Schengen Visa for Philippine Passport Holders

Posted by wanderlass | Mar 16, 2011 | visa challenge |

Updated August 2018

Applying Schengen Visa from French Embassy Online

The process in applying for Schengen Visa through the French Embassy has changed since I applied in 2007 and 2011. It is now more efficient with the submission of documents done online.

Every information you need is now available on the new France-Visas website. After filling the visa application form, you will be redirected to the on-line appointment and tracking systems of VFS Global.

Philippine passport holders are required Schengen visa to visit one or more of the states in the Schengen Region in Europe. This visa is valid in all Schengen states for a stay of up to 90 days within a six-month period for a visit, tourism or business. It is not valid for employment.

Schengen Region

The Schengen area comprises 27 European countries. There is normally no passport control on the borders between these countries. If you have a valid visa or residence permit in one of these countries, you can also visit the other Schengen countries.

The Schengen area consists of the ff countries

Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, the Czech Republic.

As of 2014, valid Schengen visa (type: double or multiple entry), who have already entered the Schengen area, may travel to the following without additional visa and may stay for period equal to the remainder of the time for which the Schengen visa is valid.

– Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Romania

Philippine passport holders are required Schengen visa to visit one or more of these Member States. This visa is valid in all Schengen states for a stay of up to 90 days within a six-month period for a visit, tourism or business. It is not valid for employment.

When to apply for Schengen Visa?

Applications can be made earliest three (3) months before the planned entry.

How much is Schengen Visa?

The visa-processing fee is EUR 60. The fee is non-refundable even if application is unsuccessful.

What are the requirements in applying Schengen Visas?

1. Signed and filled up Schengen Visa Application Form (click this) with photo attached, plus 1 additional photo.

Photo Specification

Color photo taken against white background;
Clear and of good quality;
Printed on normal photographic paper;
45 mm high x 35 mm wide in size
Taken with nothing covering the face, without sunglasses or tinted spectacles, or a head covering
The subject should have their mouth closed (no grinning, frowning or raised eyebrows) and the applicant should be facing forwarding, looking straight ahead.

2. Valid passport with 3 months validity from the end of visa duration. Photo copy of valid and former visas, if any.

3. Cover letter explaining the purpose of your trip and detailed itinerary. If you don’t have this, you have to write one on the spot before they will accept your requirements. Here is the cover letter addressed to the Honorable Consul I made in 2007.

4. Details of your trip

Round trip ticket reservation. Reservations only.
Itinerary of the whole duration including departure and arrival dates.
Accommodations – hotel vouchers, seriously. If you’re staying with a good friend who is a French resident/national, then you need them to provide you with something called Attestation d’accueil (Certificate of Board and Lodging) and your host’s national identity card or residence permit.

Why I said good friend? Because it’s a lot of trouble for them to get this. If you have a French national host, just cut and paste below list for the document you needed from them. These are basically records of their existence in France such as title of property or contract of lease, utility billing statement as address proof, bank statements, medical records, pay slip, and finally they have to go to the city hall to have all these certified. Like I said, lots of trouble. :)

The attestation d’accueil is a form needed to be presented to the City Hall with the following documents:

la carte nationale d’identité ou le passeport, ou la carte de résidence

livret de famille de l’hébergeant

justificatifs de domicile (EDF-GDF, facture Télécom, facture Eau)

titre de propriété (taxe foncière) ou de location (taxe d’habitation)

contrat de bail ou descriptif du logement

2 derniers bulletins de salaires ou justificatifs divers de ressources mensuelles (retraite, CAF)

dernier avis d’imposition ou de non imposition

noms, prénoms de l’étranger, date et lieu de naissance, adresse exacte, n° du passeport et sa copie, copie du document justifiant le lien de parenté s’il y a lieu

attestation d’assurance médicale de l’hôte

un timbre spécifique dit « timbre OMI » d’un montant de 15 euros, il sera demandé à l’issue d’une réponse favorable. Disponible dans les perceptions et chez les buralistes.(Attention : il faut autant de timbres que de personnes accueillies sauf s’il s’agit de l’accueil d’une même famille avec des enfants mineurs).

