Visa Application – The Wknd Travel

Tuesday Tips for Filipinos / Philippine Passport Holders: Do-It-Yourself US B1/B2 NON-IMMIGRANT VISITOR VISA Application

Getting a do-it-yourself tourist visa is one of the most tedious things to do when planning a trip. I have been through several do-it-yourself visa applications, and I have spent tons of hours preparing all the needed requirements and supporting documents. All these arduous efforts are paid off every time a tourist visa is approved.

Recently, I applied for a US B1/B2 Non-Immigrant Visitor Visa, and I was granted one with a 10-year validity. Getting a US tourist visa is one of the most difficult visas to get here in the Philippines. I did everything by myself (without an agency’s help), so I am very lucky to have been granted this visa on my first application.

Today, I will share with you the steps I took in getting this US B1/B2 non-immigrant visitor visa. I will also share with you the list of questions the consul asked me and some tips on how to prepare for your visa interview.

In case you missed it, I have previously shared my do-it-yourself visa applications to Japan, Australia, Netherlands, and Italy. I have applied for all tourist visas by myself, and I got approved for all of them.

Disclaimer: Everything that will be discussed below is only applicable to a US B1/B2 non-immigrant visitor visa application as of December 2023. Other visa types may require additional documents or processes. Please check the US Consular Affairs website to learn more about the other requirements.

B1/B2 Non-Immigrant Visitor Visa

Philippine passport holders need to obtain a visa to enter the United States of America or any other US territory. One of the most common visa types Filipinos can apply for is the B1/B2 Non-Immigrant Visitor Visa.

This B1/B2 Visitor Visa allows the visa holder to enter the United States of America both for business (B1) and tourism (B2). This visa type does not allow the visa holder to study in the country, seek employment, or have permanent residence in the United States.

How To Apply for a B1/B2 Non-Immigrant Visitor Visa

Step 1 – Preparation

The first step of the application is to create an account on the US Travel Docs Portal website. The following details are required: country of application, email, first name, last name, and nominated password. After creating an account, try to log in and check the earliest available interview schedule.

Next, go to the nearest photo studio and have your photo taken. The DS-160 form requires applicants to submit a digital copy of the applicant’s photo. The photo requirements, dimensions, and specifics are found here. Please note that you may skip this part and submit your photo on the day of the interview.

Step 2 – Pay the Visa Application Fee

The second step of the application process is the settlement of the visa application fee. The current visa application fee for B1/B2 non-immigrant visitor visas is $185. The Embassy of the United States of America in the Philippines specifies an exchange rate for the said visa. You can check the updated exchange rate here. At the time of my application, the exchange rate was 58.00 PHP = 1 USD. I paid 10,730 PHP for my visa application fee.

Applicants can pay the visa application fee in two ways. The first option is through in-person payment at RCBC (Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation) branches nationwide. Visa applicants need to choose B1/B2 under Fee Payment Options, open and print the USA Visa Fee Deposit Slip, and pay the visa fee at any RCBC branch. Please take note of the receipt number because you will need it when setting your interview schedule.

The second payment option is through PesoNet. Applicants need to follow the steps indicated on this page. Like the receipt number above, please take note of the unique reference number because you will need it when scheduling your visa interview.

Please give RCBC and PesoNet enough time to process and transmit the visa application payment to the US Embassy. The usual processing timelines can be found here. Please also take note that all visa application fees are non-refundable.

Step 3 – Fill Out Your DS-160 Application Form

While waiting for the visa application fee to be processed and posted, you can now start filling out your DS-160 application form. Head over to this page and start your DS-160 application.

This form asks for the following details: applicant details, address, travel document information, list of social media accounts, purpose of US trip (including intended date of arrival and place of stay), US visa application history, family information, current and previous employment details, educational attainment, international travel history in the last 5 years, security, and background information.

You can upload your application photo towards the last part of the DS-160 application form. After submitting the application form, you will get a confirmation page or email with your photo, passport details, and confirmation number. Please print this confirmation page only. You do not need to print the whole DS-160 form.

Curious about the specific questions in the DS-160 application form? Here is an example provided by the US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs.

Step 4 – Schedule Your Interview

After paying for the visa application fee and submitting your DS-160 application, it is now time to schedule your interview. Head over to the US Travel Docs Portal website, log in using your details, and click ‘New Application / Schedule Appointment.’ Choose ‘Non-immigrant visa’ and follow the next steps. You will provide your DS-160 confirmation number and payment reference number, and then you will choose your desired interview date and time.

You also need to choose the method of passport collection, whether by pick-up or premium delivery. You need to nominate a delivery address if you choose the delivery option. You will receive the interview appointment confirmation via email after completing the appointment process.

Please print the appointment confirmation page and bring it on the day of your interview.

Step 5 – Prepare Documents for the Interview

The US Embassy in the Philippines does not have an official list of additional documents that applicants need to bring during the interview. The emails only require the applicant’s valid passport, application photo, DS-160 confirmation, and interview confirmation pages on the day of the interview.

Any other document will solely depend on what the applicant wants to bring for his or her interview. Naturally, you will bring the documents that will show your strong ties here in the Philippines and that will show your capacity to go to the US for leisure. These documents can include the following: previous passport stamps and visas, certificate of employment, income tax documents, business registration (for business owners), bank certificates and statements, invitation letters (if for business, conferences, or events), property titles, and asset documents.

The consul may or may not ask for these documents, depending on how the interview goes. It is always best to have them ready in the event the consul asks for them.

Step 6 – Go To Your Scheduled Interview

Arrive at the US Embassy grounds at least 30 minutes before your scheduled interview. The guards will check your interview schedule and ask you to go inside during your turn. The embassy staff outside will check your passport and interview schedule and put a sticker with a barcode, your passport number, DS-160 confirmation number, and a QR code on the back of your passport. You will then go through two security checkpoints before starting with the interview process.

The interview process starts with pre-screening. The embassy staff will check your details and ask for your full name, birthday, and purpose for your trip. After that, the staff will guide you to the biometrics section, where the embassy staff will get your fingerprints.

After biometrics, you will now fall in line for the consul interview. You will be assigned to a random interview window and consul. The consul will ask for your passport at the start of the interview and ask you questions that are relevant to your trip and profile.

Step 7 – Interview Result

Towards the end of your interview, the consul will advise you if your application is approved or denied. If denied, he or she will give you a blue slip containing the reason for the denial. If approved, he or she will advise you that your application is approved and that you need to wait for 10 working days for your passport delivery or collection. All applicants, regardless of the result, need to vacate the embassy grounds after their interview with the consul.

Visa Interview Experience

Allow me to share with you my visa interview details last December 13, 2023.

I arrived at the US Embassy grounds a few minutes before 8:00 a.m., ahead of my 8:30 a.m. interview schedule. I noticed that those scheduled for 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. were already asked to go inside, so I went to the guards, had my passport and appointment papers checked, and was asked to go inside.

Before the entry door, the embassy staff checked my passport and appointment letter. She also placed a sticker with my name, passport number, DS-160 confirmation number, a bar code, and a QR code at the back of my passport. I went through two security checks, then proceeded to the first step.

