Go Solo Application for Schengen Visa via France

The famous Belgian waffle. Treat from Ganda.

Hi, dear GoSolo traveler! This complements my blog about my adventures to the UK.

I received my passport with approved visit visa more than two months before my departure to the UK. While waiting for my travel date, a “what if” question suddenly came to mind, “What if, I will make a side trip to Europe while in England?” After much consideration, my GoSolo mindset 'unanimously' answered, YES! 

Filipino passport holders still need to apply for a separate visa to Europe even if they have a visa to the UK. 

What I did first is to search the internet for blogs about traveling to Europe. There are many of them out there and this blog adds to their number. I hope the information here can complement the existing ones and help you prepare for your Schengen visa application.

The following are the steps I did:

1. Choose a country in EU where you want to enter and apply for a visa there.

Although it is in that specific country that you submit the documents, you can also travel to other countries that are within the Schengen zone. You just need to indicate that in your itinerary.

In my case, I have chosen France because it is the nearest country from the UK. I was initially planning to take a train from London to Paris passing through the Strait of Dover, but an airplane ride is more affordable. As I am a GoSolo traveler, expenses must be cut to the minimum without sacrificing the goal of seeing magnificent cities in Europe.

2. Again, prepare the documents.

Inside the Notre Dame Cathedral. See the intricate walls

Basically, you need to prove your identity and have the financial capacity to fund your entire trip. You also need to show a detailed itinerary so that the officer will be sure that you are doing activities solely intended for the purpose of leisure. You also need to show that you go back to the Philippines after the tour.

Note that for a tourist visa, all Schengen countries have a standard set of documents to be submitted. So, if you intend to visit another Schengen country in the future, you need to remember the documents you have submitted in the first country where you have applied. Just take note of the possible changes that may happen in your next application.

I prepared the following documents based on the Schengen visa info website.

Application form	I downloaded the application form and filled it out through the editable pdf file and printed it. Now, France requires the completion of the visa application by filling out the form online. -Attach your photo ID as specified in the form.
Identity: Passport	It should be valid for 3 months before departure from the Schengen country. It should also have at least 2 blank pages. I also brought my birth certificate in case it is needed. The officer got the photocopy.
Evidence of coming back to the Philippines	-certificate of employment -reference letter from the employer indicating permission for leave from the company for the entire duration of the trip The letter I submitted already combined these two purposes. See the sample below.
Evidence of Financial capacity	-current bank statement for the last 6 months or “official affidavit of support” from your host and supporting document for such support -certificate of employment indicating your length of employment, monthly salary, and compensation (see sample certification below) -latest income tax return I also submitted the photocopy of my passbook and it was accepted as evidence. I brought the original at the time of submission but the collecting officer returned it to me.
Itinerary for the entire trip	-Flight reservations dummy -Travel visa insurance policy to cover expenses up to 30,000 euros, Insurance providers allow for a reservation while the visa is being processed and can be canceled if refused -Proof of accommodation: It could be a dummy hotel booking or evidence from your host (where you are staying) if you declare to stay with them. In this case, ask for a formal letter of invitation from them. -An application letter addressed to the Consul. Indicate your purpose for travel, the places to visit and their duration. See the sample letter for this. Since I did not declare any host or friend to visit, I provided my hotel accommodation reservation. I had Trip Hub Travel Services to do the reservation or flight and hotels without initially paying so that I can cancel if the visa would be refused.

-It helps if you photocopy all documents in the A4 sized paper prior to submission.

Sample letter to the consul

Sample certificate of employment, compensation, and permission to take a leave

4. Where and how to submit documents?

After printing the completed online application form, having the passport ready and preparing all necessary documents, book a schedule at the visa application center (VAC). France Embassy in Manila designates VFS Global Philippines to collect all visa application documents, accept payments for visa except if you have paid through credit/debit cards, and collect biometrics.

When I applied in 2017, I reserved directly at the VFS Global website. But now (2018), VFS Global website advises that the applicant needs to accomplish the online application at the new website of France-Visas first then you are directed to the VFS Global website after. 

In front of Eiffel Tower: It was rainy and cold

The address of the VAC is Mezzanine Floor, Ecoplaza Building, Don Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Makati City. The building also houses the floor for UK visa application so make sure that you enter the right door. Nevertheless, you will be guided at the entrance of the building.

I reserved my appointment on 11 October 2017 (Wednesday), 7:30 am. I went there very early to anticipate the traffic. You should be aware of the traffic situation in Metro Manila, especially in Chino Roces area. A day before the submission, I checked all the documents and arranged them based on the list at the table above. I made sure that I photocopy all documents. I prepared my ids just in case it is needed at the gate. I just realized that I overacted because I brought all my ids and other documents.

The VAC advises applicant not to bring any electronic gadget inside their facility. So I left my cell phone. I only had a long plastic envelope where I put all the documents, arranged neatly. I put all the original documents together in one envelope and the photocopies in another envelope.

I arrived at around 6:30 am. There is a café at the base of the building and food stalls along Chino Roces Avenue. I tried to enter at 7:00 am and they already allowed me to enter. At the application booth, they took my documents, then paid the processing and visa fees in another window. After paying, I was instructed to wait. Then, I was called to another door just beside the paying window to have my photo and biometric capture.

After that, I was told that the process is finished. Before I left, I signed up for the courier service for the delivery of my passport.

5. Wait for the passport and visa.

The modern tranvia of Ghent 
in front of my hotel

The France embassy mentions that there are at least 3 days for the visa processing. But, I was able to receive a notice on the second day (Friday) after submission of documents. I crossed my fingers and prayed that the application was approved. When I received my passport, my visa application was approved! Yay!

6. Enjoy your travel.

After the successful visa application, I already confirmed all the flights and hotel reservations from Trip Hub Travel Services, my travel agency. I

I requested for the revision of my itinerary to include Belgium. I also confirmed my travel insurance. I also reserved for my own bus travel from Paris to Brussels online. I had 710 USD paid for this trip. The insurance was 52USD and the bus fare was 10 EUROS.

I was able to travel smoothly in Europe as planned and according to my itinerary. 

You can also check on my blog about the adventures in the cities of Paris, Brussels, and Ghent – three lovely cities at the heart of Europe.

Disclaimer: Use the article as a guide but be aware of the current changes in visa processing The blogger is not a visa consultant and not connected to any agency.