5. Proof of employment

Certificate of employment stating monthly salary and approved leave of absence.
If self employed, official business registration for current and previous year.

6. Proof of Income

Income Tax Return
Recent Bank Certification
Photocopy of the last 3 months statement of Account of the same bank account.
If someone other than yourself is paying for the the trip, then submit financial document of the sponsor instead.

7. Identity / Marital Status:

Photocopy of First page of Passport and all relevant obtained visas
Authenticated birth certificate from NSO. If married, bring photocopy of your marriage contract.

8. Travel insurance that covers the entire duration of your intended stay with minimun coverage EUR 30,000. The medical policies must state the following points :

Medical attention and treatment will be given in case of illness or accident

The injured or ill traveller can be transported home for treatment + body repatriation in case of death

The insurance coverage is a least 30 000 euros (50 000 US dollars)

The insurance must be valid for all 25 Schengen member states which should be listed on the policy

The insurance company must be re-insured, the name of the re-insurer and his TOLL FREE phone number must be listed on the policy

The policy must allow CASHLESS SETTLEMENTS of claims. The name of the company in charge of such settlements and their toll free number must be clearly stated on the policy.

Where to Buy Travel Insurance in the Philippines

I used to buy insurance with an agent, but I now buy Travel Insurance through Pacific Cross, World’s Nomad

How long does it take for Schengen Visa to be released?

About The Author

wanderlass

Lilliane is the lass who wanders. She travels the world on a quest to live a life not ordinary. An avid traveler, photographer, and scuba diver, she once traveled continuously for 14 months around the world, took over 20,000 photos, and spent too much money on a liveaboard dive trip in the Galapagos.

2,197 Comments

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Frenchie on 05/10/2011 at 7:35 am

hi Lil, just want to asked if what is usually the question in the interview?
- wanderlass on 05/10/2011 at 7:58 am
  
  I have an invitation from a French nationale, so they asked me how I know this person. And if I was invited by the same person during my last trip to Europe (answer: no). They also asked when’s the last time I was out of Asia (I don’t know the relevance of the question, but the answer is US-Canada, Nov, 2009). And the standard what is the purpose of your travel (answer: tourism).
  - Frenchie on 05/11/2011 at 12:05 am
    
    thanks Lil, so it takes 3 – 5 questions? how will one knows if she passed the interview or not? what are the grounds for visa denial or refusal?
    - wanderlass on 05/11/2011 at 11:30 am
      
      my observation is that they tell you right away if u’re requirement is kulang, so unless u r able to produce what they want from u, then u’ll be denied. i’ve only applied twice ever, and parang same feeling. i complain lang that we cannot stay for over 3 months (as tourist) and stay cannot be extended. but as for the approval, parang they’re fair naman.
AJ on 04/28/2011 at 3:48 pm

Ma’am! Ilan days po bago niyo nakuha visa sa schengen French embassy? As in 1 week talaga?

Very anxious, maiipit ata trip ko only because of the processing time haha.

Thanks pala for uploading a sample of your cover letter!
- wanderlass on 05/01/2011 at 5:22 pm
  
  my memory says about a week, but could be 10 days as they usually promise.
  - AJ on 05/01/2011 at 8:01 pm
    
    Okay! I can see we have the same appointment date. Goodluck to us!
jones on 04/27/2011 at 6:17 am

good luck to you:-)
today is the 14th day of waiting…. they told me that i have to wait for 2weeks and i’ve got 2 missed calls today from the norwegian embassy…. i wasn’t able to heard the call because i was busy with our presentation in school. I wonder what the result is and what they are going to tell me. It says in the email from udi.no is that you can follow up or check the status of your application but nothing is written there re the status. Plus, they didn’t even call home or leave a message at home, nor send an email as to what i’m going to do now. I missed hte call and so crazy thinking about it. i’ll just then have to call them back tomorrow, but it says the call should only be at 1400H – 16:30H. grrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!
- jones on 04/27/2011 at 3:35 pm
  
  i called the embassy and told me that i have to submit my son’s certificate…. after 2 weeks,t hey told me that i have to submit this?????? what does this mean???? does this mean that i am approved????? i’m really hope so!!!!!
Girlie on 04/21/2011 at 1:04 am

