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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How to Apply Japan Visa in the Philippines
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How to Apply UK Visa in the Philippines
How to Apply Tongan Visa in the Philippines
How to Apply Korean Visa in the Philippines
How to Apply South African Visa in the Philippines
How to Apply Romanian Visa in the Philippines
Hi everyone,
Update on my friend’s schengen visa application dated 7th July. It has been a week as of today so my friend asked me to helped me to get the contact number of Consulate of Finland just in case (as the officer mentioned to us that her documents will be submitted to the Consulate of Finland in Manila and will take a month give and take) as she was out of town and away from the internet connection. As our friends in Finland are asking for updates of her visa because we were supposed to fly on 3rd August (I booked mine already), she would like to check the results / updates at least.
So I went to look into the website and I read that it was mentioned the Consulate of Finland Manila is closed between 7th July – 18th Aug 2014! My friend went horrified and really worried that she went to contact the visa section in the Norwegian Embassy and they told her that there is no application update in the system and documents may be sendt to Embassy of Finland in Malaysia instead and asked her to contact there! As I’m in Malaysia, I helped to contact the Embassy (as it is too expensive to call for her) and asked about the documents submission as their Consulate in Manila is closed. However, the lady in the Embassy said there is no such thing as process of visa application is strictly done by the Norwegian Embassy of Manila and they only will receive documents that are rejected and request for appeal.
This really saddens my friend as she heard that and she couldn’t contact the Norwegian Embassy because it is already closed (1pm-3pm opening hours) and now she is so confused if her documents got rejected and all that…however she didn’t even get any update stating her visa got rejected and she didn’t request for appeal? She is very confused and now thinking has the Embassy not been telling the truth?
Hope you guys can give pointers.
I’m planning to travel to Norway for two weeks on September, coz that’s the only holiday I have from work. However, I do work and live in Thailand. Does the process and requirements are the the same to apply here in Bangkok?
Hi, reading blogs helped us a lot in preparing for our visa application that’s why I thought of sharing our experience, hoping this would benefit some readers. My two siblings and my mom will be my traveling companions. First we decided on where to go, then on the number of days to stay in each states. Each of us siblings has assigned task to do. I checked on airfares and accommodations, my youngest sister is in charge of the supporting documents needed, and my other sister drives us around. I read in some blogs that it may take weeks and even months before one is able to get an appointment that’s why I decided to call for an appointment thinking that we will still have much time to prepare. I called for an appointment last Tuesday and got a schedule on Friday. Actually, I can be scheduled as early as the following day. I just requested for Friday. Since our time to prepare was short, the two days that followed were so stressful. Wednesday, I inquired from travel agencies for our itinerary. I was able to get a low fare but was given only until July 15 to purchase to avail the low price. We don’t want to take the risk. I read in a blog that one may call the airline directly to reserve and hold a flight. I called Singapore Airlines to inquire about reservation. I was able to get a reservation and was given two weeks to pay. Then we went to banks to request for bank certificates. Some banks were able to give us the certificates right away while others asked us to return the following day. There were also those who asked us to come back after 3 to 5 days. After computing that we have certificates which totaled triple the amount that we need to cover our trip, we didn’t push through with the other request for bank certificates. The following day, Thursday, I found out that I gave the airline a wrong date for our side trip to Singapore. I called the airline office again and thank God, was able to correct the flight details at the same promo price. Next step is to get a travel insurance. All the while we thought we need to purchase this for the interview. We were so stressed because the travel agency where we wanted to get our travel insurance, asked us to secure medical certificate for my 76 year mom, as a requirement by blue cross for the insurance. To be able to get the travel insurance right away, we were advised to go straight to blue cross office in Makati. Since we still have to go back to the banks for the certificates, I inquired from another travel agency where we used to purchase our plane tickets. Upon seeing that all we have is a reservation and not plane tickets, the travel agent told us that we don’t need to purchase a travel insurance yet. She said she can give us a certification at P300/applicant. It really pays to have a trusted travel agency. Come Friday, we left early for our appointment with the Embassy of France. Our interview was at 8:30, we were asked to come 30 minutes before the schedule. We arrived at the embassy at 7:50. At the embassy, we were asked for our cellphones. Since we know that cell phones will not be allowed inside the room, only one of us brought a cell phone so can have something to use to call our companion to fetch us from the embassy once we’re done. When our no. was called, all four of us went to the first window. Since all of us have the same itinerary, we were asked to hand documents of just one of us. We gave our mom’s documents. The lady sifted through the documents and advised us to remove unnecessary documents. One has to stick to the embassy’s required documents. Past travels, old passports, land titles, stocks certificates, accountant’s note (as attachment to the ITR) were asked to be removed. We were asked to sit down and wait to be called again for the biometrics and interview. When we were called again, our biometrics were taken and photocopies of our documents were asked to be submitted. Though traveling as a group, each of us submitted our documents and prepared our own cover letter which basically contains the same message. Not much were asked during the interview. We were only asked about the nature of our work/ business, my mom’s monthly income, other visas given to us and if it’s our first time to go to Europe. We were asked to go back on July 17 for the result. Praying and hoping that we will be granted Schengen visa. I’ll update you of the result next week.
