Having a weak Philippine passport often means applying for entry visas to many countries. Some visa applications require heavy paperwork, while others like Australia and New Zealand can be completed easily from your laptop or computer.
Last June 2025, I applied for a New Zealand Business Visitor Visa for a scheduled work trip in July. I was granted a single-entry visa valid for one year from the date of issuance. The visa allows a stay of up to 2 months from the date of entry.
For today’s Tuesday Tips, I am sharing how I managed to secure a business visitor visa from home, with no physical paperwork or biometrics required. The entire application process, from submission to approval, was done online.
Note: This online visa application process is just one option. Applicants may also apply physically through the VFS Visa Application Centers in Makati City and Cebu. The physical process may require additional documents or steps depending on the visa type and applicant profile.
Disclaimer No. 1: The New Zealand Embassy may still require biometrics, medical check-ups, or personal appearance for certain applicants or visa types.
Disclaimer No. 3: Everything written below is true and correct as of June 2025. Visa requirements and processes may change at any time. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the official New Zealand Immigration website.
New Zealand Business Visitor Visa
The purpose of my trip to New Zealand was business-related. Because of this, I applied for a Business Visitor Visa. According to the Immigration New Zealand website, this visa type allows foreign nationals to:
Carry out an official trade mission recognised by the New Zealand government
Sell goods and services in New Zealand
Buy New Zealand goods and services
Negotiate or discuss the set-up, expansion, or wind-up of a business in New Zealand
Carry out any business with the authorised representatives of an overseas company, body, or person.
The visa allows a stay for less than 3 months. If you need to stay longer, you will need to apply for a work visa.
How I Applied for a New Zealand Business Visitor Visa
Below is the step-by-step process I followed for my June 2025 application.
Step 1 – Create a RealMe Account
Visa applications are submitted through the New Zealand government’s RealMe portal. I created my RealMe account using a valid email address.
Step 2 – Prepare Visa Application Documents
After creating my RealMe account, I prepared the documents required for submission. I scanned everything and saved the files in PDF format. New Zealand Immigration requires all documents to be in English.
Here is the list of documents I prepared:
First page of my current Philippine passport
National Identification Card
Company letter of invitation
Valid Australian visa
Certificate of employment
Signed cover letter
Bank certificate and 6-month bank statement
Confirmed accommodation booking
Confirmed plane ticket
Birth certificate (additional, not required)
Stamped pages of my current passport (additional, not required)
Company annual report, personal tax document, and credit card statements (additional, not required)
Step 3 – Start the Online Visa Application
Once my documents were ready, I began the online visa application. After logging in to the RealMe portal, I clicked My Visas.
Under My Visas, you will see Draft Applications, Submitted Applications, and Issued Visas. I clicked Apply for a Visa under Draft Applications.
Step 4 – Fill Out the Application Form
Similar to the Australian online visa portal, the New Zealand system asks for personal details, travel information, and the purpose of your visit.
I answered all questions truthfully until I reached the document upload section. You can stop at any point and save your progress, then return when you have the required information.
Step 5 – Upload Visa Application Documents
After completing the form, I started uploading the required documents. The portal allows only one upload per category, so all bank documents need to be merged into a single PDF file.
Applicants may upload additional evidence at the end of the process, but again, only one file is allowed per category.
Tip: There are many free PDF merging tools online that can help you combine multiple files into one.
Step 6 – Payment
The last step is the payment of visa fees. Business visitor visa fees may vary but generally start at NZD 341, which includes the NZD 300 application fee and the NZD 41 immigration levy. The portal accepts credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Union Pay) or POLi. Visa fees are non-refundable regardless of the result.
Upon reaching the payment page, I noticed that my visa fees were waived. The total amount was NZD 0. I later learned that the New Zealand and Philippine governments have a bilateral agreement waiving visa application fees for visits shorter than 59 days. A nice surprise!
I received an email from Immigration New Zealand confirming that they had received my application. It also appeared under the Submitted Applications section on the My Visas page.
Note: New Zealand Immigration may still request additional documents, biometrics, or personal appearance. These may require a visit to the VFS Visa Application Centers in Makati City or Cebu City.
