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?Â
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 Korean Visa in the Philippines
How to Apply South African Visa in the Philippines
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Hi Mitch, I applied to Sweden but I lodge my schengen application to Norway visa application centre Cebu (VFS Global) because they handle tourist/visit visa to Sweden and other European countries since we don’t have swedish embassy in the Philippines only consulate who takes charge of residence permits. Different countries have different requirements needed. You just have to passed it for faster result.
Hello. Just wanna ask someone here if whats the process of getting schengen visa for the 2nd time around. I had my visa last april-may 2016 and im planning to get back in europe by december, so is there any exception of the process or should i take all the steps like i did on my first time? Thanks. Youre answer will be very helpful.
Same process like the first time.. Been to Italy the first time last May 2015 at France last July 2016 ok naman na approve naman same documents lng pinasa ko, may additional documents nga din pala my japan korea at australia visa.. May iba nabasa ko dito kahit second time nagprocess ay nadeny. So make sure na lng to convince them whats the purpose of ur trip goodluck
Question. My BF is from Sweden and I wanna visit him by getting a Schengen Visa. He would like vouch for food and stuff… I may resign my job before I go … Do I need to be employed to get this visa?
Not really necessary. BUT. But having a job when you apply is one thing, as they will think you have obligation here for you to come back. The more ties you are from the Philippines the more you convince them to have a visa. Better apply while you have Job and if you plan on leaving Job do so after you have it and ready to go.
Hej! even if your unemployed you can still apply. I am unemployed when I applied last June this year. Just comply the rest of the requirements for faster result. I got mine granted after 2 days.
https://www.facebook.com/MySchengenVisa/?ref=bookmarks check this out and like our page. If you have questions regarding schengen visa you can visit our page and will give you step by step process. It´s Free. It´s good to help others :)
Hello, is there a way to apply for a schengen visa without waiting for the 3 months period before the intended departure? plan ko po kasi mag travel to schegen areas this september. TIA
Yes you can apply now. The earliest you can apply is 3 months before the intended departure.
Hi.! You can apply now if you want to travel by sept. I applied june and I was approved after 2 days. I had 48 days allowance before my travel date. I didn’t follow 3 months before the intended travel date.
Hi Jane, I just want to ask if what country you applied? I got refused just today from Italian embassy and don’t know really what to do. Me and my fiancĂ© were very disappointed of the refusal. Anyone here who knows the procedure after ? Thanks in advance.
hello, kailangan po ba tlga na may approved leave of absence from the company? tingin ko po kasi mahihirapan ako makakuha ng 1month leave from my company.. any suggestion regarding this? thanks!
Hi. If you will show them you have job then you are required to provide your leave of absence to prove them you are going back.
Yes you have to get LOA if you are currently employed. Comply the requirements in order to get faster result.
Hello ms.Czarina..yes u can apply nman kahit hndi ka mghintay ng 3mons.kung kumpleto na docs.mo then u can goto the embassy kung anung bansa ka..max.15days processing ng visa..so Goodluck dear…
It me Diyosa Origenes.
Message me sa FB….Thank you!
Hello, pwede po ba na kapag may visa na eh kahit di na sundin yung itinerary? i.e. yung inilagay ko kasi na 1st entry ko sa itinerary eh switzerland, pwede ba na sa ibang schengen country ako mag eenter? TIA!
as long dumaan ka muna hongkong then another country. pero kung manila ang dep mo maququestion ka sa immigration.
Yes of course dear. You are holding a SCHENGEN VISA already which means you can enter which country you want as long as it is part of SCHENGEN of course. If you will be question regarding that tell them that is is cheaper or doable to enter that country first then exit in Switzerland. I have heard same stories but they go smoothly so no worries. :) Goodluck!
hi, good day. i would like to ask if anyone have an idea how long the embassy will reply on a remonstration letter. I applied schengen visa for germany and got denied due to reason that my return is not ascertained. i submitted my remonstration letter last july 1 and until now the embassy did not reply me. please if anyone have same experience with me. thank you very much.
Hello po sorry to say this hnd po tlaga nkakatulong ang pag appeal reapply ka na nalang po..nagawa ko na mas lalo pa nila nerefuse..my last application was May 12 i got the result after 1week and it was REFUSAL OF VISA…masakit ang resulta kaya nag appeal ko 5days after nung nareciv ko result and i was a bit happy that after 5 days din nareciv ko feed back ng remonstrance letter ko lalo nman ako nasaktan dahil refuse parin..masakit dahil sa gastos at effort mo wala man lang consideration..kaya we decided mg apply nlang ulit.
