In the context of UK visa applications, VAC stands for Visa Application Centre. VACs are established to provide administrative support to the Embassy/Consulate for the successful submission of applications for all temporary resident categories, including visitor visas, study and work permits. Once an applicant has submitted their application and attended their VAC appointment, their application will be considered by an Entry Clearance Officer at a decision-making center. The decision-making centers are large-scale hubs around the world, such as Istanbul and Beijing, where Home Office caseworkers assess visa applications. Applicants can track the progress of their visa application through VFS Globals online tracking service, which will indicate when their passport is ready for collection/delivery from the VAC.