Dreaming of visiting Europe this year? With the comeback in full swing, moreFilipinos are ready to travel internationally this year, with Europe at the top of many people's travel lists.
However, before booking flights, one of the main requirements Filipino citizens must apply for is a Schengen visa..Bea short-stay visa allows you to travel to 27 European countries underSchengen area, per stay of up to 90 days for tourism or business.
Schengen area member countries currently include 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 and Switzerland.
Which countries issue the most Schengen visas to Filipinos?
Some countries are known to be very meticulous and strict with their requirements, while others are generally more considerate of those traveling with a Philippine passport, increasing the chances of approval if you plan to apply.
The Embassy of the Netherlands in the Philippines remains one of the most popular countries to apply for a Schengen visa due to its relatively simple process compared to other countries.
According to statistics fromSchengen Visa.info, which collects data on Schengen visa applications from consulates around the world, the top five countries where Filipino travelers applied last year were the Netherlands, France, Spain, Italy and Germany.
The Netherlands takes the lead as the friendliest country for Philippine passport holders in terms of application volume. 2022 was approved by the Netherlands43,387 out of 45,354 applications received with an approval rate of 96% from the Philippines.
France, the most visited country in Europe, is very popular among Filipino travelers.The French embassy issued the second highest number of visas last year, approving 24,330 out of 26,596 applications, with a 92% approval rate.
The Spanish and Italian embassies have an approval rate of 94-95% for Philippine passport holders, while the German embassy has an even higher approval rate of 96%.
Which countries have the lowest and highest bounce rates?
Of the five most visited countries, Germany and the Netherlands appear to be the top picks, with bounce rates of 3.1% and 3.4% respectively.However, there are other countries that do not have as many apps that also offer promising entry points for Filipino travelers.
In informal inquiries about a possible Schengen visa application, a travel agent for Journeys and Discoveries, Inc. PhilSTAR L!fethat it is relatively easy to get a visa from the Czech Republic. Agent for Travel Enterprise Inc. also recommended Spain as an entry point.
The Czech Republic has a low bounce rate and does not receive as many requests compared to other countries. They rejected just 20 out of 1,196 applications in 2022, with a rejection rate of 1.7%, while Spain has a rejection rate of 4.5%, according to 2022 statistics from SchengenVisa.info.
Greece also has a low bounce rate of 2.1%, increasing the chances of Filipino travelers looking forward to escaping to Greece. Switzerland and Belgium are also relatively respectable based on the numbers.
Escritor Aleah Taboclaon deA lonely wanderer, who has had three Schengen visa approvals (two from Belgium and one from Spain) and two refusals (Spain and France) over the years, recommends Belgium as a gateway for tourist visas based on personal experience and a set of necessary requirements.
Based on 2022 data, the countries with the highest departure rates that first-time travelers are likely to avoid include Finland (27.6%), Denmark (10.7%), Poland (9.6%), Austria (8, 7%) and Hungary (7.6%). ).
What are the basic requirements for a Schengen visa?
According to several Filipinos he spoke toL! feIf you have recently traveled to Europe, the process is quick and there should be no problem getting your visa approved as long as all the documents are in order.
The basic documents you will need to prepare for the Philippines Schengen Visa include:
- application form
- Your Philippine passport (original and copy)
- Photos for ID cards afterSchengen visa photo guidelines
- Certificate of civil status (birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.)
- Proof of accommodation
- Return flight itinerary
- travel health insurance
- Proof of visa fee paid
- Presentation letter
- Copies of previous Schengen visas (if applicable).
- Birth certificate and proof of parental consent (for minors)
- Proof of financial ability (bank account statement)
- For employees: employment contract and annual leave certificate from the employer
- If you are self-employed/freelancer: bbusiness license (if applicable) and business bank statements
- I am a student:Certificate of enrollment at a university, school or college, etc.
- If you are retired: ba statement showing the pension received in the last six months.
Each country's embassy or consulate may also have its own set of additional requirements.
travel tips
Filipino travelers who applied for a Schengen visa to travel to Europe also shared the following tips:
Availability of travel packages and processing of Schengen visas from travel agencies.For those who come to Europe for the first time and want to save time, it is useful to use the services of a travel agency or participate in tourist packages. This is ideal for families traveling together for the first time since the pandemic and don't want to deal with all the paperwork.
A winner's travel experienceoffers European packages, including a 10-day tour package to enter the Czech Republic, with visits to Germany, Holland, Belgium and France as exit points, including airfare for around P180,000 per person. It cost an extra £9,500 to process a Schengen visa, according to a recent traveler on the tour. Apart from coming in person to submit documents and obtain biometrics, no interviews were held for the French embassy, with visas for a week or two.