Step 7 – Visa Application Result
The waiting game begins. I submitted my application on the afternoon of 5 June 2025 and received my New Zealand Business Visitor Visa at 9:00 am on 10 June 2025. The whole process took less than 5 days including the weekend.
All issued visas also appear under the Issued Visas section of the My Visas page.
According to the New Zealand Immigration website, 80 percent of business visitor visas are decided within 1.5 days from the submission date. I was fortunate to have mine processed even faster. Thank you, New Zealand Immigration.
That is how I managed to get my New Zealand Business Visitor Visa without leaving home. If you are working on your own application and have questions, I would be happy to help. Leave a comment below or send me an email at contact@thewkndtravel.com.
Thank you for reading this post on how to get a New Zealand Business Visitor Visa. I wish you the best in your upcoming application. I hope you can also check out the other Tuesday Tips posts on this website. Before you go, feel free to visit my Facebook & Instagram pages and give them a like or follow. Thank you, and see you in the next one!
Getting a tourist visa can be a paperwork-heavy, task-filled process. It involves completing forms, gathering financial records, taking photos, and printing all required documents. By the end of the application, every traveler hopes for a positive outcome to fulfill their travel goals.
Recently, I applied for a South Korean Tourist Visa and was granted a 5-year multiple-entry visa, valid until October 2029. This visa allows me to enter South Korea multiple times, with stays of up to 30 days per visit. For today’s Tuesday Tips, I will walk you through how I secured this visa easily and outline the steps I followed from preparation to picking up my passport.
Philippine passport holders must obtain a visa to enter the Republic of South Korea for tourism or leisure. Depending on the consul’s evaluation of the applicant’s profile, the visa issued may be either single-entry or multiple-entry.
Like many other countries, the Embassy of the Republic of South Korea in the Philippines has centralized all visa applications through a dedicated visa application center. The Korean Visa Application Center (KVAC), located on the 9th and 10th floors of the Brittany Hotel, Block 2 & 4, Mini Park, McKinley Parkway, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, handles all visa submissions to the Korean Embassy. If you are applying for a South Korean visa in the Philippines, this is where you or your agency will need to submit your application documents.
How to Apply for a South Korean Tourist Visa (c-3) For Employed Individuals
Getting a South Korean tourist visa (C-3) is easy as these steps:
Be sure to enter the correct applicant and travel details. After submitting, you will receive a confirmation email and text message for your appointment—print and bring this on the day of your visit. Travelers who set an appointment online have a separate queue on submission day.
Note: The Korean Visa Application Center also accepts a limited number of walk-in applicants daily. Applications are received from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. The center is closed on weekends, Philippine holidays, and Korean consulate holidays.
Step 2 – Preparation
The next step is to prepare all required documents. Start by downloading the visa application form from the provided website. Once downloaded, fill out the form electronically, as the embassy prefers typed answers (except for the signature). There is no specific requirement for font style or size. For items that do not apply, simply enter “N/A.” If you need extra space for your answers, add them on a separate sheet of A4 paper. Once completed, print the application form on A4 paper and sign where indicated.
Here are also the other required documents for the visa application:
• 1 passport-sized colored photo (with white background) taken in the last 6 months
• Original passport (with a validity of more than 6 months from the intended trip)
• Photocopy of the passport bio page
• Original and photocopy of the valid visas and arrival stamps to OECD countries in the last 5 years
• Copy of PRC or IBP card (if applicable)
• Original certificate of employment (must include the applicant’s position, hiring date, compensation, office address, and HR landline)
• Original personal bank certificate (must include account name, account number, account type, current balance, account opening date, and 6 months average daily balance)
• Bank statement (original or certified true copy of bank / passbook for the last 3 months)
• Photocopy of income tax return (form 2316)
• Visa application center privacy consent form
Eligible credit card holders from local banks like Banco de Oro (BDO), Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Metrobank, and Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) can apply for a visa without needing to submit financial documents (bank certificate and bank statement). Instead, they only need to provide a photocopy of their qualified credit card and the most recent three months of credit card statements. This offer is valid for applications until December 31, 2025.