I underwent pre-screening at Window 9 and had my biometrics collected at Window 14. I was entertained by the nice and accommodating staff on both windows. After that, I fell in line for the interview. While seated, I can hear the consuls asking the other applicants questions about their trips, profiles, and even ask for documents. I can also hear the approvals and denials given by the consuls.

I got randomly assigned to Window 28 for my interview. The Asian-American consul with glasses greeted me and started the interview. Non-verbatim

Me (M): Good morning! How are you? (I handed my passport to him.)
Consul (C): Good morning! I am good. Thank you. How are you?
M: I am good; thank you.

C: What is the purpose of your trip?
M: Purely tourism, sir.

C: Where are you going and for how long?
M: I am going to Los Angeles and San Francisco for 2 weeks.

C: Who are you going with?
M: Alone, sir. Always by myself. (he laughed)

C: Where do you work, and what do you do?
M: I work for (stated company) as a (stated position), and I have been working with them for (stated tenure).

C: Okay. Have you traveled outside the country?
M: Yes, sir. I have been to Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Australia, France, Italy, Spain… (he stopped me)

C: Oh, so basically, you have been everywhere?
M: Not yet, sir, but that is the goal.

C: Alright, visa approved. Congratulations! Your passport and visa will be delivered to you within 10 days.

I followed the exit signs and went back to the hotel. I finished the whole process in about 1.5 hours. I got my passport with the 10-year visa after 3 days.

Visa Application Tips

I want to share some helpful tips for those who want to apply or increase their chances of getting approved. These include:

Do not falsify anything in your DS-160 application form or in the interview. State the purpose for which you are applying for a visa. Consuls are trained to assess whether an applicant is telling the truth or not.

Stick to what you indicated in your DS-160 application.

Do not memorize everything you indicated in your DS-160 application. Familiarizing oneself with these details will help.

It is best to prepare all supporting documents and bring them during your interview. The consul did not ask for any additional documents during my interview, but the others asked for some documents or proof of ties here in the Philippines.

Build a solid international travel record or history for at least a few years before applying for a US visa. It is best to have a good mix of visa-free and visa-required countries. These records help a lot in showing that you go back to the Philippines after every trip.

Arrive at the US Embassy at least 30 minutes before your interview schedule.

The US Embassy does not have a specific interview dress code. However, it is best to dress appropriately for your interview. If you can, go for smart casual or business casual attire.

Do not bring your mobile phones during your interview. Electronic devices such as mobile phones and smartwatches are not allowed inside the embassy.

Stay in a nearby hotel if you are coming from a faraway place. I stayed at Red Planet Manila Bay (the lucky hotel, they say) the night before my interview, and I just walked to the embassy on the day of the interview.

🙂

Be confident and keep calm during the interview. The consul officers can be intimidating, but they are just doing their job. You will be fine if you come prepared and have nothing to hide.

For any other questions and clarifications, you may reach out to the US Embassy Information and Appointment Service Center at (+63) 2 8548-8223 or (+63) 2 7792-8988.

This was how I got my B1/B2 visa last month, in December 2023. Please note that interview experiences may vary from one applicant to the other. It will all depend on the profile you submit and on the consul interviewing you. Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? Feel free to post them in the comments section below. You may also send these questions to me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thank you for reading this post about getting a B1/B2 US visa! I wish you all the best in your upcoming application and interview. I hope you can also check out the other Tuesday Tip posts I have on this website. Also, before you go, can you visit my social media pages –Facebook & Instagram – and like or follow them? Thank you & see you in the next one!

A Dream Come True Part 2: 24 DAYS Around FRANCE, ITALY & SPAIN For Less Than ₱170,000 ALL IN – Airfare, Accommodation, Food, Museum Tickets & Transportation Included

I flew to Europe alone in 2019 and explored 4 countries – The Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic and Denmark – for 19 days and spent a little over ₱117,000 for everything. The total expense included return flights via Singapore Airlines, hostel accommodations, visa application fees, travel insurance and daily expenses. Cheap-o, right? I honestly cannot believe I did it that time. I hope you can check out all the details of this life-changing EU solo trip here – Going Solo in Europe category.

Fast forward to 2022 when prices of everything went up, I did not think I will be able to do it again. In early to mid-2022, my friends and I talked about flying to Europe for a few weeks towards the end of the year. After months and weeks of planning and visa applications, we finally flew to Europe in November 2022 for holiday. I, with some friends, went around France, Italy and Spain for 24 days.

Guess what? I spent a little over ₱167,000 ALL IN for this 3.5-week trip! Curious how I made it happen? Let me share the breakdown of travel expenses below.

Air Tickets

Back in 2020, I booked a ticket with Emirates from Hong Kong to Munich and back from Budapest to Hong Kong for only HK$4,039 or ₱27,072.73 for October 2020. The pandemic happened; I was not able to use that ticket.

Luckily, Emirates offered the most flexible option for tickets booked that year. They offered to keep the ticket and extended its validity for 3 years. They allowed passengers to book their tickets when they are ready to fly. On top of that, they also allowed the passengers to change the airports of origin and destination as long as the airports are within the same Emirates region. Emirates also waived all fare difference, rebooking and change fees.

After securing my tourist visa last October 2022, I called Emirates and advised them my preferred dates and flight schedules. I got my new ticket in less than a minute after I ended the call. I wrote about my Emirates flight experiences last year under the Flight Reports category – EK 335 Manila to Dubai, EK 073 Dubai to Paris CDG, EK 256 Barcelona to Dubai and EK 332 Dubai to Manila. I hope you can check them out.

My friends and I also booked our inter-country tickets before flying to Europe. We flew with Air France from Paris, France to Rome Italy and paid ₱6,854.74 for a one-way ticket. After Milan, my friends all flew back to Manila while I continued my journey to Barcelona. I flew with Vueling from Milan, Italy to Barcelona, Spain. I got my ticket 2 months before the trip and paid ₱3,442.29 for this one-way ticket.

On top of these flights, I also paid the Philippine Travel Tax of ₱1,620 before leaving Manila. This travel tax is required for all Filipinos going out of the country for holiday or vacation.

Accommodation

I mentioned in my 2019 Euro trip summary that accommodations in the continent are expensive. After the pandemic, I noticed that accommodation rates got more expensive in general. I still cannot afford staying in these hotels and private rooms so I opted in staying with hostels again! I am happy I found a travel buddy / friend who is also keen on staying in hostels to save some cash. Just like before, I stayed in popular and high-rated hostels found in central and well-recommended locations.

I stayed with Le Village Montmartre by Hiphophostels for 4 nights in Paris (€147 paid during check-in), The Romehello for 5 nights in Rome (€89,26 paid through Agoda days before check-in), YellowSquare Florence for 4 nights in Florence (€95,60 paid during check-in), YellowSquare Milan for 4 nights in Milan (€109,24 paid during check-in) and YEAH Hostel Barcelona for 4 nights in Barcelona (₱5,589.42 paid through Agoda in Philippine Peso).

Travel Insurance

Schengen tourist visa applications require a travel insurance with up to €30,000 medical coverage for the duration of the trip, some even up to 15 to 30 days after the trip.

I got my travel insurance from Oona Insurance (previously known as Mapfre Insurance) and paid ₱1,969.43 (€34.95) for a 35-day coverage.

