How To Get Schengen Visa For Philippine Passport Holder

Your Philippine passport alone is not enough if you are going to travel to Schengen countries. It requires a visa (except case of emergency). However, the good news is that, you can apply for a Schengen visa. This article will give you some tips on how you can get the Schengen visa for Philippine passport holder.

Are you currently a Philippine passport holder? Do you want to visit any of the Schengen countries without worrying about applying for visa? Here’s a solution!

In this post, I will explain the process of Schengen Visa Philippines, and then provide you with all the required documents you need to apply for it.

How To Get Schengen Visa For Philippine Passport Holder

The Schengen Visa is a visa which allows the holder – his/her spouse and any children under 21 to travel in 26 European states (or other limited countries) for tourism or visiting purposes and stay a total of 90 days within 180 days period. The Schengen Area started on November 25, 1997 and it was initially called the Schengen Information System and it was amended by the Amsterdam Treaty which came into effect on May 1, 1999.

What do I need to do?

• You must submit a passport or other travel document issued within the last 10 years. This must have at least 2 blank pages and be valid for at least another 3 months after the date you intend to leave the Schengen area.
• You must submit a completed and signed visa application form. Each person travelling with you on your travel document must submit their own visa form. Forms for children under the age of 18 need to be signed by a parent or guardian.
• If you are under 18 and are travelling without one or both of your parents or guardians, ask them to sign a consent form. Border guards may ask to see this form when you arrive in the Netherlands.
• In a country where visa applications are processed by an external service provider, in most cases your digital photo will be taken at the Visa Application Centre. In all other cases you yourself will have to submit a photo with your application. This photo must meet Dutch requirements for passport photos.
• When you submit your application your fingerprints will be taken. These will remain valid for 59 months. Some applicants, such as children under the age of 12, do not need to have their fingerprints taken. Did you provide biometric data (fingerprints and photo) within the last 59 months prior to your current application? Then you can choose to have someone else submit your application for you. You do not have to appear in person. This also applies if you had your fingerprints taken within the last 59 months for a visa application submitted through another Schengen member state.

Attention:Please note that if, during the assessment of your application, it appears that your fingerprints are not in the system, you will have to come and submit them. Also, you can always be invited for an interview if your application gives reason to do so.

How much does a visa cost?

When you apply for a visa at a Dutch embassy or consulate, you must pay a fee. You can find the fee on the fees page. If you apply through an external service provider, such as a visa agency, you will have to pay an extra fee to the provider.

The visa fee shall be waived for applicants belonging to one of the following categories:

• children under 6 years;
• school pupils, students, postgraduate students and accompanying teachers who undertake stays for the purpose of study or educational training;
• researchers travelling for the purpose of carrying out scientific research or participating in a scientific seminar or conference*;
• representatives of non-profit organisations aged 25 years or less participating in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events organised by non-profit organisations.

*as defined in point (2) of Article 3 of Directive (EU) 2016/801 of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 1 )

How long does it take?

The earliest you can apply is 6 months before you intend to travel. Seafarers can apply 9 months before intended travel date. You should apply no later than 15 working days in advance.

In most cases, you will be informed within 15 calendar days whether your application has been successful. However, it can sometimes take up to 45 days, for example if extra documents are required.

Longer waiting time for visa applications

You may experience longer waiting times to get an appointment. And it may take longer than 15 days to process your application.

This is because more applicants want to travel to the Netherlands after COVID travel restrictions have been eased worldwide.

We are working to expand the number of available appointments and to increase our capacity. We regularly offer new appointment slots, so please keep checking the appointment system.

Plan your trip well in advance. And make sure you have all the documents ready for your appointment.

How will my application be assessed?

Some Schengen member states want to exchange information on visa applicants. This check (known as ‘consultation’) is mandatory for certain nationalities and can take up to 7 days.

Your application will also be checked in the Schengen Information System (SIS II). In addition, your application details will be checked and saved in the Visa Information System (VIS).

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs uses information-supported decision-making to make better, quicker decisions on visa applications. For more information on how your data will be processed, see the privacy statement.

Do not use intermediary agencies

To submit your application, you have to make an appointment via an online appointment system. This system is accessible to everyone. There are intermediary agencies that take advantage of this by retaining appointments and selling them.

We recommend that you make an appointment yourself and that you do not use the service of these intermediaries.

Applying for a visa in this country or region

How can I make an appointment?

The applicant has the following options:

1. For a timely appointment, make an appointment with VFS Global.

2. Contact the VFS call center at +63 2 8528 2503, from Monday until Friday between 7:00 – 16:00 hours, except for public holidays.

Applications of official and diplomatic passport holders

For Philippine diplomatic and service passport holders, travelling to the Schengen area via Schiphol, Amsterdam, the following information is important:

In accordance with immigration regulations as stated in the Dutch Aliens Act, in general, it is required for travellers with Philippine passports to apply for a visa at the Netherlands embassy, prior to arrival at Schiphol airport in the Netherlands.

Consequently, Philippine travelers holding a diplomatic or service passport who benefit from the exemption of a Schengen visa (as agreed by Philippine authorities based on the principle of reciprocity with a number of Schengen states, i.e. Sweden; Switzerland; etc.) are therefore still required to have a valid Schengen visa at the moment of entrance in the Schengen area via Schiphol Amsterdam, The Netherlands, regardless of the fact that their final destination may grant visa exemption for such Philippine diplomatic or service passport holders.

Official and diplomatic passport holders can contact VFS by visiting their web page for Official and Diplomatic Passport holders.

Keep a copy of all your documents

A visa does not automatically give you the right to enter the Schengen territory. Make sure you keep a copy of the documents you submit with your visa application, as you may be asked by migration officers to provide this information in addition to your passport, visa and medical travel insurance.

Representation of Latvia

The Netherlands embassy represents Latvia, so if your destination is Latvia, you can also submit your short stay visa application at the VFS Global office.