I don't mean to ask out of line, but what sort of background did your wife have, and had you two been married for any length of time?
your not out of line,,,no problem. My wife and I were married last Christmas. She is from a poor family, she is a nurse, But out of work, owns no property and no large amount in her bank account. When she went to Manila to see about her Schengen Visa, She was interviewed by another Filipina, Who I was told by my wife that she was very strict. She insisted that my wife fill in certain parts of the visa or she would not accept it, Even though it clearly stated that it didn't need to be filled in because she was married to a European citizen. This woman asked for documentation that my wife didn't have, ie 3 months bank statements, salary slips, Hotel bookings for all destinations in each European country we intended to visit, etc. My wife was told I had 5 days to email them to the Embassy...This woman obviously didn't know the correct requirements. My wife had all the rules and regulations copied but was so scared and nervous, She didn't show them. That same day I sent them an email. This is the email I sent to them. Dear Sir/Madam Today my wife Nesa Brockelsby went for an appointment at the Netherland Embassy to obtain a Schengen Visa. I am very concerned that her Visa may be denied, Because an assistant there asked for certain Documents Which by law my wife wasn't required to show, ie, bank statements, Airline tickets, Proof of salary, Hotel reservation and also Hotel reservation in other Schengen countries we may be visiting, Requirements for a visa (for family members of EU citizen) For a visa to be issued on the basis of Directive 2004/38/EC, only the following requirements need to be satisfied: The visa applicant is a direct “family member” of an EU citizen and has proof (marriage or birth certificate or some combination) of the relationship) The visa applicant will be travelling with, or joining, the EU citizen for a visit or permanent move to an EU member state. (If they are going to the “home” country of the EU citizen, then there can be a requirement that the EU citizen had previously lived/worked in a different member state) All travellers require a passport (or a national ID card for the EU citizen) These are the legal requirements for all of the EU/EEA member states, including allSchengen members, the UK, Ireland, Romania and Bulgaria. They also apply for Switzerland. There is no legal requirement that: The EU citizen is already (or will be) living or working in a different EU member state The non-EU family member holds a specific immigration visa or status. It is fine for them to have a nationally issuedvisa or a student visa or a visitor’s visa or even implied status The family member apply in their country of origin The family member resides or previously resided in the EU/EEA (This older requirement of some member states was overturned in several ECJ cases, especially Metock) There is also no legal requirement that you submit: bank statements pay slips letters from your present or future employer or school letters of reference proof that you will return at the end of the trip airline tickets confirmed hotel bookings references or guarantees from people in the destination country As my wife is married to a European these are the rules and regulations, I think someone at the embassy may not understand them correctly, I am very concerned, because it has cost me a large amount of money to arrange this holiday for myself and my wife, And I wouldn't want to lose it because someone doesn't understand the requirements needed to obtain the visa, I sincerely hope you can help me in some way. Kind Regards G Brockelsby The Visa was granted two days later, her passport in Cebu ready to be collected.
Wow, thanks mate, that's really helpful. I might send Beth a copy so she can see with her own eyes she's got a standing chance. Even if this is a trip planned way for the future I think it's a nice thing to be able to look forwards to.
Have to correct you on this, the banks in the Philippines and the embassies have this agreement that they can verify the documents submitted by the person applying. I think they can also check the ADB when in doubt and the bank will provide that information. Although they don't necessarily do this all the time.
For the UK visa, there is no interview, you would have to submit your documents to a VFS personnel where they would check if your documents are complete. For Schengen countries, it depends on the country you are applying. Italian embassy have drop boxes for visa applications and no appearance is needed. I have applied in the following embassies with the following experiences - Switzerland - interviewed by a Filipino consul France - depends on which window but I have been interviewed by a French and Filipino consul Greece - interviewed or more likely entertained by the Greek ambassador herself! Spain - Filipino-Spanish consul Czech Republic - interviewed by a Filipino consul
Greenspin, the most important reason that a Filipino is rejected a UK or Schengen (even US) visa is because of lack of ties in the Philippines. Meaning, they are scared that the person would be an illegal immigrant once they set foot in the country. This is something that you or Beth has to prove and it can be in the form of a job, even better if she has a contract or bond to stay in that job. A family who she lives with or if she supports them. Or if she is still studying. Money in the bank is also important. They look for your average daily balance and any unusual spike up before the visa application is a red flag for them. It doesn't have to be in the millions of pesos but she has to prove that she can support herself when she is on that trip. Now if she can't, she can have a sponsor (ie. you) and depending on the embassy, you would have to present a letter of invitation and support, your financial documents and other data. If she has a good travel record, it will be good as well. I have travelled to the UK and Europe even before I met my husband and have not had problems in obtaining a visa.
They can only verify the information, which is the same as in the UK. But they cannot access credit files and such (they're not offering credit).