Schengen Tourist Visa

I applied for my own tourist visa with the Italian Embassy in the Philippines’ Visa Center – VIA Italy. I paid ₱4,494 (€80) for the visa fee and ₱1,350 for the visa handling fee including the courier fee / service. I opted for the passport pick-up to make sure I get the visa in time for my trip. I previously shared in this website how I got my Schengen tourist visa from VIA Italy without the help of any tour agency. Check out that Tuesday Tip post here.

Internet Sim Card

Travelling around Europe is a lot easier when you are connected to the internet throughout the trip. I did not want to get lost during the trip so I ordered a 3UK internet sim card from Travel Sim PH Shopee Store (not sponsored). I got the sim card that has 12GB data allocation valid for 1 month after activation. I paid ₱1,521 for this sim card including shipping fee and had it delivered at home weeks before the trip.

Pre-Booked Tickets & Tours

Weeks before our trip, my friend and I booked several tickets that we will use for the trip. We booked our bus tickets from Rome to Florence, Florence to Milan and the return bus tickets to Serravalle Designer Outlet. We also booked entry tickets to museums like the Vatican Museums in Vatican, Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence and the Last Supper in Milan. We also booked day trips to the Colosseum in Rome, Tuscany countryside in Florence and Lake Como in Milan.

All these tickets were booked using our credit cards and cost us ₱20,206.70 each.

Daily Expenses

I tried to set a daily budget for the trip but I noticed I have been spending more than the allotted amount. I decided to just let things go with the flow. Most of the day-to-day expenses came from food and transportation. I brought some euros to Europe and used my credit card for other purchases.

POCKET MONEY

Before leaving for Europe, I managed to change some cash to Euros to serve as my pocket. I changed ₱29,980 worth of Philippine pesos to €500. Towards the end of my stay in Italy, I also withdrew some cash from the ATM. The withdrawal cost me ₱9,435.93 including the international withdrawal charges.

I used the cash for day-to-day expenses like transportation and food. I also used the money to get my Navigo card and Paris Museum Pass in Paris.

TRAVEL EXPENSES CHARGED TO CREDIT CARD

Credit cards are widely accepted in Europe. In fact, it is the preferred mode of payment of some establishments. I used my credit cards a lot of times during the trip – mostly for food and transportation.

FOOD

I tapped my card in a lot of restaurants, fast food chains, hostel buffets and supermarkets during the trip. For instance, I used my card in paying for all the hostel breakfast buffets I availed at The RomeHello and YEAH Hostel Barcelona. I also used it in various restaurants in Florence, Milan and Barcelona. I even used my credit card in getting food from different fast-food chains and supermarkets.

In total, I charged ₱20,424.28 to my BPI Credit Card (not sponsored) only for food.

TRANSPORTATION

I also used my credit card in paying for transportation costs like airport trains, subways, buses and ride-hailing applications such as Uber, Bolt and FreeNow. In total, I charged ₱6,865.51 to my BPI Credit Card (not sponsored) for all transportation-related expenses.

Summary of Expenses

Here is the summary of all the expenses mentioned above.

The total amount spent for this 24-day trip around France, Italy and Spain is ₱167,752.45. This total cost includes flight tickets, accommodation bookings, visa application fees, travel insurance, entry tickets, food and transportation costs.

Please do not get me wrong, ₱167,752.45 is a big amount of money. At the same time, it was everything I spent for a 24-day trip to Europe from the Philippines. It may be a little over 40% higher than my 2019 Euro trip but it is still cheap given all the places I have been to in this trip.

Blog List

Here is the list of blog posts that are related to this 2022 trip to Europe.

FLIGHT REPORTS ✈️

Flight Report: EMIRATES EK 335 – Manila to Dubai – Overnight Long-Haul Flight with the Middle Eastern Global Carrier [November 2022]
Flight Report: EMIRATES EK 073 – Dubai to Paris CDG – Excellent Airbus A380 Superjumbo Flight to the Famous French Capital [November 2022]
Flight Report: AIR FRANCE AF 1304 – Paris CDG to Rome – Short Inter-European Hop to Italy’s Capital City [November 2022]
Flight Report: VUELING VY 6333 – Milan Malpensa to Barcelona – Superb Flying Experience with a Spanish Low-Cost Airline [December 2022]
Flight Report: EMIRATES EK 256 – Barcelona to Dubai – Impressive Intercontinental Flight on a Rare Long-Range Aircraft [December 2022]
Flight Report: EMIRATES EK 332 – Dubai to Manila – Underwhelming Inflight Meals on a Busy & Full Flight Back to Manila [December 2022]

HOSTEL FEATURES 🏨

Hostel of the Day: LE VILLAGE MONTMARTRE BY HIPHOPHOSTELS – Authentic & Affordable Parisian Property in the Artist District
Hostel of the Day: THE ROMEHELLO – Affordable, Hospitable & High-Rated Accommodation That Felt Like Home
Hostel of the Day: YELLOWSQUARE FLORENCE – Lively & Social Hostel Outside (But Near) Florence City Center
Hostel of the Day: YELLOWSQUARE MILAN – Hidden Hostel Gem in Milan’s Porta Romana District
Hostel of the Day: YEAH HOSTEL BARCELONA – 4 Fun & Solid Nights in One of the World’s Best Hostels

VISA APPLICATION ✍️

Tuesday Tips for Philippine Passport Holders: Do-It-Yourself SCHENGEN TOURIST VISA Application with VIA ITALY

PARIS 🇫🇷

N9 Friends in Europe: PARIS – 5 Days Around the Postcard-Perfect French Capital [Days 1 & 2]
N9 Friends in Europe: PARIS – 5 Days Around the Postcard-Perfect French Capital [Days 3, 4 & 5]
N9 Friends in Europe: CHÂTEAU DE VERSAILLES Day Trip Photoblog
PARIS MUSEUM PASS Review – Is It Worth It?

ROME 🇮🇹

N9 Friends in Europe: ROME – 6 Days Around the Italian Eternal City – Arrival, Colosseum Tour & Trastevere Food Tour [Part 1 of 3]
N9 Friends in Europe: ROME – 6 Days Around the Italian Eternal City – Vatican City, Necropolis Tour & Papal Audience [Part 2 of 3]
N9 Friends in Europe: ROME – 6 Days Around the Italian Eternal City – Rome at Night, City Walking Tour & Departure [Part 3 of 3]

FLORENCE 🇮🇹

N9 in Europe: FLORENCE – The Cradle of Renaissance | 4 Wonderful Days Around the Historic Italian City
N9 in Europe: TUSCANY EXPERIENCE CLASSIC TOUR Photoblog – A Day Trip to Pisa, San Gimignano & Siena
P’s List: 7 Food Places to Check Out in Florence

MILAN 🇮🇹

N9 in Europe: MILAN – 4 Beautiful Days Around the Italian Business, Shopping & Fashion Capital
N9 in Europe: LUGANO & LAKE COMO DAY TRIP FROM MILAN Photoblog – Exploring 3 Places in 2 Countries in 1 Day

BARCELONA 🇪🇸

N9 in Europe: BARCELONA – 4 Lazy Days Around the Bustling Spanish City

Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? Is there anything you want to ask how I planned the trip in general? Or maybe how I made it happen? Feel free to post your questions in the comments section below. You can also send it via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thank you for joining me in summarizing my 2022 trip to Europe. I may be months behind in posting everything about this trip but I hope it is never too late to share these details. I would like to thank my N9 friends for joining me in this life-changing and memorable trip to Europe. I cannot wait to go back to the continent in the future!

