How to Apply for a Schengen Visa in the Philippines

by Shawi Cortez

  
Previously, I wrote about my boo-boos when I applied for a Schengen visa in the French Embassy. Here, we take another look on how to apply for a Schengen visa, but in the Austrian Embassy.

The Austrian Embassy is discouraging applicants to have their visa application processed by travel agencies, as they have higher risks of refusal.

The visa application has to be filed in person, with all the authentic documents in hand.

When I applied for a Schengen visa last year (2012), I only had to request an appointment through an email.

However, in a recent visit to their website, they have implemented a new system if you wish to schedule for an appointment. To book an appointment online, please visit https://appointment.bmeia.gv.at/?Office=Manila

What are the requirements for a Schengen visa?

After successfully booking an appointment, prepare the following documents to bring with you:

1. Application form completed & signed by applicant or legal guardian

2. Passport (+ photocopy of data page and previous Schengen visa) valid 6 months beyond expiration of requested visa and with at least one blank page to affix it

3. Old (expired) passports

4. 2 recent & identical color photographs
35mm x 45mm in dimension, well contrasted, frontal facial view, neutral facial expression, mouth closed.

5. Marriage certificate, if applicable + photocopy

6. Flight reservation, corresponding to intended duration of stay stated on the application

7. All-risk travel insurance + photocopy, valid for all EU-countries, Norway and Switzerland, with a minimum medical coverage of Euros 30.000,--, and valid for 15 days beyond your travel itinerary.

Be informed that you may be asked by the immigration authority to present a valid insurance policy upon arrival.

Apart from all major insurance companies in Austria, the following Philippine carriers are accepted (in no particular order & subject to change without notice):
- Fortune General Insurance Corp.
- Federal Phoenix Assurance Co.
- Blue Cross
- EVEREST Int’l Group Admins.
- MAPFRE
- MAA Insurance
- Paramount Life & General Insurance Co.
- World Wide Travel Insurance Plans
- PNB General Insurers Co., Inc.
- ACE Secure
- Malayan Insurance
- BPI
- MS Insurance Corp.
- Standard Insurance Co.
- ASSIST Card
- UCPB General Insurance Co.,Inc.
- CHARTIS Philippines Insurance, Inc. (for Travel Guard, formerly AIG Assist Travel Plans)

8. Proof of accommodation at your travel destination(s)
e. g. hotel reservation(s), lease agreement of host, extract from land register of host

9. Sufficient financial means
- bank certificate, recent
- bank book dating back one year + photocopy
- proof of employment
- leave of absence, approved by employer
- pay slips of previous 6 months + photocopies
- business license (in case of self-employment) + photocopy
- tax statement for the previous year + photocopy

10. Consular fee in cash, non-refundable and payable upon submission of application
(please provide exact amount)

How much is the Schengen visa processing fee?

€60, payable in cash, depending on the prevailing Peso rate.

Any suggestions on what to wear to the interview?

Smart casual. You don't have to overdo it, other applicants even came in jeans.

What do I expect during the interview?

Compared to my French embassy Schengen visa application, my interview here was more relaxed. Perhaps due to the Austrian's hospitable culture, they are more interested in relationships. The ones who came before me were asked personal questions. When it was my turn, I was asked about how I was related to my sponsor host.

Are the interviewers strict and scary?

After my experience with the French Embassy, I made sure that I brought all my documents. Austrian embassy is not really strict with that. The interviewer even returned some of my papers, saying "Nah, we don't need that." I only had one missing document (my host's residence permit), and he said, "I'm gonnna give you a Request for Amendment, you can just send that to us through email within a week. Once it's in, that's when we start processing. You don't need to come back to submit it."

How long does it take for the Schengen visa to be released?

5 working days. Part of the suspense here is that they don't tell you if you've been approved or denied. When I received a call from the Austrian Embassy, all they said was that my passport was ready for pickup. I had to wait until my passport was actually in my hands, and I had to leaf through the pages to find my coveted Schengen Visa.

Any further suggestions?

Lessen your chances of getting denied: Like most embassies I guess, you have to prove beyond reasonable doubt that you intend to come back to your homeland, and not overstay in their country.

General Information

Here are downloadable forms from the official website of the Austrian Embassy for more information on Schengen visa requirements:

Schengen Visa Form (doc, 237.5 kb)

 Visa Requirements Austrian Embassy 2012 (pdf, 246.25 kb)

General Information on Schengen Visa (pdf, 21.79 kb)

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East Europe: Overland Germany - Poland - Lithuania - Latvia

Having been to the more popular cities of Europe last year, I wanted my trip this year to cover the commonly skipped countries. 

