How to apply for visa at the Czech Embassy in Manila

Update: The Czech Embassy has updated its website and some of the information here might not be accurate anymore. You can read this post to give you an overview of the visa application, but for further information please visit their official website at http://www.mzv.cz/manila.

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Czech Republic recently became one of the members of the Schengen states, thus visa applicants once approved will now be issued a Schengen visa which allows them to enter any of the 31 states comprising the Schengen territory such as Germany, Finland or Austria. Thus, the Czech Embassy now issues, not anymore a Czech visa but a Schengen visa.

In the Philippines, the Czech Embassy is located at the 30th Floor of the Rufino Pacific Tower in Makati City, Manila. Office hours for the visa section are only during Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:00AM to 12:00 noon. Applicants are entertained on a first-come-first-serve basis so be sure to be there at 8:30AM or earlier if you want to be the first. By 9:00AM, the guard on duty hands you your number and lets you write your name on a list. Only visa applicants are allowed inside, so if you have a companion, they can wait elsewhere. The use of mobile phones is strictly prohibited inside.

Here are some of the basics in applying for the Schengen visa:

1. Download the pdf file of the visa application form (in English) from their website: http://www.mfa.cz/visaform

2. Print in color the 4 pages of the application form and fill it up properly according to the guide in the website: Instructions on how to complete the Application for Schengen Visa

3. Prepare the following:

a. Recent photo with light background – 3.5 x 4.5 cm size
b. Visa fee – the exact amount varies according to current exchange rates, so it is advised to call the Embassy at +63 2 811 11 55 or 811 1156
Note: Fee is required upon submission and is NOT refundable.
c. Travel and medical insurance – availed from the following insurance companies:

i. Fortune General Ins. Corp
ii. Generali Pilipinas
iii. Blue Cross
iv. Philam Insurance
v. MAPFRE Asistencia
vi. AIG Assist/Assistcard
vii. Paramount Life and General Insurance Co.
viii. Insurance of the Philippine Islands Co.
ix. Standard Insurance Co.
x. ACE Insurance
xi. Malayan Insurance
xii. Worldwide Travel Insurance
xiii. Global Assist/Global Insure or
xiv. PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL Insurance Co. Ltd.

Note: Insurance should have a minimum coverage of 30,000 Euros and valid for all Schengen countries, Switzerland and Norway covering the cost of any emergency medical treatment or repatriation for medical reasons.

d. Valid passport
e. Air tickets or document with confirmed ticket reservation
f. Invitation letter from the Czech Alien and Border Police
g. Bank certification

These are just the basic requirements for the visa application. Further requirements for the different visa types can be read at the official website at http://www.mzv.cz/manila. The Czech Embassy visa section usually asks for additional documents when necessary.