During the Coronavirus Situation: Schengen Visa Updates for Philippine Passport Holders

As of now, Europe, most notably Italy, is the place with the most persons outside of China infected with the coronavirus. Measurements of their government and ours are being implemented. So far, only a few Schengen Countries are stopping issuances of their visa. But in this article, we will give you Schengen Visa Updates for Philippine Passport Holders.

For those who have lodged their applications or still have an appointment with their respective visa application centers, you may contact them about the status of your application or cancel your appointment. We have provided below also contact details and e-mail addresses of the application centers and the embassies.

Austria and Lithuania

Visa Issuance Update as per website, “No application for visas or residence permits will be accepted starting March 16, 2020.”

COVID Announcement as per the Austria Embassy in Manila, “The Embassy will be open to the public as of 2 June 2020 UPON APPOINTMENT ONLY for all consular issues other than VISA. No Visa application will be accepted until further notice.”

Belgium, Luxembourg, and Slovenia

Visa Issuance Update: “Due to local COVID-19 regulations, the Visa Application Centre in Manila will be closed from 20 July until further notice.”

COVID Announcement as per the Belgium Embassy in Manila, “You send your questions through our e-mail address.”

Czech Republic and Slovakia

Visa Announcement as per embassy due to COVID-19: 

• Visa services remain entirely suspended at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Manila.
• Visas can be issued only certain purposes of travel and only diplomatic missions in those countries, where the epidemiological situation allows reopening.
• Those whose applications are not yet decided will be closed and have no visa fee refund.

Denmark

Visa Issuance Update: “Due to local COVID-19 regulations, the Visa Application Centre in Manila will be closed from 20 July until further notice.”

Danish Embassy advises people to re-apply after the travel ban. There are no refunds nor re-issuance of visas once the case is closed.

COVID Announcement as per the Embassy of Denmark, “In urgent cases, you can contact the Embassy..”

France

Visa Issuance Update: “Visa Application Centre in Manila will be closed from 20 July until further notice.”

Germany

Visa Issuance Update as per the embassy: 

Visas can currently only be issued in the specific exceptional cases listed below:

• Exceptions to the entry restrictions:
  • Healthcare professionals, transporter of goods, airline crew, transit passengers
  • diplomats or humanitarian workers
  • those with imperative family reasons
• Family Reunification
• Skilled Workers
• Urgent Business Trips

Greece and Portugal

Embassy Update (as per website):

• Consular Office will be open for the public, pursuant to fixed appointment to be determined either telephonically or via email and in strict compliance with health safety protocols.

Hungary

Visa Issuance Update: “Hungary Visa Application Centers will not be accepting visa applications for processing until further notice.“

Italy

Advisory as per Embassy of Italy in Manila:

• For those whose applications are still in process:
  • Please confirm your intention to travel to Italy or if you choose to postpone your trip or withdraw your application
  • For those who want to postpone in a period within the next 6 months, please send your new flight and hotel booking to the Visa Application Center or send to visti.manila@esteri.it
  • If you want to withdraw the application, visa fee is non-refundable
• For those who received their visa and can’t use it until June 30, 2020
  • You need to have another visa issued to you; the visa fee will be waived
  • Waiving is subject to the verification of the office that you have not received any reimbursement for the canceled trip from the hotel you have booked

Malta

Visa Issuance Update: “VISAs will be issued only in extreme cases on humanitarian grounds or in cases of national interest and for the health department. In such cases, VISA applications will only be accepted after the Maltese Ministry of Foreign Affairs gives its written approval.“

Netherlands, Latvia, and (Poland)

Visa Issuance Update: 

“Netherlands has closed its Visa Application Centres until further notice. All visa application appointments from 18 March 2020 onwards are cancelled.”

Norway, Estonia, Finland, and Iceland

Visa Issuance Update: “The Visa Application Centre in Manila will be closed from 20 July until further notice.”

Spain

Visa Issuance Update as per BLS, “open to accept applications for SEAFARERS ONLY.“

Sweden

Visa Issuance Update: 

VFS for Sweden will be implementing an appointment system every Tuesday to Thursday from 9:00 am to 14:00 hrs. Sweden Visa Application Centre in Cebu will remain close until further notice.

Switzerland and Liechtenstein

Visa Issuance Update: “Until 15 June 2020, Switzerland will also no longer issue Schengen visas.”

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About the Writer

Hey, I’m Lyza! I once was a person who just imagined going to places “one day” but decided to pursue my dreams. My first travel abroad was in Japan, solo, last 2018, and fell in love with the journey since. I’m aiming to visit 10 countries before turning 30 and 2 new places in the Philippines every year. Besides traveling, I love organizing trips, photography, reading, and making new friends. Follow my adventures through my Instagram.