Feel free to follow me on my social media channels for more information on cheap fares, thrift hacks & fun itineraries – Facebook & Instagram. I will end this post with this statement. I DID IT AGAIN – 24 DAYS AROUND FRANCE, ITALY & SPAIN FOR LESS THAN ₱170,000 ALL IN AND I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT TOO!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

Tuesday Tips for Filipinos / Philippine Passport Holders: Do-It-Yourself SCHENGEN TOURIST VISA Application with VIA ITALY [now VFS]

Hey, long time no Tuesday tips! Yes, it’s back! I shared in my 2022 wrap-up that my friends & I flew to Europe for 3.5 weeks & explored Paris in France, Rome, Florence & Milan in Italy & Barcelona in Spain. We stayed longer in Italy so we applied for our visas from the Italian Embassy here in the Philippines. Today’s Tuesday Tips post will discuss how to apply for a Schengen Tourist Visa by yourself with VIA Center Italy. [2024 UPDATE – The Italian Embassy in the Philippines has changed their visa processing provider to VFS Philippines. More details below.]

In case you missed it, I’ve been to Europe in 2019 for an 18-day DIY trip & spent less than ₱120,00 all in. Crazy, right? I got my 1^st ever Schengen Tourist Visa from the Dutch Embassy through VFS & I did the whole application & submission process by myself. Check out this Tuesday Tips post to know more about the previous tourist visa application.

As someone who wants to avoid ridiculous travel agency handling fees, I always try to apply for tourist visas by myself. Applying for a tourist visa can be both exciting & daunting. I take these visa application procedures as a challenge to my backpacker self & I find it rewarding when I get a favorable application result. This Schengen visa application wasn’t any different. I prepared the required documents, itinerary, accommodation bookings, etc. for weeks; I’m glad I got my visa granted.

A quick reminder – you must apply for a Schengen tourist visa to the embassy of the country you’re first entering to if the number of days of stay in all countries to visit are the same (example – 4 days in Netherlands, 4 days in Belgium, 4 days in France & 4 days in Italy) or to the embassy of the country where you’re staying the longest (example – this trip where we stayed in Italy for 13 days, 5 days in France & 5 days in Spain) during the trip. Now you might be wondering how I did it; here’s how.

[2024 UPDATE – The Italian Embassy in Manila has changed their visa processing provider to VFS as of late last year. In fact, in December 2023, the embassy opened their visa processing center at Ground Floor, One Campus Place, Building A, McKinley Town Center, McKinly Hill, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Metro Manila. The embassy also opened visa application centers in Cebu (Unit 1001C & 1004B, 10th Floor, Kepwealth Center, Samar Loop, cor Cardinal Rosales Ave, Cebu City, 6000 Cebu), Batangas (Unit F01, Block J, Ground Floor, The Outlets at Lipa, LIMA Technology Center, Barangay Bugtong na Pulo, JP Laurel Highway, Lipa City, Batangas 4217), and Davao (FES 07, Second Floor, Alfresco Area, Felcris Centrale, Brgy., 40-D Quimpo Blvd, Davao City, 8000).]

Step 1 – Set an Appointment

[2024 UPDATE – Appointments are now made online via the VFS portal. First, you need to create an account at the VFS Portal. After that, please choose your preferred appointment schedule and time. If I remember it right and am not sure if it has changed, VFS opens visa appointment slots at least a month before.]

The Embassy of Italy in the Philippines has authorized VIA Center to act as the middleman in all visa-related services for the country. All Schengen visa applications & document requirements are submitted to & released by VIA Center for the embassy. Unlike VFS, the VIA Center in Makati City & Cebu City only accept visa appointment schedules via phone call. Here are the contact numbers of the said offices:

VIA Center Makati –Landline: +632 8572 0235 / +632 8572 0238 | Globe: +63 917 576 3103 | Smart: +63 999 889 6021

VIA Center Cebu – Landline: +6332 412 7447 | Globe: +63 945 394 1606

The hotlines are open on regular working days from 8:00am to 4:30pm. These hotlines are busy throughout the day. Please do not give up on your first try. Also, please get ready with the following details which will be asked by the agent when setting the appointment: Full Name of the Applicant, Passport Number, Contact Number & E-mail Address.

After setting the appointment, the customer service agent you spoke to will send a confirmation e-mail including the appointment details, appointment reference number, application form, list of necessary documents to submit & all other details needed for the application.

TIP: Schengen tourist visa applications are accepted as early as 6 months before the intended trip dates. To be safe, I suggest that you schedule your visa application with VIA Center at least 2-3 months before your planned departure date.

Step 2 – Book Necessary Accommodations & Travel Insurance

Schengen visa applications need confirmed accommodation bookings. They ask for the details of your accommodation (name of hotel or hostel, address & contact details) during your stay in Europe. Make sure to book accommodation right before you start with the application form.

TIP: Book your accommodation with Agoda & Booking.com & choose those with free cancellation options. You can always cancel these bookings after & choose your accommodation of choice once you get your visa. I booked all my accommodation with these 2 websites & I didn’t have any trouble during the application process.

Tourist visa applications also require travel insurance coverage for all people travelling to Europe. Applicants must secure travel insurance that will cover the trip (+15 days of allowance beyond travel period specific to Italy Visa applications only), that can cover up to €30,000 in expenses valid within the Schengen zone & that allows cashless settlement of claims. The center includes the list of accredited insurance companies in the visa appointment e-mail confirmation.

I got my travel insurance for this trip from Mapfre Insurance Philippines. I got their Schengen Completo Plan that covers claims up to €35,000. I paid ₱1,969.43 for the whole trip coverage & including the additional 15-day allowance required by the Italian Embassy.

ANOTHER TIP: You can easily purchase this travel insurance from Mapfre Insurance’ official website. Let me know if you want to avail this through an agent. I can share with you the name of the agent I dealt with; I initially got errors when I tried to purchase it online.

Step 3 – Prepare the Required Documents

After booking your trip accommodation & buying your travel insurance, the next step is to complete the list of requirements needed for the application. Here is the list of the documents I submitted. Please take note that these documents need to be in A4 or long size paper & need to be photocopied.

Accomplished Application Form – I will discuss this in the next step.

Photo – The colored photo can either be 2×2 inch or passport-sized. Also, the photo must be taken within the last 6 months & must have a white background.

Current Passport – Your passport must be valid for more than 6 months at the time of travel. It must also have at least 2 blank pages.

Old & Expired Passports – They ask for the old & expired passports of the applicant.

Photocopy of Passport Bio Page – One copy is enough.

Photocopy of All Passport Stamps & Visas – I submitted a copy of all my passport stamps & visas from both my current & previous passports. Please also include the bio & last pages of previous passports.

Bank Certificate & Statement – I submitted both my bank certificate & bank statement for the last six months. These bank documents must be original.

Credit Card Statements – I submitted only a month statement of all my credit cards. This is just a supplementary document.

Proof of Social Security Contributions – I copied & printed the recorded contributions from my online SSS account.

