Traveling to Europe soon but don’t know where to start? Let me help you with the first thing you need to process – Schengen Visa.
Does Schengen Visa cater to all European countries?
No, Schengen countries include Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Countries not mentioned need a different visitor’s visa.
Steps in Schengen Visa Application in the Philippines
- Check out which Schengen visa type you need. Depending on the purpose of your visit to the Schengen Area, there are a few Schengen visa types for the Philippines traveling to Europe.
- Figure out where to submit your Schengen visa application in the Philippines. Focus on the embassy/consulate/VAC of which country you need to apply, as well as under which jurisdiction you fall. (scroll down for all the schedule and contact details of the embassy/consulate/VAC)
- Find the most appropriate time to apply for a Schengen visa in the Philippines (see the details below for each country of intent)
- Gather the required Schengen visa documents for Filipinos.
- Make an appointment for a visa interview in the Philippines. You may have to make an appointment online, by phone, or in person. Below in this article, you can find more information for each embassy/consulate/VAC in the Philippines.
- Attend the interview on your appointment date.
- Pay the visa fee. All Schengen states have specified and synchronized visa fees. (Scroll down to check the visa fee)
- Wait for the processing of your visa.
What documents do I need for the application?
- Fill up 2 (two) copies of Visa Application Forms Visa Form Application (2022) – English form. Having doubts? Check out this guide on how to fill up a visa application form. Don’t forget your signature at the end.
- A Valid passport (minimum of 3 months after the expected visa stay with at least two (2) blank pages available)
- Recent passport size colored photos – 2×2 inches (51 x 51 mm), printed on matte or glossy photo paper, in plain white or off-white background
- Legal Residence Evidence (could be a national ID card for Philippine nationals or a Philippine residence permit for international)
- Proof of Travel
- Confirmed travel reservations (Round trip ticket reservations from the Philippines to Schengen country and back with specified entry and exit dates and flight numbers
- Accommodation documents include places to stay in Europe, hotel booking, rental agreements, and a letter of invitation (if staying with someone from that country).
- Europe Travel Health Insurance is needed to prove eligibility for getting a visa. It should have coverage of at least €30,000 for medical emergencies and repatriation in case of death.
- Proof of Subsistence. This provides the financial means to support your stay in Schengen countries.
- Cover letter to specify why you want to visit the Schengen Area, which of the member states you wish to travel to, the specific days you will be spending in the territory, and other details of your trip. Have a hard time? Check some samples here.
How much does a Visa cost in a Philippine peso?
The Schengen visa application costs include the visa fees payable at the corresponding embassy/consulate when applying.
Schengen Visa Category | Fee in EUR | Fee in USD* |
Adult | 80€ | 96$ |
Children between 6-12 years of age | 40€ | 48$ |
Children younger than 6 years of age | Free | Free |
Holders of diplomatic, official or service passports travelling for official purposes | Free | Free |
A family member of an EU/EEA national | Free | Free |
Pupils, students and accompanying teachers during a school trip | Free | Free |
Researchers traveling to perform scientific research | Free | Free |
Nationals from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia. | 35€ | 42$ |
* The applicable visa fee in USD (US Dollar) is as per the current exchange rate. It is subject to change without notice.
Schengen visa requirements for Filipinos according to their employment status
Specific required documents, based on the visa applicant’s employment status in the Philippines, are as follows:
- For Filipino employees:
- Employment contract.
- Current bank statement of the latest six (6) months.
- Leave permission from the employer.
- Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary.
- For the self-employed:
- A copy of your business license in the Philippines.
- Company bank statement of the latest six (6) months.
- Income Tax Return (ITR).
- For Filipino students:
- Proof of enrollment.
- No objection letter from School or University in the Philippines.
- For retirees:
- Pension statement of the latest six (6) months.
- If unemployed and married to an EU citizen:
- Confirmation of Employment letter, no older than three months, from their spouse’s employer stating the position held within the company and the starting date.
- Spouse’s valid passport.
- An official marriage certificate.
Depending on the Schengen visa type you are applying for in the Philippines, you will have to submit additional documents to support your purpose of entry into the Schengen Area in Europe.
- Requirements for Transit Schengen Visa
- Requirements for Tourist Schengen Visa
- Requirements for Schengen Visitor Visa
- Requirements for Business Schengen Visa
- Requirements for Student Schengen Visa
- Requirements for Schengen Medical Visa
Once the Schengen visa is approved
If the Embassy of the country you wish to visit in the Philippines approves your application, you will get your visa in the form of a sticker affixed to your passport. Ensure you read the visa sticker carefully to know the period you are permitted to stay in Europe. Take note that overstaying your Schengen Area visa has consequences.
