Showing posts with label Schengen visa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Schengen visa. Show all posts

How to apply for the Schengen visa thru Via.ph

Resting at the Louvre in Paris
So you've decided to go to Europe, you've filled out the Schengen visa application form and finished prepping the requirements. The next step is to apply for the Schengen visa. This post is only about applying to the Italian embassy thru Via.ph.

If you have any questions, call them at their free hotline number 845 9200.

1. Book an appointment by calling any of the numbers below that suits you:

PLDT/SMART Line 1 - 909 - 101 - 2200
BAYANTEL Line 1 - 903 - 101 - 2200
Globe Line 1 - 900 - 101 - 2200

Make sure you have your passport ready when you call. In case you're booking for several people, make sure to get all their passports as well because the call costs Php 32.00/minute + VAT, and other charges if you're calling from outside Metro Manila.

I tried booking with the embassy directly, but their next available slot last July was on October already, and my trip was in September! With via.ph, I was immediately given a schedule.

I only called once we had all our documents ready.

In case the agent forgets, make sure to ask how much the total fee will be. Remember: Bring exact change.

2. Go to VIA office in Makati.

  • Bring all the documents including the original copies
  • Bring a stapler with staplewire, scissors, a black pen that works, whiteout and glue. This is in case you need to attach something you forgot to print out, fill out some lines in the application, erase some of the entries as instructed by the agent, or cut out some parts.
  • A book or anything that will keep you engrossed and happy while waiting!
3. Once you reach the VIA office, sign in and get your number from the security guard. Even if you have an appointed time, you will still need to get a number.

4. Wait for your turn. We waited for an hour or two!

5. Submit your application. Answer any questions the agent may have.

6. If your documents are complete, the agent will tell you if you will wait for your name to be called for the thumbprint.

7. After inputting your thumb prints, wait for the instruction to pay.

You're done! Now it's the waiting time for the status of your visa. You'll either get a call or a message if you need to submit more documents. The only way you'll know if you're granted a visa (or not) is when you receive your passport.

Some documents may not be returned. Our birth certificates were not returned, they returned papa's.

If you've been granted a visa, check any accompanying documents or attached papers to your visa.

My sister and I had attached letters from the embassy stating that we need to return to the embassy in Salcedo, Makati, to have our passports signed within 10 days after the expiration of our visa. Since our visa was given a one week extension, we only returned on the day of the visa expiration.

How to get your visa signed after your trip, if you are requested by the embassy

1. Go to the Italian embassy in Salcedo St, Makati.

2. Tell the guard you're going to the embassy. If there's a line outside, you'll need to line up.

3. Once they let you go up to the Italian embassy office, you'll need to turn off your cellphone (and other electronic devices) and hand it to the guards at the embassy lobby.

4. Hand over your passport and letter from the embassy.

5. Wait for your name to be called.

6. Once your name is called, go to the designated window.

We were simply given back our passports once we went to the window. Even though we weren't first in line, we were still processed first from all the batch in the 3pm group (we didn't make an appointment, we just dropped by).

Tip: You can take the e-jeepney outside Landmark (a ride costs P8) and you can go down in front of the embassy. If you don't know where the embassy is, it's along Salcedo St, with a Cafe France outside the building. Or ask the driver :)

I hope the past few posts have helped you with your Eurotrip planning! It has been very tiring preparing all these documents, but once we got to Europe, it was all worth it. :)

Other helpful blogs and links I've read while getting ready:


Tips from:
Wanderlass: http://www.wanderlass.com/others/visa-challenge/schengen-visa-philippine-passport.html

Tips and LOA and CoA templates:
Kristine Camins: 
http://www.kristinecamins.com/schengen-visa-application/
http://www.kristinecamins.com/schengen-visa-flight-booking/

Tips from:
More Fun with Ems: https://morefunwithems.wordpress.com/2013/06/30/how-to-apply-for-a-schengen-tourist-visa-in-the-philippines-2013/

Tips from:
Lynne en-route: http://www.lynne-enroute.com/2014/03/19/how-to-get-the-schengen-tourist-visa-through-the-italian-embassy-philippines/




Filling out the Schengen visa application form

Somewhere in Switzerland...
Filling out the Schengen Visa application form was a little tricky, but I had help from Kristine Camin's How to Apply for the Schengen Visa post and our own experience when we were applying. If your handwriting isn't that flash, I suggest using Adobe Acrobat Pro, or a PDF program that enables you to fill out the form legibly.

