I am indebted from friends’ blogs and experiences about applying for Schengen Visa and I thought of recounting my experience for those who wants to apply for a Schengen Visa.
First of all, let me get this straight, if you are among those who wants to apply for a tourist visa and then look for a job anywhere in the Schengen area, please don’t. A lot of Filipinos who just want to tour Europe get denied because of people like you. That goes the same way to those applying for a US Visa.
Second, I have a valid Philippine passport and I travel a lot. I have been to 10 Asian countries for the past 3 years and has always went back to the country.
Third, I applied for a SCHENGEN VISA FOR VISIT – SPONSORED BY A RELATIVE OR FRIEND at the Switzerland Embassy. My beautiful girlfriend is . She lives and works in Switzerland.
Note: You can apply 3 months prior your intended trip. Visa processing and issuance takes Five (5) working days up to four (4) weeks after submitting the visa application.
Now let’s have a journey on How I Got my Schengen Visa from Switzerland Embassy…
REQUIREMENTS:
The Swiss Embassy in Manila website: https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/philippines/en/home/visa/entry-ch.html
TLScontact Center Website: https://ch.tlscontact.com/ph/MNL/index.php
The Swiss Embassy and TLS Website has a very slight difference in what they are looking for in documents. So I have to collate the checklist given. Here are the ff I gave (plus the supporting documents)
1. Visa Application Form. Fill it out completely and properly. Download at TLS. Believe me, I have to read it like 8 times to make sure I gave the correct informations.
2. Additional Questionnaire. This will be given at the TLS Center before you are called to give your requirements to the assigned staff. This will also be the basis of the interview.
3. 2pcs. Passport Size Photos (White background, taken within the past 6-months). Do not staple or glue it on the application form, the staff at TLS will do this on application day.
4. Valid passport. Must be valid at least 3 months from the end of the approved duration of stay and has at least 2 blank visa pages.
5. Photocopy of valid passport (the main page where your personal information and photo are and the inside back cover where “Important Reminders and Signature” is)
6. Photo copy of old passport (if you have). My old passport was stolen from me 2009 so I don’t have that. I should have photocopied my Travel Document (the one they gave me when I lost my passport in Malaysia in order for me to go back to the Philippines). They just wanted to know where have you been and see the travels you did in the past years.
7. Photo copy of all visas. All valid visas and expired one. I like this part because I have lots of visas and stamps on my passport.
8. For spouses or children (below 21 years old) of Swiss / EU / EFTA nationals, the following must also be submitted: photocopy of the marriage contract (spouse), birth certificate (child), family book or any other document proving relationship, which must be issued by a Schengen / EU / EFTA member country. A copy of the family member’s passport and/or ID card must also be provided. You are NO longer required to submit the documents enumerated below. In some cases, however, the Embassy still reserves the right to request for additional documentation. –not applicable to me
10. Photocopy my girlfriend’s passport and entry/exit visas during her visits in the Philippines. We wanted to show that we really know each other and we she visited me here in the Philippines a lot of times.9. Invitation letter from host in Switzerland. My girlfriend wrote this in German. Basically it says, that she is inviting me for a period of 88 days from this date to that date and she is going to sponsor my board and lodging.
10. Proof of Financial Resources. I downloaded my statement of account from Bank of the Philippine Islands. Since I do business online, I also printed my cash flow from Paypal. I also included my Stocks Portfolio from Philstocks and Citiseconline addressed to the Swiss Embassy. I summarized all my assets including properties in one paper to show them that I can also finance my trip.
11. Certificate of Employment. Not applicable to me since I am not employed.
12. DTI permit and Business Permit. I gave them a copy of my DTI permit and a Certificate of Business Partnership from my travel and tours partner in Palawan in as we are doing tours together. I indicated there how much money I make every year and that I will still be partners with them after I return from Switzerland. Basically, they want to know that you have a business to return to in the Philippines. I don’t have an ITR since my business papers are under way. TSL noted on my application that I don’t have an ITR.
