EES Status OK or NOT OK: What It Means for Your Schengen Visa
Short answer: when the EES check turns “OK” for your trip dates, it's a strong sign your visa has been issued, and your passport usually leaves the embassy within a day or two. But it isn't a visa decision. Plenty of applicants got their visa while EES still said “NOT OK”, so NOT OK on its own doesn't mean you were refused. Your passport is the real answer.
What is EES?
EES (the Entry/Exit System) is the EU's new border register. It records each entry and exit of non-EU travellers on a short stay, with fingerprints and a face photo, and replaces the stamps in your passport. It started on 12 October 2025 and has been fully in use since 10 April 2026.
The “Check how long you can stay” tool is built for travellers, not applicants. It tells you whether an entry on the dates you give would be allowed (“OK” or “not OK”) and how many days of stay you have left. It isn't meant to report visa decisions, and the EU doesn't present it that way. Applicants started using it because, once a visa is issued, the check for dates inside that visa often starts saying OK before the passport is back.
What applicants found
From 44 threads in our discussion where people compared their EES check with what actually came back:
- OK usually appears in the afternoon (India time) on the day the visa is done. The VFS dispatch email or the Blue Dart entry tends to follow that evening or the next day.
- NOT OK doesn't mean refused. Several people received multi-entry visas while EES still said NOT OK. Others saw it turn OK the next morning, after the passport had already left.
- Families can see different answers. In one family that applied together, one passport showed OK and two showed NOT OK. All three came back with visas.
- The dates you enter matter. Dates outside the period your visa covers give NOT OK, even when the visa was granted. Leave the entry date empty and the check uses today's date.
How to check your EES status
- Open the EU's official “Check how long you can stay” tool (travel-europe.europa.eu).
- Choose Passport, type your passport number, and pick India (IND) as the issuing country.
- Enter your planned arrival date (and departure date, if you like). Use dates inside your trip. If you leave arrival empty, the tool checks today, which is before your visa starts.
- Travel date already passed? Checking a day that has gone won't tell you anything. Enter a later arrival date instead: tomorrow's date is a good one to try.
- Choose the country you applied to as the member state of destination, then Submit.
What applicants asked about EES, and what happened
44 threads from our discussion, word for word, picked for the Hall of Fame.
JD· Mumbai·
How do we check EES for Netherlands?
On the website there’s no option to select Netherlands.
JustHelping· Helper of the week
There is, you need to enter passport , select issuing country ( eg india ) and then next selection is Netherlands
CuriousGuy·
Search EES status in Google, open the first link, at the bottom those details are asked.
Shanaya·
Issuing country is India yaar
Haha: 6
BK· Delhi·
Has it happened to anyone else: EES "NOT OKAY" and the visa was approved?
My passport is dispatched today. I applied on 24 August. EES shows "NOT OKAY".
SA·
I didn't received passport yet. It is still in the middle as per dhl update. Today Morning my EES status change to OK. I will book my paid flight today. I think it takes time to change the status to OK.
BKOP·
Hi! I also got OK now.
Helpful: 1Vinit· Helper of the week
Yes yes happens don't consider "not okay" as a rejection, it's not reliable.
SA·
Finally i can see dispatch status for mine. however ees is still no ok. I'm first timer. No travel history.
Bamon· Delhi·
What are the chances of rejection/acceptance 🫠🫠
Just tracked this via VFS, application date was 27th August. Now EES still says NOT OK.
Vikas· Helper of the week
I just got my multi-entry Schengen Visa today (applied for Italy), EES shows NOT OK still. EES is stale.
Helpful: 1CuriousGuy·
Do not worry guys, please be positive. Seen lots of people EES not ok but the visa is approved.
Good luck: 2
SV· Netherlands·
Anyone who applied on August 14th, did your EES status change to “Okay” today?
RD· Helper of the week
My cousin got the visa and on ees if you put in the travel date it shows OK, if you put travel date apart from the granted period it shows Not OK
Abishek·
Hi, I applied on the 13th and just now got my visa. Checked the EES portal and it still says "Not Ok" lol. …Read the full reply
SVOP·
You can check how long you can stay in EES portal
Vishnu· Chennai·
What is the reason of delay
EES ok 30 th sep morning but VFS has not dispatched passport.