Hopefully this guide can help you :)

We filled out our application form in capital letters (except for our email address) and put an X in the boxes where applicable.

1. Surname (Family name): Your surname

2. Surname at birth

  • If married, write your maiden name. 
  • Since I'm single, I left it blank, but the processing agent at Via asked me to write my father's surname, I'm not sure why.

3. First name: Your real name -- not your nickname. If you have two (or seven) first names, write all of it.

4. Date of birth: Day MONTH year e.g. 08 SEPTEMBER 1957

5. Place of birth: City (MANILA) or town, province e.g. KIBLAWAN, DAVAO DEL SUR

6. Country of birth: PHILIPPINES

7. Current Nationality: FILIPINO

  • Nationality at birth, if different: I left this blank since our nationality did not change

8. Sex: (No, this is not the frequency.) X for whichever box applies.

9. Marital status: X for whichever box applies.

10. I wrote N/A since I'm of legal age.

11. N/A since I don't have a National Identity number. I'm also not sure what that is

12. Type of travel document: X for whichever box applies. I put an X on Ordinary passport

13. Number of travel document: Passport number (found in the biographical page of your passport)

14. Date of issue: (found in the biographical page of your passport)

15. Valid until: (found in the biographical page of your passport)

16. Issued by: (found in the biographical page of your passport)

17. Applicant's home and e-mail address: my email address in small letters, my address in full caps, up to my city

  • Telephone number(s): Landline (if applicable) and cellphone

18. X for whichever box applies. I put an X on No

19. Current occupation: I put on mine BUSINESS WOMAN since I have a startup, but on my sister's: EMPLOYED - [her position/job title]

20. Employer's name and details: Again, written in caps
NAME - ADDRESS UP TO CITY - PHONE NUMBER

21. Main purpose: X for whichever box applies. I put an X on Tourism

22. Member State(s) of your destination: I put ITALY, AUSTRIA, GERMANY, SWITZERLAND, FRANCE (or whichever Schengen country applies to you)

  • Please note that you cannot use your Schengen Visa for the UK. If your trip involves going to the UK, you will need to get a  UK Visa as well.

23. Member State of first entry: ITALY (or whichever Schengen country applies)

24. Number of entries requested: X for whichever box applies. I put an X on Single entry

  • Since we were not going out of the Schengen area, we only needed a Single entry. Based on my mapped out train itinerary, all our trains will pass only through Schengen Member States.
  • If you're flying from one Member State(s) to another, and your plane will go out of the Schengen Area (i.e. you'll be coming from Spain, but it will stop through the UK before landing at your final destination [e.g. Amsterdam]), you will need to put an X on Two entries or Multiple entries (if you'll keep coming in and out of Schengen within 90 days -- the minimum number of days for an ordinary Schengen tourist visa)

25. Duration of the intended stay or transit: Whatever # of days apply to you

26. X for whichever box applies. Mine was No.

27. X for whichever box applies. Mine was No.

28. I left this blank, but the agent at VIA said to write N/A (if that's applicable to you, fill it out. If you're not sure, ask them when you file)

29. Intended date of arrival: This is the date you're in the Schengen area, not the date of your departure from the Philippines. If you're departing on the 4th, and you'll arrive on the 5th, write 05 [MONTH] [YEAR]

Unless, of course, you're arriving on the same day -- is that possible?

Check your flight reservation/booking for the dates.

30. Intended date of departure: When you'll be leaving the Schengen area, not your arrival back in the Philippines.

31. The agent instructed me to write the name of the first hotel we'll be sleeping at in Italy. I'm not sure how this goes if all your accommodations are thru Airbnb, but she asked me to write the hotel, even though we weren't staying there until our 5th day in Italy.

However, I also prepared an attached table with the following details: Surname, First name/Hotel name, Address, Email address, Telephone and telefax.

We were very transparent in our application
32. N/A (or fill out as applicable)

33. Cost of travel: X where applicable

  • Since we were all paying for ourselves, I put an X on 'by the applicant himself/herself'

Means of support: X where applicable

  • I didn't put an X on Credit card because I didn't have one.
  • My sister and mother didn't put an X on Credit card because they only had supplementary/extension credit cards from my dad, and all billing statements only had my dad's name on it.
  • But we put an X on Prepaid accommodation and Prepaid transport since our accommodations, air fare, and several train fares were pre-purchased while in the Philippines.

