Many readers have been asking me about Schengen visa application so I decided to do a series of posts about getting one from the different European embassies.
I previously wrote a piece on how to apply for a Schengen visa at the German Embassy which includes a brief intro about Schengen visa and the different types of Schengen visa.
This time I interviewed a fellow travel blogger, Shawi, to enlighten us about how to apply for a tourist Schengen visa at the French Embassy in Manila for Philippine passport holders. Note that Schengen visa application is pretty standard so you can learn a thing or two here if you’re applying for one soon regardless of where the French Embassy is.
A recent study published in The Economists shows that France is one of the easiest countries when it comes to Schengen visa application approval. So you might want to apply at the French embassy when you’re planning a major eurotrip to have higher chances of bagging that seemingly elusive Schengen visa.
Shawi wants to add quickly though that applying for a Schengen visa at the Austrian Embassy was more relaxing, and the staff friendlier.
NOTE: This article will only focus on tourist visa application. If you’re going to France to study or marry, you need to prepare a set of other documents. Please check the French embassy website for more info.
When can I apply for a Schengen visa at the French embassy?
You can apply as early as 3 months before your planned entry.
How do I apply for a Schengen visa at the French Embassy?
*All applicants are requireed to set an appointment before coming to the French embassy in Manila.*
Since April 2012, the Embassy of France will be accepting bookings for appointment for visa applications solely via its call center.
To book your appointment, check the numbers to call here and follow the instructions.
You may call from Mondays thru Saturdays, 8am to 6pm except public holidays.
After booking your appointment, make sure you appear on time on your scheduled interview, complete with all the requirements in the chronological sequence that they set.
What are the requirements for a Schengen visa application at the French Embassy?
WARNING: Applicants submitting incomplete files are at a high risk of denial.
1. Application Form
Signed Schengen visa application form with photo (35mm x 45mm, white background)
2. Your Identity
Valid passport (3 months’ validity from the end of intended stay) and photocopy of valid and former visas
3. Purpose of Travel
Write a cover letter explaining the purpose of your trip and proposed day-to-day itinerary. Interestingly, meticulous as they are, they did not actually look for my cover letter, which I did not have in hand should’ve they asked. (Editor’s note: Always have it!)
4. Details Of Your Trip
− Proof of accommodations
For tourists: hotel vouchers (for your entire stay in the Schengen area). I had a friend (who’s working in a travel agency) book me a hotel stay (which they call “dummy booking”) for two weeks. We agreed to have it canceled once I got my visa. My hotel booking was in France only.
If staying with a French resident: “Attestation d’accueil” (delivered by the City hall where the host is residing – the original must be presented) + copy of that host’s national ID or residence permit (if citizen of a country outside the EU)
− Round trip flight booking (please do not purchase your ticket unless your visa is granted; you can get a flight itinerary from most travel agencies for visa purposes)
− For family visit, proof of relationship with the host (birth certificate, marriage certificate…)
5. Proof of Employment
− Certificate of employment with monthly salary and leave of absence approved by employer
− If self employed: official business registration for current and previous year
− For priests, nuns and missionaries: certificate from the Apostolic Nunciature and guarantee letter from French and Filipino congregation
6. Proof of Income
− Income tax return from previous year, if applicable
− Recent bank certification
− Photocopy of the last three months statement of account of the same bank account
7. Identity / Marital Status
− If married: photocopy of your marriage contract and birth certificate
− If single: photocopy of your birth certificate
− For minors not travelling with either parent, a copy of the DSWD permit
8. Travel Insurance
An international travel insurance (medical expenses and repatriation) covering the entire period of the person’s intended stay and valid for all Schengen states. Minimum coverage should be EUR 30,000.
How much is the Schengen visa processing fee?
The visa fee processing fee is 60 euros (prevailing peso equivalent), payable in cash. Please ask the exact amount to bring when you book your appointment via their call center.
What should I wear to the interview?
Anything presentable. I only wore a pair of jeans with a nice blouse. The other applicants dressed to the nines. (Editor’s note: Agree. Look very presentable. Bawal ang mukhang yagit!)
How is the interview like?
The embassy has 3 windows. First, they will ask for your passport, flight and hotel bookings. Secondly, they will take your biometrics, fingerprint and a digital photo.
The third window is where the actual interview takes place. The interviewer is a Filipino who takes a look at your documents, makes sure they are in order, and asks the questions.
During my interview, he only asked about my previous international trips, where I’ve been the past few months. He also asked how long I intended to stay in France, to which I replied 2 weeks (which concurred with my flight and hotel bookings).
Are the interviewers really scary?