Hello. Did you get the travel insurance? And if so did you have to cover the whole trip? Because my mom will travel to uk for 6 months and while she is here we will go to paris. I initially thought she can get travel insurance for the 4 days Paris tour only but bluecross is charging me for the whole trip. The thing is she does not require an insurance while in the UK. Please let me know as she has her appointment soon as well. Thanks very much.
Hi Grace Im not wanderlass but maybe this will help. You can get travel insurance from other provider. The cheapest insurance that I got was from Malayan Insurance from RCBC. Or Chartis? are you familiar with them? It doesnt matter if you are applying in london and the insurance is coming from philippines since I believe your mom holds a philippine passport. you can get covered for a month for only less than 2 thousand pesos if unlucky you can refund it hahaha! Goodluck
hi there :) i just want to share my experience .
i had my interview last thursday in norwegian embassy
suggest ko lang guy kung magaaply kayu ng schngen visa norwegian embassy kayu magapply sobrang babait ng stuff dun even the guards .
the girl who biometric me tinawanan nya pa ako kasi nagpapawis yung kamay ko sa sobrang kaba ko and then she said dont worry this is the last after this u can go home .
and the girl who interview me shes trying to look strict even thu its obvious na mbait sya haha. just waiting for the final judgemtn . sana makakuha ako wish me luck haha :)
Hi Wanderlass!
We’re planning to apply for Schengen Visa thru Italian Embassy because, we will stay in Italy for the longest. Our travel date will be on November 1-10, 2014. My question is, is it much better if we call Italian VAC and set for an appointment now or should I wait for last week of July? and some says that you’ll only set an appointment then on the said date you’ll just have your biometrics and pass your documents (no interview) while some says that there is an interview, do you have any idea about it? Thank you :)
Hi iamkimyu, my friend with her family applied thru the Italian embassy two months ago. She told me they were interviewed. They were granted visas too.
Ugh! Unfortunately, I missed my first flight to Seoul last night, because of an accident ahead when I was on my way to Cebu city riding a bus, got stuck with a traffic jam cause if some huge accident, any suggestions please? I really need your help right now. Is it also possible to move my flight tomorrow?
Hi,
I hope some of you could help me understand better as I need to comfort my friend who is in Manila. I’m a Malaysian who is going to Finland on 3rd August and invited my friend, who needs to apply the Schengen Visa. I helped her to organize all documents so would be easier for her interview which was on 7th July in The Royal Norwegian Embassy.
We reached there 5 minutes before the interview time and she was clearly very nervous so I managed to enter the ground level of the Embassy (at the side building) to calm her down and give my support (the security thought I was her sponsor hahaa) where she was then called and gave her documents. She was honestly puzzled and sad because they only asked her two questions about her documents and they stamped her original passport as:
“C/D VISA No.
july 7th, 2014
Norwegian Embassy Manila”
And then returned the passport to her and just said “the documents will be delivered to the Consulate of Finland and will take a month give and take” which we were shocked because the trip is between 3rd August – 24th August 2014. And they instructed her to go to the 21st Floor in the building but I was not allowed to follow. So I told my friend maybe the interview will be upstairs instead so I told her to be calm just to motivate her.
I waited outside the building for 40 minutes and she came out looking very sad. She said there wasn’t any interview or questions at all and all they did was take her documents and fingerprints etc. She tried giving her original passport but they gave back and said the same thing to wait for the results within a month via text message or email. Until today she has been asking herself why the Embassy doesn’t want to take her passport and feels like she has a very slim chance to get a visa.