34. N/A (or fill out as applicable)

35. N/A (or fill out as applicable)

36. Place and date: You put the city where you filled out the form, and then the date you filled out the application form

37. Your signature

Page 3:
Place and date: You put the city where you filled out the form, and then the date you filled out the application form

Your signature

One of the castles we saw while we were on the train. The little girl in me was so excited!
Good luck!

All notes are based on our experience. These are just guides and tips. If you are unsure about any of the questions in the form, I suggest you leave it blank and ask the agent at the Via counter for help when your name is called. If your visa is denied, please don't blame me. I don't decide the approval of your visa :-)


Booking your hotel/Airbnb apartments and plane tickets for the Schengen visa

Good morning, Firenze! (View from our apartment)
Airline ticket reservation
We didn't pay for our airline ticket when we booked it, but we were still able to fulfill the Schengen visa requirement. And the embassy encourages applicants to book, but not yet buy, the ticket as much as possible.

I was thinking that if travel agencies can book an airplane ticket without my having to pay for it immediately, maybe I can do that too. We actually went to a travel agency to book our ticket, but they said they can only reserve a ticket thru them if we were availing of their tour package, too.

After screening several websites and comparing prices, we narrowed down our choices to two airlines: Qatar and Emirates. Between the two, Qatar was cheaper.

I called up Qatar Airways but the agent I talked to said they don't hold long reservations.

I called up Emirates and they agreed to hold my reservation for over a week. I made sure that the flight I reserved is the same flight we'll be taking if our Schengen visa is approved.

When our Schengen visa was approved, our reservation had already lapsed, so we just bought our tickets from Emirates online. Note that you are encouraged to book the same flight/airplane company that you used for your booking, as stated in the letter accompanying our visa.

Simply reserving our tickets saved us from worrying about the huge cost of plane tickets if we bought them before our visa was approved.


Reserving our accommodation

Airbnb
One of my dad's requests was that each person should only spend around Php150,000 for the whole two weeks, and that was the budget I worked on. The budget also helped because I was the one who paid for all my expenses, except for our two hotels.

While I would have loved to have experienced European hostels, the total was still beyond the set budget so I finally opted for Airbnbs. Note: Make sure renting an apartment from your host is legal because there are issues that differ with every city.

My rules for choosing an Airbnb rental:
      Must have at least three reviews already
      Must have 4.5-5 star ratings
      Must have beds for four adults
      Proximity to the places we wanted to go to, or the center of the city
      Must have a flexible or moderate policy
We were all excited for our apartments because we felt like we were going to live how the locals live. And I was right! Quite exciting to see our other "flatmates" and buy from the local grocery. However, buying food from the grocery was a bit of a challenge because the staff rarely spoke English.

Since I'm a newbie in Airbnb and had no ratings, I sent an introductory message to each host whose rental attracted me. Seven out of ten times, the response was positive. Most would even just reserve me for the dates I stated. It was amazing.

Here's the sample message I sent (italics for emphasis)

Buongiorno! [I changed this according to the language of the country]
My name is Haeja, from the Philippines. I'm [age] and [my job]. 
My family and I are visiting [city] on [date we'll be staying in that city]. We will be coming from [city], [country]. Is your place available for a [# of nights and days] stay? :)
[Then I ask my questions so we both know we fit what each other is looking for:]
Also, I would like to confirm that it will fit four adults?
Do we have to pay extra 2 euro/person tourist tax upon arrival, or pay anything else upon arrival? [yes, there is a tourist tax in some European countries i.e. Italy and Austria] 
[Then I explain why I chose to rent from them]
I like your place because it looks cozy, it is within our budget, and it is near the places we want to go to. 
[closing remarks] 
Looking forward to your response. 
Kind regards, 
Haeja

Remember! Most Schengen Member states only accept Euro. Even if you have dollars, you have to exchange them to Euro. In Switzerland, you have to exchange your money for their local currency, the Swiss francs, because they are not part of the European Union, and therefore don't generally use the euro. Some stores in Switzerland do accept Euro, but will only accept bills (like in Starbucks and McDonalds, but sometimes with a minimum amount of purchase) and they will give you your change in Swiss francs.