13. Confirmed Roundtrip Air Travel Reservation. Both Swiss Embassy and TLS Center says do not buy the ticket yet. So I just went online with KLM and booked my ticket according to my intended trip. Then you can download the confirmed roundtrip ticket without having to pay for it. You can also ask this from a travel agency in your neighborhood. I tried to ask near my house and it is Php300 for a roundtrip reservation ticket.
13. International Travel Insurance. I bought online from Blue Cross. Number of intended stay plus 15days. Since I am applying for 88 days, I bought 103 days insurance from them. This is the most expensive of all the requirements. I paid almost Php7,700 (EUR 147).
Supporting documents (Optional):
– Photos of me and my girlfriend in our travels in the Philippines. I just collated 8 photos and printed in on a 2 papers.
– My day-to-day itinerary during my visit. If you have hotel bookings then print it too.
REGISTER at TLSCenter to Schedule your preferred date of application
TLS Center is a third party office that is in-charge of the submission of your visa application to the Embassy of Switzerland. Their website is very useful in your questions during the process. I experienced really good service from them.
SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION/INTERVIEW:
How to schedule an appointment:
All appointments for the submission of application files must be booked with our external service provider TLScontact via the following website https://ch.tlscontact.com/ph/MNL/index.php
Visa Hotline: (02) 737-4040, Mondays – Fridays, from 8.00 am – 5.00 pm (except during public holidays).
Application files have to be submitted to TLScontact on the day of the appointment. I came 10 minutes before my scheduled appointment.
What to wear? Dress smart and comfortable, that’s what I did.
1. Make sure you have ALL the documents in the right order with you when going to your appointment in the TLScontact center. The agent will make sure you have the proper documents and will note if anything is lacking.
2. Waiting area, your name will be automatically called when a counter is available. Relax the TLS Staff are really nice and courteous.
3. Document submission: an agent will verify that the documents you prepared are complete and meet the Embassy requirements.
4. Payment of visa and service.
5. Finger Scan and Photo. Starting from November 14, 2013, all diplomatic representations of the Schengen member states in the Philippines have to capture the biometric data (finger scans and facial image) of persons applying for a Schengen visa. The data will be kept in the Visa Information System (VIS) for 5 years.
6. Since it was my first time to apply at Switzerland, I had a Skype Interview with a staff from Embassy. A Filipina. She asked me the same questions asked in the Additional Questionaires given during the Submission (see Requirement #2). I remember she asked me the purpose of my visit, the countries I have visited. How long did we know each other, how did we meet, how many times we met, when was the last time I saw my girlfriend, do I have relatives in Switzerland and Schengen area and what I do for a living. I was very confident because I know myself and know for sure that I won’t stay longer than my intended stay.
POST-INTERVIEW:
You can track the status of your application via the TLScenter website so don’t forget your username and password. In the afternoon of the day of my application submission, I saw that TLScenter already forwarded my application to the Swiss Embassy.
PASSPORT RETURN:
After 2 days, Switzerland Embassy sent back my passport with 2 sets of papers:
Information Sheet (in English). Procedure when a declaration of sponsorship is given.
Declaration of Sponsorship (in German). I scanned it and emailed it to my girlfriend right away since she has to fill out, sign and bring to her cantonal or communal authority in charge. Then the authorities would check and would then inform Switzerland Embassy in Manila whatever the decision was. My girlfriend said, she was the first one to request for that kind of service in her canton (this is what they call their province).
Send Passport Back to Swiss Embassy:
After 3 working days, the Swiss Embassy emailed me and told me to bring the ff:
-Passport (with passport photo)
-Rountrip air travel reservation (I just printed out the once I gave them before)
-Travel Insurance (I also printed out what I gave before)
Note: I just used LBC to send this documents since I went back to Palawan already and won’t be able to hand it myself. Inside the LBC package is a pre-paid pouch for the Embassy to send it back to you.
