This Schengen visa, applied through France, grants access to all 29 Schengen member states for tourism, family visits, or business trips up to 90 days.1 France is one of the most popular Schengen destinations for Filipino travelers, with approximately 50,000 applications processed annually and a strong 94.6% approval rate in 2024.5

Application Process

Follow these steps to apply for your France Schengen visa from the Philippines:

1. Determine your travel dates and create detailed itinerary
   Plan your trip comprehensively, including all cities you’ll visit, accommodation for each night, and planned activities. If visiting multiple Schengen countries, ensure France is your main destination or first entry point.1

2. Create an account on France-Visas portal
   Visit france-visas.gouv.fr and create your personal account.1 The portal will guide you through determining which visa you need and generate your personalized document checklist.

3. Complete the online visa application form
   Fill out the Schengen visa application on France-Visas.1 Ensure all information matches your supporting documents exactly. Print all pages including barcodes and sign the form.

4. Gather all required documents
   Collect passport, photographs, bank statements, employment proof, PSA certificates, travel insurance, flight reservations, and accommodation confirmations. Review the complete requirements checklist provided by France-Visas.1

5. Purchase travel insurance
   Buy Schengen travel insurance with minimum €30,000 coverage valid for all member states and your entire travel period.6

6. Book TLS Contact appointment
   Schedule your appointment at the TLS Contact Visa Application Centre in Manila or Cebu through their online booking system.2 Slots fill quickly during peak season, so book at least 3-4 weeks in advance.

7. Attend biometrics appointment at TLS Contact
   Arrive 15 minutes early with your original passport, printed application form, appointment confirmation, and all supporting documents.2 Your fingerprints and photograph will be captured (exempt if provided within last 59 months).

8. Pay visa fee and submit application
   Pay the €90 visa fee (€45 for children 6-12, free for under 6) plus the €25 TLS service fee at the center.2 Payment can be made in Philippine pesos.

9. Track application status
   Check your application progress on the France-Visas website using your reference number. Processing typically takes 15 calendar days but can extend during peak periods.1

10. Collect passport with visa
    Once processed, collect your passport from TLS Contact or opt for courier delivery. Your visa sticker will show validity dates, number of entries allowed, and duration of stay.

Applications can be submitted 6 months before your intended travel date, but no later than 15 days before departure.6

Fees

The visa fee is non-refundable, even if your application is rejected.2 Exchange rates fluctuate, so the peso equivalent may vary at the time of payment. As of June 2024, the Schengen visa fee increased from €80 to €90.4

Fee waivers are available for certain categories, including children under 6, students and teachers on study trips, researchers, and representatives of non-profit organizations engaged in cultural or educational activities.6

What You Need to Prove

French consular officers assess your application based on several key criteria:

Genuine tourism purpose: Your itinerary, hotel bookings, and cover letter must demonstrate a clear tourism intent. Vague plans or missing details raise red flags.1

Sufficient financial means: Bank statements should show stable income and adequate funds to cover your trip without financial strain. A minimum of €60 per day is recommended, though not officially mandated.1 Avoid large unexplained deposits shortly before applying.

Strong ties to the Philippines: Property ownership, ongoing employment, family dependents, business commitments, and PSA documents proving civil status all demonstrate your intention to return. Young, single, first-time applicants face particular scrutiny on this criterion.1

Previous travel compliance: A history of respecting visa conditions in Schengen or other countries significantly strengthens your application. Include old passports showing previous visas and entry/exit stamps.1 OFWs with extensive travel history have an advantage.

Adequate insurance coverage: Your travel insurance must meet exact specifications: minimum €30,000 coverage, valid across all Schengen states, covering medical emergencies and repatriation.6 Insufficient coverage leads to automatic rejection.

Processing Times

Standard processing for France Schengen visas is 15 calendar days from when your application is received by TLS Contact.1 However, the complete timeline may vary:

• Standard processing: 15 calendar days
• Peak season processing: Up to 30-45 days
• Complex applications: May require additional time

Peak travel seasons include April-August (European summer), December-January (holiday season), and around Philippine holidays. Appointment availability at TLS Contact becomes limited during these periods.

Application timing rules:

• Earliest: 6 months before travel
• Latest: 15 days before departure
• Recommended: Apply 4-6 weeks before your trip6

The French Ambassador to the Philippines has advised applicants to plan ahead and submit applications well in advance, ensuring all required documents are complete.3

After Your Visa is Approved

Your visa sticker will display:

• Validity period: The dates between which you can enter the Schengen Area
• Duration of stay: Maximum days allowed (up to 90 days within 180 days)
• Number of entries: Single, double, or multiple entry
• Territorial validity: Usually “États Schengen” (Schengen States) unless restricted

At border control: Immigration officers may ask about your trip purpose, accommodation, return ticket, and financial means. Carry printed copies of your hotel bookings, return flight ticket, travel insurance, and sufficient funds.

The 90/180 rule: You can stay maximum 90 days in any 180-day period across all Schengen countries combined.6 Overstaying results in fines, deportation, and bans on future Schengen visas.

Extending your stay: Schengen tourist visas cannot be extended except in extraordinary circumstances (serious illness, force majeure). Plan your trip duration carefully before applying.

If Your Visa is Refused

If your application is rejected, you’ll receive a written refusal letter stating the reason based on the standardized EU refusal form.1 Common causes include insufficient documentation, unclear travel purpose, inadequate financial proof, or doubts about your intention to return to the Philippines.

Your options after refusal:

1. Reapply with corrected documentation: There is no waiting period. Address the specific issues mentioned in the refusal letter and submit a new application with complete documentation. The visa fee must be paid again.

2. File an appeal (recours): You can contest the decision through the Commission de Recours contre les Refus de Visa in Nantes, France. This must be done within two months of receiving the refusal. Appeals should be in French and must include the original refusal letter.

The visa fee is non-refundable regardless of the decision.2 The TLS service charge may be refundable in specific circumstances outlined in their terms of service.

Improving your reapplication:

• Carefully review the refusal reasons
• Strengthen weak areas (financial proof, travel plans, ties to Philippines)
• Provide additional supporting documents including complete PSA certificates
• Consider consulting with a visa consultant if refused multiple times
• Never submit false documents, as this can result in permanent bans

With a 94.6% approval rate for Filipino citizens, most well-prepared applications succeed.5 Focus on demonstrating strong ties to return, adequate finances, and a genuine tourism purpose to maximize your chances.