How to Apply for Schengen Visa (Greece) as Philippine Passport Holder

The quest to visit all Schengen Member States 2013-2024 as Pinoy Solo Backpacker

Highlight: I applied as Filipino Solo Traveller with Philippine passport only, with NO WORK (ex-OFW, retired Engineer) and with NO BUSINESS (Dec. 2022). I provided proofs of enough savings, investments and previous 4 Schengen visas per below link.

Schengen visa is a special document that allows a Schengen visa holder to travel freely within the 26 Schengen zone (European Countries) member states. Apply for the Schengen visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the Schengen country where you spend the most time. This visa is valid in all Schengen states for a stay of up to 90 days within a six-month period for a visit or tourism, but not for employment or family reunification purposes.

26 members of the Schengen Agreement are (1)Austria, (2)Belgium, (3)Czech Republic, (4)Denmark, (5)Estonia, (6)Finland, (7)France, (8)Germany, (9)Greece, (10)Hungary, (11)Iceland, (12)Italy, (13)Latvia, (14)Lithuania, (15)Liechtenstein, (16)Luxembourg, (17)Malta, (18)Netherlands, (19)Norway, (20)Poland, (21)Portugal, (22)Slovakia, (23)Slovenia, (24)Spain, (25)Sweden and (26)Switzerland.

How to Apply for Schengen Visa (Greece) as Philippine Passport Holder (Schengen Visa 2024)

How to Apply for Schengen Visa (Greece) as Philippine Passport Holder

How to Apply for Schengen Visa in France Embassy (2013)

How to Apply for Schengen Visa in Germany Embassy (2015)

How to Apply for Schengen Visa in Spain Embassy (2018)

How to Apply for Schengen Visa in Norway Embassy (2023)

How to Apply for Schengen Visa in Greece Embassy (2024)

* maximum of 6 months validity after issuance with period of stay of under 90 days

* If you get a multiple entry Schengen visa, you may leave and return any number of times within the 180-day period, but the combined stay within the region must not total more than 90 days. Important is the date of the actual entry, not the beginning of the visa validity. 

* Valid Schengen Visa holders of most of the nationalities can transit/visit other European countries of (1)Albania, (2)Bosnia and Herzegovina, (3)Bulgaria, (4)Croatia, (5)Cyprus, (6)North Macedonia, (7)Montenegro, (8)Romania, (9)Serbia, (10)San Marino and (11)Moldova. Some of these countries provide maximum 15-days stay in any period given in the Schengen Visa duration.

My Quest to visit All 26 members of the Schengen Agreement

APPLYING FOR SCHENGEN VISA AS ORDINARY CITIZEN IN THE PHILIPPINES
https://ph-gr.gvcworld.eu/en/visa-info-tourism

Note:

- In Philippines, Greece and Portugal Schengen visa is applied in Greece Embassy located in Makati City, NCR but processed by Global Visa Center World.

- Schengen Visa applications may take up to 15 to 45 days to process and may be submitted at the earliest six (6) months before departure.

- All required documents to submit should be in A4 paper and in English only.

Requirements: 

01. Online Application form signed by the applicant (personally submitted and signed in front of the visa officer).

- I printed-out then signed (4 pages)

02. Recent passport-size colour photo in white or off-white background matching ICAO specifications (not older than 6 months from the date of application) 

- I provided latest copy of 1 piece color photo with white background 

03. Signed passport, valid for at least 3 months after the departure from the Schengen area, must contain at least 2 empty pages to affix the visa.

- my passport was newly renewed last Apr. 2023 only.

04. Photocopies of previous Schengen, Australia, Canada, U.S.A., U.K. visas with the stamps, if applicable.

- All photocopies provided (9 pages)

05. Travel medical insurance valid for the entire trip with coverage of at least 30,000 EUR.

- I provided the BDO Gold Mastercard Free Travel Insurance (Starr Insurance International) (14 pages). 

06. Proof of ties in the Philippines, copy of real estate property – title-deeds, if applicable.

- I provided copies of house title and condominium unit titles (4 pages)

07. Proof of sufficient financial means.Applicant’s original personal bank certification, bank books, personal bank statements covering at least 6 months, stating applicant’s name and surname, showing regular income, credit card statements and balance; The bank certification must be issued 1 week prior to the date of the application.

- I provided the original BDO Bank Certificate of Account, passbook transaction photocopies, credit card statement of accounts and copies of stocks / insurance investments (22 pages)

08. Detailed day-to-day itinerary for the entire stay (to explain the whole trip, with destinations and dates). 

- I provided detailed itinerary including flights to take (2 pages)

09. Return travel ticket reservation with travel dates and booking reference specifying entry and exit from the Schengen Area, clearly stating the applicant’s name, if applicable

- I provided all booked flight bookings via 3rd party booking website, entry to exit of Schengen Countries (4 pages)

10. Hotel/ holiday home confirmed booking confirmation: Applicant’s name and surname, arrival and departure date, address of the hotel and contact details should be clearly stated

- I printed-out hotel bookings via Agoda (6 pages)

11. Global Visa Center World (GVCW) Appointment Letter

- I printed-out appointment letter and checklist (4 pages)

Appointment:

Monday to Friday from 7am to 1145am only, apppointment booking is required on this GVCW link. 

Address:
GVCW Visa Application Centre Mezzanine Floor, Ecoplaza Bldg., Chino Roces Ext., Makati City 1231

Visa Fee: (courier excluded) 

80 Euro (PHP 4,800) + GVCW Service fee (PHP 1,800) = PHP 6,600

DATELINE OF MY APPLIED SCHENGEN VISA 

Aug. 09, 2022 (Wed) - filled-out Greece online application form, completed all required documents (total of 80 pages) and book an appointment in GVCW website

Aug. 17, 2022 (Thu) - visited the GVCW office earlier, submitted all documents and paid all the necessary GVCW service charges in cash only (PHP 6,600). After that, they took my biometrics (face picture and fingerprints) and went out of the room in more than 4 hours of queuing (lack of staff in a very small room, the longest time I ever had in visa application). Tracking number is attached at the back of the receipt and can be tracked in GVCW website.

Aug. 23, 2022 (Wed) - just 3 working days after submission, passport was released from embassy and ready for pick-up in GVCW office.

Aug. 24, 2022 (Thu) - received my passport around 1445H with approved Schengen Visa valid for 3 months multiple entry 30 days duration of stay (the longest I have on my 5 Schengen Visa applications).