When it comes to planning a trip to one of the beautiful Schengen countries, obtaining a visa is often a necessary step. While the process may seem daunting, there are certain Schengen countries that historically have lower rates of visa application denial. Let me share with you some of these countries and highlight their appeal for visa applicants.
 
1. Greece:
I got my very first Schengen Visa thru the Greek Embassy in Riyadh many years ago. Greece, known for its mesmerizing islands, ancient ruins, and azure waters, is also considered more likely to approve visa applications. The country takes great pride in its tourism industry and welcomes travelers from around the world. Highlight your travel plans, provide evidence of financial capability, and emphasize your intention to return to your home country to boost your chances of visa approval.
 
2. Spain:
I have applied several times thru BLS for Schengen Visa and I got approved very fast. Early this year, I got my multiple entry Schengen visa thru BLS in just 3 days after I submitted my application at the BLS Branch in Irqah District here in Riyadh.

Spain, with its Mediterranean beaches, iconic cities, and warm hospitality, is a popular tourist destination and has built a reputation for being open to foreign visitors. I love traveling in Spain as the Spanish people share the same kind of hospitality like Filipinos.  Supporting documents showcasing your itinerary, accommodation, and financial stability can greatly enhance your visa application.
 
3. Portugal:
Portugal, with its stunning landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture, has been known to be relatively welcoming to visa applicants. The country offers excellent infrastructure for tourism, making it an attractive choice for those seeking unforgettable experiences. Be sure to provide all necessary documentation and meet the requirements set by the Portuguese authorities to increase your chances of success.
 
4. Italy:
Italy's historical sites, artistic treasures, and culinary delights make it a dream destination for many travelers. Fortunately, the Italian authorities generally have a lenient approach towards visa applications. Demonstrating a clear purpose for your visit, such as tourism or attending cultural events, along with providing comprehensive financial proof, can significantly increase your chances of receiving a visa.
 
5. Sweden:
Sweden, with its scenic landscapes and vibrant cities, has a reputation for being welcoming to visa applicants. The country offers ample opportunities for exploration and boasts a high standard of living. Make sure to present a detailed travel plan, including your purpose of visiting, accommodation arrangements, and financial stability, in order to improve your chances of obtaining a Swedish visa.
 
 
While Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Sweden are considered Schengen countries that are less likely to deny visa applications, it's important to remember that visa approval ultimately depends on individual circumstances and supporting documentation. To increase your chances of success, thoroughly understand the specific requirements set by each country and ensure that you provide all necessary documents. Consult with the respective country's embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date information and personalized guidance throughout the application process. Happy travels!

Traveling is a great way to experience new cultures, meet new people, and see the world. But if you're a Philippine passport holder like me, you may be wondering which countries you can visit without a visa.

The Philippine passport currently ranks 81st on the Henley Passport Index, providing visa-free access to 63 destinations worldwide. This grants it a medium-low mobility score. Philippine passport holders have visa-free access and visas on arrival to countries such as Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Israel, and Kenya.
​
Here is a list of countries that Filipinos can visit without a visa, as of October 2023:

• Barbados
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Brunei
• Cambodia
• Colombia
• Cook Islands
• Costa Rica
• Côte d'Ivoire
• Dominica
• Ecuador
• El Salvador
• Fiji
• Georgia
• Grenada
• Guatemala
• Haiti
• Hong Kong
• Indonesia
• Iran
• Israel
• Kazakhstan
• Kiribati
• Laos
• Macau
• Malaysia
• Micronesia
• Moldova
• Mongolia
• Montenegro
• Morocco
• Myanmar
• Niue
• Palestine
• Palau
• Peru
• Rwanda
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Samoa
• Serbia
• Seychelles
• Singapore
• South Korea
• Suriname
• Taiwan
• Tajikistan
• Thailand
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Uganda
• Vanuatu
• Vietnam

It is important to note that visa requirements can change at any time, so it is always best to check with the embassy or consulate of the country you are planning to visit before you travel.

Tips for traveling to visa-free countries:

• Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of departure.
• Check the visa requirements of the country you are visiting carefully. Some countries may require you to have a certain amount of money or a return ticket before you are allowed to enter.
• Be aware of the immigration laws of the country you are visiting. Some countries may have restrictions on how long you can stay or what activities you are allowed to do.
• Have a copy of your passport and other important travel documents with you at all times.

Popular visa-free destinations for Filipinos:

• Singapore: Singapore is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city-state with a lot to offer visitors. From its world-class shopping and dining to its unique culture and attractions, there is something for everyone in Singapore.
• Thailand: Thailand is a popular tourist destination for its stunning beaches, delicious food, and friendly people. Visitors to Thailand can enjoy a variety of activities, including swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, diving, hiking, and temple hopping.
• Kenya: Kenya is a diverse country with a variety of landscapes, from its world-famous savannahs to its snow-capped mountains. Visitors to Kenya can enjoy a variety of activities, including wildlife safaris, beach holidays, and cultural tours.
• Georgia. Georgia's visa policies, stunning landscapes, rich history, delicious cuisine, affordability, and warm hospitality make it an attractive and increasingly popular travel destination for Filipinos seeking unique and memorable experiences abroad.

