Dreaming of strolling along the charming streets of Paris or savoring the picturesque landscapes of the French coasts? Embarking on a trip to France opens the door to a tapestry of cultural riches, and it’s a staple item in many travel bucket lists for good reason. But if you want to rendezvous in this European country, you’ll first need to secure the most basic key: the Schengen visa.
Starting December 13, 2023, Schengen visa applicants for France will now be handled by the third-party service provider TLScontact. To ensure a seamless travel experience, scroll below for a visa guide for short-term tourists tailored for Philippine passport holders. Next stop, France!
Aside from France, what other countries can I visit with a Schengen visa?
The Schengen area consists of 26 European countries. Other than France, having this visa means you can also visit Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
Because of this, there won’t be any border checks at internal borders between two Schengen states. If you plan to visit other countries, you should apply at the French embassy only if you intend to stay in France longer than in other countries. If the length of stay is equal in all countries, apply at the embassy of the country which will be your first destination.
How long is the validity of a French visitor visa?
Tourists and regular visitors can apply for a short-stay visa for visits not exceeding three months and a long-stay visitor visa for stays that exceed this. The guide below is catered for short-term stays.
When should you submit your application?
You can submit your visa application within 180 days before your date of departure for a Schengen visa. It should be filed a minimum of 15 days before your expected date of departure.
What are the basic requirements for a France visitor visa?
Pre-requisites:
- Printed accomplished application form - Create an account on the France-Visas website and fill out the application online.
- Passport issued less than 10 years ago, containing at least two blank pages, with a period of validity at least 3 months longer than the date on which you intend to leave the Schengen Area. Be sure to scan all pages of your travel document containing visas, entry and exit stamps or any other inscription.
- Two recent passport-sized ID photos following the official guidelines
Purpose of travel/stay:
- Copy of the travel itinerary
- Detailed day-to-day itinerary of the planned trip
Socio-professional situation:
- Proof of occupation (certificate of employment, certificate of leave absence, latest Income Tax Return, proof of company registration issued by the DTI or SEC registration of business, business Financial Statement, proof of school enrolment, etc.)
- Proof of ties in the Philippines (proof of social security contributions, copy of real estate property-title-deed, proof of family ties in the Philippines: birth certificate of children or marriage certificate issued by the PSA).
Funds:
- Bank certification, bank books, personal bank statements showing regular income, credit card statements or balance covering the last six months. For minors: proof of parents' or legal guardian's economic means.
Accommodation:
- Confirmation of hotel booking, hotel voucher or letter of promise of accommodation by the host, attestation d'accueil.
Travel health insurance:
- Travel health insurance certificate - Must be valid with a minimum cover of 30,000 euros, and should fully cover the period of your stay in the Schengen area.
How do I book an appointment?
Got your documents ready and filled the application form? To book an appointment, create an account over at the TLScontact website. Fill in the pertinent personal details needed, including other members of your traveling group, if any.
After that, you can choose your desired date and time for your visa appointment. Don’t forget to print your confirmation letter so you can present it at the center!
If you have more than five people in your group, book an appointment through the visa service provider’s contact page or contact their call center at +63 282313256.
How much is the visa fee?
Applicants must pay the visa fee of 80 euros or approximately P4,920, depending on the currency conversion rate.
What are the other fees I have to pay?
TLScontact offers optional services to ease the visa application process, including:
- Premium Lounge - P2,460
- A direct access to the premium;Lounge for the submission of your application (upon availability)
- Access to magazines and newspapers, snacks, cool and hot beverages
- A personal attendant
- Free Photocopy service
- The option of submitting any missing documents
- Prime Time Weekend and Prime Time Appointment - P2,290
- TLScontact Philippines opens every Saturday, and staff can accommodate from 8:00am to 12:30 p.m. and from 01:30 p.m/ to 04:00 p.m. for your visa application.
- Form Filling Assistance - P285
- Express Courier Return - P285
- Passport Photo - P285
- Photocopy - P6/page
Where should I submit my application?
After December 13, 2023, Schengen visa applications for France are now handled by TLScontact. The service provider has centers in Manila and Cebu, which are open from Monday to Friday for standard appointments from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m to 4:30 p.m. Don’t forget to follow the time on your scheduled appointment!
Manila Visa Application Centre
1 Proscenium Tower,
9th Floor, Estrella
Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines
Cebu Visa Application Centre
Latitude Corporate Center
12th floor Mindanao Avenue,
Cebu Business Park
Cebu City, Philippines
I’ve submitted my application! How long should I wait for the results?
It’s now the waiting game! Visa applications are usually processed within 15 days after submission, which can be extended up to 45 days depending on the application. TLScontact will notify you through your personal account page or text as soon as the passport is ready for pick-up. Alternatively, if you’ve chosen the express courier service, it will be sent directly to your indicated address.
I opted for pick-up. When should I go to the center?
Passports can be picked up from Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. When collecting in person, don’t forget to bring your application checklist, an original photographic ID, and a copy of your photographic ID.
If a representative is collecting your passport instead, they should bring your application checklist, the representative’s original photographic ID, and an official letter of authorization provided by the French Consular Authority (filled out, signed, and being the one submitted as verified by TLScontact).
See you in France!
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