Its me Diyosa Origenes po.
message me sa FB….thanks..
Sa mga nag apply pa lang at nag antay ng result..Goodluck guys and God bless..
Hopefully na approve ka na Dyosa. Tip lang sa may mga sponsor or invitation. Mas na approve visa kapag nkkita nilang desidido yung sponsor mo. Like mine ng email sya addressed sa consul. Dapat schengen lang ako now resident na ako dito sa Europe. Basta maganda status ng sponsor like maganda work, madami properties yung sponsor maliit chances na ma deny kayo. I was employed when I applied for schengen. Nagpasa ako COE which kinonfirm ng embassy sa HR namin pero obviously dahil 90days yung inaplay ko wala naman company sa Pinas mg allow leave ganun ktgal. Hindi nman ako hiningian ng LOA letter from my company. Multiple entry kasi inaplay ko visa. Be confident sa interview. Strong ties proof? Kids if meron kayo kasi ang Pera sa bank pede ma withdraw, properties pede din ibenta. SPA lang katapat nyan. Kids hindi mo pede ibenta at kahit dto sa Europe protected mga bata, family oriented sila. Alam nilang d mo pede bsta nlng talikuran mga anak mo.
thanks for this great post. i just want to ask, we bought our roundtrip tickets to rome already because we found a great deal online, thinking that if we get rejected we can still rebook it for another destination instead and it will just be slightly pricier than the original fare. i know the embassy are just asking for flight reservations but can we just present our paid bookings instead? will it have any negative effect on our application?
i submitted an original one to via center and the embassy called me up earlier and asked me to go to embassy on monday for an interview. goodluck to me:)
Sobrang kaba ko na..2 weeks after I submited my application in france vfs global,wala pa ding result.and my flight will be on August. Kaka_stress…
1 week lng mine i got my visa on hand. Check ur visa application online put ur reference number makita mo doon ang results baka ready to pick up na yan sa vfs
saan mo makikita ung reference number nia ako din kasi nag submited ako ng appeal sa french embassy almost 2 weeks na ang nakakalipas eh wala pa sila reply saakin plss help
Kong sa VFS ka ng apply sa receipt may reference number yan
I got my student visa for 1year too in france just in 1week super surprised. Thanks God! Amazing!
Hi Ms Glenda! san ka banda sa France? ako din kasi apply as student sa france but mag aaply plang ako ng visa.
Hi! I am applying for a Schengen visa through the Greek Embassy. It’s just a 10 day trip. I have US and Korea visa, and have traveled pretty much the past years. My schedule is next friday. I am not sure if it’s going to make it since my travel is supposedly on the 12th of Aug.
Anyways, I paid a travel agency for help in processing my visa requirements. They are asking me to submit bank certificates that would total to 200K. I only provided 175K.
Do you think that would be a problem? Thanks for the help!
goodluck! My bank cert amounts to more than 500k but italian emabassy is still asking me to provide more papers :(
hi..thanks for this very informative post. i just want to ask though, if we are a family of 4 all applying for visa, do we need hotel bookings under each name or can it be under just one person? and submit the same copy for all of us?
To All family members same documents for everybody different application forms
got it. thanks for the reply. for the flight reservation, do we need it for the interstate flights as well, ie Rome to Paris flight? or just going out and back to Manila?
Yes provide your flight Rome to Paris as it is part of Schengen zone..
The more u show to them your planned etineraries the better chance of appproval
Hi,
I got my passport back with the declaration of sponsorship file to be sent to my inviter. Would you know how long it takes for the embassy to process it after the files are submitted. I did not actually apply to a sponsor but the embassy asked for it before they approve my application. Anyone experienced this?
Thanks.
Hi sam..mabilis lang ung declarationship basta asikasuhin agad ng sponsor mo sa bansa nila…ipasa ng sponsor mo ung papel and then mga 2 days may questinaire from immigration na need sagutan ng sponsor mo tas ipasa nya ulit un sa authorities nila..and then may letter na darating from authorities sa sponsor mo..and then un na
Hi nj23, Would you know how long it usually takes? Like a week or 2 weeks? Cause my flight is suppose to be on august and my inviter submitted the declaration of sponsorship yesterday. Do you think I will be able to get result before August? Cause if not, I need to make Plan B. :(
Thanks.
Mga 2-3 weeks sam probably if inasikaso nyo agad..kasi sakin 3weeks yon kasi ndi namin inasikaao agad..