Eswaraprasad· Helper of the week
You will mostly get the dispatch update from VFS today afternoon (around 12PM to 4PM). For me as well, EES was OK on Sep 29 afternoon, but dispatch update from VFS came on Sep 30 afternoon
Helpful: 1
KM· Bangalore·
EES says not ok but passport has been dispatched.
Does it mean its rejected? This is my 2nd schengen visa.
JustHelping· Helper of the week
There are hopes for your visa to be approved as are various conditions leading to not ok status on EES , it is mentioned on the website itself.
Helpful: 1
Aashu·
Can you share the link of EES website I am also from same date same status applied on 8th Sept Mumbai Switzerland and under process since 9th Sept embassy and waiting for update
AL·
Not able to share links here but if you google 'schengen ees check' a website will come up mentioning travel-europe in the URL, can check through that
AL·
VFS application still says 'is under process at Embassy of Switzerland in India.' But I checked with my passport on the EES website which got updated to OK. Have not received any text from vfs so worth tracking separately on the EES website
Vikas· Chennai· Helper of the week
Will the status become OK in sometime ?
I applied on Aug26, just got an email that my passport is dispatched 2hours before. But the EES status says NOT OK still.
daisy· Helper of the week
same thing happened to me. Status of EES was not good when the passport was sent last week, but when I checked next day at 11 a.m. in the morning. It became OK. My visa has been approved.
Divya· Helper of the week
What do you do to check the EES?
I'm new to this. What website, where do you put the details? What kind of details are requested to check that?
TT· Helper of the week
Hi, Divya! https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees/check-how-long-you-can-stay You put all the details here. If it says OK. it means you got a visa. If it says NO OKAY, don't worry. …Read the full reply
Ashutosh·
How did u check your EES status
akshayna1r· Helper of the week
You can use this website to check - add https to travel-europe.europa.eu/ees/check-how-long-you-can-stay , takes passport as input. Not able to add actual link in comment.
akash· Delhi·
What is EES?
Eswaraprasad· Helper of the week
Entry Exit System used by EU. It can show you how long can you stay if your visa is approved. You can Google EES Europe for the website.
PGG·
IF EES is not ok and passport dispatched, does it mean VISA rejected ?
Vikas· Helper of the week
Got my passport with multi-entry schengen Visa, EES is still NOT OK. So, guys don't panic if EES is showing NOT OK.
Sweety· Delhi·
Hi, please can everyone who got EES status as OK let me know when it usually gets updated?
I have a flight tomorrow at 12pm and I opted for receiving at the centre so before rescheduling my flight I am waiting for EES status.
Deepak· Helper of the week
As far as I know it is updated as soon as your visa is approved snd within 24-48 hrs you receive your passport
ST· Chennai·
ESS says Ok since 5 PM i guess.
But not dispatched yet.
NN·
Check in blurdart site , of is showing there before here at 11:30 ist . www.bluedart.com/ web/guest/ trackdartresult? trackFor=1&trackNo=NLDMHLddmm2600XxYY
Helpful: 1STOP·
I see that as dispatched on Blue Dart, thank you
Helpful: 1
Asif· Hyderabad·
I'm not understanding when will my application even process.
I have applied on August 5th at Hyderabad still I haven't received any update on my file I have opted for VFS Pickup.
RD· Helper of the week
@Asif Did you check EES if it shows okay , if it does i believe the passport should be dispatched soon. …Read the full reply
Sumit·
Also, did your EES status change? If yes, when?
NN·
Mo- did you check with dates inside your planned trip: outside your visa's dates it shows not okey ? …Read the full reply
Mo·
EES status is not reliable, and my application date was 17 august for netherland visa, so tomorrow once i go for pick up i will get to know whether its approved or rejected
NTG· Delhi·
I submitted the documents on 07th September.still under processing at Switzerland embassy.