If Rejected
If your application is denied, you will also receive a reason for this decision. Read this reason carefully! You can always appeal the decision if you think you have been rejected by mistake. However, if the Embassy justified the decision, reapply by correcting the mistakes made in the prior application.
How to figure out where to apply for a Schengen visa?
The three following factors are determinative on where you should file your Schengen visa application:
- The number of countries you will be visiting
- The number of days you will be spending in each
- The country where you will step in first, in case you visit more than one of the Schengen member states
After having clear three factors given above, then you will be able to decide where to apply, according to the following rules:
- If you are planning to visit only one country – then you need to apply at the diplomatic representation of the Schengen you will be visiting, located in your country of residence.
- If you are planning to visit more than one country – then where you need to apply depends on the number of days you will be spending in each of the states you will be staying.
- When spending an equal amount of days in each – then you need to apply at the diplomatic representation of the country where you will arrive first.
- When spending an unequal amount of days in each – then you will need to apply at the diplomatic representation of the country where you will be spending more time.
Where to Apply for a Schengen Visa in the Philippines?
Where you need to apply depends on the number of countries you are going to visit, the days you will be spending in each, and the way that Schengen countries have regulated Schengen visa submission in the Philippines.
For more, check the rules on Where to apply for a Schengen Visa in the Philippines and How to Choose the Right Embassy/Consulate/VAC to Submit a Visa Application in the Philippines.
Note: DO check the time schedule for each country of interest. If you intend to apply to that country (following the specific rule), make sure you submit the requirements on their schedule below:
Applying for a visa to Austria in the Philippines,
The Embassy of Austria in the Philippines has outsourced visa submission to VFS Global. This means Filipino citizens will have to submit their Schengen visa applications to Austria at one of the Visa Application Centers located in Manila or Cebu.
The VACs accept Schengen visa applications every workday (except Thursday) from 14:00 to 16:00.
Contact details & address:
- Manila: Austria Visa Application Centre, Ground Floor, Ecoplaza Bldg., Don Chino Roces Ave., Makati City, Metro Manila, 1231 Philippines
- Cebu: Austria Visa Application Centre, Unit 503, 5th Floor, Keppel Center, Samar Loop, cor. Cardinal Rosales Avenue, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City 6000, Philippines
- Phone: + 63 2 528-2500
- Email: info.atph@vfshelpline.com
Applying for a visa to Belgium in the Philippines
The Embassy of Belgium in the Philippines has outsourced visa submission to VFS Global. This means Filipino citizens will have to submit their Schengen visa applications to Belgium at the Visa Application Center located in Manila.
The VAC accepts Schengen visa applications every workday. Walk-in applications are accepted in all categories from 07:00 to 09:00, whereas from 09:00 to 14:00 are accepted applications by appointment only.
Contact details & address:
- Address: Belgium Visa Application Centre, Ground Floor, Ecoplaza Bldg., Don Chino Roces Ave., Makati City, Metro Manila, 1231 Philippines
- Phone: +632 7904908
- Email: info.beph@vfshelpline.com
Applying for a visa to the Czech Republic in the Philippines
The Czech Embassy in the Philippines has outsourced visa submission to VFS Global. This means Filipino citizens will have to submit their Schengen visa applications to the Czech Republic at one of the Visa Application Centers located in Manila or Cebu.
The VACs accept Schengen visa applications on Mondays and Tuesdays. Walk-in applications are accepted in all categories from 07:00-09:00, whereas from 09:00–14:00 are accepted applications by appointment only.
Contact details & address:
- Manila: Czech Republic Visa Application Centre, Ground Floor, Ecoplaza Bldg., Don Chino Roces Ave., Makati City, Metro Manila, 1231 Philippines
- Cebu: the Czech Republic Visa Application Centre, Unit 503, 5th Floor, Keppel Center, Samar Loop, cor. Cardinal Rosales Avenue, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City 6000, Philippines
- Phone: +632 528-2502
- Email: info.czph@vfshelpline.com
Applying for a visa to Denmark in the Philippines
The Embassy of Denmark in the Philippines has outsourced visa submission to VFS Global. This means Filipino citizens will have to submit their Schengen visa applications at one of the Visa Application Centers located in Manila or Cebu.
The VACs accept Schengen visa applications every workday. Walk-in applications are accepted in all categories from 07:00 to 09:00, whereas from 09:00 to 14:00 are accepted applications by appointment only.
Contact details & address:
- Manila: Denmark Visa Application Centre, Ground Floor, Ecoplaza Bldg., Don Chino Roces Ave., Makati City, Metro Manila, 1231 Philippines
- Cebu: Denmark Visa Application Centre, Unit 503, 5th Floor, Keppel Center, Samar Loop, cor. Cardinal Rosales Avenue, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City 6000, Philippines
- Phone: (+63) 2 790 4901
- Email: info.dkph@vfshelpline.com
Applying for a visa to Estonia in the Philippines
The Royal Norwegian Embassy represents Estonia in issuing visas to Estonia for the residents of the Philippines. For more check, the “Apply for a visa to Norway” section.