While there is no guarantee that your visa will be automatically approved, getting help from a reputable travel agent can increase your chances of success as they can do the work and guide you if additional documents are required.
However, if you want to save on costs and want more flexibility in your travel, just apply for your own Schengen visas and plan everything yourself. The Schengen visa fee usually costs around 80 euros (p4,815.86), approximately half the cost of a trip through a travel agency.
A traveler who recently spent 18 days on a family trip toBerlin, Prague, Vienna, Salzburg and Munich with a Schengen visa issued by the German Embassy, managed by VFS GlobalcountedL! fewhatthe process was relatively smooth and quick for DIY travelers, with a visa in less than a month. Another who applied directly as an individual at the French embassy was granted a visa in five working days.
Register at the embassy where you intend to stay longer.According to travel agencies, you must obtain a Schengen visa from the embassy of the country where you will be staying the longest. If you plan to stay in Germany for four days on a European tour and two days only in other countries, you must apply for a Schengen visa there.
Enter through the country from which you received your visa.In addition to choosing the embassy of the country with the longest stay, advises Joshua Berida, a full-time computer scientist who applied for a Schengen visa through the Austrian embassy during the pandemic.passengers infirst enter the country where you got your visa to avoid problems.
"For example, if you got a visa from Austria, you enter there first. I have heard from friends and acquaintances that they ask more questions and spend more time at passport control when they enter another country for the first time," he wrote in histravel blogIvan the Wanderer.
Provide proof of "rootedness" or deep ties to your home country.“The main consideration is whether they think you will leave when you intend to leave; therefore, it is necessary for the embassies to see that you have ties to the Philippines that are stronger than the temptation to stay illegally.Taboclaon saidL! fe.
Additional requirements and proof of rootedness in the country of residence may include assets in your name, title deeds, car registration, documents/certificates, etc., as well as financial ability to travel (bank statements and certificates, proof of income, savings) which would could increase the chances of approval.
Make sure you have enough money in your bank account for the gig.“When you apply, the embassy doesn't want you to go home with nothing in your account. So when you sign up, you must have more than enough in your account after deducting living expenses and airline tickets. In my opinion, a safe amount would be 80 euros per day (P4,820) plus plane tickets. The amount will depend on the country you will visit, the daily amount may be higher or lower," said Berida.
- said BeridaL! fethat the daily amount required to show money in Central/Eastern Europe (e.g. Czech Republic, Croatia, Poland, etc.) is generally lower than in Western European countries (Germany, France, Switzerland, Belgium, etc.)
“Based on various sources in my travel circle, the recommended money for concerts should be around €40-50 (2400-3000 PSP) per day for CEE countries. according to WIn Western Europe, that's around €70-100 (PEN 4,200 to 6,000) a day,” he said.
If necessary, find a sponsor. In the case of students, freelancers or those who feel that their savings are not sufficient to prove financial ability, it is useful to present supporting documents from parents, relatives, employers or anyone who can financially finance their trip.
“What helped me with the visa issued by Belgium was that I had a sponsor who guaranteed to pay all my expenses. Through documents (bank accounts, investments, ownership of land/house) I proved that I could cover all my expenses, but the guarantee of my sponsors confirmed my statement that I will not use my trip to the EU to look for a job there and remain illegal," he said. is TaboclaonL! fe.
So it's a matter of waiting and hoping for luck.
"It depends on the embassy whether they will give you a single, double or multiple visa. The Austrian embassy gave me a multiple-entry visa, even though I didn't specifically apply for one. The embassy can grant you a shorter or longer stay and visa validity than the requested number of days. I got a few extra days on top of the number of days I signed up for," shared Berida.
FAQs
LIST: Countries that will make it easiest for Filipino travelers to apply for a Schengen visa? ›
Estonia, Malta and Slovenia rejected the most number of Schengen visa applications from India, while Germany, Italy and Hungary accepted the most, Economic Times reported citing the recent Schengen visa statistics. Estonia rejected the highest share of visas from India in 2022 - 56 per cent of 1,986 applications.
Which country is the easiest to get a Schengen visa? ›- Finland – 4.7 percent out of 61,015 applications.
- Hungary – 4.8 percent out of 70,269 applications.
- Estonia – 5.4 percent out of 40,657 applications.
- Poland – 5.6 percent out of 41,891 applications.
- Greece – 6.3 percent out of 295,634 applications.
- Find out what visa type you need.
- Determine where to apply.
- Book an appointment.
- Prepare your visa documents.
- Submit your application.
- Pay the visa fee.
- Retrieve your visa.