I paid Php360 at LBC. LBC would send an SMS when the Embassy received the documents already.
When the Swiss Embassy told me to send back my passport to them for the Visa, I already knew that I got my Visa approved. But sigurista as I am, I still want to see the Schengen Visa on my passport before buying the actual tickets.
I got my passport back with the Schengen Visa after 5 working days. This is one of the happiest day of my life. Also starts hunting for cheap flight tickets to Switzerland.
THANK YOU!
I can’t thank meine Freundin enough for all the support and encouragement she gave me before, during and after the application process. I was afraid at first because I don’t want to get denied again like what happened to me during my tourist visa application for USA. Danke schön schatzee!
Thank you TLSCenter for being courteous and making me feel comfortable during the submission of the requirements
Vielen Dank Switzerland Embassy in Manila, Ambasador Andrea Reichlin and staff for processing my visa! You made my dream come true!
Danke Suisse! I’m excited to see you! I’m going to Europe! I’m going to Europe.
EXPENSES:
Travel Insurance: Php7,700
Print outs and photocopy of documents: Php400
Portfolio and Statement of Accounts Request: Php600
Passport Photo: Php60
Visa Fee: Php3,500
TLS Center Service Fee: Php1,046
LBC payment for Passport: Php180
LBC payments for Passport: Php360
Total Expenses: Php13,846
Transportation and food expenses during application not included.
*For other nationalities, kindly refer to the following link if there is a need for a visa for Switzerland / Schengen states: http://www.bfm.admin.ch/bfm/en/home/themen/einreise/merkblatt_einreise.html
Contact Infos:
TLScontact Center, Unit 7B New Solid Building, 357 Sen. Gil J Puyat Avenue, Makati City, Metro Manila
Website https://www.tlscontact.com/ph2ch/login.php
Visa Hotline: (02) 737-4040, Mondays – Fridays, from 8.00 am – 5.00 pm (except during public holidays).
Contact information of the Visa Section (Embassy of Switzerland in Manila)
Address 24th Floor BDO Equitable Tower, 8751 Paseo de Roxas, 1226 Makati City
Metro Manila, PHILIPPINES
E-mail man.visa@eda.admin.ch
Website www.eda.admin.ch/manila
Visiting Hours Mondays through Thursdays 09:00 AM until 12 NN / Fridays: 09:00 AM until 11:00 AM
Visa Section (632) 845 45 45
Visa Section Fax (+632) 845 45 39
Hi, may i know how long it took the consulate to process the declaration of sponsorship after all the forms was submitted? And how long did you wait for the email after the submission? Thanks.
may i know how long it took the consulate to process the declaration of sponsorship after all the forms was submitted? 2 working days
And how long did you wait for the email after the submission? – 1 day then 3 days.
i got my confirmation within a week and my passport back 10 working days after i passed all requirements
Hello
Did you submit your optional documents (pictures of your gf and itinerary) when you arrived in TLS? because this is my second time to apply sadly last year wasnt my year then, hehe btw, thanku very much for the post it really helped 🙂
yes i did. it was to prove that we are really together. and the itinerary proves that I wont work when I get to Europe
Hi,
After submission of declaration of sponsorship, did the cantonal requested for more documents? Are there additional questionnaire to be filled-up? When you say 1 day and then 3 days about the email being sent to you. What is the 1 day for? and the 3 days? the 3 days is for the passport shipment to embassy?
Sorry for asking too many question as I received that document and I don’t know if I will be able to wait for the result because my flight is suppose to be on august.
