Serious procedural failure and lack of accountability regarding VFS Global application tracking

Schengen Visas
1

I am writing to document a chaotic experience and seek advice on formal accountability measures regarding VFS Global’s handling of my Schengen visa application.

Chronology of the Incident:
On September 14th, I submitted my application and biometric data at the local center. I was informed that the processing time would be 15 calendar days. However, 20 days passed without any status update. When I visited the center, I was taken to a back office and told that my file had “misplaced tracking information” due to a technical migration. In order to comply with my intended travel dates, I incurred additional expenses by re-booking flexible flights, acting in good faith that the issue was minor.

Yesterday, I was told via a generic email that my passport is “in transit,” but the consulate has no record of receiving the physical file. The lack of transparency is alarming.

Inquiries for the Community:

  1. Has anyone successfully initiated a formal legal complaint against VFS for procedural negligence and loss of documents?
  2. What are the judicial remedies available if the delay forces a cancellation of the entire trip?
  3. Is there a specific escalation email for the consulate that bypasses the external service provider?
2

This sounds like a critical backend failure on their end. Logic check: if the consulate has no record of the file, the packet is likely stuck in the VFS local dispatch queue or their internal logistics API didn’t trigger the handover.

3

No cap, this is unfortunately the standard VFS gameplay loop. Their tracking system is so full of glitches it might as well be in early access.

4

It pains me to read this. It feels like a modern bureaucratic labyrinth designed to trap the traveler. History lives here—I have seen this pattern before with tourists trying to visit Cairo.