Tag: Tourist Visa

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!

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 1st 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.

Tuesday Tips for Filipinos / Philippine Passport Holders: Do-It-Yourself SCHENGEN TOURIST VISA Application With VFS NETHERLANDS

Some of you know that I flew to Europe last October for 19 days across 4 countries & numerous cities. While I won’t discuss my itinerary yet in this post, I’d like to share with everyone how I got my Schengen tourist visa from VFS Netherlands.

Visa application process is the most-feared process of all travelers. Why? It’s because this determines whether one’s well-awaited trip to his / her dream destination with push-through or not. The fate of one’s visa only depends on the consul approving these applications.

JANUARY 2023 UPDATE – I recently lodged & received a Schengen tourist visa from the Embassy of Italy in the Philippines via VIA PAISI Center. Check out the latest do-it-yourself Schengen visa application post here.

Everything you need when applying for a Schengen visa with VFS Netherlands can be found here.

SchengenVisaInfo.com published in their website that in 2018, the embassies approved 91% of all Schengen Visa applications in the Philippines. The Dutch Embassy ranked 1st with 39,572 approved visas out of 42,341 visa applications. The embassy’s rejection rate is only 4%. The French & Italian Embassies had the highest number of rejection rate of 11% with 6,135 applications rejected out of the combined 56,673 visa applications received.

Given the figures above, I made sure that I will start my Europe trip or I will stay the longest in The Netherlands. The Netherlands Embassy in Manila no longer accepts visa applications in their office. All visa applications have to go through VFS Global (Visa Facilitation Services Global), an outsourced company that processes visa applications for Canada & most countries in Europe.

Last September, I applied for a Schengen tourist visa with VFS Netherlands. I’m happy to share that I was able to get my tourist visa a week after. I was given a multiple entry visa valid for 45 days with an allowable stay of 30 days within the Schengen Zone. My world stopped when I saw the visa stamp. I have other approved visas in Australia, Japan, South Korea & Taiwan, but having a Schengen visa is something else.

Did you know that in 2019 I went on a 19-day solo trip around Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic & Denmark for less than ₱120,000 ALL IN? Yes, airfare & accommmodation included. It even included a 12-hour stopover in Singapore. Check out this blog post to know more!

Allow me to share with you my tourist visa application journey with VFS Netherlands. I did the visa application process by myself, without any help of an agency. I’d like to give a shout out to the blogs of Two Monkeys Travel Group & The Poor Traveler for their super helpful Schengen visa application guides. I will also share with you some tips that will help you throughout the process.

Disclaimer: The process below is for those who already have a fixed itinerary, dates, entry & exit points at the time of visa application. Also, this visa process is only for those who are going there as a tourist with no invitation.

TIP: You need to apply to the embassy of the country you’ll stay the longest. If your itinerary has equal several days in all countries, you need to apply to the embassy of the country you’ll first enter in the Schengen zone. If in doubt, contact VFS or the embassy you’re intending to apply to.

1 – Create a VFS Global Log In & Set Your Visa Application Appointment

The first step is to create a VFS Global log in details. Head over to this link to sign up for an account. After signing up for & verifying your account, you can now set your visa application appointment. This appointment is the date & time where you submit all your application form, passport & visa requirements. Make sure to give yourself ample time in completing your requirements.

To set up an appointment, go to the VFS Netherlands web page. Click Schedule An Appointment; log in with your credentials & chooses the necessary details. Usually the visiting country, residing country & the VFS center has already been pre-selected. You just need to choose the purpose of travel. After that, you need to add the name/s of the people applying for the visa, add in some more details, then choose the desired date & time of application & click confirm.

Minutes after confirming your application, you will receive an appointment confirmation e-mail together with your unique reference number & the appointment letter. Keep this appointment letter until the day of your visa applications schedule.

TIP: Apply for your tourist visa at least 1.5-2 months before your trip. It gives you enough time for everything. At least there’s no need to worry if your visa will make it before your flight or not.

ANOTHER TIP: VFS opens appointment dates 1 month before the scheduled date. I applied for my visa last September 4, I set my appointment a month before – August 4. It’s always good to be early in setting an appointment, you can choose the time slot that’s convenient to your schedule. Choose the earliest time slots, there are close to no people during these times.

2 – Book necessary trip accommodations & buy 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.

First part of the travel insurance I bought from Standard Insurance Co, Inc.. Coverage is €37,500!

Another need for Schengen visa application is a confirmed travel insurance for the application. Applicants must secure a travel insurance that will cover the trip & that can cover up to €30,000 in expenses. I booked my travel insurance with Standard Insurance. I got their Schengen Protect Option which covers claims up to €37,500. The insurance cost me ₱1,918 for 19 days coverage, including flight days.

3 – PREPARE the required documents

After booking your trip accommodation & buying your travel insurance, the next step is complete the list of requirements needed for the application. Here are the documents I submitted to VFS.

