Easy Steps to Get Schengen Tourist Visa for Filipino Travelers

By far, Schengen tourist visa application is the most tedious visa application I have gone through, from documents preparation to requirements submission. I chose to process my visa with the French Embassy since I already booked our round trip tickets from Manila to Paris prior getting the visa.

Here are the steps to apply for a tourist visa in French Embassy via VFS Global.

1. Set up an online account application through the official visa website for France France-Visas. After creating an account and logging in, you will be prompted to fill out the application form. It is divided into five sections, namely, Your plans, Your information, Your last visa, Your stay and Your contacts.

Note: Passport must be valid for at least three months after your departure from the Schengen area. If this requirement is not met, application will not be accepted.

2. After completing the form, the page will re-directed to show the required Supporting Documents including the application fee which is amounting €60, as of writing this.

3. Click Continue to make an appointment at the visa center. The necessary information for the appointment can be found through the link “Whom should I contact?” on the web page.

Before ticking the checkbox, make sure to book an appointment first.

4. Book an appointment in VFS Global Online Services. Another login account is required hence, create a new one then log on.

Scheduling appointment is pretty straightforward just complete the mandatory fields and make sure it is correct. They allow up to 5 applicants to schedule a group appointment. Click to continue and select the date and time range of the intended schedule.

Once the appointment has been confirmed, download and print the appointment letter. Bring this on the day of the application for reference.

Rescheduling should be done 24 hours prior the confirmed time and date. Cancellation can be made anytime after the scheduling.

5. Go back to France-Visas account for finalization. Check the tick box and proceed with submitting the application. Await for an automated confirmation email then print the receipt of the application and the finalized application form.

More tips…

Be available at the visa center more than 15 minutes before the appointed time together with the supporting documents. Coming in late will cancel the appointment but there’s another way to secure a schedule on the same day of the missed appointment by availing the Premium Lounge Service. However, it entails another cost of 2,000Php.

Here’s the list of documents that I actually submitted which were checked by the VFS officer.

• Dated and Signed Application Form for Schengen Visa
• Round trip flight ticket reservation (Oman Air)
• Proof of accommodation (Hotel reservation via Booking.com)
• Detailed Itinerary
• Proof of Employment (Certificate of Employment stating the start date, compensation details, and approved leaves)
• Proof of Income (Income tax return, bank certification, bank statement)
• Passport showing previous travels (Photocopy of Visas acquired from other countries)
• Travel Insurance policy (Chubb Travel Insurance Policy)
• Cover Letter
• Receipt of Application and Appointment Confirmation

Here’s the breakdown of expenses for the visa application only.

• Application Fee €60 – approx. P3600
• VFS Logistics Fee – P1600
• SMS Notification Fee – P150

Everything above is based on my experience and guided by friends, blogs, vlogs, and the official sites related to the Schengen Visa Application. I was able to get the result after 6 working days and was granted of one month multiple entry pass to Schengen countries.  ♥

References:

France Visa Application Centre, Manila
Unit M02 Mezzanine Floor Ecoplaza Bldg., Don Chino Roces Ave. Extention, Makati City
Manila, Philippines

For more visa information, please log on to the website VFS Global Philippines.
You can also contact the helpdesk at the below mentioned details.
Email ID : Info.frph@Vfsglobal.com
Helpline Number : +63 2 790 4903

France-Visas
The official visa website in France france-visas.gouv.fr

 Disclaimer: The site and author are not affiliated, associated, authorized, sponsored by, or in any way officially connected with France Embassy in the Philippines and France Visa Application Centre, Manila – VFS Global. Screen capture credits and rights reserved to France-Visas The Official Website of France (france-visas.gouv.fr) and VFS Global France (www.vfsglobal.com). Visa issuance is not guaranteed through all these steps. This is served as a guide only.