When I was still in college, I have this so-called European Dream. I want to explore and travel around Europe but I know that to be able to fulfill that dream you need to have a visa. For me, preparing the documents for the application for a Schengen visa seems like that you are preparing for the board exam. I believe that doing research and studying the requirements entail a great responsibility so that you can get an approved Schengen visa.

So, if you have that dream like me or you just want to visit Europe and explore its wonders, it is a must to undergo a visa application if you are a Filipino citizen and I believe that the process is easy if you want to have the application all by yourself. In my case, I did DIY application before after some research. I also paid a travel agency before for my Schengen Visa Application but trust me that once you learned all the details, you can do it all by yourself. It will save you a lot of money and sometimes being independent is important for our own growth, I also love to write (I think I could write a good cover letter).

So, what I’m offering you here is some guide with helpful tips to increase your chances of getting that visa.

There are different types of Schengen Visas (for visit, work, study, etc.) but my main focus for this article will be for tourism purposes only.

Flashback…flashback… I am so happy the moment I saw my approved Schengen Visa. My first Schengen Visa was issued by the German Embassy. My other approved visa was from the France Embassy. And most recently, my approved visa from Norway.

Schengen Area
A Schengen Visa is a document that allows the holder to travel freely within the Schengen Area or Zone for a maximum stay of up to 90 days. This Schengen Area is a group of 27 European countries (22 European Union member states and 4 EFTA member states) that have abolished passport and immigration controls at their common borders.

Schengen countries:

Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic

Croatia
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland

There are certain nationalities worldwide that are exempted from applying for a Schengen Visa, but as Philippine passport holders, in order to visit one or more of these Schengen states, we are required to apply for the visa.

Remember, Schengen Tourist Visa holders are NOT allowed to live permanently nor work in Europe, they only have the right to travel as a temporary visitor within the allotted timeframe indicated on their visa.

NOTE: There are non-Schengen members in Europe that allow entry to their country for travel purpose if you have a Schengen Visa, namely: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Macedonia, Monaco, Montenegro, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, and Turkey and Vatican City.)

Sharing my Visa Application Timeline

I cannot give you the timeline of my first visa application in German Embassy since I didn’t avail the SMS service during my visa application on 2022. SMS service has additional fee of 150 php.

But, here’s the timeline of my Visa Application in France Embassy:

Visa appointment VFS Makati on January 19, 2023
I received an email that my application was dispatched to the Embassy of France in Manila on January 22, 2023 for processing.
I received an email that my visa was processed on January 25, 2023.
Then, my passport was delivered by a courier on January 26, 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions from friends and other people
When should I apply for a Schengen Visa?
Apply as early as three (3) months to (6) six months before your planned trip date departure.

You can apply several days before your trip, sure — but it’s always best that you give enough time for the embassy to look into your application.

Is it possible to get a multiple-entry tourist visa to the Schengen area for a year or more?
Yes, it’s possible! I just got mine on 2024. You can read my blog about it. https://lovelotsa.blog/2024/07/04

Usually, the embassy will just give you few days or just enough for your trip if you are a first time applicant no matter how good your documents are. The reason behind this is the European Union needs to trust you first before they could give you a longer validity period of one year or more. You have to establish a good reputation when you are traveling around Europe. You have to pay attention to the rules and regulations of each country. As much as possible, avoid getting involved into crimes and even police reports when you are in a Europe tour and you have to use your visa in an appropriate way.

Establishing a good record in Europe would definitely lead to a chance of getting approved into a multiple entry visa with a longer validity period. It took me several visits in Europe and my previous visas have only a month long or more (multiple entry Schengen visa).

I observed that Europe is much stricter and it is not like the US Embassy that usually gives 10 year validity. I got 10 year validity during my first application for a US visa and I know most of my friends who also got 10 year validity from USA.

According to the recent Schengen visa code, you can ONLY get 1-year multiple-entry tourist visa if you have obtained and lawfully used three (3) Schengen tourist visas in the past 2 years at the time of your application. You can get a 2-year multiple-entry tourist visa if you have obtained and used a 1-year multiple-entry visa within the previous 2 years; and lastly, you can get a 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa if you have obtained and used a 2-year multiple-entry visa in the past 3 years.