Normally, people who go to Europe, never pass up on Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Prague or Madrid. But honestly, I have been more intrigued by Lithuania, Latvia, or Pope John Paul II's home country, Poland. I was determined never to leave Europe without having seen these. Besides, many travelers have prodded that the eastern countries are a lot cheaper than their western counterparts. That being said, it was a no-brainer for me.

My journey started in Frankfurt, with no planned itinerary. My host who worked in Deutsche Bahn (German national railway company) got me a discounted ticket from Frankfurt to Berlin at €34 including seat reservation. *cough* I sometimes wonder whether Germany uses the same dictionary as us when they use the word "discount".   

I was utterly clueless where to go from there. But with diligent and last-minute research, I found that it was easy to cross the countries overland. Although not a popular option, taking a bus was a cinch for me. You're looking at a girl who takes the bus to and fro Manila - Vigan regularly (400km, 8-10hrs). I found that bus fares cost €14 (one-way) at the most. Reasonable enough, as it pretty much costs the same in the Philippines.

My route?

Berlin - Warsaw (10 hours overnight)

Warsaw - Vilnius (8hrs)

Vilnius - Riga (4hrs)

overland by bus : Berlin - Warsaw - Vilnius - Riga

How much does a bus ride cost? 

Less than €14 each leg. 

Berlin - Warsaw P779.09

Warsaw - Vilnius P841.39

Vilnius - Riga P678.10

©czycus Polski bus from Berlin to Warsaw has free WI-FI

Where I stayed?

As for the accommodation, I would normally couchsurf. But considering how affordable it is, this is the only part of Europe where I could afford not to couchsurf. Average cost is €10/night. While in Warsaw, I tried out airbnb, which is pretty similar to the concept of Couchsurfing, except here you'd have to pay. In Vilnius, I stayed in a hostel. And in Riga, I just spent the night at the, uhm, airport, waiting for my red-eye flight the following day. 

my room in Warsaw, a shared flat with my host Ela

common kitchen of Monk's Bunk hostel in Vilnius

the chapel in Riga's airport is the quitest place you can sleep in

Time Difference

You should note that when crossing to the Baltics, there is a time difference. Make sure you adjust your watch so you don't miss your trip!

Warsaw GMT +1

Vilnius GMT +2

Riga GMT +2

Change your money

Although part of the Schengen agreement, these Schengen member countries still carry their own currencies. Restaurants in touristy areas generally accept Euros and give back your change in local currency. Here are the rates as of this writing, September 2012.

Polish Zloty €1 = 4.12 PLN

Lithuanian Litas €1 = 3.45 LTL

Latvian Lat €1 = 0.69 LVL

So what is there to see in the East?

In Warsaw, you could easily take public bus 180 (also known us the sightseeing tour bus) for €0.50, get off at the Old Town, and walk your way around. What topped the charts for me was when I met my Polish host for dinner, and afterwards we enjoyed a lovely conversation over a pot of tea in one of the "underground" tea shops. 

dinner of Polish dumplings and non-alcoholic beer (hehe)
with my host Ana

warm up and life conversation
in an underground teahouse

Lithuania's treasure is in Vilnius, which was the European Capital of Culture in 2009. In 1994, the Old Town was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. I didn't let the opportunity pass up to taste their local dishes, which are included into the FUND OF CULINARY HERITAGE. According to Forto Dvaras, the restaurant where I had lunch, their dishes are prepared according to the traditional production technologies. To fuel me up, I had the country-style sea pike with white sauce served with stewed carrots & onions, beetroot salad, pickles, & mashed potatoes. To finish the meal, I ordered a cup of acorn coffee.

Lithuanian fare: country-style sea pike and acorn coffee

Forto Dvaras restaurant appears to be tiny at the front,
but opens up to a maze of underground nooks

When in Riga, do not commit the mistake I did. I was advised not to miss the Central Market because it's an excellent place to sample local fare, and to buy souvenirs in a non-touristy price. But I did. By a few minutes. I totally got drawn to the Old Town and lost track of time wandering around. By the time I arrived, the market was closed at exactly 5pm. So make sure you go there early. On another note, make sure you wear comfy shoes when exploring. Riga's Old Town is for the most part covered in uneven cobblestones. 

The Central Market.
below: the market, free of people who have already gone home

uneven cobblestones in the streets
of Old Town, Riga

For what it's worth, I hope that when you plan your Dream Euro Trip, your interest was piqued to discover these gems in the Eastern part of Europe.

@----->----

This is my entry for Carnival of Europe hosted by DJ Yabis at Dream Euro Trip.

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