Traveling to visa-free countries can be a great way to save time and money. It also gives you the flexibility to change your travel plans if needed. With its visa-free access to 63 countries, the Philippine passport offers Filipino travelers a lot of options for international travel. Tara na kabayan, let’s take advantage of our visa-free privileges and explore the world!

As I mentioned in my other blog (UK Trip #1), here’s what we did to get UK Visitor Visa from Saudi Arabia.
 
1. Research, research. We found all the UK Visa- related information thru this LINK
2. Eligibility requirements – Checked! Our passports are valid for the whole duration of our planned visit to the UK.
3. Applied for UK Visa online and paid the applicable fees (2nd Feb 2022). We paid total of 133 USD for each applicant. You may use this LINK to apply for visitor visa.

• The following documents were submitted online together with the application form:
• Inclusive date of travel
• Hotel booking for the entire duration of stay
• Employment certificate (issued from Chamber of Commerce website)
• Bank Statement for six (6) months with official stamp
• Flight Reservations (Round trip)
• Details of travel history for the past 10 years

 4.   Appeared at the VFS Office to submit biometrics (8th Feb 2022)
 
The application process for a visitor visa to the United Kingdom is fairly simple and straightforward. Since we submitted all the requirements online, we were not asked to submit hard copies at the VFS anymore. We only had to go through fingerprinting protocol. It barely took two weeks from submitting our application online until our C- Type Multiple Entry UK Visa was issued on 22nd Feb 2022 which is valid for 6 months.

So here are the important points to apply for a UK tourist visa as a Filipino citizen living in Saudi Arabia. You will need to:

1. Check if you are eligible. You must be a Filipino citizen residing in Saudi Arabia for at least 6 months prior to your application. You must also have a valid passport and proof of sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in the UK.
2. Create an online account. You will need to create an online account with the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) website. Once you have created an account, you will be able to access the visa application form and start your application.
3. Complete the visa application form. The visa application form is quite comprehensive and will ask you for a lot of information, such as your personal details, travel plans, and financial information. Be sure to complete the form carefully and accurately.
4. Pay the visa application fee. The visa application fee for a UK tourist visa is £95. You can pay the fee online or by credit or debit card.
5. Book an appointment at a UK Visa Application Centre. Once you have paid the visa application fee, you will need to book an appointment at a UK Visa Application Centre in Saudi Arabia. There are UK Visa Application Centres in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.
6. Attend your appointment. On the day of your appointment, you will need to bring your passport, visa application form, proof of payment, and any other supporting documents that are required. You will also need to have your fingerprints and photo taken.
7. Wait for your visa decision. The UKVI will process your visa application and make a decision within 15 working days. You will be notified of the decision by email or by phone.

If your visa application is approved, you will be issued a UK visa vignette (sticker) in your passport. This vignette will allow you to enter the UK for a period of up to 6 months.
Here are some additional tips for applying for a UK tourist visa as a Filipino citizen living in Saudi Arabia:

• Make sure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your intended date of return from the UK.
• Have proof of sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in the UK. This can be in the form of bank statements, savings account statements, or a letter from your employer confirming your salary.
• If you are planning to visit friends or family in the UK, you should provide their contact information and a letter of invitation.
• If you have any previous travel history, be sure to include this information in your visa application.
• Be honest and accurate in all of your responses on the visa application form.
  
  

If you have any questions about the UK tourist visa application process, you can contact the UKVI visa support center. Good luck and happy travels!

​A lot of friends ask me how I obtain visas for my trips. It’s pretty simple, really. So let me guide you through getting a Schengen Visa.

Most of the countries I have visited in the last couple of years are in Europe. Although I have been to some countries in Asia when I was younger, I realized that travelling anywhere in the world has never been easier (for me at least) since I started working in Saudi Arabia.  So when my husband and I decided to do our first multi-country trip, we chose Europe as our destination, and it has become our favorite continent since then.

I always say that there are only three things you need to do get a visa :

1. Do your research.
2. Prepare a complete set of requirements
3. Submit your application

Trust me, it’s neither as scary as most people think it is nor does it require a lot of time, money and emotions. Just know where you want to go and be truthful in your application.

1.  Research. Research.
Since we are Philippine passport holders and we wanted to visit many states/countries on our first European trip, we knew we would need a Schengen visa.  This visa is valid in all Schengen states for a stay of up to 90 days within a six-month period for a visit, tourism or business. The Schengen area comprises 27 European countries including Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary and Austria. There is typically no passport control on the borders between these countries. Applications can be made at earliest three (3) months before the planned entry.
Visa applications must be addressed (and submitted) to the Embassy/Consulate of the country you intend to visit. If your plan is to visit several countries, visa application must be made at the Embassy/Consulate of the main destination country—meaning the length of stay in this destination is the longest. If the length of stay in each country is almost the same, apply at the country of first entry. For our first European trip, we intended to visit Greece, Italy, Paris and Belgium, so we applied at the Greek Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
 (http://www.mfa.gr/missionsabroad/en/saudi-arabia-en/visas).
During our second trip, we wanted to go to Germany, Netherlands, Czech Republic and Norway, so we applied at the German Embassy thru VFS Global- Riyadh
 (http://www.vfsglobal.com/Germany/SaudiArabia/).
My most recent trip was in Spain and Portugal, so I applied at the Spanish Embassy thru BLS- Riyadh (https://saudi.blsspainvisa.com/short_term_visa_tourist.php).
Most consulates and embassies have their own website that is very informative especially regarding visa applications. Our first ever Schengen visa application at the Greek embassy was the easiest of all. Unlike most other embassies/consulates and visa processing offices (i.e. VFS, BLS, etc) in Riyadh, the Greek Embassy does not require an appointment to submit your visa application. Applicants at the Greek Embassy can directly submit the documents required for obtaining a Schengen Visa from 9:30 to 12:00, on working days – Sunday to Thursday.