Certificate of Employment & Certificate of No Objection – I submitted my certificate of employment detailing my position, length of employment & my salary. Our company HR officer also gave me a certificate of no objection where it stated that my employer knows this trip & they are not objecting against the trip. It also stated when I am on leave from work & when they expect me to report back to work.

Income Tax Return – I submitted a copy of my 2021 BIR-stamped income tax return.

Proof of Airline Reservation – The Embassy requires proof of airline reservation for the application. Unlike my 2019 Schengen Visa application, I only provided a proof of reservation & booked my ticket with Emirates after I got my tourist visa. I got my proof of airline reservation from GVCA Travel & Tours. Feel free to message them to ask for their services.

Proof of Accommodation – I submitted all the accommodation bookings I had for the trip. Make sure that all details (including the dates) are consistent with that from the application form.

Cover Letter – A cover letter is not required but is highly encouraged. I still submitted a cover letter detailing the purpose of my trip as well as how long I will in the Schengen territory.

Detailed Day-To-Day Itinerary – I submitted a dummy day-to-day itinerary for my trip. It should include where you’ll stay on the specific date & the contact details of these accommodations. Make sure that the details are the same & consistent with that from the application form.

NSO Birth Certificate – The Embassy requires each applicant to submit a PSA-certified birth certificate.

Travel Insurance – I submitted a copy of the travel insurance I got from Mapfre Insurance Philippines.

NOTE: Certain types of applicants such as minors, those invited by relatives, business owners, self-employed individuals & foreigners may have additional requirements. Feel free to reach out to VIA Center to know more about these additional requirements.

TIP: Arrange these documents according to the order mentioned in the confirmation e-mail. The person who will check your documents may or may not get the photocopies. In my case, they got the old & current passports, the original copies of the following: application form, current passport bio page, bank certificates & the certificate of employment, plus the photocopies of the other documents. On the other hand, my friend told me that the visa center agent got all the original copies of the documents & gave back all the photocopies.

ANOTHER TIP: You can submit as many financial documents as you can so show your strong ties here in the Philippines. In my case, I submitted statements of all my 4 credit cards, copies of my 2 life insurance policies & 2 certificates of my current stock investment accounts. The agents won’t prohibit you from submitting all these documents.

ANOTHER TIP v2: Make sure your transfers between countries are either booked or indicated in the daily itineraries. I submitted my flight tickets from Paris to Rome & Milan to Barcelona. I also indicated in the itinerary that I will take the bus between cities

Step 4 – Accomplish the Application Form

Fill out the application electronically & print it on an A4-sized paper. You can also print the application form & fill it out manually. The second option is prone to errors, so best to go with the first one. Make sure that all details in your requirements & itinerary are consistent with the one in the application form.

TIP: Fill out each question or option slowly & surely to avoid errors.

Step 5 – Go to VIA Center on Your Scheduled Appointment

[2024 UPDATE – The Italian Embassy in Manila has opened four visa application centers in the country. Here are the updated locations:

VFS Visa Application Center – Taguig
Ground Floor, One Campus Place, Building A
McKinley Town Center, McKinley Hill
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City
Metro Manila 1634

VFS VFS Visa Application Center – Cebu
Unit 1001C & 1004B, 10th Floor, Kepwealth Center
Samar Loop, corner Cardinal Rosales Ave
Cebu City, Cebu 6000

VFS Visa Application Center – Batangas
Unit F01, Block J, Ground Floor, The Outlets at Lipa
LIMA Technology Center, Barangay Bugtong na Pulo
JP Laurel Highway, Lipa City, Batangas 4217

VFS Visa Application Center – Davao
FES 07, Second Floor, Alfresco Area
Felcris Centrale, Barangay 40-D, Quimpo Blvd
Davao City 8000

Please make sure to choose the visa center near you.]

Head to the VIA Center on your scheduled appointment date. The VIA Center Makati City & Cebu City addresses are as follows:

VIA Center Makati
3rd Floor Allegro Center, 2284 Chino Roces Ave
Brgy Magallanes, Makati City, Metro Manila
Philippines 2284

VIA Center Cebu
1004, Keppel Bldg, Cardinal Rosales Ave
Cor Samar Loop, Cebu City
Cebu, Philippines 6000

I arrived at VIA Center Makati a few minutes past 9:00am & the guard had already allowed me to go inside. All applicants fall in line outside the visa center. The guards only allow 2 people at a time. Upon entering the VIA Center premises, someone checked my appointment schedule & documents. After checking, I was given a queue number & was asked to go inside the document submission room.

TIP: You may arrive at the visa center even before your scheduled appointment. The guard may allow you to queue early if there are not a lot of applicants.

Step 6 – Submit Your Documents & Biometrics

Head to the designated counter or desk once your number is called. The agent will check your application form, documents & all other details. Once done, he/she will ask you to seat down & wait for your turn in the biometrics section.

TIP: The agent might ask questions relating to your application or your trip. He/she will also confirm your departure date & confirm the mode of claiming the passport – whether by pick-up or courier delivery. Please answer them truthfully.

ANOTHER TIP: Bring a pen with you because he/she might ask you to sign or write something.

ANOTHER TIP v2: Make sure your documents are organized in the order that the confirmation e-mail indicates. This helps the agent check your documents faster. In my case, the agent assigned to me was happy & impressed with my documents. She gladly accepted all the papers & made sure everything went smoothly.

Proceed to the biometrics section once your name is called. The agent will ask for all of your fingerprints. He/she will give you a slip which you will then use when paying for the visa fee.

Step 7 – Pay the Visa Fee

[2024 UPDATE – The Embassy has changed providers to VFS Philippines. Here are the updated fees as of 23 January 2024: visa fee costs ₱4,821 (€80) & VFS handling fee costs ₱1,688.]

After your turn in the biometrics section, you may now proceed to counter 17 to pay for the visa fees. At the time of the application, the visa fees cost ₱5,844. The visa application fee costs ₱4,494 (€80) while the visa handling fee costs ₱1,350 per applicant. The fees already include the courier service fee for those who opted to get their passport results via courier. Once done, you may now leave VIA Center.

TIP: VIA Center only accepts payments in cash. Pay in exact amount for faster transaction.

ANOTHER TIP: Visa application fees change every quarter. Please refer to your appointment confirmation e-mail for the updated visa fees.

Step 8 – Claim Your Passport / Wait for Passport Delivery

[2024 UPDATE – Notifications are now sent by VFS via email. You may also receive a text message if your passport is now ready to be claimed. Applications can now check the status of their application here by putting their reference number and last name.]

The waiting game begins. The Embassy of Italy here in the Philippines’ standard visa processing time is 15-30 days. Those who opted to claim their passports will get a text message from VIA Center once your passports are ready for pick-up. Those who availed the courier service will get a notification from the courier once the passports are out for delivery.

The visa assessment timeframe per applicant varies. I got a text message from VIA Center 16 days after I submitted my application. My friends took nearly a month before they got their passports back. I asked my sister to pick-up my passport (complete with the necessary authorization letter & IDs) & voila, I was told that I was granted a multiple entry visa valid for 25 days.