Deepak· Helper of the week
Check EES. It turned ok for a lot of applications of 7th
TW· Mumbai·
When should I expect the visa to be processed?
Applied on 7th September from VFS Mumbai for my wife, son and I. Tourist visa with all documents properly submitted. Travel date is 16th October.
TWOP·
Now showing as dispatched yesterday and reached Mumbai today. Thank you, this site is very helpful. Still no update from VFS.
TWOP·
ESS updated to ‘OK’ today. No notification from VFS yet.
Good luck: 1
Wt· Pune·
My ees status now says ok,is it approved?
Haven't received any email
NN·
Wt: there are conditions mentioned on EES site -> 1 - Please note that the answer 'OK' or 'NOT OK' cannot be interpreted as a decision to grant or refuse entry to the Schengen Area. …Read the full reply
Di·
Hi, it's okay it's most probably approved.
NS· Pune·
I applied on 17th Aug and my EES changed to 'OK' today.
But the vfs tracking website still shows that it is being processed and even bluedart has no records. What can this mean?
NSOP·
My application now shows processed on vfs tracker and there is a bluedart link too. Will receive it in a day or two I guess I am unable to paste the link here but just search for EES europe - how long can I stay and check
XYZ· Kolkata·
My application date 9th September, today morning EES turn to Ok, but vfs tracking still showing under process, what does it means, visa approved?
Deepak· Helper of the week
Most probably Yes
Kamal Singh· Delhi·
I have applied on 21st for france vfs delhi..no updates so far…ees NOT OK…does the delay means rejection..as most passports are out for 21 september
Kamal SinghOP·
Just to update guys my EES turned OK today..hope that means approval?..passport not yet dispatched
Congrats: 2
Narendran BS· Bangalore·
I have applied for Switzerland visa on 22/9/2026 from Bangalore still is showing under process but my flight is on 13/10/2026 when will I get my visa
ekus·
i applied on 21 today mon my ess got updated check your ess if your ess shows ok then expect dispatch tom if ess is not ok then tom ess update and day after u can expect a dispatch
Raj· Delhi·
Can we know if our visa is approved or not before receiving passport
Abhi·
check EES website. I have seen comments where EES status got update later post courier was dispatched or next morning
Abhi·
https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees/check-how-long-you-can-stay
CuriousGuy·
When did EES gets updated?
I mean after the visa is processed or first EES is updated by Visa processing?
TU·
@Daisy Most of the time, it happens like this: When the visa is approved, the EES is updated around 5 PM. And at same night passpoert is dispatched.
Uday· Hyderabad·
and no updates since this am i checking ees in the wrong place?
how do I check this though
SR·
https : / / travel-europe.europa.eu / ees / check-how-long-you-can-stay..................Remove the spaces, and you can view the EES status here.
MT· Bangalore·
My EES is not ok.
What are my chances of getting them in time?
CuriousGuy·
I believe this gets updated after your application is processed. Also, just a note, the website itself states that the EES status isn't reliable.
VS· Delhi·
What is EES?
How and when to check it?
SA·
pls check on this site https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees/check-how-long-you-can-stay
Helpful: 1
12· Delhi·
Anybody with 17th application dispatched?
Mukesh·
Yes it got dispatched today . EES turned okay yesterday and today it got dispatched . …Read the full reply
Helpful: 1
Rajesh·
Where to check the EES status??
abcd·
you can check here: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees/check-how-long-you-can-stay
Helpful: 1
Anon· Delhi·
Does it mean mine is rejected?
I applied from VFS delhi on 8th, reached embassy on 9th. My EES status is still NOT OK but seeing it has changed to OK for a few people today.
AL·
Not yet, some people who applied on 8th already received their passport in a few days while others had to wait, will need patience
Anon· Delhi·
Did the EES status change to OK for anyone who applied from VFS Switzerland from Delhi on the 8th / reached embassy on the 9th of September?
I'm worried 8th september applications have started to dispatch and our EES hasnt turned to OK. First time applicant here (family).
