As much as I love being Filipino, holding a Philippine passport is a hindrance to spontaneity for sure!
POSTED BY JENNIE
So let’s say you wake up one morning and you’re inspired to go to…let’s say Paris. If your Schengen visa is still valid then by all means go. If not, well you’ll need to go through the whole application process and that’s not so inspiring but that’s just how it is.
I recently applied for a Schengen Visa and no matter how many times I’ve applied for one, it’s never stress free.
So here’s my latest visa application experience at the France Visa Application Center at Eco Plaza along Chino Roces Extension.
I find it far more convenient to apply here at VFS than in the individual consulates.Last year I discovered that you can actually renew your Schengen Visa. You’ll just need to apply before your visa expires. How did I know this, I don’t think anyone at VFS is going to point it out to you. However when I applied last year bringing with me all the usual documents needed, to my surprise my documents were not taken. What were taken were the following 1. Schengen application form; 2. bank statement; 3. business papers; 4. xerox copy of my passport; 5. my passport and 6. Travel Insurance. So this came as a surprise. That’s when I found out that there is such a thing a renewing your visa.
No phones allowed. Bring a book or magazine. It’s also really cold, so dress appropriately.When I applied this year, I made it a point to call VFS to clarify that I was indeed just renewing. The person on the phone told me to check if I had the annotation Court Sejour Circulation on my latest visa. When I said yes, she gave me a checklist of what to bring, which confirms what I mentioned above. So no more plane, train, boat tickets. No more hotel and apartment bookings. No more copies of previous visas.
Take note of the annotation Court Sejour CirculationFast forward to the day of our appointment. Together with my 2 teens, we arrived 15 minutes before our appointment. It was smooth sailing until I submitted our application forms which I spent the better part of the previous Sunday filling up. Apparently there is a distinction between Schengen forms that you can download online. Mine apparently was wrong, it was for the Netherlands. Of course I argued that the content was exactly the same, which she admitted was true. Anyway, I believe I ended up with a bad back and possible carpal tunnel syndrome after filling up 3 forms in record time.
Application forms returned to me. Apparently not all downloadable forms are the correct ones.But it wasn’t over yet. Even if you are not required to bring your hotel bookings, you should be able to provide the address and telephone number of where you will be staying. What?? I was not prepared for this. You are also not allowed to use your phone inside. Desperate I googled any hotel in Paris and gave the lady the address and telephone number while trying to keep my cool.
Last but not the least another round of biometrics. I brought last year’s biometrics with me so I could tell the person in charge that they already had ours on record. I’m glad I did because he looked it up and it was indeed on file.
If you’ve already had your biometrics done, inform the person. Chances are you won’t have to go through the process again.So after paying a hefty visa and courier fee, we were free to go!
Some notes…
There is a VFS Premium Lounge. For a fee of P2,000/ person, you get to sit in a separate room. You are served a Krispy Kreme doughnut and a can of pineapple juice. Faster submission is promised and if you need to photocopy a document, they will do it for you.
This is on top of the visa fee, courier fee and travel insurance. All that expense and you haven’t even left!
So, for this Traveling Tita, no thanks, I’ll buy my own doughnut.
Krsipy Kreme at the VFS Premium LoungeP.S. This is my personal experience at the France Visa Application Center. Your experience may differ from mine. But feel free to share!
P.P.S. After having nightmares about being denied because of giving the VFS girl attitude, the passports arrive within 3 days with a 2 year Schengen visa validity.
I renewed my Circulation visa 6 mos AFTER it’s 1 yr validity (you can avail as long as its within 1 year after end date). I used the online form, filled it out and saved it on the vfs website until I downloaded for printing. In that form, hotel bookings info were required so I didnt encounter any problems upon submission. The schedule was relatively free for appts ( next day was available) and got it in 2 working days. They granted 1 year (again) of multiple entry. MAYBE better reapply before Circulation visa expires and get the elusive 2 years! All your troubles , Jennie, are worth it.
Thanks for the tip Divi. So you can apply within 1 year. Good to know. I also didn’t know that you can fill up the online form. Is it on the VFS website?
Hi Eugene –
I believe you get it stamped on your visa automatically if you’ve travelled to France two consecutive years in a row. I’m not sure though.
Hope this helps.
Jennie
I renewed my Circulation visa 6 mos AFTER it’s 1 yr validity (you can avail as long as its within 1 year after end date). I used the online form, filled it out and saved it on the vfs website until I downloaded for printing. In that form, hotel bookings info were required so I didnt encounter any problems upon submission. The schedule was relatively free for appts ( next day was available) and got it in 2 working days. They granted 1 year (again) of multiple entry. MAYBE better reapply before Circulation visa expires and get the elusive 2 years! All your troubles , Jennie, are worth it.
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Thanks for the tip Divi. So you can apply within 1 year. Good to know. I also didn’t know that you can fill up the online form. Is it on the VFS website?
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Yes , the vfs website keeps your online application for a few months, 90 days I THINK . Bon voyage !
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Reblogged this on Bella Expatria : Expat Living, Life Musings, Ravings & Ramblings and commented:
Reblogging this because I feel the pain! Like Jennie, I have a Philippine passport, which means I need to apply for Visa pretty much everywhere!
This is very timely for me, as I’m going through the same process right now for my annual European trip.
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Thank you Bella!
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hello, may i ask the process for getting an court sejour circulation on your visa ?
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Hi Eugene –
I believe you get it stamped on your visa automatically if you’ve travelled to France two consecutive years in a row. I’m not sure though.
Hope this helps.
Jennie
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