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 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?
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Terve Wanderglass,
Kim needs help here.
Just want to ask if it’s possible to apply another schengen tourist visa again after having one and is there days or months waiting for d next tourist visa application? ..I got a schengen tourist visa last October but it will be until January 13 only, I don’t want to overstay and wanted to spend more time with my husband…
Thanks in advance and Godbless.
For tourist visa, you are only allowed to stay total of 90days (not necessarily consecutive) within 180days period. So counting back 180days, if you already have 90days, I believe you can only apply again after 90days. Please verify this with the embassy.
thanks a lot….
Hello Wanderlass,
Thank you so much for sharing your “wanders”. I am just curious, what is the minimum visa stay for Schengen visa.
I just got back from Australia and when I applied for Aus Visa, I attached on the letter that I would stay there for 3 weeks as a tourist. They provided me with a 3-month tourist visa, that means I could stay not just 3weeks but up to 3months.
My question is, does Schengen also have the same format? Like if I say I would stay in any EU country for a month travel, would I be provided, if fortunate enough, with a minimum 3-month visa despite my advise of a month travel only?
Thank you,
Sandrine
if approved, you will be provided with the number of days applied for. 1 week kung 1 week. 3 days kung 3 days. Maximum is 3 months stay.
hi wonderlass, i need your help/advise… i recieved this morning the result of my visa and it was denied :-( i want to re-appeal please help me what is the right thing to do. appreciate your advise..
hi wonderclass,we had an interview almost 3 mos ago Aug 20 2012 with my friend at french embassy ..it was denied and we made an appeal it took 3 wks after we got the result from france and it ses that they need it in french so we translate it in french last oct 12 2012..were just wondering why it took so long or do we still need to expect result from France Embassy??Pls give us some advised or tips,or can we reapply to other schegen state..well it would be nice if we could hear any single word from you..thank you so very much..Have a nice day ahead of you..:)
hi..
magkapareho lng po ba ung attestation d’accuel at ung Annexe 3bis/Verbintenis Tot Tenlasteneming.. yan po kasi pinadala ng mama ko.. thanks po
Hello Rosie,
Thanks for your kind response. and yes, goodluck to us…
Btw, im quite nervous as the bank statement given to me by my french friend was only cost euros20 to 25,000.00 and im quite afraid of that, though his salary as Senior Product Development Manager is worth Euro103,162.00. He just arrived from france 1 month ago as he is an expats here in the philippines for 4years and he’s bank was just updated last sept 2012. He will shoulder every little expenses that i will spend like what your fiance did. What do you think? does my visa will be approved? i hope and wishing it so much.
Buti pa ikaw waiting for visa. ako interview sa next week pa.. As i pray for all of us.
Hope we could see each other for whatever the result maybe.
Thanks wanderlass for this site, you help us alot. Wish i could also have a chance to see you as well. Goodluck..
Goodluck for tomorrow Rosie… its me Rome
Hi Rome,
Sad to say but my Visa Application had been refused. I asked the consul who is the same person was interviewed me. French Nationality) quite nice person although. as well a lot better than unfriendly terror window 1 that was asked for my visa fees for 440. she looks like korean or Jap. LOL consul…:) anyway, when she told me that my Visa application was refused I felt alright because I am not really sure anyway that my Visa will be grant…after that visa fees of p440. so I asked questioned to the consul, why my Visa application have been Refused and if she can tell me what is the reasons that they refused it? and if I can reapply again? and if she can tell me the right thing to do that i can make it right with all for my reapplication. well of course what do you expect. she told me she is only checking the documents she is not the one who makes decision for the Visa and so that she can not tell me what is the reasons why my application been refused and what is wrong with it?. she only advise me that my Boyfriend should make appeal for the commission of appeal and so and so. the reasons has marked on why my Visa been refused is.>>>>
(your intention to leave the territory of the state member before the expiry of the visa could not be ascertained )
but anyway, just be confident and just answer them honestly and also bring enough proofs and only answer whats the only questions, I think you should be fine if he been here long time already and you knew each-other long enough just bring all the documents Wanderlass has posted with all the requirements in here, make sure you’ll well prepared for your interviews, when you go there they will give your number, wait your numb. to be called, then step 1 read the instruction in the wall, so you are prepare your passport visa applicaion and your attestation de accuiel, and that exact visa fees listen carefully when you get in the window 1 she is terror. LOL just giving you head up, she is not really friendly, she will ask your full name, and ask your documents and she will be asking you few questions, then your Visa fees, then after you have to wait for your interview and lodging all your documents Origs, I do hope you will be go to the window 4 she is pretty and a lot better than with the windown 1. Rome, who know may be it meant to be for you or to anyone else here! i think is not for me yet! time will come …:) but is not only be has the same most of the applications i with is not lucky has the same… so just have hope and never know….:)
if it meant to be it meant to be… but of course do all your best to make it happen also and pray…:) Good luck Rome and for all of you here may your visa application will be granted.
