Schengen Visa Application

[mama squeak!]

Got a pleasant surprise today! Hubby and I were given multiple entry visas until 2012 with 90 days duration for each stay. What a surprise talaga since we only asked for single entry visas as the trip will be a business one.      Told hubby it's a sign that next year's vacation will be in Europe      

[LeeQuid]

is travel insurance really a must in applying for a schengen visa? and is it really worth a hundred grand?

[mama squeak!]

^Yes, travel insurance is a must. No, travel insurance premiums don't cost that much. You probably mean the coverage, but 100K is too small a coverage. Normally nasa 1M or higher. Who gave you those figures?

[maribeth]

^Sis, usually eh multiple entry talaga ang bigay sa Schengen. Kasi nga magkakalapit lang ang mga bansa, usually para ka lang makarating sa isa, you need to cross the other one, so mas convenient pag multiple entry.

And sa insurance, be careful kasi magkaiba (yata?) ang travel insurance at health insurance. Ang health insurance eh dapat 1M and above. Kasi ang mahal dito pag nagkasakit.

[mama squeak!]

^Not all the time. My first Schengen visa was single entry kasi naman Austria lang pinuntahan namin. This time France lang din kami and we asked for a single entry kasi we were thinking if we asked for a multiple entry visa and one destination lang itinerary namin baka marami pang itanong. So, pleasant surprise talaga. Natuwa lang siguro sa amin.   

Iisa lang naman ang travel insurance and standard din ang coverage i.e. lost/delayed baggage, hospitalisation in case of a medical emergency, repatriation etc. May mga add-ons if you want, dagdag nga lang sa premium payment.

[maribeth]

Ah, so gano'n pala sa insurance. Pag may pumunta kasi dito na family-member, I always have additional health insurance for them.

In regards with the visa, ever since the beginning, we always had a multiple-entry visa. Didn't know that they still issue single-entry. Kahit tourist visa, they still issue single-entry?

[LeeQuid]

^Yes, travel insurance is a must. No, travel insurance premiums don't cost that much. You probably mean the coverage, but 100K is too small a coverage. Normally nasa 1M or higher. Who gave you those figures?

i probably didn't backread it well.. so it's just the coverage? how would a travel insurance cost then? usually dba pag insurance, you pay it monthly? how would it work if, like for example, i wanna leave 6months from now.. so, i'll apply for an insurance, pay it every month ganon po ba? or should it be an insurance w/c i have been been paying for a year or so?

[mama squeak!]

@maribeth - yes sis, they still issue single entry ones. Aside from myself, I know of at least a dozen or so more friends who were given single entries. I guess it would depend on the person's request and itinerary.

@leequid - the premium price will depend on where you are going and how long you will be gone. And of course what insurance company and coverage you will be getting. For example our last trip to the US, we stayed for 3 weeks and I paid Php2,800.00 for the standard coverage (1M)and got the insurance from Blue Cross. This coming trip, we'll be gone for 10 days in Europe, standard coverage (1M) and got AIG Philam. We paid Php3,000.00. You pay the premiums outright (no monthly installments) and the insurance is good for the trip itself. After the trip or covered period, wala nang bisa yung insurance. By the way, for a cheaper alternative when you're travelling with your family, they also offer a family coverage. This though is cheaper if 3 or more members are travelling together. But kung husband and wife lang, cheaper pa rin the individual insurance.

By the way, travel insurance to Europe is required when applying for a visa but not to the US. Personally, I always get a travel insurance whenever I'm on a long trip just in case lang para may peace of mind lang ako.       

[LeeQuid]

^argh ganun ba sis.. i should've asked this question a long time ago.. we went to london last month and sabi ng lola ko, we should've gotten a schengen visa para makapunta din kame sa france and italy as well.. sabe ko nga mahal [textspeak!] insurance, around 100k PHP.. she said it's ok pero nanghinayang ako sa money na malamang naman eh 'di ko magamit keia i told her 'wag na lang.. sayang sayang sayang.. oh well.. i'll put that in mind next time.. 

[maribeth]

^ang mahal naman yata iyang 100K?? Usually around 3K lang sa blue cross per person.

^sis mama squeak, so depende pala sa itinerary? Sayang naman kung single-entry ano? What if you change your mind and want to go to a neighboring country as well? Napaka-hassle. I just hope next time eh ME na ulit ang ibigay sa iyo.

[mama squeak!]

^Hehe sis Maribeth, read my earlier entry again  Hubby and I were given multiple entries valid until 2012.   

[maribeth]

Really!!! That's good. Eh di makapasyal ka na wherever you want in the EU... Have fun, sis.

[joeceline]

sisses, is it true pwede yung mag apply ng schengen visa sa Sg? anyone who tried it? what are the requirements?

[ericaberica]

I think if your residence is in the Philippines, they do not grant the visa in another country.  Unless of course you are a registered resident of Singa.

[amnesia]

^ Yan din pagkakaalam ko sis

[sue323]

Ako rin dati single entry yung unang visa ko.

[joeceline]

^^^onga eh pero based sa posts ni sis candice eh pwede daw... i bet not possible too...

[ericaberica]

^My experience with embassies in general is that they look at your place of residence first.  Syemrpre in the end case-to-case yan.

[maribeth]

If you are in singapore as a tourist, they might not approve your visa. Pero if you reside there, baka pwede na.

[sue323]

^I think they will not even accept your application. Prior to my trip to Melbourne in 2005, I sent an email to an EU consulate in Australia. I asked if I could apply for a visa while I am there in Oz and they informed me that I should apply in my country of residence.