Schengen Visa for Philippine Passport Holders

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?

2,197 Comments

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TL on 05/13/2017 at 2:48 pm

Hello. You have a great post. I just want to ask — what is the difference of single entry Schengen visa from a double and multiple entry Schengen visa? I was issued 3 times a single Schengen visa with main destination Switzerland. Does this mean I can travel to other parts of the Schengen territories or only in Switzerland?
- wanderlass on 05/16/2017 at 6:42 pm
  
  Single entry means you can enter Schengen region which composed of about 24 countries (or so). Multiple entry allows you to travel out of Schengen Region (ex: Morocco, UK, Russia, etc) and go back within the validity period.
leizyl Evenson on 05/10/2017 at 4:56 am

hello po ask ko lang po, andito po ako sa wisconsin usa paano po mag apply ng visa to travel europe with a philippine passport?
- wanderlass on 05/16/2017 at 6:43 pm
  
  If you are staying in US as a legal resident you can apply at the embassy in the US, else have to apply in PH
Bam on 05/04/2017 at 8:55 pm

I would like to ask If I really need to enter Schengen state before entering Croatia. Or I can easily fly to Croatia with just Schengen Visa. Thanks
- wanderlass on 05/06/2017 at 11:33 am
  
  It is better to enter a Schengen region first otherwise you have to apply Croatian visa instead and not be able to visit Schengen states.
Xier on 03/23/2017 at 10:58 pm

Hello.. first time ko mag aapply ng visa.. sa phuket thailand po ako naka base.. pwede po pa ako mag apply sa embassy/consulate ng italy dito? Thanks po sa reply.
- wanderlass on 05/16/2017 at 6:44 pm
  
  Yes if u are legal resident there
Angel on 03/23/2017 at 9:49 pm

Hello, Ask kolang po kung pwede mag apply ng Schengen visa sa China ang Philippine passport holder na may S2 visa?
Thanks..
Mau on 03/11/2017 at 8:59 pm

Hi, we are planning to go to Europe this year. I would like to ask if you have any idea which schengen embassy should we apply for our visa? Do we need to apply it on our first destination or to the country that we will stay longer? Thank you in advance :D
- wanderlass on 03/20/2017 at 9:46 am
  
  better at where you start
MEM on 03/09/2017 at 12:58 am

Hi! ask ko lang, im currently here in Dubai working.. im getting married this APril 2017 and we received gift trip to europe, we are planning to resign kasi they will not allow us to take our leave for a long time. we have enough money naman but still his uncle will pay for all expenses, ang prob is i dont have bank acct sa phil. dto lang sa dubai. u think its possible?
Cheryl on 02/02/2017 at 5:55 am

Ask ko lang po mag apply po ako ng boyfriend visa to denmark pero wala po ako work and no children and no property but my expenses will be paid my bf and my bf provided me all the documents needed.Worry lang po ako if they approved my visa dahil only my family I can guarantee that I come to my home country.Only 1 month boyfriend visa supposed to be I apply we already meet my boyfriend here in phil and they want me to invite to visit his home country.
nikki on 02/01/2017 at 6:27 pm

Hi im planning to go to Tomorrowland2017 and there are cheap tickets right now (feb 1,2017) do u think i should purchase
Ahead? Did u purchase early tomorrowland tickets too?
- wanderlass on 02/20/2017 at 4:41 pm
  
  Yes I as able to book advance tickets