I forgot to say that in Finland, I am visiting my friends who are also from the Philippines originally and introduced my friend in MAnila to them this year so they gave an invitation letter to my friend and I together to Finland to travel around in Europe as they won’t have time to return to Philippines and have a trip altogether due to work there. I even created a Proof of Relationship to connect all of us in pictures just so my friend could pass to the embassy (as she doesn’t have a direct friendship and picture with my friends in Finland “yet”) :)
Has anyone experience this? My friend feels like she has been rejected already and was so sad on the 7th July until before my flight earlier that evening. Hope everyone can give their thoughts and similar experience and results.
So could anyone give me their experience on how long they get their visa results? Was it by text or email? And how does the process goes from there? I’m trying to comfort my friend because she is still very devastated until today and like pretty much give up hope.
Thanks!
hi i will be on norwegien embassy on thursday , and i have all th document i needed my boyfriend will sponsor me for this trip i have all of his document from bank statement , pay slip, return tax , passport copy , invitation letter, plane ticket , passport stamp from our past trip in asia, lahat ng documents nya isinend nya sa akin now on my part aside from passport , and application form birthcertificate and some IDs. what more do i have to bring??
kinakabahan ako hahaha.
Yay! Leaving tomorrow to sweden.. I just hope my flights on board will be fine.. thankie so much wanderlass.. and to those who are on their way to apply for a Visa.. goodluck. dont cha worry they dont ask much Q’s, they’re nice there and friendly,, just chill and you’ll pass the interview.
Hello everyone. Any idea how long visas are issued from french embassy nowadays? My mom will be applying next week and she will travel to Paris from here in London so i have to make bookings.
Hello, i have applied last year for sweden visa. But unfortunately i was rejected now im reapplying again. I just want to ask what requirements you hve submitted.. Please do reply.. Thanks
Is it your first time leaving for Sweden? Did you have a guarantor?
Hello everyone, just want to let you all know that I’m a ladyboy(transgender) I got a french bf and had my visa interview just this monday July 7, 2014. He asked me a lot of questions and for all those who wants to apply for a french visa pls..download the application form on their site. I was told that I got an incorrect visa application form though my form was 3 pages and the french form was just 2 pages I totally started from the beginning from computerized to hand written. I was so nervous because its not legible so pls be careful. They asked me a lot of questions I was called at window 5 first and the very intimidating filipina interviewee asked me about one copy of the requirements and I asked which one the original or the photo copy, she said any of the two so I handed her the photo copied documents. She said just removed the unecessary things the first page of the passport and the visa I’ve got from my previous months or travel with my bf.,should only be included.She asked me how are you related to the person I would be visiting I said a friend. She keeps on scanning my papers and asked my passport and the exact amount of 3570 pesos. So she gave me the right form and extra paper with questionnaires regarding my host. So I went back to the chair and filled up the form and answer the questionnaires and was called at window 2. He was a guy with french nationality I guess because of his accent still you could recognize the french accent. He let me check if the receipt was correctly spelled with my name on it and the birthdate. I said yes. He asked for my documents and asked several question. I answered his questions withouth dead air i was excited and happy and proud of telling him a story about our travel. A lot of questions asked to me regarding what’s in it. Well, I just directly answered what was asked, we met last Nov 18, 2012 online through a dating site.
How are you related with this guy? He’s my bf.
Did you meet in real, I answered yes.
When did he arrive in Philippines? He arrived last April 2013.
How long you’ve been together since you’ve met? We’ve been together for9months traveling abroad.
When was your last travel? That was on Feb 15, 2014 in Indonesia.
Why you think he invited you? Since, I let him see how beauty my country is and upon seeing the beautiful places and sceneries and how I cared and love him and how happy he was, it is his way to say thank you for the wonderful time he spent with me during his stay, that’s why in return he wants me to see the beauty of his place and will do more with what I showed about the care and love to him when he was still in the Philippines..The guy who asked me was a little bit convinced. He asked me a follow up question.
What did he do in France? He’s working in a known bank company in paris as a property manager..
Are you currently on leave? No, I intend to leave on _________..
The guy who asked me to return back on a specific date right after my birth day.. That was an amazing experience, though people could hear your answers and the questions thatwas asked to you..
Oh, Lord I offer you my faith and I’ll respect it if what decision you’ll be given to me. Thank you for not leaving me despite of all hardships that I had before and now is a judgement day..!Please, help me oh Lord, you know how hard I tried and exerted efforts just for this thing to be possible. I want your approval. Amen..
Hey there? any updates? I truly empathize with your story.