- Sweden rejected 30.6 per cent of the 22,260 applications it received.
- Norway rejected 26.2 per cent of the 9,895 applications it received.
- France rejected 21.1 per cent of the 652,331 applications it received.
Estonia, Malta and Slovenia rejected the most number of Schengen visa applications from India, while Germany, Italy and Hungary accepted the most, Economic Times reported citing the recent Schengen visa statistics. Estonia rejected the highest share of visas from India in 2022 - 56 per cent of 1,986 applications.
Which Schengen visa is easy to get from Philippines? ›Lithuania is the easiest country to obtain a Schengen Visa from - with officials granting 98.7 percent of applications. The nation also receives fewer applications than countries such as Germany or France - as they are extremely popular with tourists and business travelers.
Which is the fastest application of Schengen visa? ›Applying for a Schengen Visa from Lithuania may mean shorter waiting time for an appointment and decision on whether your application has been accepted. Estonia is the next easiest, granting 98.4% of applications, and also receives relatively few requests.
How do I get a Schengen visa if I have a US visa? ›- Schengen Visa Application Form. ...
- Valid passport. ...
- Two identical photos. ...
- Schengen Travel Health Insurance for Europe. ...
- Proof of Accommodation. ...
- Flight Itinerary. ...
- Cover Letter. ...
- Proof of financial means.
Each year, around 170,695 people apply for the Schengen visa in the Philippines. Out of these, the embassies accept around 157,825. This brings the rejection rate for the Schengen visa application in the Philippines to 7%.
How much bank balance is required for Schengen visa Philippines? ›Anyone who wants to apply for an Iceland Schengen visa from Philippines must prove they have at least ISK 8,000 (equivalent to PHP 3,286.44)* per day. If someone else sponsors you, this required amount is halved to ISK 4,000 (equivalent to PHP 1,643.22)* per day.
Which country has the toughest visa process? ›
- Iran.
- Turkmenistan.
- Chad.
- Bhutan.
- Saudi Arabia.
- Western Sahara.
- Somah2a.
- North Korea.
“To cater to the rising travel demand, a few of the popular Schengen destinations like Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Slovenia have made appointments available ranging from the very next day to within a week,” the spokesperson said.
Which Schengen visa is longest? ›The national visa is the type D long-stay Schengen visa. It is mandatory for any foreigner wishing to study, work or live in a Schengen country for longer than 90 days (up to 1 year).
What is the common reason for Schengen visa rejection? ›Some of the common causes of Schengen visa rejection are missing or incorrect documents, not enough money to cover your trip or a lack of travel purpose. In this article, we'll help you understand why your Schengen visa application may have been rejected and what steps you can take to improve your chances next time.
Why is it so hard to get a Schengen visa? ›Applying for a Schengen Visa in 2023 is not an easy task, as it has never been. There are lots of documents to be collected, an interview to be attended and even a fee to be paid, which right now is 33 per cent higher than it was before the pandemic.
What justifies Schengen visa refusal? ›The Visa officers must know why you want to travel to the Schengen Region. If your Visa was rejected for this reason, it means that you didn't bring enough evidence of your travel purpose and the conditions of your travel. No matter the reason why you want to enter the Schengen Region, you must prove it.
Is Switzerland visa free for Philippines? ›*If you are holding a valid Philippine official or diplomatic passport, then you do not need a visa for Switzerland. If transiting to or travelling through other European countries, kindly check with the embassy/consulate/representation concerned if there is a need for a separate visa from them.
Is Spain visa free for Filipino? ›Filipino official or diplomatic passport holders do not need a visa to travel to Spain. If travelling to other Schengen countries, kindly check with the concerned Consulate if a separate visa from them is needed.
How can I get tourist visa from Philippines to Switzerland? ›- Step 1: Determine the type of Switzerland Schengen visa you need to apply for. ...
- Step 2: Schedule your appointment online with VFS Global. ...
- Step 3: Prepare the required documents for your application. ...
- Step 4: Submit your application at VFS on your appointment date.
Submit your Tourist Schengen Visa application at least 15 calendar days prior to your planned journey to the Schengen Area. This is the latest you can file your application. On the other hand, the earliest you can apply for a Tourist visa to the Schengen Zone is three months before your trip.
Do I need visa to go to Paris from Philippines? ›
Yes, Filipino passport holders must obtain a Schengen visa to enter any European country in the Schengen Zone.
Can I get Schengen visa from one country and travel to another? ›Yes. According to the Schengen rules, the Schengen visa is generally valid for all the countries in the Schengen area. Please note, however, that you always have to apply at the consulate of the country which is your primary destination (see FAQ no 5).