A friend doctor of mine who was also my patient 6yrs ago when I was a special nurse invited me to accompany him as his special nurse at his business trip for 5days in Switzerland.My problem is my passport will expire on Oct.23,2011. Can I still used my green old passport?
- wanderlass on 04/24/2011 at 9:53 am
  
  They will require you to have 6 months of passport validity from the date of intended entry. This is usually the case with most countries anyway. At the moment it takes about 2 months to get passport appointment. I think you will not be granted visa because of the validity date of your passport, but you can certainly try. If your sponsor/friend can write a really moving letter to their embassy on why he needed ur company desperately, maybe!? Good luck.
  - jones on 05/01/2011 at 7:23 am
    
    Yehhhheeeeey!!!! “Waiting Game is Over”
    my visa has been appoved… I’m sooooooo happy!!!!!
- rich.briten on 08/04/2011 at 2:58 am
  
  mine was extension stamp and the netherlands embassy in London accepted it.
jones on 04/18/2011 at 7:59 am

will u ever have a clue if you passed the interview or not in the Norwegian embassy here in mla? i experienced that one grandmother ahead of me was interviewed for less than 5mins, and when it was my turn the lady interviewer asked me to please give the passport back to the old lady ahead of me because she forgot to return it to her. when it was my turn i was interviewed thoroughly and told me that i should have brought my marriage certificate and my daughter’s certificate but then told her that it wasn’t on the checklist, all requirements are met except these two. after about 15mins, she got all my documents including my passport and she stamped something on my passport. She told me to wait for the result after 2 weeks. I asked her if she’ll keep the passport and said yes. ( i just wonder what does this mean, because the old lady before me, nasa knya ung passport nya, while mine is sabi nya iwan daw don. i’m a nervous wreck now waiting for the result….. anyone who has the same experience????
- wanderlass on 04/18/2011 at 6:07 pm
  
  its always a little bit nerve wracking, this waiting game. so far though, i’ve never been denied visa. so on your question why ur passport is retained and the lady’s was returned. i think it’s case to case basis. maybe the woman will be traveling between then and the release of passport so it was given back to her. if u read thru the messages above, you will see that Prechie and Gypsy’s passports were returned to them until visas are approved. As for my case before, it was with them the whole time. And I also had to go back to bring additional requirements. Anyway, good luck to you!
  - jones on 04/19/2011 at 3:59 pm
    
    thanks thanks:-)
    i’m really a nervous wreck waiting for the result …. there’s nothing to do but to wait
  - jones on 04/20/2011 at 6:40 am
    
    i just want to ask, how long did you wait for the result of your schengen visa?
    - Gypsy Feet on 04/20/2011 at 9:02 pm
      
      The French visa officer claims that he told my husband to go back 10 working days after. In the internet it says it could take up to 30 working days. We waited 30 working days but usually it is less than that.
      - wanderlass on 04/24/2011 at 9:46 am
        
        when i made my appointment this time, they told me my visa will take 10 days. my appointment is on may 6. so good luck to me too.
aungsan on 04/18/2011 at 4:29 am

Hi, can I ask if you’ve had to make claims from your travel insurance provider? Whhich one would you recommend? I’m making plans to get a Schengen visa in a few months’ time. I have traveled to France, Italy and UK visas years ago but have never had to make insurance claims.

Stumbled on your blog courtesy of Google. Thanks for all the info.
- wanderlass on 04/18/2011 at 5:36 pm
  
  Yes, I was able to reimburse doctor’s fee and medicine bill during my 2007 trip. At that time I had travel insurance from Philam. Today it is being served by Chartis Insurance – same agent.
bea on 04/13/2011 at 11:57 pm

wow! i’m so glad to have stumbled upon this site. thanks so much sis for taking your time to share these info. they r indeed very useful, especially for someone like me who hopes to visit europe for the first time.