Some images of our Airbnb rentals...

Pull-out bed our favorite apartment
Beautiful furniture here!
Super cheery apartment and chic decor
Great in photos, not so much in real life
Better than we expected!
If we our visas hadn't been approved, the only money we'd have lost are the ones we used to pay for documents, visa processing, travel insurance, and minimal Airbnb booking fees. The cost of applying for a visa you're not sure will be processed, eh?

Note that some flats don't have a microwave too, so check out the listed utilities available before booking a place.

Some of the apartments exceeded our expectations, and some were not as clean or as beautiful in real life. Thankfully, all of them provided towels.

Also, note that in Europe, when they say "second floor", that's actually the third floor because the first floor is like the 0 floor. So when reading the description, be wary of the "apartment on the second floor, without elevator" because if you're carrying a heavy bag and travelling from one country to another, it can be tiresome!

Unless your hosts are nice and they offer to carry your luggage up the stairs for you :)

Also, don't transact outside Airbnb, because if there is a problem, then Airbnb won't help you out if you paid the host directly.

If you don't have an Airbnb account yet, get a discount from me! Use my sign-up link to create your account. Claim your discount here!


Hotels
Of the eight cities we slept in, we booked two hotels because 1) No available Airbnb in the area that met our requirements and 2) They were cheaper for a group than if we stayed in a hostel. Plus, they offered breakfast.

We booked directly with the hotels, although I did email them first to make sure the still had vacancies, and that they indeed have rooms for four adults.

Luckily, our chosen hotels also sold public transportation tickets, so it was easy for us to get to and fro the location. This is actually one of the benefits when we booked the hotel. If you're booking a cheap hotel, do remember that they may not have someone to help you carry your luggage.

Their breakfast buffet usually consists of a selection of bread + jam/cheese/butter spreads and liquid beverages. Some may also offer pie.

View outside our hotel in Venice
Super cosy accommodation in Innsbruck
One of the coziest dining places I've been to!

Good luck!

I hope you'll enjoy your trip! All photos are unedited. I don't know how to use Photoshop! Please don't use my images without permission.

Read about my Eurotrip!
Rome day 1
Rome day 2
Florence day 3-4
Pisa day 4
Venice day 5
Innsbruck day 6
Munich day 7-8

Other links you might find helpful:

Getting ready for Europe  |  Preparing your Schengen visa requirements  |  Filling out the Schengen visa form  |  How to apply to the Italian embassy thru Via  |  Cross-country train travel in Europe

Preparing your Schengen Visa requirements

Sunset in Pisa - one of the most beautiful skies I've ever seen
We tried to get a tour company to arrange our tour for the places we wanted to visit, but what they basically did was get my itinerary and place them in time slots, so we decided to do it on our own.

And if you're applying for the Schengen Visa in Italy (this is important -- more on this later!), you have to apply it yourself. Even the tour agency cannot be the one to apply for you because the PIASI, thru Via.ph (the contracted agency that files the visa applications for those who apply thru Italy), collects your biometric data (thumbprint and electronic signature). I hope you get a good agency because there were applicants there for the tourist visa who were asked to come back because their documents were inadequate, and they said that the tour agency didn't tell them to prepare those documents.

For this post, I will walk you through the requirements. We applied through Italy for two very important reasons:

1) It was our point of entry
2) It was the country of our longest stay

#2 is very important, because you MUST apply in the first country of longest stay, even if that country is not your point of entry.

Example: You will be going to Italy (3 days) then to Switzerland (5 days) then to France (5 days), which is the point where you'll go back to Manila.

You must apply through the embassy of Switzerland because that is where you'll be in the longest. Even if the number of days is equivalent to your stay in France, if you're passing through Switzerland first, then you must apply in Switzerland.

Note: If applying to the Italian embassy, they will only accept applications whose trips are within three months of your visa application.

If you're applying as a group/family, each person must have the following documents:

1. Valid passport with no less than 6 months' validity after the visa expiration

  • If your trip will be in September, your passport must be valid until March
  • Must include your current passport and all your expired passports
  • Photocopy the following: Biographical page and back page of each passport (current and expired), any visas you have (even if they're expired), and immigration stamps
  • Arrange the following photocopied pages by date: Current passport's biographical page and last page on top > Visa or immigration stamps within that current passport > Expired passport biographical page and back page > Visa or immigration stamps within that expired passport
  • If you have any passport covers, remove them as Via/PIASI will only get the actual passports. They will need this to stamp the Visa. But even if your application is denied, your passport will be returned.

