How I Got My Schengen Visa | Travel to 26 countries!

Introduction

Hi guys! I’m back with my visa experience. This time, I’ll be walking you through how I got my Schengen Visa in just 7 steps! But before we discuss the processes and actions I made to acquire the visa. Let me quickly talk about what a Schengen Visa is and for. 

What is a Schengen Visa?

It is a short-stay visa granted to travelers and tourists who are able to travel under this visa. Countries who are members of the Schengen Area are the following:

That’s 26 European countries that you could visit and stay for up to 90 days as long as you have your visa approved! 

Do you need a Schengen Visa? 

Yes! According to the Schengen Visa Info, all nationals of 3rd world countries need to have an approved Schengen Visa before visiting any European country.

I understand that applying for a Visa is very tedious work, but let’s look at it this way. Once you have acquired it, you’re able to travel to a LOT of countries! Just like I did, when my brother and I decided to go on a Europe trip (France and Switzerland)! 

Requirements and Reminders for visa application

Visa Requirements 

Here are the requirements that I submitted for the Schengen Visa 

• Passport  with no less than 5 months before the expiration date with 2 empty pages
• 1 passport photocopy
• 1 valid ID 
• two recently taken passport-style photos
• Printed Visa Application on A4 paper
• A letter stating the purpose of travel with a complete and detailed itinerary 
  • Details of the trip (destinations & route) 
  • Airplane/ Journey tickets 
  • Hotel accommodation

Here’s a downloadable link for the sample detailed itinerary:

• Travel Insurance (we got our insurance from Malayan Insurance)
• Confirmed return ticket (you can checkout Filo Online Ticketing for cheap travel deals!) 
• Bank Statements (statement of account) in the last 3-6 months

Bank certificate with the date of opening, original receipts, and certification of SOA

*It’s very important to have these documents attached because embassies are now aware of a tactic that people used to do of putting a huge amount of money on a bank account days just for travel purposes. 

Reminders

Please note that the application for the Schengen Visa should be submitted no more than 6 months before the trip! It is recommended to process your visa for about 1-2 months before traveling. 

Step by step process in applying for a Schengen Visa 

Step 1: To have all requirements ready with photocopies

I personally suggest having all documents and requirements needed to be kept in a folder or envelope so as I wouldn’t have a hard time during my visa application process. 

Step 2: Book an appointment meeting with VFS Global

VFS Global is an application center in Manila that handles visa applications for European travels. You can check the VFS Global website for more information about the application process and have your appointment booked here. In the appointment, VFS Global will be conducting an interview and will be checking all the documents that you’ve prepared. 

Step 3: Wait for the application to  be processed 

Normally it takes about 15-30 days before you get notified if you have passed to have a Schengen Visa. In some cases, it takes more than 30-60 days, depending on the extra requirements that the embassy will be asking from you.

Step 4: Receive a confirmation/ declination of visa

A few weeks after my appointment with VFS Global, I received a package that contains my visa and passport (Yehey!), For declined visa applications you’ll receive a rejection letter. 

My passport and visa were delivered directly at home (with a delivery fee) or you can pick them up at VFS Global office located in Manila. 

How much does it cost? 

A Schengen visa costs about Php 4,400 for Adults and  Php 2,200 for minors (visa fees are waived for children under 6 years old).

Sample Schengen Visa

Here’s a sample of my own visa that I got to use to visit and wander around France and Switzerland.

Now I know, applying for a Visa can be frustrating and not everyone is granted with an approved visa. My takeaway here is to “never give up”, reapply again! This is exactly what I did with my U.S Visa when they rejected my initial application. You can check it out here: How I got my US Visa in 1 Week.

For those who have doubts, questions or clarifications, feel free to reach out to me through my social media accounts, or you can comment down below! I’d be more than happy to help you!

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My Europe trip will be out soon, so stay tuned for an exciting trip with me and my DIY travel tips!