Do you have any questions about the visa requirements or the process with VIA Center? Feel free to contact them in the details below:

VIA Center Makati –Landline: +632 8572 0235 / +632 8572 0238 | Globe: +63 917 576 3103 | Smart: +63 999 889 6021

VIA Center Cebu – Landline: +6332 412 7447 | Globe: +63 945 394 1606

E-mail Address for both offices: ita_inquiry@via.ph

[2024 UPDATE – The Embassy of Italy has changed their visa processing provider to VFS as of last December 2023. Here are the updated contact numbers of the new visa processing center.

Contact Number: +632 8528 2520

Email Address: info.italyph@vfsglobal.com

These hotlines are open Mondays to Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.]

I got super happy & excited when I found out that I was given another Schengen visa. I got a favorable result & everything paid off in the end. I don’t mind doing it again in the future.

Have you applied for a Schengen visa on your own? Which embassy / application center did you go to? How was the application process? Are you applying for a visa soon? Do you have any questions about the application process or requirements? Feel free to post them in the comments section below. I will try to answer them as soon as I can. If you’re shy, feel free to send your questions & clarifications via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thanks for reading today’s Tuesday Tips post. Watch out for my Europe 2022 blog posts coming soon! Before you go, can you visit my social media channels –Facebook & Instagram – and like or follow them? Thank you & see you in the next one!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

A Dream Come True: 19 DAYS Around NETHERLANDS, BELGIUM, CZECH REPUBLIC & DENMARK for Less Than ₱120,000 – Airfare, Accommodation & 12-Hour Singapore Stopover Included

Last October to November 2019, I flew to Europe all by myself for 19 days & went around Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic & Denmark. I never thought this trip that took 7 years to plan would finally happen & that I would do everything alone & DIY – no help from any travel agency, consultant or whatsoever. If you’ve been following me the last few months, I’ve shared every single detail of this Euro trip from city itineraries, flight reports, to hostels & even local food. You can find all posts under the Going Solo in Europe category.

Going to Europe for a long trip like this is not a cheap trip to do. Some people spend hundreds of thousands on airfare & accommodation & add probably another hundred for food, pocket money & tours. I didn’t have that much savings for this kind of expensive trip so I did a lot of research to make it happen in a relatively affordable budget. AND I DID IT! I flew to Europe for 19 days around 4 countries including airfare, accommodation & a 12-hour Singapore stopover for less than ₱120,000 all in. Let me share with you how I made this trip of a lifetime possible.

Disclaimer: There are ways to make this trip even cheaper than what I spent – staying in cheaper hostels, taking low-cost carriers / buses with cutting trips, etc. – but I wanted to make it special (as a first time) & splurged a bit on some parts like food (& beers), high-rated hostels & better transportation options. Also, I only chose to visit 4 countries instead of hopping on from one country to the other after a day or two to have a better appreciation of every country / city. I am not a fan of rushed trips; I enjoy staying longer in one place or country.

In case you missed it last week, I posted an article on 11 Europe thrift hacks that I did on this trip. These thrift hacks helped me save on some expenses like food & tours. Check out that article here.

Air Tickets

I took the risk & booked a return ticket to Europe with Singapore Airlines during their January promotion with BPI Credit Cards. I got the economy class ticket from Manila to Amsterdam via Singapore & Copenhagen to Manila via Singapore for only 719.23 USD. The ticket includes 30-kilogram baggage allowance on all sectors, in-flight meals & snacks, personal entertainment screens & their 5-star Singaporean hospitality. My BPI credit card charged me ₱37,669.40 including foreign transaction fees. Not bad for a ticket to Europe considering it’s with Singapore Airlines, right?

Months before the trip, I figured out the route I’ll take & the countries I’ll visit. Then, I booked air tickets for my inter-European transfers. Train tickets were more expensive & would take a few changes while bus trips, even if cheap, will take ages & a few transfers before you reach the next city / country. I paid €67,40 for a plane ticket from Brussels, Belgium to Prague, Czech Republic on Brussels Airlines. I booked another ticket from Prague, Czech Republic to Copenhagen, Denmark on Czech Airlines for 1,588 Kč. Both tickets include 23-kilogram check in baggage. I got charged ₱4,000.85 & ₱3,658.88, respectively for these 2 tickets.

I booked these 3 tickets without a Schengen tourist visa. Some people don’t recommend this, but I took the risk & did it. I was confident that time that I will be granted visa for this trip & luckily, I got one.

Accommodation

Accommodation in Europe is not cheap. A dormitory bed in a hostel costs about €30 to €40 a night, depending on the room configuration & location. Hotels & private rooms are more expensive. I can’t afford them. I booked my hostels 4 months into the trip. All these hostel bookings had free cancellation options if I don’t push through. I became picky with the hostels I’ll stay with since it was my first time in Europe. I stayed in popular & high-rated hostels found in central & well-recommended locations.

I stayed with Generator Hostel in Amsterdam (₱8,885.82 for 4 nights – paid in Philippine Peso), Sleep Well Youth Hostel in Brussels (€122 for 4 nights – paid during check-in), DREAM Hostel in Prague (1,790 Kč for 4 nights – paid via credit card on check-in) & Steel House in Copenhagen (US$ 116.24 for 4 nights – paid via Agoda). I paid ₱26,117.54 for 16 nights in these 4 countries – roughly ₱1,632.25 per night in Philippine Peso or €28,49 per night in Euros. I think I still got a good deal from these hostels! It would’ve been cheaper if booked my stay at least 8-10 months before.

Travel Insurance

Schengen tourist visa applications require a travel insurance with up to €30,000 medical coverage for the duration of the trip, some even up to 15 to 30 days after the trip. I got my travel insurance coverage online from Standard Insurance; I got their Travel Protect Policy which covers up to €37,500 medical coverage for 19 days. I paid ₱1,918 for the 19-day coverage.

Tourist Visa

I applied for my own Schengen tourist visa with VFS Netherlands. The visa fee cost €60 (₱3,420) + ₱901 VFS handling fee. I opted for the passport delivery service instead of picking up my passport in the VFS office. I paid a small fee for the courier service. I previously shared in this website how I got my Schengen tourist visa without the help of any tour agency. Check out that Tuesday Tip post here.

Internet Sim Card

Traveling around Europe alone isn’t easy. I made sure I was connected to the internet for the whole duration of the trip. I bought an internet sim card from Pinoy Traveler’s Unlimited Data Sim Card on Facebook. The sim card was operated by Three UK & it included 12 GB of 3G/4G data & unlimited call & text in Europe & UK & 9 GB of 3G/4G data outside Europe & UK for 30 days. The sim card cost ₱1,600 with free shipping. The data, call & text services worked well during my stay in Singapore, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic & Denmark.

Travel Tax

All Philippine passport holders are required to pay a travel tax of ₱1,620 before going out the country for holiday. I paid the travel tax right before I checked in for my flight from Manila to Singapore.

Daily Budget & Unexpected Expenses

I mentioned in my Europe thrift hacks post that I set a daily budget of €40 for food, transportation & entrance fees. I spent more in some days but I was traveling on a €30-€35 per day budget. There were days where I had to buy last-minute museum tickets (Heineken Experience & Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam), join guided tours (Canal Tour in Amsterdam, Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam & Marken in Holland & Kutná Hora in Czech Republic) & go on side trips (Utrecht, Bruges, Ghent & Český Krumlov) which cost me more. I also bought last-minute train & bus tickets in Belgium & Czech Republic – the downsides of not following an itinerary.