quick question sis.. pasensya na sa istorbo ha.. i’ve read some sites that says na required ang PURCHASED airline tickets upon claiming of the visa. is this required talaga? in my case kasi, I will be staying in Romania (on a 90 day tourist visa, extendable to 1 year) from August 2011 and wala pa talaga kaming definite date kung kelan kame mag tour sa schengen zone.. depende pa kung kelan free si hubby.. m not sure naman kung pwede ako mag apply ng schengen visa sa romania so i thought better na dito na ko mag apply sa pinas before we leave) sorry napahaba na!
- wanderlass on 04/14/2011 at 9:54 am
  
  (1) as of today, it’s not required to present ticket upon claiming of visa. but u need to have booking upon application. (2) technically, u can only apply schengen visa at the country of your residence. if u became resident of Romania, either as a student, working, spouse, etc, basta permanent nature (not tourist), then u can apply from there. apply ka nalang din while you’re here.
  - bea on 04/14/2011 at 4:06 pm
    
    got it.. thanks thanks! more power to your site!
  - maysha garcia on 02/12/2014 at 11:02 am
    
    do i need to have a booking first, is it one of the requirements applying for a schengen visa??? thank you very much for responsing
    - ellah on 03/11/2015 at 6:07 pm
      
      You just need to have a reservation ticket :)
TAM on 04/12/2011 at 12:22 am

hello WANDERLASS.

Thank you for the informatio, very usefull.

French Ambassy requests so many statement that has to be state on the medical policies that most of the insurance companies do not comply with. May you have the kindness to tell us at what insurance company did you subcribe and did they totally comply with the French ambassy requirement.

thank you veru much.

Francis Eric TAM
- wanderlass on 04/12/2011 at 12:59 am
  
  Contact any one of the listed accredited insurer. Tell your agent u need travel insurance to apply for Schengen visa, they would know what to give u. i’m getting Chartis.
  - maysha garcia on 02/12/2014 at 10:56 am
    
    how much will it cost me to apply for a travel insurance? im flying to france and do i need to have a show money before applying for a schengen visa? thanks im looking forward for an auspicious response…love love love
    - ellah on 03/11/2015 at 6:03 pm
      
      Hi loi,ang pinaka mura na travel insurance na natanungan ko is Malayan atdun na din aq kumuha hehe 4500 pesos lang at makuha mo din agad ung policy at certificate :)
      Pwede din sa online application nila :)
      I hope makatulong;)
Gypsy Feet on 04/11/2011 at 3:37 am

Hi! My husband went to MNL to apply for a Schengen visa @ the French embassy a 5 weeks ago. We got a great deal thru Air Asia to fly from KL to Paris for P6,500 per way. He went there without thoroughly reading the French embassy website for the requirements. Anyway, he was there almost the entire day and at the end, he was required to fax in the additional 3 requirements. After we emailed the additional requirements we were told through email “Please bring copies of the emailed documents upon claiming your visa.” We live in Davao City so it is not very accessible to go to the French embassy. They returned the passport to us 5 weeks ago and we are now doing the waiting game. We have called once just to be told off. I have emailed twice to ask when the visa will be released and it went unanswered.
Everything is booked and we are leaving on May 7, 2011. It is just less than 4 weeks away!
We are quite worried about the situation. What do you recommend that we do?
- wanderlass on 04/11/2011 at 8:04 am
  
  They returned your passport to u 5 weeks ago? How are you getting a visa if your passpoet is with u?
  - Gypsy Feet on 04/11/2011 at 12:55 pm
    
    We just got back from our trip to Canada for 3 weeks. My husband had told the French Embassy that we will be going on a trip. They gave back his passport and told him to just bring it back when the visa was to be given. Did they keep your passport the whole time?
    I wished there was someone who has been in the same boat as us.
    It’s quite irritating not knowing if a schengen visa will be given or not!
    - wanderlass on 04/11/2011 at 2:56 pm
      
      my experience in all visa application is that passport is kept until visa is issued as the visa is attached (stamped, pasted) into a page in your passport. schengen is no exception. i wonder if your application is also pending because they’re waiting for you to send back your passport.
      
      why not try calling them again? the hotline is free and even if the Filipina woman answering is “feeling superior”, she may have answers. please relay your situation of having your passports on hand.
      - Espresso on 07/17/2011 at 11:42 pm
        