2. Original copy of the COMPLETELY accomplished application form (guide to follow)

OR

Note: Do not paste your picture on the photo box


3. TWO passport-sized or two 2x2 pictures with the following requirements (Original copy):

  • Haven been taken within the past three months from the date of filing your application (if you file in July, the oldest date of the photo must be May)
  • Your ears must be showing. A neighbor who filed her application on the same day was asked to return because her photo didn't show her ears
  • You must be wearing a collared blouse/polo or a blazer. Photo studios usually have blazers you can wear for free.


4. Letter of introduction to the Embassy (Original copy)

  • Address it to the Italian Consul, must include the address of the embassy. 
  • State your reason for applying. Introduce yourself, your job, hobbies, why you want to go to Italy, etc.
  • Your signature at the end must include your phone number and e-mail address
  • If you're applying as a group/family, each of your letter must include the name of your companion(s). For example, in my letter, I stated: I will be travelling with my mother [name], father [name], and sister [name]. My mother's letter stated: I will be travelling with my husband [name] and two daughters [name 1] and [name 2].


5. Employment/student record

a: If employed:

  • Original copy of your Certificate of Employment
  • Original copy of your Leave of absence letter from your HR department approving your leave. Ask your HR if they can include in the letter that it is for your vacation, and should state when you are expected back in the office.

b: If self-employed, photocopies of the following (but also bring the original copies):

  • Business license/permits, registration and financial statement
  • This includes your SEC registration, City permit, BIR registration, DTI (if applicable)

I state here to also bring the original copies because another applicant beside us was asked if he can procure the original copies as well.

c: If a student:

  • Certificate of enrolment
  • Approved leave of absence
Hello from Luzern, Switzerland!


6. Declaration of annual income

a. If self-employed:

  • Company's SEC certificate
  • City license
  • BIR registration
  • Business registration
  • ITR and proof of payment
  • Financial statement and proof of payment

In my case, since I was a self-employed freelancer until the end of May, and started a company in June, I submitted photocopies of my business registration and ITR (including proof of payment) as a freelancer and our company's SEC, city license, and BIR registration. I stated clearly in my introduction letter my employment history since I didn't have an ITR of the new business.

Since papa has a small business that has been operating for over ten years, he also had to photocopy his financial statement and proof of payment, aside from his ITR.

b. If employed:
  • Ask from your company a copy of your ITR
  • Photocopy of your payslips at least three months' worth.
My father and I did not present payslips. Only my mother and sister, who are both employees, presented their payslips for the past three months' prior to filing their application (i.e. April 30-July 15).


7. Proof of economic means:

  • Original copy of Bank certification for peso and/or dollar (and other currency) accounts
    • This is to be requested from your bank. This is usually processed from 1-3 days, depending on your bank. BPI processed mine in about one-two hours. Metrobank took three days.
    • There is a P100 fee for every certification. Even if your account is in dollar, the fee is still P100. The fee may vary per bank.
    • This must also show that you have the capacity to live in Europe for at least P3000 to P5000 per day, e.g. we were in Europe for 15 days, so P5000 x 15 days = P75,000. We submitted certifications of bank accounts showing an upwards of P100,000 just to make sure we'll get approved.
    • Don't suddenly put huge chunks of money into an account! They will wonder where the money suddenly came from and can be a basis for your visa to be rejected, like in the case of a friend of mine.
  • Original copy of your bank statement
    • Ask your bank for a statement of account for each account you had certified. If possible, have at least 6 months' to 1 year's worth. This is free, depending on which bank.
      • When my sister and I asked for a statement of account from our bank, we were only given 3 months' worth. We had to write on the spot, during our Visa application, individual letters to the Italian embassy explaining why this was so. We signed our respective letters with our names and cellphone numbers.
    • The account(s) in your statement's must show movement, i.e. money goes in and out
  • Photocopy: Passbook records (if available) from 6 months' up to 1 year's worth
  • Photocopies: Time Deposits - and statement of account (if available)
  • Photocopy: Your credit card and its statement of account (including proof of payment) at least 3 statements' worth. Make sure you have good credit! And also that your credit limit is displayed on the page.
  • Photocopy: Land/property/car titles (if available)

8. Original AND photocopy of your NSO-issued birth certificate and, if applicable, Marriage Contract.

  • We applied for this through SM four months prior to our trip. We got it within a week.
  • Your original and photocopied certificates must have the receipt attached.
  • This applies to both male and female spouses.