Thanks. When you received the email after the 2-3 weeks does it states in the email that your visa was approved?
Hi sam! Ours took only 5 days to get the positive result. Monday i emailed the declaration of sponsorship. Then friday the embassy emailed me about the approval of our visas. :-)
Hi can anyone tell me where can i set an appointment for Schengen visa?
In what country? Different country have diffrent websites
We are trying to go to Portugal po.
Hello,I’m currently working here in Hk n my working visa end this december. Then last week I applied visa for france and my fiancĂ© sent all the requirements n I completed all the requirements too. Then today I picked up my passport in France consulate n the result is denied. The reason is my intention stay there is long as I wrote 70days. What should I do for re apply.?thanks
More than 2 months din ang visit mo sa France i think di mo sila na convince dahil may work ka sa HK parang di kasi kapani paniwala na more than 2 months ka mag off sa work mo just to Visit ur bf . Reduce mo number of days to visit France maybe 2-3 weeks baka may chance pa ma approve
Not really, i was approved of 90 days double entry schengen visa ( first time to apply) last December and until now i am here in Europe. My letter of intent says i am visiting my boyfriend for 90days, i have COE from my previous employer there in Metro Manila when i applied. No leave approval, it is impossible to file a 90 leave in the Philippines that is reality. I do not have properties or savings back home. The only edge i have is my invitation letter from my bf. Now i am applying for residency here,we plan to get married soon. Guys do not worry if they only approve you less than 90 days because you can ask for extension in the immigration once you get to Europe. Good luck!
Hello Ms. Scarlet Ramos, I was filed a visitors visa in Germany last July 25,2016 but I received a denied letter on July 30,2016 because of cannot be ascertained. Because at the time of my appointment in the embassy I just went back to phils from Singapore because my contract there was done. And so they asked me, what is my work so I said considering I just ended my contract working as a nurse in sg now i am currently unemployed but my Boyfriend sent all the requirements I will be needing anyway financially support, invi…. Then I did a remonstration letter and sent back to them that I haven’t mentioned during the interview that after visiting my Boyfriend on November I will start my make up duty because I was hired in my previous employer. So do you have idea how Long will it takes for the processing again? And I only applied 89 days to be exact on my return before I started on my new job, will they can still accomodate the remonstration letter knowing I’m also in a rush before I took my new job? Knowing that my BF booked my flight almost close to the date just to consume the 89 days. Thank you.
Hi!..you can try to search Royal Norwegian Embassy if they accept app going to country like that because it depends with the country where you plan to visit. You have to search and read, it can help you. I don’t have so much knowledge on this because in my experience I applied Schengen Visa for the first time to Sweden last June 6,2016 at VFS Global Centre in Cebu City. I got approved June 8 right away. All you have to do is pass all the requirements in the checklist for you to get faster result. God bless to all applicants!
Anyone can advice me please,paano po mag apply papunta ng Amsterdam, galing po ako ng ABU DHABI, tapos na ang contract ko doon tapos yong Boss ko z Abu Dhabi nandoon na cla z Amsterdam,Gusto nla ako kunin,anong visa ang dapat iaply,please wala akong Alam na agent z manila na pwede tumulong z akin,Sabi ng Boss ko ibigay nla lahat ng supporting papers na kailangan, salamat
Hi Miss Estrella. If your boss will sponsor you, J think you can apply as an au pair and there are documents needs to be submitted from your boss at the day of your interview. Try to search more on their website on how to do it, they have complete documents required too. Take a look on it. Search mo lng netherlands embassy manila. Goodluck!
Hi…anybody here can tell me ano need ipakita sa immigration kung visit visa ka..kung meron pa ba silang hahanapin maliban sa passport mo.
Passport mo lang naman and more questions.. Unless your a frequent traveller at dami tatak passport mo then ur ok but if di ka frequent magtravel be ready na lng sa mga questions nila sa immigration. When i travel to Italy last uear halos 30minuted din nila akong hinohold may buti na lng kasama ko partner ko pinapirma ng waiver
thanks analyn sa info..
hi!..does declaration of sponsorship means that i can be optismistic in getting a visa?.. is there by chance that declaration of sponsorship have a positive result but the applicant stil got denied?.
Hi Kris! Unfortunately, yes. You can still be denied even when you have provided documents proving sponsorship. I was denied a French visa last year. My sponsorship was from my stepdad. You really have to have legitimate reason to come back to the Philippines.
Theres no assurance! But if strong ang evidence like me ang sponsor ko is my american partner dito na cya naka tira sa pinas so strong ang ties and eveidence ko