SCHENGEN AND NATIONAL VISAS. Consulate General of Spain in the Philippines

Transcription

1 SCHENGEN AND NATIONAL VISAS Consulate General of Spain in the Philippines Manila - July 16th, 2013

2 Summary The difference between a Schengen and a National Visa? Where and how to apply? - Outsourcing: VFS - Requirements and the implementation of the Visa Information System - Q/A

3 Typology of Visas SCHENGEN: Transit visa (seafarers ) Short-stay (tourism, seminars, business ) NATIONAL: Long-stay : family reunification, work, investment, studies Transnational services

4 WHAT IS A SCHENGEN VISA? A visa enables aliens, subject to visa requirements, to present themselves at the external border of the country which issued the visa or that of another Schengen country and request to be allowed to enter the country. Mere possession of a visa does not entitle automatic right of entry. Schengen countries (26): Austria, Belgium,Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, It aly, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Those not present in the Philippines are generally represented by a Schengen Member State.

5 Spain 2010: : : Highest numbers: How many? France, Italy, Germany

6 Where to apply A visa enables to travel to any Schengen country, but... Rule of thumb: the application must be submitted at the Consulate of the country where the applicant will spend more time. However: in case of spending the same amount of time in several Schengen countries, the competent Consulate to issue the visa will be that of the country visited first by the applicant.

7 Visas can be submitted Procedure At our outsourcing agency: VFS Global or At the Spanish Consulate General

8 Why outsourcing? Better service: Bigger space, good location Easy and organized appointment system: through internet, hotline, other services (courier, text ) Faster procedure

9 VFS

10 Who decides? VFS ONLY gives appointments and information, receives documents, submits whole set to Spanish Consulate General, contacts applicant/ttaa if necessary SPANISH CONSULATE GENERAL checks documents, does interviews, decides on visa, prints sticker, returns passport (with or without visa) to outsourcing company and decides on appeal

11 Applicant Summary of the process VFS: receives applications + visa fee, informs, gives appointments VFS: gives back passport, contacts applicant if necessary Consulate: study application, interviews, decides, issue visa, solves appeals

12 Beware of Fake documents Last minute applications Facilitators Incentive trips: substitutions of the awardee Visa shopping

13 Requirements 1. Application + photos + passport + biometrics 2. Plane reservation 3. Insurance 4. Proof of: - purpose of the trip - economic means - intention to return

14 Requirements for Schengen Visas (1) 1. 2 application forms duly and fully completed. Forms that are not fully completed will not be accepted. 2. Passport with at least 3 months validity after the intended date of departure of the Schengen States and its copy. 3. One 2 inches color photographs with white background (not more than 6 months old). 4. Travel insurance not less than 30,000 euros, covering medical expenses during the stay in Spain and, if necessary, repatriation to the Philippines. Please consult the list of insurance companies accepted by the Consulate. 5. A round trip ticket reservation to and from Spain or Schengen States. Please bear in mind Spain must be the main destination. You may be requested to submit the actual ticket before the visa is issued, in case the visa is approved. 6. If the trip includes several destinations, proof of transport must also be submitted. 7. Documents stating the purpose and schedule of the journey; Private trip / Tourism: tour program, if travelling with a group, and/or hotel reservation/formal invitation and proof of transport between different cities / countries.

15 Requirements (2) 8. Documents attesting the applicant s own sufficient economic means as follow: Work certificate (in case of business owner: company registration) Updated bank book or statement and eventually other document that could show the economic situation of the applicant (ex. copy of tax payment, certificate of house ownership, etc.) 9. The updated bank book or the bank statement showing own financial means must be real and show that the financial means do belong to the applicant and proof that the whole trip will be financed. The economic standing of the company for which the applicant is working will not be accepted as proof of financial support. 10. Only originals or certified true copies (by the bank, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or by the Embassy) will be accepted. 11. Children under 18 traveling without parents or tutors must produce a valid authorization. 12. Non Filipino citizen residing in the Philippines must present proof of a long stay visa, work permit and re-entry visa. Only legal residents in the Philippines can request a Schengen visa at the Consulate in Manila. 13. Spouses of the European Union citizens should present the marriage certificate stating the marriage is valid in the country of origin of the EU national (i.e., with a certificate from the Embassy). They do not need to present items 4, 6 and 7.

16 Requirements (3) In some cases, additional documents or an interview can be required. Presenting all the above-mentioned documents does not imply or guarantee that the visa will be granted, but that these documents are part of the requirements established by the Spanish legislation on Immigration matters. The final decision lies with the Spanish Consular authorities. The visa can be submitted up to 3 months before the intended date of travel. Please, do not wait till the last minute, present applications at least a month before the date of trip. The procedure may take up to a week or more if further inquiries are needed or during peak season.

17 In case of refusal There is the possibility of APPEAL: - One month to address the Consulate General - Two months to address the Madrid Supreme Court.

18 Consulate General CONTACT VFS l Spain Visa Application Centre, Unit 801 Peninsula Court Building 8735 Paseo de Roxas Ave., cor Makati Ave, Makati City 1226 info.esph@vfshelpline.com

19 Marami salamat po Thank you Gracias