9. Travel plan

  • A one-sheet basic itinerary
Sample basic itinerary we submitted to the embassy
    • The itinerary I submitted clearly stated where we will be for particular city, and what we will do, e.g. September 5: Rome - Vatican City
  • Confirmed round trip flight booking. Booked, not bought, tickets.
  • I also included a computation of the number of days per country e.g.
    • Italy - 5
    • Austria - 1
    • Germany - 2
    • Switzerland - 3
    • France - 4
    • Total: 15 + 2 days in transit = 17 days

10. Accommodation plan

  • If in a hotel or Airbnb: Hotel vouchers or hotel booking under the name of the traveler(s)
    • We booked a lot of apartments thru Airbnb, and just to be safe in case our visas are not approved, we chose the ones that have Flexible or at least Moderate cancellation policies.
  • If staying with a friend or relative: A letter of invitation addressed to the Embassy, (format of this letter may be secured at the Italian Embassy or downloaded from www.ambmanila.esteri.it). The invitation may be made by an Italian national or a foreign resident legally staying in Italy. A document of identity or permit of stay should accompany the letter of invitation.

11. Travel insurance

  • Make three photocopies of your travel insurance: One to submit to the embassy, one to leave with your relative(s) at home and one to leave in your luggage especially if your insurance covers lost luggage. Carry the original copy of your insurance with you in case of emergencies.
  • Be sure of your dates because once you pay for a travel policy, it will not be refunded even if your visa is denied
  • Must have an additional 15 days after your last day in the Schengen area. Since we were going home on the 19th, our travel insurance was until October 4
  • We bought through Worldwide insurance. They were easy to talk to and their insurance was pretty comprehensive. They also accepted cash on delivery. Our policy only cost us P1,700+.
  • Make sure to only book with a Schengen-accredited insurance company in the Philippines! Even if a Philippine-based insurance company is pretty popular, it might not be Schengen accredited.

l2. Payment

  • You will be told the total amount you will need to bring once you book your VIA application appointment.
    • This includes the Visa fee and Delivery fee of your visa/passport once done
    • You must give the exact amount. Example, I was told that we need to pay P4,362 each, so I prepared 4 x P1000, 3 x P100, 1 x P50 (or 3 x 20) and 2 x P1.
    • Or via a Manager's check, payable to PIASI -- ask them for more details

Stopover in Verona. Oh Romeo!
NOTES:
1) For ALL minors: NSO birth certificate, affidavit of Support and Consent from BOTH parents. In addition, a DSWD clearance for minors not travelling with parents. This must be inserted between the hotel vouchers/letter of invitation and travel insurance. We did not travel with a minor so ask PIASI for more details.

2) If not a Filipino citizen, the applicant needs to show proof of permanent residency in the Philippines (ACR). This must be inserted after your travel insurance. We did not travel with a foreign resident so ask PIASI for more details.

3) The office of the Embassy Consul may send you a letter and ask you to submit more requirements or for a face-to-face interview.

4) Even if you're just required to submit photocopies, bring the original documents anyway, just in case!

5) Back up all your soft copies to your email or cloud storage, in case you forgot/left something and need to print it out. They have a printer, photocopy machine and internet access at the VIA center, and these are available for a fee.



All notes are based on our experience. These are just guides and tips. If you have any other questions, it would be best if you call VIA thru their FREE information hotline 845-9200. If your visa is denied, please don't blame me. I don't decide the approval of your visa :-)



Read about my Eurotrip!
Rome day 1
Rome day 2
Florence day 3-4
Pisa day 4
Venice day 5
Innsbruck day 6
Munich day 7-8

Other links you might find helpful:

Getting ready for Europe  |  Booking your hotel and plane fare  |  Filling out the Schengen visa form  |  How to apply to the Italian embassy thru Via  |  Cross-country train travel in Europe