How To Apply For A Schengen Visa In Singapore?

APPLYING FOR A SCHENGEN VISA IN SINGAPORE (FRANCE)

Note: I am Philippine passport holder, currently residing in Singapore, and would like to obtain a Schengen Visa through French Embassy in Singapore.

If you have not yet read my blog about our Europe adventure, please click HERE. 

WHERE TO GET THE VISA?

               

From the blogs I have read before getting a Schengen visa, I learnt that there are two options in which you can check where or which embassy you can apply to:

1) country of your point of entry; or

2) country which you will spend most of the days in

In our case, we wanted to make sure so we covered the two options. We chose France. Well, according to what I read, they are the most relaxed, nice and not-so-strict embassy to apply for. :D

This is why we booked a flight landing in Paris and prepared an itinerary showing that we would stay in France longer than any other Schengen countries.

HOW TO GET THE VISA?

1. Prepare the documents required for the application

2. Schedule an appointment in the French Embassy. 

3. On your appointment, go to the French Embassy in Singapore (near Botanical Gardens MRT), submit your prepared documents, have your photo and fingerprints taken and pay the visa fee of 60 euros.

4. You’re done! So just wait for the results and track your application online should you wish.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?

Note: I am Philippine passport holder, currently residing in Singapore, and would like to acquire a Schengen Visa through French embassy in Singapore.

1. Valid Passport

2. 1 short stay Schengen visa form fully filled in and signed. Click HERE.

3. 1 identity photograph pasted on the form. The photo must be recent, clearly showing the face, the forehead hairline and ears.

4. ORIGINAL + 1 PHOTOCOPY of Financial guarantee.

For applicants over 18:

- a letter from your employer in Singapore mentioning your annual salary, your position, date of employment and dates of leave. If you are a student, an enrollment letter from your school or university

- AND your last 2 months bank statement (current account AND, if applicable, savings account) showing the balance, the transactions, your name and account number. E-statements are accepted.
Note: I submitted e-statements but I had it authorized by Citibank and DBS just to make sure. 

If you are self-employed, the local company biz-file issued by ACRA

For applicants under 18:  the father’s and/or mother’s last 2 months bank statements + birth certificate and parent’s passport copy

If your financial means are not sufficient, you may also provide commitment letter from your sponsor stating he/she will be responsible for all your expenses with a proof of his/her financial means (last 2 months bank statements) AND a copy of his/her passport.

5. Flight reservation/booking with confirmed dates (roundtrip)

6. Proof of accommodation

- confirmed hotel reservation for the whole length of your stay in all Schengen countries. Address and dates should be stated.

- if you are staying with family or friend(s) you must present:

- For a stay in France: an Attestation d’Accueil that your host must obtain from his/her City Hall

7. Travel insurance. Your name and dates of coverage should be stated on the policy. The insurance should cover the following: medical expenses, hospitalization and repatriation costs incurred for each at least 30.000 euros during your stay in Europe

8. ORIGINAL + 1 PHOTOCOPY:  Employment pass / S pass / Dependant pass / Student pass / Work permit  / PR card with re-entry permit

9. ORIGINAL + 1 PHOTOCOPY: valid passport – only identity pages. The passport should be issued less than 10 years ago and valid for at least 3 months after the departure from Schengen states. It should contain at least 2 blank visa pages.

10. 1 PHOTOCOPY  Previous Schengen visas (if any)

11. FOR BUSINESS TRIPS (in addition to all the above mentioned documents)

- ORIGINAL + 1 PHOTOCOPY, an official business invitation letter from a company in France and a letter from your employer in Singapore stating:

- that you are going to France on their behalf and the purpose of your visit,

- the name address and contact number of the company to be visited,

- that your employer takes full responsibility for all your expenses incurred while in France, that they guarantee your return to Singapore.

12. FOR APPLICANTS UNDER 18 (in addition to all the above mentioned documents)

- A parental authorization form if not travelling with both parents

- ORIGINAL + 1 PHOTOCOPY  birth certificate

- 1 PHOTOCOPY  passports of both parents

- For minors living in Singapore without their parents: letter of legal guardian + 1 photocopy of his passport

13.  FOR NON WORKING SPOUSES (in addition to all the above mentioned documents

- ORIGINAL + Copy of wedding certificate and your spouse’s passport

14. Checklist Document. Please click HERE.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

* Document or photocopy missing = incomplete file = high risk of visa refusal

*Fees (not refundable): exchange value of 60 euros (between 90 to110 SGD according to the exchange rate)

*EACH FAMILY MEMBER SHOULD HAVE A SEPARATE, COMPLETE FILE

*YOUR FILE WILL BE ENTERTAINED ONLY IF THE MAIN DESTINATION (the country where you will be staying the most number of days) IS FRANCE, AUSTRIA, GREECE OR MONACO.

*I read in other blogs that there will be a possibility that you will get rejected if your work pass is soon to expire.

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For those who are Philippine passport holders residing in the Philippines and would like to acquire a Schengen Visa through French embassy via VFS Global, please click this LINK.

Cheers!

Cha