SCHENGEN VISA
What is Schengen?
Schengen refers to the EU passport-free zone that covers most of the European countries. It’s the largest free travel area in the world.
What is Schengen visa?
A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that allows a person to travel to any members of the Schengen Area, per stays up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes.
The Schengen visa is the most common visa for Europe. It enables its holder to enter, freely travel within, and leave the Schengen zone from any of the Schengen member countries. There are no border controls within the Schengen Zone.
However, if you are planning to study, work, or live in one of the Schengen countries for more than 90 days, then you must apply for a national visa of that European country and not a Schengen Visa.
SCHENGEN COUNTRIES
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 |
The information below are applicable for Philippine passport holders only and for tourist visa application. However you may visit the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines page for more details. (click here for more details)
- GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
- EMPLOYED
- SELF-EMPLOYED/BUSSINESSMEN
- STUDENTS
- RETIREE/SENIOR CITIZENS
- OTHERS
- Visa required Countries
- Non - Visa required Countries
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
VISA APPLICATION FORM (download form)
- Complete all of the required information and print the form.
- Do not forget to sign it at the end.
VALID PHILIPPINE PASSPORT
- This travel document should be no older than ten years, and with a validity of at least another three more months beyond your planned exit date from the Schengen Zone.
- It should also have at least two free pages for the visa sticker.
TWO PHOTO ID
- Taken within the last three months.
- The photo must be taken according to the Schengen visa photography requirements as set by the Schengen countries.
- Photo size: 35x45mm.
- In color. No black and white
- Head should take 70-80% of the photo.
- Brightly colored background. Light grey is suggested.No patterns.
- The applicant should be looking straight at the camera.
- Neutral face expression. No smile and mouth closed
- Avoid uniforms or colors matching the background.
EVIDENCE OF LEGAL RESIDENCE IN THE PHILIPPINES
- This could be a national ID card for Philippine nationals, or a Philippine residence permit for internationals.
ROUND-TRIP FLIGHT ITINERARY
- A two-way flight reservation from the Philippines to a Schengen country and back.
- It should specify your entry and exit date as well as flight numbers.
EUROPE TRAVEL HEALTH INSURANCE
- Purchase insurance for your whole period of stay in Europe, valid in all Schengen member states.
- It should have coverage of at least €30,000 for medical emergencies, as well as repatriation in case of death.
PROOF OF ACCOMMODATION
- Some sort of document that shows where you will be accommodated during your stay in Europe, i.e. hotel booking, rent agreement, letter of invitation, etc.
MEANS OF SUBSISTENCE
- Proof that you have the financial means to support your stay in the Schengen Area.
- Check how much money each Schengen country requires you to have, to stay in their territory.
COVER LETTER
- In this letter, give more specific information on our trip, as the reasons why you want to visit the Schengen Area, which of the member states you wish to travel to, the amount of time you will be spending in this territory and other details about your trip.
EMPLOYED:
In addition to the GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Employment contract.
- Current bank statement of the latest 6 months.
- Leave permission from the employer.
- Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary.
SELF EMPLOYED/BUSINESSMEN:
In addition to the GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
- A copy of your business license in Philippines.
- Company bank statement of the latest 6 months.
- Income Tax Return (ITR).
STUDENTS:
In addition to the GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Proof of enrollment.
RETIREE/SENIOR CITIZENS:
In addition to the GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Pension statement of the latest 6 months.
OTHERS:
If unemployed and married to an EU citizen:
- Confirmation of Employment letter, no older than three months, from their spouse’s employer stating the position held within the company as well as the starting date.
- Spouse’s valid passport.
- An official marriage certificate.
- China
- Russia
- Philippines
- Vietnam
- CIS countries and Georgia
The nationalities listed below can enter for tourism, visiting relatives, and business purposes. However, visitors cannot be paid for work under Temporary Visitor status. In these cases, it is necessary to obtain a work visa.
EUROPE
Andorra | Finland | Latvia | Poland |
Austria | FYR Macedonia | Liechtenstein | Serbia |
Belgium | France | Lithuania | Slovakia |
Croatia | Germany | Luxembourg | Slovenia |
Cyprus | Greece | Malta | Spain |
Czech Republic | Hungary | Monaco | Sweden |
Denmark | Ireland | Netherlands | Switzerland |
Estonia | Italy | Norway | United Kingdom |
NORTH AMERICA
Canada | United States |
LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
Argentina | Chile | El Salvador | Mexico |
Bahamas | Costa Rica | Guatemala | Surinam |
Barbados | Dominican Republic | Honduras | Uruguay |
ASIA
Brunei (15 days) | Republic of Korea | Thailand (15 days) | Macao |
Indonesia | Singapore | Hong Kong | Taiwan |
Malaysia |
OCEANIA
Australia | Oceania |
MIDDLE EAST
Israel | United Arab Emirates (30 days) | Turkey |
AFRICA
Lesotho | Tunisia | Mauritius |