Thanks.
the canton in switzerland just a copy of financial statement.
i submitted my passport and all requirements then i got an email right away after a day. then sent me back the passport (no visa yet) together with a file that i have to send to my gf in switzerland. this is what she has to bring to her canton and then after 3 days the canton in switzerland sends a message to switzerland embassy in manila that says then can now give me a visa. the embassy in manila sends me an email saying i send back the passport, flight details and travel insurance. after another 4 working days then sent me back my passport with a schengen visa this time.
did you send the document to your sponsor in switzerland already? your sponsor should follow up his canton regarding the decision or development of the document. 🙂
Hi,
Thanks for the immediate reply. Yes, I already sent the declaration of sponsorship to my sponsor and she already submitted the files to the canton. When you received the email and the embassy asked for your passport, insurence and flight details – does the email state that your visa is already approved?
When you say financial statement to the canton….whose financial statement? Yours or the host’s?
Hi. Me and my bf know each other for almost 1 year we travelled alot in a past few months then im here in HK for working..He willinh to invite me in Switzerland this year but we dont know What he can put in a letter girlfriend/Friend because he willing to sponsore there.
Any suggestion/Opinions
thanks..Congrats in ur approval visa.
Hi po. What if wla akong itinerary . And i just stay 21 days there…is it necessary to have one? Thanks
Great post :). I read this before I went to apply for a Swiss visa, I have a similar situation like yours (no employer, I work online, freelance). Got my visa a week ago :).
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https://goo.gl/mohkFU.Hello po. Have some questions about requirements… What about the birth certificate? Is it necessary?
Hi.. I recieved my swiss visit visa today.. Im worried because they did not put my middle name on the visa.. but my previous schengen visa has my middle name,though it was a danish visit visa.. Is this fine?
Hi! I’m planning to apply for a visitor visa but I’m not sure which of these 2 should I use:
A. visitor (guarantor rehistered with embassy)
B. Visitor (guarantor living in switzerland)
My sister is studying in Switzerland and employed by the university so she has initial residence permit. May I ask which of these 2 options did you use? thanks!
I would say do option B. My girlfriend is a Swiss national so I have a Swiss guarantor
Hi, how was your visa application? And what option po did you use? Thank you! 🙂
I got approved po! I used the Sponsor Visa 🙂
Hey ask ko lang sa TLScontact ka po ba nag apply ng Schengen visa? Yung documents ba, may specific size ba ng bond paper kung san sya pwede iprint? Or pwede kahit ano. At ilang copies ng documents ang sinubmit mo? Visitor visa din kasi sana kukunin ko. Thanks!
Yes, i applied at TLS Contact. I used 8.5 x 11inches, letter size paper. You can also use A4, they are not that strict regarding that when i applied.
Thanks for the reply. By the way, sa application form ba naglagay ka ng N/A or do i just leave it blank? And then yung sa insurance, kailangan talaga na may plus 15 days yung coverage? Pagkatapos, ano ano pala yung tanong during the interview? Sa February 20 na kasi schedule ko and visitor visa din. Sana masagot mo ito. And thank you very much.
Hi James! Please pardon my ignorance, but how can I get a confirmed roundtrip ticket from the KLM website without having to pay for it?
I tried booking a plane ticket thru the KLM website, but before I could get to the ticket confirmation page, it requires me to pay for the booking first either using Paypal or a credit card. Thanks.
hello Jourelle, if i remember it right, there is a reservation option where you can have the ticket sent to your email without having to do a Paypal or credit card payment. this is valid for 24-hours, they do this so you have the price unchanged in case you want to buy the ticket.
Thanks for the reply. I got it. It’s an option to hold the ticket at the same price for 3 days with a fee of US$15. But if it is only for 3 days, wouldn’t that be a problem because if ever the Embassy checks out the reservation, it might no longer be valid since it is only for 3 days? Thanks.
I dont know if the Embassy checks the reservation. Otherwise, you can go to a travel agency and they can give you a confirmation ticket at around P500. 🙂
Hello. Nag apply ako nung friday ng visa with guarantor living in Switzerland. Is there a higher chance of approval than applying for a regular tourist visa. I presented the necessary documents needed (except ITR), including invitation letter, my sponsor’s employment contract, PR card and passport. Thank you!