Applying for a visa to Finland in the Philippines
The Royal Norwegian Embassy represents Finland in issuing visas to Finland for the residents of the Philippines. For more check, the “Apply for a visa to Norway” section.
Applying for a visa to France in the Philippines
The Embassy of France in the Philippines has outsourced visa submission to VFS Global. This means Filipino citizens will have to submit their Schengen visa applications at the Visa Application Center located in Manila.
The VAC accepts Schengen visa applications every workday from 07:00 to 16:00.
- Contact details & address: Address: France Visa Application Centre,Mezzanine Floor, Ecoplaza Bldg.,, Don Chino Roces Ave Ext, Makati, Kalakhang Manila, Philippines
- Phone: +63 2 790 4903
- Email: Info.frph@vfsglobal.com
Applying for a visa to Germany in the Philippines
The Embassy of Germany is the only responsible body for the admission and processing of Schengen Visa applications to Germany in the Philippines.
Filipino citizens will have to submit their Schengen visa applications at the German embassy in Manila. The Embassy accepts Schengen visa applications from Monday to Thursday starting at 08:00 to 14:30, and in Friday from 08:00 to 11:30.
- Contact details & address: Address: Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, 25/F Tower II, RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Ave. 1200 Makati City, Metro Manila
- Phone: +63 2 702 30 01
Applying for a visa to Greece in the Philippines
The Embassy of Greece is the only responsible body for the admission and processing of Schengen Visa applications to Greece in the Philippines.
Filipino citizens will have to submit their Schengen visa applications at the Greek embassy in Manila. The Embassy accepts Schengen visa applications from Monday to Thursday starting at 08:00 to 12:00.
Contact details & address:
- Address: Embassy of the Hellenic Republic, Unit 701, SEDCCO 1 Building, 120 Rada str, Legaspi Village, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines 1229.
- Phone: (+632) 8174444
- Email: grcon.man@mfa.gr
Applying for a visa to Hungary in the Philippines
The Embassy of Hungary is the only responsible establishment for the admission and processing of Schengen Visa applications to Hungary in the Philippines.
Filipino citizens will have to submit their Schengen visa applications at the Hungarian embassy in Manila. The Embassy accepts Schengen visa applications on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 to 12:00.
- Contact details & address: Address: Embassy of the Federal Republic of Hungary, 8th Floor, Delrosario Law Centre, 21st Drive corner 20th Drive, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, 1630 Metro Manila
- Phone: +63 2 816 7383
- Email: consulate.mnl@mfa.gov.hu
Applying for a visa to Iceland in the Philippines
The Royal Norwegian Embassy represents Iceland in issuing visas to Iceland for the residents of the Philippines. For more check, the “Apply for a visa to Norway” section.
Applying for a visa to Italy in the Philippines
The Embassy of Italy in the Philippines is responsible for the admission and processing of Schengen Visa applications to Italy. However, applicants can also submit their applications at the VIA centre (Visa Information and Application Center), an outsourcing company for the collection of applications.
The Italian Embassy in the Philippines accepts Schengen visa applications to Italy by appointment only, every weekday (except Thursday), from 9.00 to 12.00, Monday and Wednesday in the afternoon also, from 14.30 to 16.00.
The VIA Centers in Manila and Cebu accept Schengen visa applications to Italy, from Monday to Thursday from 08:00 to 14:30 and Friday from 08:00 to 13:30.
Contact details & address:
- Address: Embassy of Italy 6 / F Zeta II Bldg, 191 Salcedo Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City, Metro Manila
- Phone: 0063 (0) 2 892 4531
- Email: amb.manila@cert.esteri.it
Visa Center
- Manila: 3rd Flr Allegro Center, Chino Roces Ave, Makati, 2284 Metro Manila, Philippines
- Cebu: 1004, Keppel Bldg, Cardinal Rosales Avenue Cor Samar Loop, Cebu City, 6000 Cebu, Philippines
- Phone: +63-32-412-7447
Applying for a visa to Latvia in the Philippines
The Embassy of the Netherlands in the Philippines represents Latvia in issuing visas to Latvia for the residents of the Philippines. For more check, the “Apply for a visa to the Netherlands” section.
Applying for a visa to Liechtenstein in the Philippines
The Embassy of Switzerland in the Philippines represents Liechtenstein in issuing visas to Liechtenstein for the residents of the Philippines. For more check, the “Apply for a visa to Switzerland” section.
