Many Filipinos are dreaming to come and visit Europe and I am one of them. I always telling to myself that someday I will visit some places there especially Paris which is my ultimate dream city. But this time, I want to go to Europe to be reunited to my love. And that's lead me to apply for a tourist visa or Schengen visa. A Schengen visa allows you to have access to 26 Schengen countries.Here are the lists of members in the Schengen Area:
What documents I prepared?
Here are the lists of documents that I prepared and submitted in the embassy:- Checklist ( Checklist depend on what type of visa you're applying to)
All my documents are well prepared. I also prepared 2 sets of photocopy of documents just in case they need it. I stayed in my friend's apartment in Makati so that it's easier for me to find the embassy as it's my first time to apply. I left the apartment around 6 in the morning even though I know that the opening hours starts at 9 am. I took a taxi and told the driver the place that I'm going to. I was shocked that in 5 minutes we reached the building. I even asked the driver if it's the right building and he answers "yes". I looked for a place to stay while waiting for the opening hours. I found a nearest Mcdonalds to grab a coffee and a light breakfast. When I finished eating, I looked at the time and it's still too early so I tried to find a nearest Internet cafe. I still have 1 hour and 30 minutes so I spent my time watching a video clips from The Voice Kids Philippines. (I wish I have good voice as them) I rushed to the embassy after I finished watching. I entered the building after the guards checked my belongings. I signed in the reception and gave an identification. They gave me a number. One of the guard assisted me to the elevator. I went up to the 21st floor where the visa section is. Upon arriving, the guard asked me about my intention. Then I answered that I'm going to submit my requirements for visa. The guard told me to go down and go at the back of the building and submit my papers there. He told me to follow a woman who just left and said that she's also going there. So I followed her. I saw that there's a few people waiting outside. I asked the guard if it's okay to go inside. He asked me about the time of my schedule. So I answered that my schedule is 10:45 am. He told me that they let applicants inside 15 minutes before the time of schedule. So I waited outside. 10:15 am when I tried to asked again the guard and finally he let me in. As usual, the guards checked my belongings. I surrendered my phone and took only the documents. The supervisor called me and asked few questions. Then she told me to sit and wait for my name to be called. They are very strict inside so make sure that you're listening attentively and make sure that your documents are well prepared. While waiting, I observed how the interview goes because the interviewing area are only a few distance from the waiting area. Some interview took long time while the others are not. It takes more than an hour till they called my name. I went to Ms. Nice (I called her Ms. Nice because she's nice to me) and handed to her all my documents. While sorting the documents, she asked me a few questions. She asked me whom I am going to visit and when is my intended flight and return. I answered that I am going to visit my partner and I intend to fly on 29th of July and come back on 25th of October. She told me that I need to be back in the Philippines on 26th of October if they'll grant me a visa. Then I nodded. She took only the required documents and asked me if I still want the photos to be submitted. Then I said yes. She told me that it will be only a support for the application. She stamped my documents "Interview Passed" and gave me a yellow stab. She told me to go up to the 21st floor at 1 o'clock in the afternoon. That time, I don't know the meaning of the stamp that he putted on my documents. I went to Mang Inasal to eat lunch. After eating, I decided to go back to the building and try if they will accept applicants since it's only 12:50 in the afternoon. When I arrived at the 21st floor, the guard greeted and let me in. I was the only person at that time. The woman from window 2 called me and took my documents and the yellow stab. She instructed me to sit and look straight at the camera and captured a single shot. After that, she got my fingerprints. The last part was when she asked for my passport. She told me that they will sent me a notification thru email or thru mobile message. I thought there's still an interview but the guard told me that I'm done. Honestly, I was relieved that I don't need to do an interview again. I believed that I answered every questions they asked with heart and honesty.After two days, they sent me a notification that they granted me a visa and to pick up my passport at the visa section. I was so happy and speechless. Yesteday, I picked up my passport and thanked God for giving this to me. With honesty, confidence, prayer, support from family and friends and a little luck, now, I'm one step ahead to be reunited with my love.
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
What documents I prepared?
Here are the lists of documents that I prepared and submitted in the embassy:- Checklist ( Checklist depend on what type of visa you're applying to)
- Questionnaire - Cover Letter ( It only requires if the application was registered online)
- Schengen Visa Application Form (Make sure you signed it completely)
- Original Passport
- Payslips, Bank Statement (This was prepared by my sponsor which is my boyfriend. It should be sent to you not in the embassy)
- Roundtrip Airline Ticket Reservation (Don't buy the ticket until the visa has been granted. In my case, we booked already the ticket but we have insurance so that whenever the embassy refused to grant my visa we can get back the money that we paid for the ticket.)