        Hi, may i please ask how were you able to call the hotline for embassy. ive tried calling them through a smart and globe number to no avail. I called Globe and inquire how to, but the rep doesnt know as well. I went to PLDT Paco and asked why, and they say they dont have the means to call embassies anymore. im so lost at this. I appreciate any help. Thanks :)
      - wanderlass on 07/18/2011 at 2:37 am
        
        there is an option to send email, and they do reply and give you an earlier date than those on the hotline.
    - Prechie on 04/12/2011 at 1:04 am
      
      In my case, they gave my passport back and told me to come back at a specific date. They actually wrote the date on the back of the receipt where I paid the visa application. What’s good about it is that you can travel while you wait for the result of your Visa application. But what’s NOT good about it is the waiting game. You wouldnt’ know if you’ll be given or not until the time that you are asked to come back to the embassy and give your passport.
      
      They should have given you a date when to return with your passport. It’s ok if you can’t make it on the date they set, you can come later when you’re available.
      
      Lilliane is right, you can call the French embassy, and inquire if you can come back already for the result (supposing they did not give you a specific date). =)
      - Gypsy Feet on 04/12/2011 at 4:20 am
        
        I called the French embassy yesterday exactly at 2pm and talked to the visa officer. They claimed that they told my husband to go back after 10 working days. I guess my husband was too stressed out during the visa application day and didn’t hear them. Nevertheless, my husband’s visa is apparently ready now and we will send back his passport with an authorization letter for someone else to claim the visa in his behalf. Waiting game is finally over!
      - wanderlass on 04/12/2011 at 12:46 pm
        
        sabi ko na nga ba waiting game on both sides
      - wanderlass on 04/12/2011 at 12:46 pm
        
        dapat ganun nga so that we can travel elsewhere while they judge you! haha
Prechie on 04/08/2011 at 12:59 am

Hello Lilliane! I followed your site thru fb….and stumbled upon this post. Very helpful indeed. I just got my schengen visa this month, as I’m planning to return to Europe this May and include London in my itinerary.

And yes, I agree, per my experience, those Filipino visa staff are the ones who exhibit “unfriendliness” towards their kababayans. I just don’t know why….do they feel superior over us? lol. The one who interviewed me had this condescending look on his face while browsing on my documents. And he gave me a hard time claiming for the visa as he asked me to come back 2x! haay…anyway, when are you planning to go to Europe??? Have fun!
- wanderlass on 04/08/2011 at 3:39 am
  
  Uy, Prechie! Happy trip to you! I’m planning to leave as soon as I got them, hopefully this May. My passport is in UK for a week now, no news yet. I’m getting my Shengen next, hopefully I’ll get both soon and be off before June. :)
  - Prechie on 04/08/2011 at 8:33 am
    
    wow! I plan to go this May too!!! What’s ur itinerary?! Mine is : London-Paris-Berlin-Brussels-Amsterdam-Rome…if my work permits and if my boss would approve my 3week sojourn. =)
    - wanderlass on 04/08/2011 at 4:58 pm
      
      I’ve no concrete plan yet but countries on my list now are: England, France, Germany, Greece, Portugal, Italy, Czech, Poland, Hungary, Austria… wow ang dami.. i’ve to trim down later. haha.. So you’re done with both visas?
      - Prechie on 04/10/2011 at 8:14 am
        
        haha..ang dami nga, kung pwede lang talaga mapuntahan lahat! Yep, done with both Visas, yehey! U.K. Visa was a breeze, I got my documents back in 5 working days.
        
        But the problem is, di pa ako nakakapagpaaalam sa boss ko sa office! haay, goodluck sa akin! =)
      - wanderlass on 04/11/2011 at 9:52 am
        
        Really? why is my UK visa taking forever! They told me 4-5 working days but it’s been 8 working days and total of 12. Grrr… The Royal Wedding brouhaha
- wanderlass on 04/08/2011 at 3:40 am
  
  And that’s true, why do these people think they’re more superior than us? Do they think that because they work for a European company/embassy that suddenly they’re white? Utterly pathetic in my opinion. =)