God bless you!
And also! my advice try to ask all you can may be they will give you an answered. because that lady french nationality who’d interviewed me. she gave me an answered some of my questions what what should I do to make it right when I re apply my Visa application. one think she told me if I will used the same documents still they going to refused it. so it means the documents is not right and my fiancee to find out what is it…which is not bad at all to take chances to ask questions to the consul…:)
so if your been refused ask questions to them all you can to find out what best you can do next time and so to learn a lot :)….
Good luck to all and God bless you…..
Hi Rosie,
Very sorry to hear abouth that. I know your fiance will do necessary action for you to be with him. Keep up and smile.
BTW, thank you for your great advise.
Hope soon your visa will grant after your fiance appeal.. And wishing as well my visa will grant and some of among others.
GBU.. Thanks Rome
rosie i was wondering what time were you scheduled for your interview?
im quite scared because ill be having mine next week and i would like to stay only for 15 days. just during my christmas holidays. im sorry that u didnt get your visa :( im praying i could get mine, it is my first time to apply for schengen. its not like in the US that u will know right there on the spot if u get accepted or not :( i have to wait and find out still :( if i may ask, how long did u want to stay in france? i read why they refused your visa. did u wanna stay longer than 90 days?
ask ko din po pala kng need pa gumawa ng mom ko ng letter of invitation or okay na po ung document na pinadala nya from the mayor’s office showing na iniinvite nya ako at stated dun na anak nya ako..? thanks po
Hi wanderlass..
i’m planning to go and visit my mom in belgium.. she sent me some documents like photocopy ng ssn, passport and resident i.d, ITR, bank statement, payslip and ung document na pinirmahan ng mayor ata un sa cityhall sa brussels.. cya ung sponsor ko sa tour.. ask ko lng kasi employed po ako, ung HR nmin pwede magbigay ng Certificate of Employment but they no longer give Cert of LOA.. i can be approved for a 15-20 days na paid leaves pero wala tlga sila ibibigay na certificate ng approved leaves ko.. pwede po ba kaya na i-declare ko na lng na unemployed ako since nanay ko naman po magbabayad ng lahat or declare ko n lng po ung offiz? tumatawag po ba sila sa HR to verify ung approved leaves or ung Cert of Employment lng vverify nila.. thanks po
anytime po pwede na ko mgpasched ng interview ito na lng po tlga sa employment ko prob ko.. thanks po
hello, I’m planning to apply a tourist visa in Germany.. My german bf spent all my expenses including my expenses here in manila, but the problem are i have no bank account, no property, no kids here , unemployed, so it means i have no reason to comeback in the phil, What is the best i can do to grant my visa for tourist in Germany??? Is this possible to approved by the embassy? What are the tips u can advised to me.. Thanks in advance!!