How long does it take to get Schengen tourist visa in USA? ›In some cases processing time may take up to 4 weeks plus additional business days for mailing your documents. Therefore make sure to schedule an appointment as early as possible before your intended trip to Germany.
Can a B1 B2 visa holder apply for Schengen visa from USA? ›Only persons who have a legal residence status in the United States can apply for visas at Swiss representations in the United States (e.g. Green Card holders; F1 (I-20), H1B, G1, J1, etc.). Tourists and visitors on B1/B2 visas must apply in their country of residence.
Do I need a Schengen visa if I am a US citizen? ›With a valid U.S. passport, you can stay up to 90 days for tourism or business during any 180-day period. Do not overstay! You must wait an additional 90 days before applying to re-enter the Schengen area. To stay longer than 90 days, you must have a visa.
Which Schengen countries have the lowest visa rejection? ›Estonia, Malta and Slovenia rejected the most number of Schengen visa applications from India, while Germany, Italy and Hungary accepted the most. Germany had the lowest rejection rate for Indians. Indian travellers have one of the highest rejection rates in the world for Schengen visa.
What happens when you are refused a Schengen Visa? ›You can appeal the refusal. The appeal must be submitted within 15 days of the receipt of visa refusal to the Consulate that decided to refuse the visa. The appeal must be an original with the original signature of the appellant, i.e. in person or by mail (not email).
Is Netherlands visa easy to get? ›You are eligible for getting a Schengen Netherlands Visa if you have a valid passport of your home country. You will need to furnish proof of accommodation, journey details and proof of sufficient funds to cover your entire trip to the Netherlands.
Is there an interview for Schengen visa? ›As soon as you have submitted your visa application form, you will be required to attend an interview with a visa officer at the consulate of the Schengen country.
How much money do I need in my bank account to get a Schengen visa? ›Therefore, the amount of money your bank statement of the last 6 months must show varies by country. As a general rule, you should have at least 50-60 Euros in your account for each day you spend within the Schengen Area.
How much money do you need in your bank account to get a tourist visa? ›
There is no minimum balance requirement for your bank account, however, based on the experience of others we recommend anywhere between $5,000 to $10,000 will be sufficient.
Which country gives fastest tourist visa? ›France/Germany: France and India's governments can process visas in less than 72 hours.
Which country has the weakest visa? ›Afghanistan has been ranked as the world's weakest passport for 2023, according to the Henley Passport Index's latest power list.
Which countries have the highest US visa rejection rate? ›In 2021, around 79.09 percent of persons from China who applied for a B-visa to the United States had their request denied. B-visa applicants from North Korea had the highest refusal rate in that same year, at 100 percent.
What is the shortest processing time for Schengen visa? ›The processing time for a Schengen visa is 15 calendar days according to the Schengen Visa Code. Please arrange your appointment to submit your application as early as possible. You may apply up to six months before the start of the intended visit.
Which country is most visited in Schengen? ›The most visited Schengen countries are Germany, Italy, Spain, and France. The Schengen Area comprises 22 EU member states and four non-EU states of Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland, and Norway. From 2024, travellers from over 60 countries will be able to apply for ETIAS to visit the Schengen zone.
How do I get Schengen visa slots? ›...
Pay at Bank Mode:
- Passport Copy.
- Applicant's email address which needs to be used for booking an appointment.
- Applicant's phone number.
- Visa Category for which the appointment needs to be booked.
5-year MEV is granted to people that have obtained and lawfully used a previous multiple-entry visa valid for at least two years within the previous three years. This visa permits you to enter 27 countries in Europe as many times as you wish, within five years, as soon as you do not violate the 90/180 days rule.
Which country visa is easiest in Schengen? ›- Finland rejected 2,745 visas, not a bad number for a country that processed a total of 61,018 applications. ...
- Estonia rejected 2,210 of 40,657 visas in total. ...
- Iceland approved 2,410 of 2,735 visas in 2021, rejecting only 259 of the total applications.
You can stay 90 days in any 180-day period within the Schengen area. calculated individually for each of these states. For instance, after a 90-day stay in the Schengen area, the person can immediately travel to Croatia and stay for another 90 days there.
Which countries are hardest to apply for Schengen Visa? ›
- Sweden rejected 30.6 per cent of the 22,260 applications it received.
- Norway rejected 26.2 per cent of the 9,895 applications it received.
- France rejected 21.1 per cent of the 652,331 applications it received.
Estonia rejected the highest share of visas from India in 2022 - 56 per cent of 1,986 applications. Malta had a 45 per cent rejection rate, while Slovenia rejected 44.5 per cent of 2,732 visas. On the other hand, Germany had the lowest rejection rate for Indians.
