Schengen Visa Application for Filipinos Working in Singapore

2026 Update: Additional information has been added following my successful Spain visa application (4th Schengen visa).

Planning to visit one or more countries in the Schengen Area? That's awesome and exciting! 😍

However, if you're a Philippine passport holder, you might be a little disappointed to know that a Schengen visa is required. You'll need to secure a visa before you can turn your travel plans into reality.

The application process might sound troublesome and overwhelming, but don't let that discourage you! As long as you prepare the required documents, follow the instructions, and have a genuine purpose for travelling, there's no need to be intimidated by the process.

So, how do you apply for a Schengen visa? Below are the steps for applying for a short-stay Schengen visa as a Philippine passport holder residing in Singapore. Please note that long-stay visas may have different requirements.

This guide is based on my personal experience and is specifically intended for Filipinos working in Singapore, although it may also be helpful for other foreign nationals residing in Singapore who require a Schengen visa.

At A Glance

Step 1: Choose the right Embassy

Step 2: Book an appointment at VFS Global or BLS International (varies by country)

Step 3: Gather ALL requirements & Start application

Step 4: Attend your VFS/BLS appointment

Step 5: Collect your passport

I will try to make it short and sweet! 😁 If not, pardon me as I want to make it as clear as possible. 😊So, here we go!

CHOOSE THE RIGHT EMBASSY

Before applying for a Schengen visa, you first need to determine which country's embassy or consulate you should apply through.

If you're planning to visit France, for example, you should apply through the French authorities in Singapore. If you're visiting Italy, you should apply through the Italian authorities.

If you plan to visit more than one country in the Schengen Area, you should apply through the country where you will be spending the most time (your main destination).

Example:

4 days in Italy

3 days in France

5 days in Germany

In this scenario, you should apply through Germany, as you will be spending the most days there.

What if you're spending the same number of days in each country?

If you plan to spend an equal amount of time in multiple Schengen countries, you should apply through the country you will enter first.

Example:

3 days in Italy

3 days in France

3 days in Germany

First point of entry: Italy

In this scenario, you should apply through Italy because it will be your first point of entry into the Schengen Area.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT AT VFS/BLS

Ideally, this step should come after preparing all your required documents. It is generally recommended to book an appointment only once you have gathered everything you need.

However, based on my experience, available appointment slots can fill up quickly. Because of this, I would prioritise booking an appointment first, provided that you are confident you can complete all the requirements before your scheduled appointment. Otherwise, it's best to complete Step 3 first.

Update: BLS seems to release appointment slots only a few weeks in advance. I wanted to book a month ahead but could only book about two weeks in advance.

Once you've decided which country to apply to, you can book your visa appointment through the following websites:

For VFS Global:

1. Visit the VFS Global website.
2. Fill in the "I'm applying from" and "I'm going to" fields.
3. Click "Take Me To The Website". This will redirect you to the VFS website for your chosen destination.
4. Create an account and follow the instructions to book your appointment.

Alternatively, you can simply search online for "VFS Global + the country you're applying to" to find the relevant visa application website.

Example:

France – https://visa.vfsglobal.com/sgp/en/fra

The last part of the URL indicates the destination country (in this case, FRA stands for France).

For Spain:

If you're applying for a Spain visa, visit the BLS International website and follow the instructions provided.

COMPILE ALL REQUIREMENTS + START APPLICATION

As mentioned earlier, you can complete this step before booking your appointment. However, if you're confident that you can gather all the required documents in time, you can also do this after booking your appointment.

Below are the supporting documents you need to prepare:

• Completed Visa Application Form

• Create an account on the embassy's site.
• Fill out the Schengen visa application form, download and sign it.

The first page should look similar to the example below. However, the header and total number of pages may vary depending on the embassy. For a France visa, the downloaded form will also include a "Receipt France-Visas" document, while for the Netherlands, it will include a "Privacy Statement Regarding Short-Stay Visa Applications."

• Travel Document / Passport

• Must be valid for at least 3 months from the date of departure in Schengen area.
• Must have at least 2 empty pages.
• Must be issued less than 10 years ago.

• Copy of Older Visas

• Print a copy of all pages of your passport containing visas from other countries or old Schengen visa, and entry and exit stamps, if applicable.

*I printed my active and expired e-visas from Australia and New Zealand, but they didn't took it. But you can still bring in case they will ask for additional supporting documents.

• Legal Residence Evidence

• Copy of residence permit (S-pass, E-pass, Work pass) that is valid for at least 3 months after the return date in Singapore.
• Print out of the Pass Status/Details from the SGWorkPass app (most recent).

*I highly recommend accessing and taking screenshot of the Pass Details a few days before the appointment.

• ID Photograph

• Taken less than 6 months
• Size must be 35 mm x 45 mm (width x height)
• Background must be a plain neutral (eg. light grey, light blue or white)
• Other photo specifications

• Proof of Travel

• Round-trip Airline Ticket (Booking/Reservation)

- If you can find an agency/agent that accepts airline ticket reservation instead of confirmed booking then better, in case the application will not be granted.