I cannot answer this. The best is to prove them that you are not going to stay after the visa expires.
Hi james. Do u have the sample letter of invitation from your gf to switzerland embassy?
Do we have TLScontact office in Cebu? If so, can i have their complete address?
I dont think so… TLS is only in Manila
Thank you for making this blog! It’s so useful, i’m about to apply this feb and i’d like to ask, my filipino friend who is currently working in Switzerland and will be my sponsor for the trip,
1) does the letter of invitation still need to be translated into swiss language?
2) with my friend providing financial support docs like employment, bank details, property etc. do i still need to show my bank statement too?
3) can i be the one to file affidavit of support and insurance here in phil to be paid and signed by my friend only?
Thanks and Godbless 🙂
Hello, My sister & her family (Indians) is in Switzerland with residence permit for more than 9 years now. I wanted to visit them with my family (self, spouse, kids) for 1 month. I applied for swiss visa with documents as per checklist. They asked for bank statements only, so i did not attach the fixed deposits I had for the funds part. Exactly 3 days from application, I received all passports back saying that “declaration of sponsorship” needs to be sent to my sponsor, & to be submitted to local canton office. He submitted the next day itself with all relevant documents. It has been 2 weeks since then. 2 days back, they (sponsor) received one more form asking more than 15 questions regarding my travel. Can anyone assess the above situation & tell us what are the likely chances of getting the visa? My travel is planned in May. Is it good to follow-up with local canton office or embassy in India?
Hi sir, may I ask if you are employed by the time you applied for a tourist visa. And is it possible to have my visa approved even if I’m unemployed? My aunt is a Swiss Citizen and she would sponsor all my needs in my visit in Switzerland but I’m afraid I will be denied because I don’t have any assurance that I will still come back here in the Philippines. Please give me some advises.
We have the same issue.
I need some answers as well please.
Chai
Hello,
Good day!
I just want to ask if your girlfriend a swiss??
And after you got your tourist visa did you went to have to do the pre-departure seminar at CFO? Or you booked your flight ticket and fly to Switzerland directly???
Thanks,
Ivy
Hello James. What a wonderful shared experience of yours. By the way, may I know how many total days it took for your visa to approve from the day of submission to TLS or Embassy?
Hi.. I just want to ask. This “Single Entry” Visa is good for all schengen countries? Means you get visit France and Germany and Switzerland with a Single Entry Visa?
Hi! My Aunt in Swiss (Diplomat Filipino citizen) invited me to go to Geneva. But I’m paying for all the expenses. Should I choose option 1? Tourism without any guarantor? Or option 4? Tourism with non-Swiss guarantor living in Switzerland? Cheers!
What Isko said is also the situation that I am in: I’m planning to visit Switzerland, I have an aunt who’s already a citizen there, but I’m paying for my expenses. Not sure what type of visa I should apply for. I am leaning towards getting the regular type…since I feel that would seem better in travel track records…though Im not sure if that’s a valid concern! Lol.
Hi, i just wanna ask if all the documents required for photocopy must be in a4 size bondpaper in applying for a visa? Thank you.
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Hi there! I would like to know how much savings do you have when you applied. So I just have an idea how much I need to show in the embassy even if I will be sponsored.
Thank you!
hello po kua..kelangan po b n byad n yung insurance mu kpg cnbi ng embassy n dalhin ung passport at flight reservation pra s visa kc ang alam ko po kc saka bbyran ung ticket reservation at insurance pg my visa na pero may ngssabi nmn po n kelngan byad n ung insurance pra mgrant ang visa.s sept.10 n po kc ung intented departure q.slmat po
Hi! Thank goodness I found your blog post on this! 🙂 I’d like to ask though, should I have the photocopies notarized? Or are regular photocopies acceptable?
Hi, I would like to ask some questions about going to Switzerland for vacation together with my sponson/bf who is an Australian. is it possible he’ll be my sponson even though his not from Switzerland?
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