Hi im Bianca gusto ng Spanish Boyfriend ko na mag vacation ako sa Spain ang this is my first time to apply visa,marami na kasi akong naririrnig na kailangan ng Bank account bank certificate to apply Shengen visa?,pero ang boyfriend ko ang mag shoulder lahat ng expenses round trip ticket and he can provide all the requirement needed like his finacial documents etc.. so do i still need to pass bank certificate? bank account? magkano ang minimum amount ? nag tour narin po ako in some 3 asean countries may points po ba ito, ung sa employement documents ung employement letter and letter of leave lng po ba or kailangan ung payslip ung,sss tin and health insurace
satravel insurance puwede po ba ang Philamlife im planing to apply by Dec hope you can help me with some informations, thank you in advance you help many people
take care and more power to you =)
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Hi Wanderlass,
I sent you an email,,by the way my questions were. Do you think it is ok to apply a Schengen tourist visa at Belgian Consulate in Cebu though we are planniung to go to Italy? We live in Bohol and it is more convenient for me to apply in Cebu that going to Italian Embassy in Manila. And also I am unemployed, however my fiance who is American will be the one who sponsor me on this trip, we will traveling together. Do you think i have a good chance to get a visa?
Hope you can help me, to answer these questions. Thank you and have a great weekend!
Truly,
Via Amor
hi wanderlass,
Got confused as french embassy doesn’t want to reveal on how much will be the minimum requirements for bank statement will be. May you advise me about the bank requirements. Someone tells me it should atleast 200k. Does it really have to have a 200k on your account, as i only have minimal amount in my account Php50,000.00. My french friend will shoulder all expenses going to france and going back to manila.
please help me.
Thanks, romela
if you have sponsor that will shoulder all expenses, you don’t need to submit financial document. if you will shoulder your cost, i propose €100 per day of stay.
I have my sponsor, my friend will send me money for tickets, travel insurance, visa payments and everything that i will spend here in manila, even clothes to wear there because i dont know the weather there, as he told me its cold and freeze in brittany now.. he will also shoulder my stay at france, house to stay, food, and tour..
does this case, i will no longer submit my bank statement? how about my sponsor’s bank statement should i ask him to provide it to me for docs requirements?
Thanks alot wanderlass for this clarrification, my interview will be on Nov 26 and iam very nevous because of bank details, i hope my visa will grant..
regards.
hi wanderlass so kung may sponsor i dont need to submit finacial documents or kung meron nman ako finacial documents mas maganda narin ba siya isama? bout dun sa ITR and alam ko po kc dun diba sa may mga business lng un paano kung wla po ako nun? optional lng ba un?
Hi Wanderlass, i would like to ask you some question thought you could tell me or give me advice about what had happened with my appointment last Nov,12.It was my appointment, I applying A Schengen Visa for New Caledonia, territory of France) just for holidays of 16 days anyway, I lodged my Visa application. I got all the requirements documents for schengen Visa. 1 set orig, and 1 set photocopy , and I ready in may hand both papers are organized, also for the Visa fees which is P 3,240 when my number called in window 1 she asked my last name, then she asked the 1st papers she need, she asked where i am going, she made me redo my application form also and telling me that the application I have is not the right which is that’s the right one the different is I filled out through computer although to make it nice so .may be that was it. so after she get my papers she asked me for the visa fees, I was about to hand to her the amount on my hand the exact visa fees of p3,240. but she asked me only 440, so I wasn’t prepared that amount because i thought the visa fees was 3,240. so I gave her 500 she gave me changed 50. so after that i went to get my application form to fill out but before I get that form I asked applicants same like me, and I compared the form i have and to them it is the same. so I assumed they want the hand writing. hand was shaking because i was tense it’s my first time processing a Visa, so anyway, i still so confused why she only asked to me that amount for visa fees. it must be just a mistakes. so anyway, i only one got that amount for the visa fees, so when finished my application form, I waiting for my name to be call