- Travel Medical Insurance (The minimum coverage shall be 30,000 EUR)
- Letter of Invitation from the sponsor (It should be signed by the sponsor. The letter should give details how much the two of you spent together. My partner documented it by putting the places and dates of our vacations and also by attaching some photos.)
- Form No. 241011 Invitation (You or your sponsor can download it on the embassy's website. It should be signed by your sponsor and sent it to you by mail.)
- Civic Registration/Family Certificate of the inviting person (Personbevis)
- Copy of the Passport of the Sponsor
- Documentarion of own properties (This is not required. We submitted the copy of the car registration to strengthen my application)
All my documents are well prepared. I also prepared 2 sets of photocopy of documents just in case they need it. I stayed in my friend's apartment in Makati so that it's easier for me to find the embassy as it's my first time to apply. I left the apartment around 6 in the morning even though I know that the opening hours starts at 9 am. I took a taxi and told the driver the place that I'm going to. I was shocked that in 5 minutes we reached the building. I even asked the driver if it's the right building and he answers "yes". I looked for a place to stay while waiting for the opening hours. I found a nearest Mcdonalds to grab a coffee and a light breakfast. When I finished eating, I looked at the time and it's still too early so I tried to find a nearest Internet cafe. I still have 1 hour and 30 minutes so I spent my time watching a video clips from The Voice Kids Philippines. (I wish I have good voice as them) I rushed to the embassy after I finished watching. I entered the building after the guards checked my belongings. I signed in the reception and gave an identification. They gave me a number. One of the guard assisted me to the elevator. I went up to the 21st floor where the visa section is. Upon arriving, the guard asked me about my intention. Then I answered that I'm going to submit my requirements for visa. The guard told me to go down and go at the back of the building and submit my papers there. He told me to follow a woman who just left and said that she's also going there. So I followed her. I saw that there's a few people waiting outside. I asked the guard if it's okay to go inside. He asked me about the time of my schedule. So I answered that my schedule is 10:45 am. He told me that they let applicants inside 15 minutes before the time of schedule. So I waited outside. 10:15 am when I tried to asked again the guard and finally he let me in. As usual, the guards checked my belongings. I surrendered my phone and took only the documents. The supervisor called me and asked few questions. Then she told me to sit and wait for my name to be called. They are very strict inside so make sure that you're listening attentively and make sure that your documents are well prepared. While waiting, I observed how the interview goes because the interviewing area are only a few distance from the waiting area. Some interview took long time while the others are not. It takes more than an hour till they called my name. I went to Ms. Nice (I called her Ms. Nice because she's nice to me) and handed to her all my documents. While sorting the documents, she asked me a few questions. She asked me whom I am going to visit and when is my intended flight and return. I answered that I am going to visit my partner and I intend to fly on 29th of July and come back on 25th of October. She told me that I need to be back in the Philippines on 26th of October if they'll grant me a visa. Then I nodded. She took only the required documents and asked me if I still want the photos to be submitted. Then I said yes. She told me that it will be only a support for the application. She stamped my documents "Interview Passed" and gave me a yellow stab. She told me to go up to the 21st floor at 1 o'clock in the afternoon. That time, I don't know the meaning of the stamp that he putted on my documents. I went to Mang Inasal to eat lunch. After eating, I decided to go back to the building and try if they will accept applicants since it's only 12:50 in the afternoon. When I arrived at the 21st floor, the guard greeted and let me in. I was the only person at that time. The woman from window 2 called me and took my documents and the yellow stab. She instructed me to sit and look straight at the camera and captured a single shot. After that, she got my fingerprints. The last part was when she asked for my passport. She told me that they will sent me a notification thru email or thru mobile message. I thought there's still an interview but the guard told me that I'm done. Honestly, I was relieved that I don't need to do an interview again. I believed that I answered every questions they asked with heart and honesty.After two days, they sent me a notification that they granted me a visa and to pick up my passport at the visa section. I was so happy and speechless. Yesteday, I picked up my passport and thanked God for giving this to me. With honesty, confidence, prayer, support from family and friends and a little luck, now, I'm one step ahead to be reunited with my love.
Just remember guys that in everything we do, ask guidance from our creator and if it really meant for you he will give it.
But if it's not for you I know He had better plans for you. Don't give up and do your best everytime.God bless us all!!!
But if it's not for you I know He had better plans for you. Don't give up and do your best everytime.God bless us all!!!
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