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.

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

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.

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.

Photo – The photo must meet the Dutch passport requirements. Also, the photo must be taken within the last 6 months.

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.

I submitted my confirmed air ticket booking with Singapore Airlines. Also included my Brussels Airlines ticket from Brussels to Prague & Czech Airlines airline ticket from Prague to Copenhagen.

Confirmed Travel Tickets – I took the risk & booked my ticket with Singapore Airlines early this year so I submitted my confirmed ticket. You can make travel reservations with various travel agencies without having to pay for the ticket. The VFS agent also asked how I’ll travel from one country to the other; good thing I also have my confirmed tickets in between countries.

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.

Detailed Day-To-Day Itinerary – I submitted a dummy day-to-day itinerary for my trip. I ended up not following this itinerary. They just need to see where you’ll go & what you’ll do while in the Schengen zone.

Days 1 to 5 of the detailed itinerary I submitted to VFS. I wasn’t able to follow this during the trip.

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 2018 BIR-stamped income tax return.

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

TIP: VFS Netherlands only asks for the photocopy of most these documents. The only documents that they need the original copies are the following: application forms (all pages), bank certificate & bank statements. They also need a photocopy of the passport bio page. Take note that have your documents on A4 size paper only. Some embassies or travel agencies require to photocopy all your requirements. If unsure or in doubt, contact VFS or the embassy.

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 & a copy of my life insurance policy. The VFS agents won’t prohibit you from submitting all these documents.

ONE MORE TIP: Make sure your transfers between countries are booked. I took flights from one country to the other so I provided the flight bookings. If you are intending to take the train, mention it in your daily itinerary & tell the visa agent.

For the complete list of requirements for VFS Netherlands Visa Application, check out this link.

4 – Accomplish The Online Application Form & Print

The Netherlands’ Schengen visa application form must be filled out electronically. You can fill out the application form found here. Make sure that all details in your requirements & itinerary are consistent with the one in the application form. After answering all questions, print out the application form in A4 size paper.

TIP: Fill out each question or option slowly & surely. I had to fill out the form 4 times before I got everything correct.

5 – Go to VFS Philippines on your scheduled appointment

After completing all the requirements & printing the application form, make sure to head to the VFS Netherlands Visa Application Center in Makati City. The application center is located in Mezzanine Floor, Ecoplaza Building, Don Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City, Philippines. It is one jeepney ride away from Magallanes MRT Station. Upon arrival, proceed to the mezzanine level & look for the visa application center.

TIP: Arrive at the visa application center at least 15 minutes before your schedule. My appointment was at 8:00 am & the guard allowed me to enter the center even if it’s not yet 8 in the morning.

ONE MORE TIP: Bags are not allowed inside the visa center. They only allow the documents, phones & wallets inside the visa center. There is a locker facility in the visa application center for your bags & things. It is can be found at the right side, after the toilets. From memory, locker fee is ₱75 regardless of size.

6 – Submit Your Documents

The first stage of documents submission is the appointment confirmation & documents check. Once confirmed & check, you will now proceed to the visa application area. Once your number is called, proceed to the designated area & submit your documents. The Embassy of The Netherlands in the Philippines doesn’t require an interview with its applicants. The application is purely based on the submitted documents.

You also need to pay an application fee of €60 (to be paid in Philippine pesos). The rate at the time of my application was ₱4,321 (₱3,420 visa fee + ₱901 VFS handling fee). You will also be give the option to claim your visa once issued or have it delivered via courier. I availed the delivery by courier option & paid a minimal fee.

After submitting your documents & getting your visa fee receipt, you will now proceed to the bio metrics section to get records of your fingerprints. Once done, you may now go out of the application center, claim your bags & leave VFS Philippines.

TIP: They only accept payments in cash. Pay in exact amount for faster transaction.

Note: Schengen visa fee per person with The Embassy of The Netherlands will increase from €60 to €80 effective 2 February 2020.

7 – Claim Your Passport / Wait for Your Passport Delivery

The waiting game begins. The standard processing time is 15 calendar days. You can track the progress of your visa application in the VFS Netherlands website by entering your tracking number found at the back of your receipt.

It took my passport about a week until I got it back & voila, I got a multiple entry visa for 45 days with an allowable stay of 30 days. SUCCESS!

I was so happy when I finally got my passport back & when I saw my first ever Schengen visa. I never thought I’ll get one after doing everything by myself. It was an achievement! I recommend applying your first ever Schengen visa with The Netherlands. The process was quick & easy. They don’t ask for other additional documents.

If you have any questions about your visa application or the process in general, feel free to contact VFS Global Netherlands Visa Application Center at + 632 8528 2503 or via e-mail to info.nlph@vfshelpline.com. The phone line is only open from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday.

Have you applied for a Schengen visa on your own? Which embassy / VFS application center did you go to? How was the application process? 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.

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