Applying for a visa to Lithuania in the Philippines
The Austrian Embassy in the Philippines represents Lithuania in issuing visas to Lithuania for the residents of the Philippines. For more check, the “Apply for a visa to Austria” section.
Applying for a visa to Luxembourg in the Philippines
The Embassy of Belgium in the Philippines represents Luxembourg in issuing visas to Luxembourg for the residents of the Philippines. For more check, the “Apply for a visa to Belgium” section.
Applying for a visa to Malta in the Philippines
Malta has outsourced visa submission in the Philippines to VFS Global. This means Filipino citizens will have to submit their Schengen visa applications at one of the Visa Application Centers located in Manila or Cebu.
The VACs accept Schengen visa applications every workday from 12:00 to 15:00.
Contact details & address:
- Manila: Malta Visa Application Centre, Mezzanine Floor, Ecoplaza Bldg., Don Chino Roces Ave., Makati City, 1231 Philippines
- Cebu: Malta Visa Application Centre, Unit 503, 5th Floor, Keppel Center, Samar Loop, cor. Cardinal Rosales Avenue Cebu Business Park, Cebu City 6000, Philippines
- Phone: (+63) 2 790 4912
- Email: info.mtph@vfshelpline.com
Applying for a visa to the Netherlands in the Philippines
The Embassy of the Netherlands in the Philippines has outsourced visa submission to VFS Global. This means Filipino citizens will have to submit their Schengen visa applications at the Visa Application Center located in Manila.
The VAC accepts Schengen visa applications every workday from 08:00 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 15:00.
Contact details & address:
- Address: Netherlands Visa Application Centre, Mezzanine Floor, Ecoplaza Bldg., Don Chino Roces Ave., Makati City 1231 Philippines
- Phone: + 63 2 528-2503
- Email: info.nlph@vfshelpline.com
Applying for a visa to Norway in the Philippines
The Embassy of Norway in the Philippines has outsourced visa submission to VFS Global. This means Filipino citizens will have to submit their Schengen visa applications at one of the Visa Application Centers located in Manila or Cebu.
The VACs accept Schengen visa applications every workday from 11:00 to 14:00.
Contact details & address:
- Cebu: Norway Visa Application Centre, Unit 503, 5th Floor, Keppel Center, Samar Loop, cor. Cardinal Rosales Avenue, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City 6000, Philippines
- Phone: +63 2 790 4902
- Email: info.noph@vfshelpline.com
Applying for a visa to Poland in the Philippines
The Embassy of the Netherlands in the Philippines represents Poland in issuing visas to Poland for the residents of the Philippines. For more check, the “Apply for a visa to the Netherlands” section.
Applying for a visa to Portugal in the Philippines
The Greek Embassy in the Philippines represents Portugal in issuing visas to Portugal for the residents of the Philippines. For more check, the “Apply for a visa to Greece” section.
Applying for a visa to Slovakia in the Philippines
The Embassy of the Czech Republic in the Philippines represents Slovakia in issuing visas to Slovakia for the residents of the Philippines. For more check, the “Apply for a visa to the Czech Republic” section.
Applying for a visa to Slovenia in the Philippines
The Embassy of Belgium in the Philippines represents Slovenia in issuing visas to Slovenia for the residents of the Philippines. For more check, the “Apply for a visa to Belgium” section.
Applying for a visa to Spain in the Philippines
The Embassy of Spain in the Philippines has outsourced visa submission to BLS International. This means Filipino citizens will have to submit their Schengen visa applications at their Visa Application Center located in Manila.
The VAC accepts Schengen visa applications from Monday to Thursday starting at 07:00 to 11:00 and on Fridays starting at 07:00 to 09:00.
Contact details & address:
- Address: Spain Visa Application Centre, 10th Floor Unit 1004 Liberty Center Building, 104 H.V. de la Costa corner Leviste Salcedo Village, Makati City, Philippines
- Phone: +632-816 2177
- Email: info.mnl@blshelpline.com
Applying for a visa to Sweden in the Philippines
The Embassy of Norway in the Philippines represents Sweden in issuing visas to Sweden for the residents of the Philippines. For more check, the “Apply for a visa to Norway” section.
Applying for a visa to Switzerland in the Philippines
The Embassy of Switzerland has outsourced visa submission in the Philippines to VFS Global. This means Filipino citizens will have to submit their Schengen visa applications to Switzerland at the Visa Application Center located in Manila.
The VAC accepts Schengen visa applications every workday from 07:00 to 14:00.
Contact details & address:
- Address: 30th Floor The World Center Sen Gil J Puyat Ave Makati City, Metro Manila, VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd
- Phone: +632 790 4914
- Email: info.swissph@vfshelpline.com