Schengen Visa Guide for Filipinos 2023

Quick Facts:

As of Sep 7, 2023, International Journeys can assist with your Schengen Visa Requirements through Italy, France, Germany, Greece/Portugal, Spain, Norway, Austria, and The Netherlands consulates.

International Journeys Schengen Visa Assistance includes:

• Scheduling of visa application appointment

• Creation of legitimate confirmed roundtrip air ticket bookings

• Hotel reservation certificates

• Customized daily itinerary personalized for your needs

• Travel Insurance certificate specific and customized to your visa application

• 2 phone consultations with IJ Schengen Visa Officers

• Recommendation on which consulate to apply at considering your personalized travel itinerary and needs

Visa Processing Fee:

• Through International Journeys:

• Assistance Fee: PHP 2,500 per person

• plus Appointment Fee:

• Germany: PHP 1,150

• France: PHP 2,285

• The Netherlands: PHP 1,011

• Switzerland: PHP 1,225

• Austria: PHP 2,230

• Norway: PHP 4,980

• excluding fees to be paid directly to the consulate (PHP 5,000-7,000)

• Italian Visa: PHP 10,700 all-in rate

Processing Period:

• 15 - 20 working days (all except Italian Visa)

• 20 - 40 working days (for Italian Visa)

• Processing period may be extended indicated working days and a daily visa application limit may be set depending on the volume of visa applications received. Please allocate 1-2 months for visa processing time because of slot limitations.

Schengen Member States:

• 25 European States participating in the Schengen visa program are listed below.

1. Austria 14. Lithuania

2. Belgium 15. Luxembourg

3. Czech Republic 16. Malta

4. Denmark 17. Netherlands

5. Estonia 18. Norway

6. Finland 19. Poland

7. France 20. Portugal

8. Germany 21. Slovakia

9. Greece 22. Slovenia

10. Hungary 23. Spain

11. Iceland 24. Sweden

12. Italy 25. Switzerland

13. Latvia

Document Requirements

All applicants are required to submit the following documents:

1. Original Passport / Travel Document

• Must be signed

• Valid for at least 6 months prior to departure

• Must contain at least 2 empty pages

• Remove the passport case before submitting to our office

2. Original Old Passport

• if with previous visa and stamps within the last 5 years

3. Two (2) pieces of Visa Photo (35mm x 45mm) colored picture

• Should be studio quality with no damages or stains

• Headshot should take 70-80% of the photo, against white background

• Kindly note: The Government is very strict on the photograph requirements. All photographs submitted in different sizes other than the specified Europe visa photo size may cause the rejection of a Schengen Visa application.

4. Schengen Visa Application Form

• Form must be printed on A4 size paper.

• If the applicant is minor (under 18 years old), originally signed by both parents/guardians.

5. Original PSA Documents

a. PSA Birth Certificate

b. PSA Marriage Certificate, if applicable

• 1 year validity

• Especially if traveling with family, kindly submit the original certificates for proof of relationship

6. For Non-Filipino Citizen, submit Photocopy of Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR)

• Valid at least 3 months prior to departure

FOR EMPLOYEES

7. Original Bank Certificate

• Must be issued a month prior to documents submission/biometrics

• Addressed to the Embassy

• With Average Daily Balance (ADB) indicated

8. Original or Certified True Copy of Bank Statement of 6 months

• Must be issued within a month prior to documents submission/biometrics

• Addressed to the Embassy

9. Original Certificate of Employment

• Letter from your employer stating position, compensation, and company's contact details

10. Latest Income Tax Return or Form 2316

• Must have signature of applicant and received stamp from BIR

• If No ITR, submit an Original Affidavit of Non-Filing of ITR

11. Original Affidavit of Support, if applicable

• Notarized Affidavit of Support or Guarantee

12. Photocopy of PRC Card or IBP Card, if applicable

13. Photocopies of Proof of Ties to Home Country (optional)

• Land Titles

• Car Registration

FOR SELF-EMPLOYED/BUSINESSMEN

FOR STUDENTS

FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

Where To Submit?

Visa Receiving Office

International Journeys Visa Office

Lower GF Z Square Mall, 886 Banawe Street, Quezon City, Philippines

• Parking is generously available in basement and building frontage.

Contact Numbers:

Visa Officer - Danica: 0917 630 1238

Visa Officer - Ann: 0917 622 5254

FB Messenger: m.me/ijtravel

How much is the Schengen Visa processing fee?

• Through International Journeys:

• Assistance Fee: PHP 2,500 per person

• plus Appointment Fee:

• Germany: PHP 1,150

• France: PHP 2,285

• The Netherlands: PHP 1,011

• Switzerland: PHP 1,225

• Austria: PHP 2,230

• Norway: PHP 4,980

• excluding fees to be paid directly to the consulate (PHP 5,000-7,000)

• Italian Visa: PHP 10,700 all-in rate

How do I pay for my visa application?

Pay in our office or deposit to any of the following:

Account name: International Journeys Inc.

BDO: 00353-022-7417

Security Bank: 0686-0288-09001

Send copy of deposit slip to visa@ijourneys.com.ph for us to verify your payment.

How do I claim my passport?

You can pick-up your passport in our office or have it sent back via courier or any real-time delivery service. Check with our Visa Officer if your passport is ready for pick-up.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is personal appearance at the embassy required?

You are still required to submit your own applications as the embassies would need to get your biometric information such as your fingerprints.

How do I pay for the Visa Fees?

Visa Fees are usually only collected in CASH in the Philippines. Make sure you bring enough cash. Credit cards are not accepted in most consulates. The assistance fee is the only thing we collect prior to application.

Who will print my documents?

You will be the one responsible to print your application documents. Should you wish us to prepare and deliver your documents, printing and courier fees apply.

Will I surely receive approved visa with your processing assistance?

We do not guarantee approval. Visa approval is under the sole discretion of the consul.

How can I apply for a Multiple-entry Schengen Visa?

Multiple-entry Visa may be requested if there is a valid need, e.g. cruise itineraries, but issuance of Multiple-entry Visas would be under the sole discretion of the consul.

Important reminders before you submit your application

• Attach a letter of explanation for documents that cannot be submitted.

• Family should apply at the same time and provide proof of relationship: These must be original PSA documents.

• Apply for visa prior to purchasing your airline tickets and travel services since visa issuance is subject for approval of the consul in charge.

• Applying through a travel agent does not guarantee the issuance of visa.

• Inform your HR Officer/Contractor/Bank that someone will call or email from the Embassy to validate the documents you provided.

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International Journeys summarized the above Schengen visa application guide and no part may be copied or reproduced without prior written consent.

Visa Conditions:

• Visa approval is not guaranteed and is still under the final discretion of the consul.

• Processing time indicated is based on average application time. It is not guaranteed and may be delayed if additional documents are required by the embassy.

• Do not purchase your tickets before your visas are issued and approved. International Journeys will not be liable for any unused travel products in the case of visa denial or if the release of visa has been delayed.

• International Journeys will not accept visa application with departure date scheduled within 3 weeks from the date of submission.

• Any request for early release and pulling out/cancellation of application is not permitted once the documents are submitted to the Embassy.