How to write a cover letter?
I wrote a five page cover letter everytime I have a visa application. I love writing and it is my passion but I cannot share the exact copy of the letter that I’ve submitted in the embassy because for me it contains confidential information about me.

If you want to also write a cover letter of your own, I can give you some tips here. You can state your name, profession, the reason why you want to visit Europe, your length of stay should be specific, your companion if you have, your day to day itinerary, hotel accommodation and other important information about the applicant.

Remember to be honest and only give authentic copies of the documents that you have. It’s not right to forge documents just for the sake of the visa application and approval. Be prepared first if you think you are NOT yet ready. I suggest strengthening your ties in your home country is much more important than getting that Schengen visa.

How much money in the bank did you show so you will get an approved visa?
Again, for me just like the cover letter, this is very confidential. I prefer to keep it private as much as possible. 

The amount of money in your bank statement will be a huge factor but the deposits should also be consistent every month and not just one time deposit.

Usually, it depends on how many days you want to stay in the Schengen area. According to the article that I’ve read, you need at least 120 euro per day when you want to apply in France. However, the other Schengen region have different policy when it comes to this topic. So, I believe that it is safe to say to have at least 10,000 Philippine pesos per day for tourism purpose visa application.

Let’s say that you want to apply for 10 days. (10,000 php times 10 days is equals to 100,000 php)

Add also the airfare price which usually depends in the airlines and the class that you want to book whether it is economy or business class. Of course, the latter is much more expensive. It is your choice. The amount of airfare varies from different season. During peak season, I observed that the price is usually higher. In my research the usual price for the roundtrip flight is around 50,000 to 100,000. If you want business class, it might range from 150,000 to 200,000 (more or less). It depends in the airline of your choice.

Compute the number of days you want to visit in Europe plus the airfare, that’s how much money you need to show. Of course, I think that it will be better to show higher amount of money to increase your chance of getting an approved Schengen visa. I hope the computation that I did will help you and give you an idea.

Remember that you should not waste all of your savings because they won’t approve you if they see that you are going to spend all your hard-earned money in a trip. I learned that including properties like the OR CR of a vehicle, transfer certificate title and condominium certificate under your name are also a plus factor because these documents show your financial capabilities and stability in the Philippines.

Choosing the right embassy to apply 🙂

There are actually different embassy in the Philippines that you can choose from if you want to have a Schengen visa. Actually the first thing to do is identify which country you will stay the longest or the country that will serve as your point of entry.

This is very important in your visa application because different embassies have different rules and laws. Some are generous to give you visa and some will deny your application.

I experienced applying in Germany, France and last but not the least, Norway Embassy in Makati. I love Norway because of the long validity visa I got from them.

Remember that once you choose an embassy it is important that the visa officer will see that it is the country that is the longest in your day to day itinerary or your point of entry. Sharing here my detailed itinerary that I passed in the German Embassy on 2022. I got my first multiple entry schengen visa by DIY from Germany, the next visas are from France and Norway. I have different experience in those countries.

Since, I also availed services from a travel agency during my France visa application on 2023, I could compare that the travel agency’s day to day itinerary are quite different from this. Both are correct since I got approved and got visa from France.

Let’s face it. To be honest, “Magastos mag-apply ng visa”. Yes, it is expensive and there is no guarantee that you will get approved even if you spent thousands of pesos for the appointment fees, travel insurance, flight reservations and so much more. So, I hope those who are aspiring to get a visa would definitely benefit from this post.

If you got denied, all the money you spent and even the energy will not be returned to the applicant. Usually, the embassy will give you a letter and state the reason of refusal upon the delivery of your passport to your chosen address or you may also choose to pickup the passport in VFS Makati. I always choose my passport to be delivered.

Here are some friendly tips:
Just be honest with your application and requirements plus establish your intention to return in the Philippines.

Do your research in the internet and read articles as much as possible.
During your appointment date and time, wear comfortable clothes and try to be in the venue as early as possible.

Ultimately, pray that the Lord will grant you the desires of your heart.

I am very open to answer questions regarding this matter and I’m glad to help those who need assistance without asking for anything in return. Feel free to message me and I will be very glad to help.

Hoping and praying that the experience that I’ve shared for Schengen Visa applications will be helpful for you. Good luck!

Love lots, A 💞

🔜Next blog post is Pilgrim’s Theme…🙏