Additionally, you may include extra documents like a confirmed plane ticket, hotel booking, or travel agency itinerary with your application. While these documents are not required by the embassy, they can be added if desired.
For the full and updated list of all visa application requirements for the C-3 visa, please visit the MOFA website.
Step 3 – Submit Your Documents
On the day of your appointment, arrive at the Korean Visa Application Center at least 15 minutes early. The reception staff will review your appointment and documents before assigning you a submission queue number.
After receiving your queue number, please wait in the designated area. When your number is called, proceed upstairs to the 10th floor, where the visa center staff will be ready to assist with your application. Provide your queue number, passport, and all required documents to the staff for assessment and submission.
Step 4 – Pay The Visa Application Handling Fee
After your documents are accepted, the staff will provide you with a charge slip for the visa handling fee. Take this slip to window 24 or 25 to pay the ₱900 fee. Once payment is completed, return to the staff who received your application.
The staff will inform you of the estimated passport release date (typically 10 to 14 working days, depending on the season) and give you a passport claim slip along with your receipt. They will also remind you to wait for a text notification from KVAC before coming to claim your passport. After this, you are free to leave the visa application center.
Step 5 – Wait For or Check Online Visa Application Result
Simply enter your passport number, application number, full name (in the format: last name, first name in English), and date of birth.
Once the embassy has decided, KVAC will send you a text message notifying you that your passport is ready for pick-up.
Step 6 – Claim Your Passport
Passports are claimed at the same visa application center. As with the visa application, you will need to get a claim queue number from reception. When your number is called, proceed to the 10th floor and go to windows 2 or 3.
To claim your passport, present your passport claim stub, application receipt, and the applicant’s birthdate. You will be asked to sign the release papers before receiving your passport—hopefully with the visa you applied for. After this, you are free to leave the visa application center.
Please note that passport pick-up is available only from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. The center is closed on weekends, Philippine holidays, and Korean consulate holidays.
My Tourist Visa Application Process
5 August 2024 – I booked an application slot for 1 October 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
1 October 2024 – I arrived at the Korean Visa Application Center at 1:20 p.m. I went directly to the 9th floor for my application documents to be checked. I received queue number F007 at 1:28 p.m. and waited about 20 minutes for my number to be called.
At 1:52 p.m., my queue number was announced. I proceeded to the 10th floor and went to Window 11, where I submitted my application form, passport, and supporting documents. After my documents were accepted, I paid the visa handling fee at Window 25. I then returned to Window 11 to collect my passport claim stub.
By 1:58 p.m., I had received my passport claim stub and the receipt for the visa handling fee, completing the application submission process.
18 October 2024 – I received a text message notifying me that my passport was ready for pick-up at the visa application center. I checked the online visa portal and found that I had been granted a 5-year multiple-entry visa valid until October 2029.
25 October 2024 – I arrived at the Korean Visa Application Center at 12:49 p.m. and was assigned queue number E037. My number was called at 1:05 p.m., and I headed to Window 2 on the 10th floor. After presenting my passport claim stub and receipt, I received my passport at 1:06 p.m.
I then lined up for a free T-money card and a tourist map, picking up my freebies by 1:14 p.m. Finally, I left the visa application center and headed back home.
That is how I obtained my South Korean tourist visa last month. If you have any questions about anything I’ve shared, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below! You may also send these questions to me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.
Thank you for reading this post about getting a South Korean tourist visa! I wish you all the best in your upcoming application. 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!
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.
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.
October 2024 Update – The US Embassy in the Philippines has introduced an additional step for biometrics and photo collection. More details below.
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.
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.
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.
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.
IMPORTANT: October 2024 Update – The US Embassy in the Philippines added an additional step to the application process. From 28 September 2024, all applicants need to schedule a separate appointment for biometrics and photo capture. Appointments can be made via the ustraveldocs.com/ph website.
Please note that this additional step is only applicable to those who have scheduled their visa interviews from 28 September 2024. Anyone who has scheduled theirs prior the said date can proceed to the US Embassy for their respective appointments.
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.
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!
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.
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 2nd & 3rd 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.
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.
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.
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.
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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