In fairness to the interviewers, theirs is a tough job. With the voluminous applications they receive each day, I think it takes quite a skill to foresee whether an applicant will overstay or not.
If you do not really intend to overstay, then the interview should just be a breeze. Just be your natural self and they’ll see right through your sincerity. Once you clam up, you might be giving away hints that you have other motives.
How long does it take for the Schengen visa to be released?
From the day of the interview (May 2), mine took 7 working days before my visa was released. UPDATE: The French Embassy website states that processing time can be as fast as 5 working days unless further verification is needed. (Download the document here.)
What if I get denied? What can I do next?
I am grateful that I have never been denied visas.
Like most embassies I guess, you have to prove beyond reasonable doubt that you intend to come back to your homeland, and not overstay in their country. It wouldn’t hurt to follow the old proverb, “Try and try until you succeed.” 
Check out Shawi’s experience applying for a Schengen visa at the French embassy to learn more. Super duper thank you to Shawi for sharing her experience to us all.
If you have any questions, feel free to post in the comments section below.
Thanks DJ! You are awesome. Glad to have shared my experience here.
Readers, any questions? Feel free to buzz me
Thanks again Shawi! Subscribe to replies to this thread coz for sure comments will come soon as people find their way to this article ;D
Very informative post. Thanks for making it very detailed. Will bookmark this. Thanks for the tips!
Thanks Riz! Feel free to share it ;D
hi, i am planning to go to paris this jan28 til feb 26, all expenses will be shouldered by my french friend and his family, i have the invitation, proof of residency and his pay slip and everything, how much money do i need to have in my bank? can you tell more about the interview like what other questions were asked? what other proof i can show them that i will be returning, aside from my job here and my family.. thank you very much hoping for your reply soon! =)
i think that pretty much it. and with the invitation, you dont need to show your bank account. just follow all the requirements and answer all questions as honest as you can. good luck!
Hi Belle, good question. I haven’t had a sponsor when I applied for my Schengen visa from the French embassy, so I wouldn’t know if they still need proof of income from you.
For them, I think it’s important to see that there’s movement in your bank account, and that you can afford a month-long stay there. But if your sponsor is shouldering your transport and food expenses, then maybe there’s no need.
You just have to be your relaxed self during the interview. They’re really not harsh, they just appear to be; to see if you’re bluffing & trying to hide an intent to overstay.
Questions asked: Where have I been traveling the past months; How long will I stay in France. mostly about my traveling lifestyle lang.
Wish you best on your application! Bonne chance!
Thanks for pitching in Shawi!
As I’ve said in my previous reply, if you have a sponsor, you don’t need to submit your bank details so dont worry about that ;D
DJ
hi dj, thanks for the info regarding the bank statement,
for the visa, is it standard that they give you 3 months? or its only valid from the requested date?
my friend who is sponsiring me stays with his sister who rents a flat in paris, they own a house in la havre too where his parents are residing, is it ok to show 2 proof of residency? or should we just pick one?
for the formal letter, can his mom do it for him? or dapat under his name? kasi all other documents will be coming from him. when i actually went to singapore last june unemployed ako,1 month stay,tapos mag isa lang ako and hold nila ako for questioning sa immigration office for an hour before my flight, is it something like that sa embassy? i was able to get in sg.pero sobra ang takot ko.. so i really hope ma approve din visa ko! i have all the documents they need =)
No. Depends on what you apply for and how long you plan to be there. I think for proof of residency, he needs to show his passport or national identity card?
for the formal letter, his mom can also invite you.
you should be fine. just be honest and confident. ;D
Thanks for the info, DJ. Though I will be going for work-related stuff, your tips will surely help me out especially for the interview. I sure hope they release the visa after 5 working days as they say on their website. Need it fast.
Go for it! Just comment if you have more questions!
Dear friend,
I have got an appoitment on 15 jan 2013 to submit my document in french VFS centre in Dubai.
I am applying for a Business visa and i have to attend the fair happeing in lyon France from 26 to 29 Jan 2013.
In the case of buisness visa apart from regular documets i am providing fair ticket, my businesss partner Italian compay taking part in the fair invitation letter, Their participation letter issued by exhibitor.
I am a resident in UAE and indian national and previously i got an UK business visa also but Schengen i am applying for the first time.
My question is above mentioned documents are satisfactory along with travel insurance, travel documents and company letter stating salary and taking all trip responsibility etc.
Can i get visa before 26 jan 2013 or not.
