French Ambassador to Philippines Urges Schengen Visa Applicants to Plan Ahead and Submit Complete Documents

Following the announcement of Air France's new direct flights to the Philippines this December, French Ambassador to the Philippines, Marie Fontanel, has shared key advice for Filipinos seeking a Schengen visa.

Her tips are aimed at helping applicants avoid common mistakes and improve their chances of visa approval.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Ambassador Fontanel emphasized the importance of planning ahead for those looking to obtain a French Schengen visa. “It is important that travellers have a clear idea of when they plan to enter the Schengen Area and apply for the Schengen visa in time in order not to risk their trip,” she advised, stressing that last-minute applications should be avoided.

In addition to careful planning, Ambassador Fontanel urged Filipinos to ensure that they submit all required documents. The failure to do so, she explained, is one of the leading reasons for visa rejections. “We see that some documents are missing, and that’s generally the principal, the first reason why the process is slow or rejected is because information are missing,” she said.

ABS-CBN News further reported that Fontanel highlighted the importance of paying attention to detail when filling out the visa application and submitting documents. She suggested that applicants take their time to familiarize themselves with all the required paperwork before applying.

Although Ambassador Fontanel did not make any predictions about visa demand, it is widely expected that the number of Filipinos seeking to travel to France will rise with the introduction of Air France's direct flights. Increased travel is anticipated both during the upcoming winter holidays and into the warmer months of next year.

According to the Schengen Visa Statistics portal, France received a substantial number of Schengen visa applications from Filipinos in 2023. A total of 35,591 applications were submitted, with 32,721 of these resulting in approved visas, while 2,356 were rejected. Across all Schengen member states, the Philippines accounted for 200,973 visa applications in 2023.

Nationals of the Philippines should also be aware that the Schengen visa fee has recently increased. The current fee stands at €90, up from the previous €80. This change adds another factor for applicants to consider as they prepare their applications.

As the demand for travel to France is expected to rise, Ambassador Fontanel's guidance on avoiding delays and rejections is particularly timely for Filipinos planning their next European getaway. 

By fLEXI tEAM