AB·
Yes it turned Ok for me today, applied on 8th Sept Mumbai VFS SWZ.
AL·
Yes turned OK for me yesterday as well, 8 Sept Mumbai VFS Swiss
TA· Lucknow·
Hi..Applied on 21st Aug..EES turned OK today evening...no updates on VFS tracking though as of now..
TAOP·
Around 5 pm..Now vfs tracking also updated..showing handed to courier service
Ned·
Same although mine says sent to courier service.
AT· Bangalore·
If the passports are being dispatched today, at what time does the EES or VFS status typically get updated?
Anon·
From what I observed, EES turns OK for most people at 2:30pm-4:30pm IST and VFS dispatch mail is sent around 6-8pm IST
abcd·
have got passport dispatch email, ees not okay
Sid·
Your submission date was? EES cannot be considered as a conclusive proof of visa being issued… wait for the passport
Santhosh· Bangalore·
How long will it take to dispatch passports and receive it usually?
Applied on 8th and my EES turned OK today.
pragnesh·
very next day they dispatch so around 2 days
Vishnu·
Even it takes 2 days with courier service to home address
Ajv· Bangalore·
I had family application with 14th date. Wife's shows ok and rest not okay. All passports dispatched today. Seen somewhere this is normal. Will confirm actual status once I get passports.
AjvOP·
Got all 3 passports today with visa, ees still shows not ok for 2 of the passports.
Raj·
How to check ees
Sammie·
Ees status link- https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees/check-how-long-you-can-stay
1234· Delhi·
Application Date : 17th Sep, Anyone with EES Okay today?
Ankit·
Yes my gone OK today at 3 pm. 17 Sept Delhi
Vishnu·
Ok. But VFS not dispatched
Vaibhav· Chandigarh·
My EES turned OK today, Application date 15 Sept (Chd)…when will it be available for self collection at VFS chd?
VaibhavOP·
Went processing on 17 September, Got dispatch message today morning.
Unknown· Bangalore·
Where can we see our EES update
Whatsinaname· Delhi·
Does EES being Not Ok mean visa is rejected?
TA·
Not always..It sometimes gets updated later also
MT· Bangalore·
EES shows not ok, does that mean my passport won’t be dispatched even in the next 2-3 days?
Shanaya·
If EES turns ok then next day it dispatches
Gaurav· Pune·
Does EES status Okay means visa is granted or it is not a 100% sure indicator?
VP·
Mostly it's granted
Helpers in these threads: JustHelping · Vinit · Vikas · RD · Eswaraprasad · daisy · TT · akshayna1r · Deepak
More from applicants
Why it can say NOT OK when your visa was granted
- Dates outside your visa. The most common cause. The check answers for the dates you enter, so an arrival before your visa starts, or a stay longer than it allows, gives NOT OK.
- No arrival date. The tool then uses today, and your visa usually starts later.
- Your travel date has passed. Check a later date, such as tomorrow. If that still says NOT OK, your visa's dates may simply not cover that day (some visas are issued only for the dates you asked for), so it still doesn't mean refused.
- It updates late. Applicants report OK appearing the next day, after the passport was already dispatched.
- Not everyone's visa shows up. Some people got their passport back with a visa inside and EES still said NOT OK for their dates.
A NOT OK while other people from your application date are getting OK can feel alarming, but it isn't enough to tell you anything. The embassy doesn't finish every application from the same day at once.
What to do with an OK
- Watch for the dispatch. Your passport usually leaves within a day or two. Our Blue Dart tracking guide shows how to find it before the VFS email arrives.
- Don't book non-refundable travel on OK alone. OK is a strong sign, not a decision. The visa in your passport is the decision.
- Check how far the embassy has got. The live tracker shows which application dates each embassy has sent back, so you can see whether yours is due.
Bottom line
EES OK for your trip dates usually means good news is on its way. EES NOT OK on its own means very little. Put dates inside your trip, check once a day rather than every hour, and wait for the passport. While it's “under process”, see what that status means and how long it's taking.
Track live Schengen visa processing times: