How To Get A Schengen Visa?

I’ve been asked a few times about the Schengen visa application so I would like to share our experience. Since we are currently residing in Singapore, we applied at the French embassy here. However, I can also share my mother’s experience in acquiring a Schengen visa in the Philippines.

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

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APPLYING FOR A SCHENGEN VISA IN THE PHILIPPINES (FRANCE)

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

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?

It was just recent that the French embassy has partnered with VFS Global to process Schengen visa applications in the Philippines. Thus, it is not required now to go to the French embassy itself. Only these people are allowed to apply directly at the embassy.

In line with this, my mother had undergone the following steps:

1. Prepare the documents required for the application

2. Schedule an appointment in VFS via online.

3. On your appointment date, go to the VFS application centre in Makati, submit your prepared documents, pay the processing fee of 26 euros and visa fee of 60 euros, and finally, have your photo and fingerprints taken. Note that the fee will be paid in PHP so it will just be converted based on the foreign exchange on that day.

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

Just an FYI that my mom opted to have her passport delivered at home because she didn’t want to come back to Makati just to pick up her passport. She just paid an extra fee for the delivery.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?

Note: These are the requirements that my mom prepared to acquire a schengen visa through French embassy via VFS Global. My mom is a Philippine passport holder residing in the Philippines.

1. Passport must be:

- issued less than 10 years before the date of application (date of first issuance of passport)

- contain at least 2 successive unused pages (facing each other) (2 blank pages)

- must be more than three months, counted from the day the applicant intends to leave the Schengen area

2. Completed Schengen Vsa Application form

3.  Photograph must follow the specifications below:

Note: When we had our photos taken at Great Image, we specifically mentioned that it’s for “Schengen Visa” and reminded them of the specifications.

- coloured photo taken against a white background

- size: 35mm x 45mm, maximum head length: 25mm

- head must not be tilted

- absolutely no eyewear and headgear in any form

- Image must not have been altered and must be clear

4. Cover letter explaining the purpose of the trip and proposed day-to-day itinerary. Here’s the sample that my mother has used.

5. Proof of Accommodation

Note: We booked our hotels via Booking.com. Those are all “Pay Later” bookings. We wanted to make sure we could cancel in case our visa wouldn’t be approved. As showed in our bookings, we would be staying in France longer than any other Schengen countries we’d visit.

- For Tourists: hotel reservations (for the entire stay in the Schengen area)

- If staying with a French resident: “Attestation d’accueil” (delivered by the City hall where the host is residing (the original must be presented) + copy of that host’s passport or residence permit (if citizen of a country outside the EU) + proof of relationship (if applicable)

- For priests, nuns and missionaries: “Formulaire unique” + certificate from

6. Round Trip Airline Reservation

7. For family visit, proof of relationship with the host (birth certificate, marriage certificate…)

8. Certificate of employment with monthly salary and leave of absence approved by employer, or if self employed, official business registration (DTI Permit and /or SEC papers) for current and previous year

9. Latest personal income tax return

10. Recent (issued within the last month) personal bank certification

11. Photocopy of the last three months’ statement of account of the same bank account

12. For minors and/or students:

- Proof of economic means of parents/legal guardian

- Copy of passport of parents/legal guardian and affidavit of support and consent

- Proof of enrolment and certificate of leave of absence if travelling during the school year

13. Identity/Marital Status

Note: I had my mom’s NSO birth and marriage certificates delivered in our home for these requirements. You can check the NSO website for more details.

- If married: photocopy of your marriage contract and birth certificate

- If single: photocopy of your birth certificate

- For non-Filipino applicants: Copy of Alien Certificate Registration (ACR)

- For minors not travelling with either parent, a copy of the DSWD permit

14. An international travel insurance (medical expenses and repatriation) covering the entire period of the person’s intended stay and valid for all Schengen states. Minimum coverage should be EUR 30,000.

Note: I got my mom’s travel insurance through Blue Cross. Your name and dates should be stated in the policy.

15. Visa Fee

16. Checklist document of all of these requirements. You can download a copy here.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Documents must be in TWO COMPLETE SETS (Original and Photocopy) and must be arranged in the CORRECT ORDER specified in the CHECKLIST DOCUMENT.

If there are any missing information in any of these requirements, there will be a big possibility that VFS will not accept your application.

In the Schengen Visa Application form, we ticked “Multiple Entries” because we will be crossing other countries in the Schengen Area. Single Entry is for those who will stay in France only.

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For those who are Philippine passport holders currently residing in Singapore and would like to acquire a Schengen Visa through French embassy in Singapore, please click this LINK.

Cheers!

Cha