I splurged on beers in all 4 countries; I paid more for food in Denmark (food there is expensive) but I’m happy I still had about €120 cash left at the end of the trip. I counted all my expenses from pocket money, to credit & debit card transactions & debit card withdrawals for 19 days. I spent ₱34,327.78 (around €600) for 17 full days (travel days not included) on food, transportation, walking tours, entry tickets, guided tours & beers – about €35 per day on average.

Singapore Stopover

My flight from Manila to Amsterdam had a 12-hour layover in Singapore. I took this time to meet 2 friends – one for lunch + milk tea & one for early dinner. I also used this time to walk around the beautiful city, check out a city library & walk around The Jewel at Changi Airport. I spent around S$50 (₱1,859.4 conversion that time) on this 12-hour stop – food, drinks & transportation included.

Summary of Expenses

After all the costs & numbers mentioned above, let’s see how much I actually spent for the trip.

Exchange rate at the time of trip: €1 = ₱57.3 Exchange rates of purchases & withdrawals vary. There you go! I spent ₱117,092.85 pesos for a 19-day trip around 4 European Countries – Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic & Denmark – with air tickets, accommodation costs & a 12-hour Singapore stopover included. If you’ll include the transportation expenses during the visa application process, to & from the airport when I left & arrived, it’ll be somewhere around ₱118,500 – still less than ₱120,000!

Don’t get me wrong, ₱117,092.85 is a very big amount but we’re talking about a 19-day trip to Europe here flying with one of the world’s premium airlines – Singapore Airlines & visiting first world & expensive countries like Netherlands, Belgium & Denmark. I couldn’t believe this when I listed all my expenses after the trip. I wanted this trip to be fun, memorable & spontaneous & I’m happy it turned out to be a trip of a lifetime. This solo trip to Europe is so far my longest, most expensive & most memorable experience I’ve had in my life. Every single peso spent was worth it!

Blog List

In case you’re interested in the posts about this trip, check out the blog list below.

FLIGHT REPORTS ✈️

SINGAPORE AIRLINES SQ 915 – Manila to Singapore – 5-Star Economy Class Experience In A New Generation Boeing Dreamliner
SINGAPORE AIRLINES SQ 324 – Singapore to Amsterdam – My First Ever 13-Hour Flight That Didn’t Feel Like One
BRUSSELS AIRLINES SN 2811 – Brussels to Prague – Belgium’s Flag Carrier & My First Ever European Airline Experience
CZECH AIRLINES OK 502 – Prague to Copenhagen – Czech Republic’s National Carrier & World’s Fifth Oldest Operating Airline
SINGAPORE AIRLINES SQ 351 – Copenhagen to Singapore – Cozy & Enjoyable 12-Hour Window Seat Economy Class Flight Back to Asia
SINGAPORE AIRLINES SQ 912 – Singapore to Manila – 3-Hour Remarkable Economy Class Experience Aboard A 15-Year Old Aircraft

HOSTEL FEATURES 🏨

GENERATOR AMSTERDAM – An Old University Building Turned Award-Winning Economy Accommodation
SLEEP WELL YOUTH HOSTEL BRUSSELS – Eco-Friendly City Center Hostel with Excellent Free Buffet Breakfast
DREAM HOSTEL PRAGUE – Stylish & Budget-Friendly Backpacker Hostel in New Town
STEEL HOUSE COPENHAGEN – 4 Nights in Danish Capital’s New York-Inspired Industrial Style Luxury Accommodation

VISA APPLICATION & TIPS ✍️

Do-It-Yourself SCHENGEN TOURIST VISA Application With VFS NETHERLANDS
11 EUROPE THRIFT HACKS You Should Know
10 THINGS TO KNOW Before Traveling To Europe

NETHERLANDS 🇳🇱

AMSTERDAM – Beautiful Canals, Colorful Houses & Interesting Museums In A Bustling City
UTRECHT- Unplanned Afternoon Visit To Netherlands’ Underrated Canal City
NORTH HOLLAND COUNTRYSIDE – A Day Trip To The Cheese Farm & Clogs Factory, Windmills & Waterlands
6 Dutch Delis I Enjoyed

BELGIUM 🇧🇪

BRUSSELS – Belgium’s Center, Europe’s Capital & Most Boring City?
BRUGES – Cobbled Alleys, Gingerbread Houses & Pretty Canals in Belgium’s Picture-Perfect City
GHENT – Belgium’s Underrated Port City
5 Must Try Belgian Treats

CZECH REPUBLIC 🇨🇿

PRAGUE – Europe’s Most Beautiful Capital City
KUTNÁ HORA – Day Trip To Central Bohemia’s Medieval Silver Mining Town
ČESKÝ KRUMLOV – Czechia’s Quaint Fairy Tale Town
4 Czech Eats To Savor

DENMARK 🇩🇰

COPENHAGEN – Walking Around Denmark’s Wonderful Capital City
7 Danish Delicacies Not To Miss
7 Interesting Observations About Denmark

Thank you for joining me in today’s Euro trip summary. I’ve made use of the pandemic to finish all the posts about this trip. It’s a shame that my next planned trip to Europe this October won’t push through, but it won’t stop me from planning my next trip to this beautiful continent. We may all be stuck in our own homes but we’ll surely go back to the time when travelling is safe & sound. It’s never too late to give up on your dream trips to Europe! Make use of this downtime to research about the cities & countries you want to visit & plan out the route you’ll take.

Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? Is there anything you want to ask how I planned the trip in general? Or maybe how I did it? Feel free to post your questions in the comments section below. You can also send it via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Feel free to follow me on my social media channels for more information on cheap fares, thrift hacks & fun itineraries – Facebook & Instagram. I’ll finish the post with this.. I DID IT – 19 DAYS AROUND NETHERLANDS, BELGIUM, CZECH REPUBLIC & DENMARK FOR LESS THAN ₱120,000 ALL IN & I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT TOO!

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

Tuesday Tip: Do-It-Yourself CHINESE TOURIST VISA Application with Lesser Than Usual Show Money

Some of you know that before all these Covid-19 happenings around the world, my friend & I had a weekend winter trip to Shanghai, China. We booked our tickets last September 2019 for ₱2,335.63 & 3,050 GetGo points each. Pretty cheap, right? China was never on our list but we gave it a shot considering the affordable tickets & the schedule fell in one of the February EDSA longer weekend. My friend & I applied for & got our own tourist visas. I applied in the Chinese Embassy by myself while she opted for the tourist agency option.

Do you want to know my secret in booking those cheap tickets? I wrote about being a champ in booking low-fare tickets. It comes in 2 posts – this is the first post & here’s the second post. Enjoy!

Then Covid-19 pandemic happened. Our Shanghai trip got cancelled. I don’t know how the current situation will the visa application process. I don’t know how many of you will opt not to visit China in the future. I don’t know how this will change budget travel or travelling in general. To be honest, I was unsure if I should still share my do-it-yourself visa application experience because of what happened but here I am doing it anyway. I still want to show you how I did it before specially for those who still plan to do it in the future. It will take years for travelling to go back to the pre-pandemic demand but it will slowly go back to it anyway.