so when I called in window 4 this consul she is very polite French nationality, although pinay, greetings with smiled, little calmed and a lot better than that consul on window 1. she ask my documents she said just the orig, so when i handed to her she asked me to take a seat for my Biomeatricts and picture I was so nervous so my hands are shaking but she still nice after all that steps , she looked into my documents she asked me, where i am going ? how long and who is the person inviting me? she asked if a friend then i just said yes it’s a friend,.so then she asked if he living there, I said yes. she seemed very serious looking into my documents she don;t bother much asking me like I prepared to giving an answers. like personal questions about me and him where we meet or how long we knew each-other.Ect. None, like i reading on your blogs that they been through this kind of procedures. I guess I don’t know, may be I submitted more documents of my fiancee we wanted so bad to be grant my Visa, so he gave me all the documents he has,. 1(banks statements 6months, (2.business Title, that he owned a company (3. attestations de accueil, (his house land title, and his (photocopy of his passport that he been here, his( 4.BIR. and the(5. Invitation letter and Guarantee letter that he will be the shoulders with all my expenses in this trip. mine I am unemployed so I don’t have ITR. so, I just had (passport, (Visa application, (Covered letter( Itinerary, for 16days,( Birth cert. NSO, (Bank Statements 3months and Cert. (insurance eu30,000 covered. and I attached my land title xerox copy. when she looking all his documents she asked me what my income just said buy and sell clothes at home but i told her also that i have an apt for rental and a house and that I attached my land title xerox together with the documents i submitted to her. then after she don’t ask me anymore question she just gave me a piece of paper to come back for my passport on Nov 20, at 12nn, i was so confused . I was worried what is it means? do they rejected my application? or they approve my Visa application, ? I have no Idea what to expect. I felt bad this whole times because I don’t know what i should be expecting..is there anyone same situation with me? I hope you can tell me or anyone thanks hope you can take the time to read my questioned.
God bless you:)
Hi rosie,
Hope you wont mind asking, hows your visa now? is it granted.. Ihope it is.. Coz me still waiting for my day of interview, and i only have minimal amount in my bank as my french friend told me i dont need to fill in my bank since he’ll gonna sponsor me. good luck to you..
Rome
Hi Rome,
I still don’t have the result yet, I will find out tomorrow I’ll let you know what the result if they grant it or not. Thanks, my finger crossed. about the amount of the bank I think as long as you have an statement of account for 3months and cert. doesn’t matter how much you have, as long as you can tell them what is your income.. if your friend sponsor they will more looking in his documents than yours just make sure you have all the proof that he is capable to sponsor you…may our Visa will be grant to make this trip….:)Good luck Rome,
Hello Rosie,
Thanks for your kind response. and yes, goodluck to us…
Btw, im quite nervous as the bank statement given to me by my french friend was only cost euros20 to 25,000.00 and im quite afraid of that, though his salary as Senior Product Development Manager is worth Euro103,162.00. He just arrived from france 1 month ago as he is an expats here in the philippines for 4years and he’s bank was just updated last sept 2012. He will shoulder every little expenses that i will spend like what your fiance did. What do you think? does my visa will be approved? i hope and wishing it so much.
Buti pa ikaw waiting for visa. ako interview sa next week pa.. As i pray for all of us.
Hope we could see each other for whatever the result maybe.
Thanks wanderlass for this site, you help us alot. Wish i could also have a chance to see you as well. Goodluck..
Goodluck for tomorrow Rosie… its me Rome
Hi Wanderlass,
Please help me where to follow up my submitted appeal at Commission on appeal at CEDEX1 France last December 18, 2012 from the Paragraph 9 of Notification of refusal.
Thanks
Rome
I also want to ask if your reply to me dated : 11/10/2012 at 5:16 pm
as you “propose €100 per day of stay.” is this still open? Thanks again. Rome
hi wandelass
i have a friend from sweden,and all expenses will shoulder of him,and he have invitation letter,copy of passport and b’certificate of him,may chance po kaya na mabigyan ako ng visa?and pwede ko po ba idaan ito sa agency?please help me po