university confirming your registration for the upcoming academic year of your course. His letter confirms to the visa authorities that the duration for your course completion is still due, and this letter may also include your course end date, which notifies the visa authorities that for how long you will need an extension. 
• Financial Proof: You will be required to provide evidence that you can continue to support yourself financially for the extended period. You can show this by presenting either a bank statement, a scholarship letter, or proof of a part-time job.
• Academic Progress: The visa authorities in some countries may require your academic transcripts to understand whether you are making satisfactory progress in your studies.
• Passport: Your current passport must remain valid for the duration of the requested extension.
• Health Insurance: You must also provide proof of valid health insurance coverage for the time of your extension.
• Proof of Accommodation: A rental contract or other proof of where you will be living is also required.

This was all about the visa application tracking and VFS Global Visa Tracking. If you have any doubts, feel free to drop your queries in the comments below.