Let’s take a break from all the Going Solo in Europe posts, flight reports, P’s lists & hostel of the day features & go back to one of the OG sections of this website – Tuesday Tips. Allow me to share with you below how I got my Chinese Tourist Visa with lesser than the usual show money.

In case you missed it, I also wrote about how to get your tourist visas for Japan, The Netherlands (DIY Schengen Visa) & Australia. Check out those posts under the Visa Application category.

1 – Download Tourist Visa Application Form & Get Requirements List

The first step is to go to the website of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines to download the visa application form & get the list of requirements needed for the visa application.

Here is how the tourist visa application form looks like. It can be downloaded from the website.

2 – Book Plane Tickets & Accommodations

The Embassy of China in the Philippines requires tourist visa applicants to submit confirmed ticket reservations & proof of accommodation. My friend & I booked our tickets before visa application so we didn’t have a problem with this. We also booked a hostel before we applied for the visa.

We paid ₱2,335.63 & 3,050 GetGo points each for return tickets to Shanghai with Cebu Pacific Air.

In case you don’t have a confirmed ticket, you may ‘rent’ a confirmed reservations with your name & details from various travel agencies & online platforms. You may also book accommodation on your own but choose those with free cancellations.

Here’s the accommodation I booked for the trip. It has free cancellation until days before the trip.

3 – Prepare Visa Documents & Requirements

The next step is to prepare all the required documents for the visa. Here are the needed documents for first time tourist visa applicants:

Accomplished Application Form – Applications forms should be filled completely in capital English letters & signed. Make sure to put N/A for those parts not applicable to the applicant.

Passport – Passport must be valid for more than 6 months & has at least 1 or 2 blank pages.

Photocopy of Passport’s Information Page / First Page

Photo – These colored photos should be taken within the last 6 months, has white background & are 48 mm x 33 mm in size.

BIR-stamped Income Tax Return

Bank Certificate & Bank Statement – Please provide 6 months history for the bank statement & include the bank receipt for payment of these documents.

Certificate of Employment (if employed) – It must detail the length of employment & salary.

Photocopy of Company ID / Student ID / Professional ID

Photocopy of Business Registration Certificate (if self-employed / business owner)

Confirmed Ticket Reservations – as detailed in item number 2

Proof of Accommodation – as detailed in item number 2

Detailed Day-to-Day Itinerary – This is not required but worth-adding to add strength to your application.

4 – Visa Application Day

The Embassy of China in the Republic of the Philippines does not need appointments for those who want to apply for tourist visas. In fact, they don’t even need the applicant’s personal appearance. If you are not available, you can ask your relative, colleague or friend apply the visa for you.

The embassy’s consular section office is at 2^nd & 3^rd floor, The World Center, 330 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave in Makati City. You can arrive any time before 8:00 am, get your entry pass from the guard & line up outside the Gil Puyat Ave entrance. The consular section starts to accept applicants as early as 8:00 am.

When you reach the doors of the consular section, the guards will check your bags. Food & drinks are not allowed inside the visa application center. The staff will then check your application form & documents & give you a number. You can head in, find a seat & wait until your number is called.

Inside the Embassy of the Republic of China in the Philippines Consular Section. Chaotic place, tbh.

The staff in the visa application documents section call batches by 5. Once your batch is called, proceed to the assigned section & submit your documents. Once verified complete, the staff will give you a claim stub with the date of release of your passport. You may go home after that.

Regular visa processing time is 4 working days. If you apply on a Wednesday, you will get back your passport on Monday.

5 – Claim Your Passport & Pay Visa Free

Go back to the embassy consular office on your passport’s scheduled release date. Just like when you applied for your visa, go to the guards & claim your building pass. Queue up outside & wait for turn in the consular office doors. This time, the staff will give you a number & wait for your number to be called. Once called, you will now go to the payment section & pay for the visa fee. Single entry visa fee costs ₱1,4000, double entry visa costs ₱2,100, 6-months multiple entry visa costs ₱2,800 while multiple entry visa over 6 months costs ₱4,200.

After paying for your visa, you can now proceed to the passport claim section where the staff will give your passport back with your tourist visa. Don’t forget to check your visa & make sure all details are correct.

And voilà – you already have your Chinese tourist visa. The embassy usually issues single entry visas for first time applicants. These visas are valid for 3 months from the date of issue & allow for a 14-day stay upon arrival in China.

Important Things To Know

Applying for a Chinese tourist visa is just like applying for other visas. The requirements are pretty the same. However, there are other important things to know when applying for a Chinese tourist visa.

Embassy Consular Section Business Hours – The office is officially open weekdays (excluding holidays) from 9:00 am to 11:00 am only for visa application & passport claims. People arriving after 11:00 am will not be accepted & will be asked to go back the next day. From my experience, they start accepting applications & releasing passports as early as 8:00 am.

Appointments & Personal Appearances Are Not Required – The Chinese embassy does not need appointments for visa applications. In fact, anyone can apply for your visa. You can ask your relative, friend or even an agency to apply for you.

Complete Your Application Documents – Make sure your documents & requirements are complete. The staff do not accept incomplete applications. Those with incomplete documents are advised to go back the following day & queue again. There’s no special lane or fast lane for those returning with now complete documents.

Itinerary That Makes Sense – Create day-to-day itineraries that make sense. The dates must be consistent with the ticket & accommodation reservations. If going to a different city, include domestic tickets in your application.

Show Money – The Chinese Embassy does not specify how much money should one have in his or her account at the time of application. Most, if not all, travel agencies require at least ₱100,000 average daily balance from the visa applicant. That is the safe amount. I applied for my visa with not even ¾ of that amount & I got approved. Just make sure to have enough money in your account that will be enough for your itinerary. I personally believe that one’s travel history is as important as one’s money. If you have a good travel history then you’ll be fine.

Be Early – The consular office opens at 8:00 am – 9:00 am but people queue outside as early as 6:00 am. If you are to submit your documents, you can arrive at least before 8:00 am and finish a little past 9:00 am. Claiming passports is a different story. If you are to claim your passports, be there as early as you can. I arrived before 7:00 am & finished at 9:45 am. Claiming takes longer than the applicant itself, at least during my time.

Limited Services for First Time Applicants – First time tourist visa applicants can only apply for a single-entry tourist visa. The embassy will not accept applications for double or multiple entry visa. Also, first time applicants cannot avail of the rush & express visa services.

*Here’s my granted single-entry tourist visa for China. I ended up not using it because of Covid-19.*

I was so happy when I got my single-entry tourist visa. I never thought I’ll get it. As mentioned above, China was never my list but the cheap ticket made me give it shot. I was also looking forward to meeting a Shanghai-based friend whom I met in Siem Reap, Cambodia years ago. It was all good until Covid-19 happened. We decided not to push through with our trip. Our visas have lapsed but all good. Health & safety first over anything.

Do you have any questions about the tourist visa application process above? Feel free to post them in the comments section below. You may also send them to me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. If you have questions related to other types of visa, you may contact the embassy at +632-8848-23-95 or via e-mail to phchinaembassy@hotmail.com.

Thank you for joining me in today’s Tuesday Tip. Please don’t forget to follow me on my social media pages – Facebook & Instagram. Have a nice day & please stay safe.

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.