2.   Prepare a complete set of requirements In order to apply for a Schengen visa, the applicant needs to provide the documents enumerated in this list below. Although it is a Harmonized List of Supporting Documents for Schengen Visa Applications, in some individual cases, additional documents may be requested by the embassy or consulate to which your application is addressed to. Presentation of the documents does not automatically lead to the issuance of a visa and possession of a visa does not confer an automatic right of entry. The ultimate decision regarding admission to the Schengen territory lies with the Border Authorities upon arrival.
1.  Visa Application Form correctly filled in English and signed.
2. Two recent passport-sized photographs with a white background, not stapled. Full face; no head or face cover(s) that prevent(s) full visibility of the facial features.
3. Original passport valid for further three months period after the intended departure from the territory of the Schengen States and 1 copy of all relevant passport pages (data page, pages containing previous Schengen visas). It shall contain at least two blank pages and have been issued within the previous 10 years.
4. Proof of travel medical insurance covering the entire period of intended stay, valid for all Schengen States and covering any expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention, emergency hospital treatment or death during stay. The minimum coverage must be 30.000 Euros. Original For further details please refer to the Travel Medical Insurance Information document published by the Embassies of the Schengen Member States in Saudi Arabia.
5. Copy of flight ticket or flight reservation including return flight.
6. Verifiable evidence of sufficient means of subsistence during intended stay such as a credit card valid throughout the intended stay.
7. For minors travelling without their parents/legal guardian: original authorization signed by their parents/legal guardian and copy of passport(s) of parents/legal guardian.
8. Iqama/ Residence Permit *Note: When applying at the Spanish Embassy thru BLS-Riyadh, you need to submit a valid English Translation for any Arabic document you submit like iqama copy and exit re-entry visa.
9. Saudi Arabian re-entry visa valid beyond the intended date of departure from the territory of the Schengen States
10. Bank statements for the past six months or other verifiable evidence of sufficient means of subsistence during intended stay. *Note: Make sure that your bank statement has a stamp from the bank.  Online statements are not usually accepted by consulates/embassies.
11. Original letter from sponsor in Saudi Arabia, stating employment status, position, length of contract and salary, stamped by the Chamber of Commerce. Self-sponsored: valid original trade license and 1 copy thereof with translation
13. For tourism: Proof of accommodation during intended stay: hotel reservation or copy of a rental contract or proof of residential property.  Tip: A detailed itinerary of the activities to do and places you wish to visit may come in handy too. I usually attach an itinerary with my application in order to give the consuls an idea of what I’ll be doing during my trip. It also helps to emphasize that I’m just travelling for pleasure.
14. For private visits: Original invitation letter signed by the host covering the intended stay [where applicable: using the official format required by the Member State's national legislation. For further information, please verify the website of the Member State(s) of destination].

3. Submit your application
Whether you are submitting your application directly to the embassy or thru a visa processing offices like VFS or BLS, the key is to review your documents many times and make sure that they are exactly the same as what is required. 
If you have an appointment at the embassy or visa office, you have to come at least an hour earlier.  Since the Greek Embassy does not have an appointment system, you may wish to come a little earlier in order not to miss the allowed slots for daily application. 
When you apply at the VFS- Global Office, you can call or visit them first to inquire about the requirements (you can bring the documents with you) before the scheduled appointment to make sure that you will be submitting all the documents required.  Otherwise, you may need to schedule another appointment and pay the fees again if you miss a document.
When applying for Spanish visa thru BLS- Riyadh Office, you should arrive at least an hour prior to your appointment because the queuing is not very organized and you may end up spending many hours waiting for your turn.
In any case, you should be truthful in your application and you should know your itinerary by heart.  I won’t say there’s an actual interview during visa application, but most of the time, the visa officer may ask your purpose of visit and a few questions regarding your employment in Saudi Arabia. Just be confident and smile.  There’s no reason to be afraid anyway.
Finally, once your application is accepted, it normally takes three (3) to ten (10) working days for the result.  I got my first Schengen Visa from Greek Embassy after 3 days, German Visa after 4 days and my Spanish Multi-entry Visa after 7 days from submission.
 Hopefully, you can get yours too soon. Europe is a fascinating place to explore and travelling between countries without boundaries is always an overwhelming experience. Seriously, there’s no reason not to go. Happy travels!