Which European countries have the highest visa rejection rate? ›You'd be better off staying away from France, Germany and Spain when applying for your Schengen visa. These three Schengen Area Member States were responsible for 66.5% of the total number of short-term visas rejected in 2021, according to recently released visa application statistics.
Where can I get a Schengen visa in USA? ›To apply for a Schengen visa in the United States go to the VFS Global application centre in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco or Washington D.C. You can only submit an application there if you live in the United States.
How long is the wait for Schengen visa appointment? ›The processing time for Schengen visa starts only once the application reaches the Consulate. This might take up to SIX working days depending on the delivery conditions and public holidays.
How do I write a no objection letter for Schengen Visa? ›- The name and contact information of the applicant, such as phone number and email address.
- Date of birth.
- The Name and address of the company or consular assisting with the NOC letter.
- Nationality and citizenship status.
- Gender.
- Occupation.
Dear Sir/Madam, This is to inform you that (Name of Applicant) has been working at (Company) as a (position) since (Start Date of Working in the Company). He is getting (salary) per year. On behalf of (Company), as (Position of Signatory), we have no objection on (Applicant's Name)'s travel and getting a (Visa).
Does US visa rejection affect Schengen Visa? ›Yes, even a single visa rejection for any reason may obstruct your future visa applications.
Do Philippine citizens need Schengen visa? ›Yes, Filipino passport holders must obtain a Schengen visa to enter any European country in the Schengen Zone. However, there are some categories of people residing in Philippines that are exempt from the visa requirement, as follows: Nationals of Schengen countries living in Philippines.
Is there an interview for Schengen Visa? ›As soon as you have submitted your visa application form, you will be required to attend an interview with a visa officer at the consulate of the Schengen country.
How hard is it to get a Schengen Visa? ›
Applying for a Schengen Visa in 2023 is not an easy task, as it has never been. There are lots of documents to be collected, an interview to be attended and even a fee to be paid, which right now is 33 per cent higher than it was before the pandemic.
What is the alternative to the Schengen Visa? ›ETIAS versus Schengen Visa
Citizens of the 60 countries who currently do not require a visa of any sort to travel to Europe will need authority to visit when ETIAS comes into being in 2024. That authorisation will either be in the form of ETIAS or a Schengen Visa. It is an either/or situation or ETIAS versus Schengen.
In order for Filipinos to travel to this gorgeous country, one must need a Schengen Visa for Italy to make it possible. In this article, I will guide you on how to apply for a Italian Schengen Visa with your Philippine Passport.
How long does it take to get a Schengen visa in Spain? ›The Embassy of Spain processes Schengen visa applications in up to 15 calendar days. Please note delivery of applications and collection of visas by BLS add to processing time. Processing time can be exceptionally extended to up to 45 days.
How long does it take to process a Schengen visa? ›The processing time for a Schengen visa is 15 calendar days according to the Schengen Visa Code. Please arrange your appointment to submit your application as early as possible. You may apply up to six months before the start of the intended visit.
Is Denmark visa-free for Filipino? ›In order to enter Denmark as a Philippine passport holder (and any other countries in the Schengen zone), you must obtain a Schengen Visa first. You can get a tourist visa (if touring the country is your primary purpose) or a visit visa (if your main objective is to visit a family, friend, or significant other).
Is Croatia visa-free for Philippines? ›Croatia is one of the additional seven (7) countries which were granted visa-free entry to the Philippines pursuant to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Foreign Service Circular (FSC) No. 95-2014 dated 07 April 2014.
Is Japan visa-free for Filipino? ›Citizens of 68 countries can travel to Japan without a visa. Unfortunately, the Philippines is not on the visa-free list, and Filipino passport holders require a Japanese tourist visa to enter the country. Here is everything you need to know about obtaining a Japanese visa from the Philippines.
Can we apply for Schengen visa from any country? ›Can I apply for a Schengen Visa from a foreign country? To apply for a visa to Europe you must be either a citizen of the country you are in, or on a valid residence permit issued by that country. Most of the countries do not accept Schengen visa applications from non-residents.
How to apply for Schengen visa to Finland from Philippines? ›- Finland visa application form. ...
- Two passport photos. ...
- Your valid passport. ...
- Copies of your previous visas (if applicable).
- Finland Travel Health Insurance. ...
- Round-trip Flight Itinerary. ...
- Proof of accommodation. ...
- Proof of civil status.
How long in advance can I apply for Schengen visa? ›
The application must, in principle, be submitted to the Consulate at least 15 days before the intended journey and cannot be lodged earlier than six months before the start of the intended journey. You may have to book an appointment before lodging the application.