• Hotel Accommodation

- Book hotels or accommodations that are free to cancel.

• Travel Itinerary

- Create a table of your day-to-day activities. I've drafted the template below, which I use whenever I need to apply for a visa, regardless of the destination country.

I'm usually quite detailed when listing my planned activities, but there's no need to be as detailed as I am. Just make sure your table clearly outlines what you plan to do each day. 😂

• Letter from travel agency (for organised trip)

- If you are joining a tour group, you need a letter from the agency confirming that you booked an organised trip + detailed planned programmed.

• Proof of Socio-Professional Status

• Bank Statements (last 3 months) / 6 months for Spain

- Downloaded bank statements from the bank app or website are acceptable.

*Regarding how much money you should have in your bank account, it varies. There's no fixed or mandatory amount required.

Here's a tip: Try calculating the recommended daily budget for the country you're planning to visit, then multiply it by the number of days you'll be staying.

Personally, though, I would recommend having at least S$4,000 in your bank account. The more, the better! 😄

• Employment Certificate

- The employment letter must be recent (within 1 month of the application), dated, and signed. It should also contain the following information: date of employment, monthly/annual salary, dates of leave, and confirmation that the holiday is granted.

• Payslips (last 3 months)

*Update: When I applied for visas to Germany and Spain, I didn't include any payslips in my applications.

• Health Insurance

• Must cover at least €30,000 of medical costs (including hospital care, emergency treatment, and repatriation)
• Valid throughout the duration of the trip
• Valid at least for the Schengen area

If you are invited by someone (friend or relative), there are additional requirements needed.

• Invitation Letter (dated and signed by the sponsor)
• Bank Statement/Payslip (of the invitee) *To show the sponsor's financial capacity
• Copy of Passport
• Cerfa Form (proof of accommodation)

*If a private individual living in France is inviting you, an original Attestation d'accueil (Cerfa form) is required. In my case, my sponsor initially sent me a tenancy agreement/certificate of ownership. However, I was told that the sponsor must provide the original Attestation d'accueil issued by the local town hall. Since booking an appointment at the town hall might take time, we decided not to proceed with the "sponsored" application.

Once you have collected the requirements, you are all set for the appearance at VFS/BLS. 

ATTEND YOUR VFS APPOINTMENT

Visit the Visa Application Centre dedicated for the application on the scheduled appointment. Be sure to be on time; arrive at least 10 minutes before your appointment. Wear proper clothing - avoid wearing sleeveless clothes or with low-cut neckline, ripped style, etc. Try to look formal. 😉

A consulate officer will check all your requirements and may ask for additional if deemed needed. They will also ask questions, so just be calm and answer honestly.

The consulate officer will verify your application and enter it into the system. A printed copy of your application will be given to you, double check your personal details if all are correct. 

You will need to pay the visa fee (€80 for France | €90  for The Netherlands and Germany | S$136.30 for Spain) and VFS service charge (€34.76) / BLS service charge (S$25.60). Note: Visa fees and service charges are subject to change over time.

Next, you will be asked to go inside the biometrics collection room. Inside, an officer will take your photo and fingerprints. Once done, you are all good - just wait for the update.

Update: For my Germany visa application, I wasn't asked to go into a biometric room. My fingerprints were simply collected at the counter. I think this was (maybe) because it was already my third time providing biometrics.

PASSPORT COLLECTION

You will be notified when your passport is ready for collection. For my France visa application, collection at the centre wasn't available at the time, so I had to have my passport delivered to my home address.

Most consulates allow personal collection, but it's best to check with the visa officer or consulate. For my applications to the Netherlands, Germany, and Spain, I was able to collect my passport in person. 

How long does it take to get the visa?

The application is generally processed within 5 to 20 working days, although in most cases, you will receive a decision within 15 calendar days. However, processing can take up to 45 calendar days, especially during peak season. As such, it is recommended to apply as early as possible.

You will receive updates via email/SMS regarding the progress of your application. However, the consulate will not disclose the visa decision through these channels. You will only find out the result once you receive your passport.

You can apply as early as 6 months before your intended travel date, but no later than 15 working days before your trip.

In my experience, for my France, Germany, and Spain visa applications, I got my passport back with the visa sticker just 3 days after submission. Basically, the entire process took only 2 working days. 😃

For my Netherlands visa, however, the process took 11 calendar days. I collected my passport on the 11th day.

Disclaimer: The processing times mentioned above are based on my personal experience and may vary depending on the country, consulate, application volume, and individual circumstances. These are only estimates and should not be taken as a guarantee. Always check the latest processing time guidelines on the official embassy or visa application centre website before applying.

And that's it! Those are the steps to applying for a Schengen visa in Singapore as a Philippine passport holder. Just make sure to follow the instructions, prepare all the required documents, and double-check everything before your appointment. With proper preparation, you'll be one step closer to your European adventure. 

Good luck with your application, and happy travels! 💪

Reminders

- Do not staple the documents

- Short-stay visa = less than 90 days per 180-day period duration

- Long-stay visa = over 90 days duration

- The step-by-step instructions are indicated in the VFS Global website or BLS International.