Pls guide me further do i need any other document since i have no french company invitation letter.
waiting for your prompt reply
Thanks
Manish Sharma
Hi Manish,
I have no experience with business visa in French embassy yet. But what I’m sure of is that as long as you submit all the requirements and your fair is legitimate then you should be fine. If they require the invitation letter then ask the organizers for one. Just make sure you submit everything the embassy requires.
Good luck!
DJ
hi dj,
i’m working here in hongkong but i’m a filipino.
is it the same requirements i need when applying a visa in france consulate here?someone will invite me to stay there.
do i still need a proof of employment if i have an invitaton letter?
thank you,
ana
Yes proof of employment is required.
Hi DJ,
thank’s for replying.. what about a show money do i still need if someone will invite me to france?
thank you,
Anabelle
hey dj, just want to let you know that this post was really useful for me and i just got my visa. probably we can meet in europe this summer
yes! il be in holland! this coming june…see you all there
Yay!
Hello!
great job with the site by the way. um okay well i’m in a bit of a struggle to find information out. here’s a rough outline.
I hold a Philippines passport and I live in Canada. I am going on a trip to the UK from May 17 – Jun 7. the only thing is the people I’m going with are Canadian and they’ve booked a day trip to France. I am currently in the process of getting my UK visa but my appointment isn’t for another 2 weeks. Then on top of that I have to wait 3 to 12 weeks to get my visa. (not enough time for a schengen visa since it will take about the same time) is there any other faster way of doing this? they are traveling to France via train. I need help!
I hope this wasn’t too much information haha Thanks!!
Hey Stewart, the Schengen visa will be faster. It takes a week if you already have an appointment but yeah if you have to wait for your passport then it will be a bit tight. I dont know how many more days or weeks you have but it might be impossible. I suggest you call the french embassy and ask them what you can do. Maybe they can process your visa as well and just get it when you have your passport.
DJ
Hey DJ
Okay so I’ve contacted the French embassy and they’ve said I should have enough time. Like you said probably a week or shorter considering the circumstances.
Thanks for your help! Much appreciated.
Very informative thank you.
What if you are in Cebu, can you do this at the consulate or do I have to go to Manila ?
Also, when you say that ghey give their answer in 7 days, do they call you ? Did they keep your passport in the meantime ? I’m asking in case i have to stay in Manila for the all time of the process…
Thank you !
Hi Gladys, please ask the consulate in Cebu about this. Yes they keep your passport and you will receive it via courier in 7 days
Hi Dj,
Just want to ask how to get travel insurance? how to apply for this? I have all my requirments but, I dont know how to apply for travel insurance.
Thank you! Your awesome!
Norson
You can get any travel insurance from a travel agency or find one online. That’s it. ;P
Thank You Dj!
hi shawi im so impress to your advice can you help me i have my appointment april16 at french embassy and i have purchise ticket on april 27 i have my sponsor in french but he is not french citizin but he buy everything like my hotel accomendation for 79 days and my travel insurance i have th attestation letter from city hall of french…may busines ako but start at 3manths ago i have itr for the previous 3 motnhs at my bank account ako but only 100,000 kaylanagn ko pbng ipakita yung business name ko kahit my sponsor ako…tama bang nilagay ng sponsr ko na mag caregiver ako as 79 days sakanilang mag asawa…but my sponsor been in philippines four times please repfly me im wondering what should i show….thanks
you done need to show your bank account if you have a formal obligation from your sponsor
Wow! Great thread! I learned a lot..very helpful!
I’m also applying a visa for France and I’m wondering if the travel insurance is really required. I’m going there for a business meeting and my company will shoulder everything- from airline tickets to accommodations. I have almost everything ready except for the travel insurance. is it really required?
Thanks. Yes its required.
Hi! I have an appointment at the French embassy this month. My concerns are:
1. I have not been working up until January of this year which means I don’t have an ITR to show. I have savings but most of my money are investments on equity and mutual funds. Would this be a problem?
2. I have been given a french visa before (more than 3 years ago pa!). Do I stand a better chance because of this?
3. My purpose for travel this time is to cheer my brother and cousin who are participating in IRONMAN Nice. Should I show them a copy of their registration?
4. I am not travelling with my husband but I need to be back before July 15 because we will be going to Singapore. I have a confirmed booking since last year pa. Do I need to bring a copy of this booking?
Please I would appreciate your thoughts on these. Thanks in advance for the reply.
Hi Alma,
Please see my replies below.
1. I’m not sure. Haven’t experienced this myself.
2. I like to think it does but you’ll never know.
3. Yes it’s better to tell them the real reason why you’re going to France
4. You can bring it and mention it in the interview as part of your travel plans so its more legit
Goodluck!