Dubai tourist Visa for Filipinos

After I took my sister in Dubai, I started receiving some inquiries from friends in Dubai and also from the Philippines on how to apply the visa for their family/ friends here. It's been part of my plan to have my sister joined me in Dubai yet due to money issues, I kept on postponing the process til last year I got the agility to take her for tourist visa . Before that, I've done my researched and have had asked from many travel & tours companies for the quotations until I found Sapphire travel who offered me a very affordable price compare with the other travel and tour companies that I have inquired for. Sapphire Travel is near in Al Attar Building, Al Karama Dubai with the contact number 04 379 5553.

Before anything, for those who are puzzled about Dubai, Dubai is a popular city and one of the 7 Emirates that forms the United Arab Emirates (UAE). United Arab Emirates is a country in Arabian Peninsula that constitute of Abu dhabi (the capital city) Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm al Quwain, Fujairah, Ajman and Dubai. 

I think it was Jean but not so sure about the name who listed down all the necessary documents that I needed to compile before they can start to process the visa.

PAPERS & DOCUMENTS :

*colored photocopy of the passports ( sponsor and the invitee)

 *colored photocopy of the sponsor's residence visa

*employment certificate of the sponsor with the company stamp

* Affidavit of Support ( red ribbon ) from the Philippine Consulate 
      1st option: travel company will do the process for 300 AED
      2nd option:  you can go to the consulate and pay only 100 AED (which I did)

The Philippine Consulate is located in Al Qusais 3 Dubai, it is 15-20 minutes walk from Etisalat metro station. I would suggest to take a taxi rather than to walk  towards the embassy which is quiet dangerous and also to avoid getting lost.

All you need to do once you reach the embassy is to fill up the form which you can get upon entering the embassy, submit to the embassy officer and pay. But before you will fall in the line to pay for the red ribbon, make sure you have some photocopies of the passports and the employment letter. They will give you a small paper which need to be handed over to the empost officer for the delivery. I'm not sure how much I paid for the delivery, I think it was around 20-30AED, you will given a receipt and bear in mind to keep it with you until you receive the papers.

After I have completed all the necessary documents, I went back to sapphire travel to submit papers and pay 2,200 aed for the air ticket( Cebu Pacific), visa and courier. The charges always varies on the air ticket prices.

They've informed me that my sister will receive the courier after a week or 2 and all she needed to do is to make sure to have a

*Original NSO (sponsor and the invitee)

They also told us that in  Ninoy Aquiono Internation Airport (NAIA) the immigration officer  might conduct a verification check  to ensure if all the documents that she has is not fake and also to secure that her intended travel is for visit purposes only and not to look for work.

After a week of waiting my sister has finally received the courier. They next day I called her and asked if she is nervous but she said NO I 'm not. I'm happy that she shows she is gallant and eager to come in Dubai. In the same time I am also worried for her because it will be her first time ever to ride an airplane and also no one is accompanying her through out the whole flight.



FLIGHT DAY:


Her itinerary is Cebu to manila -Manila to Dubai. When she arrived in NAIA, my sister didn't 
escape from the immigration verification check. She narrated what happened on that day while we are on the way home. She got scared after seeing some of them were offloaded from the flight as they showed their work certificates & diplomas and some has not justify enough the ties between the invitee and the sponsor.

My advise never ever show any work related documents to the immigration officers, it maybe a great help for your job search in Dubai but it might be also a cause that you will be refuse to fly and will come back home regretfully.

My sister was lucky, they only asked her to show the supporting documents and they let her pass without any further questions which was a big relief for us. In spite of  2 hours delayed flight in Cebu Pacific which for sure almost everyone knows for their inconsistency but still we are thankful she arrives in Dubai safely.

Now she is working in Dubai and begun her journey as a OFW.  This is a overdue post yet I am glad to write it down in my blog as a part of my  accomplishment.

Note:  I organized the visa over a year ago , there might be some changes in the process. There are hearsays  that  some travel & tour companies are giving out fake documents, BE CAREFUL

How to apply for France Visa

Most of the time we (Ozi and I) always have a conflict in our schedules or in our visas that's why we can't go on holiday together. It's either Ozi approved vacation is in a different month( due to demand of work) or either I'm refused and he gets the visa.

To avoid the same the situation, we planned few months ahead and Ozi is the best in these things. He has the brain for the effective planning and I'm thankful I have him because me? I am a complete mess.

Before we go on, lets go back to the definition of schengen visa:

Schengen Visa is a document issued by the appropriate authorities to the interested party for visiting/travelling in and within the schengen areas example to the countries below.

• Austria                     
• Belgium
• Czech republic              
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Liechtenstein

Requirements:

1. The application form must be fully completed and signed in the corresponding blanks. ( travel agent will fill up the form for you)
2. One photo is to be attached; the photo must have a passport format, full-face capture, and a light background. The photo must be recently taken.
3. The passport as well as all the copies of your previous visas, valid for at least 3 months prior to your departure is required. The passport must have at least two blank pages.
4. One must have a copy of the reservation of the return ticket for the time intended to be travelling. It is not recommendable to buy the ticket before getting the visa, if not necessary.
5. The travel medical insurance policy is to be secured, covering any medical emergency with hospital care and travel back to ones native country due to medical motives.
6. The current bank statement (preferably for the last 6 months)
7. A reference letter from the employer.

As usual we went to our travel partner Vega Travel in Wafi Mall (near the food court) to arrange the following documents:

• Dummy airline ticket 100 AED
• Hotel booking 100 AED
• Travel Insurance 15 days 115 AED
• Form Filling 80 AED
•  Appointment fee 95 AED

They've arranged a 11:00 AM appointment time for us  in VFS ( one floor above Vega). We've asked them to do a separate booking and appointment number but at the same appointment time and date .Were lucky that there are still available slots for the next day. Previously we were worried, normally the appointment will happen after 3 or 4 days after you file the application and my only day off is the next day but God is good.

The next day Ozi arrived on time and I was late for 30 minutes, I thought they won't let me in but thanks to God, the security has allowed me still. Ozi patiently waited for me inside and because we were in hurry, we asked the reception for one token number for both of us without realizing that we want a separate application. We lingered for almost an hour before our number was called.

We paid    247 AED visa processing fee + 5 AED (sms) 
 You can also go for premium if you want a faster result, all you need is to pay additional 250 AED, anyway reception will ask you

The agent has asked me to do my bio metric since it is my first time to apply for France unlike Ozi he has the visa before so there is no need for him to do it again.

We were advised that it may take 14 -20 days to know the result however on Oct 12 we received a sms and an email that our passport is ready for collection. 

I wrote an authorization letter allowing Ozi to get back my passport in behalf of me since I am on Day shift and when the time I finish my work they're already close. While on duty I can't help myself but to think much about the result .
                                               'X CROSS FINGER X ''

Ozi called me in the afternoon and excitedly told me that we did it '' WE GOT THE VISA'' yeehey!!!! yeheey!!!!

Lesson to learn: Effective planning + luck = success.  Ozi (my personal travel guru) is right France tourist visa is much easier compare with the other schengen countries.

Again this is only my personal experienced, it may help you in your visa application however I always suggest to check with the france embassy in your countries.

#touristvisa
£success

How to apply for Austria Visa in Dubai

Schengen Visa is a document issued by the appropriate authorities to the interested party for visiting/travelling in and within the schengen areas example to the countries below.

• Austria                     
• Belgium
• Czech republic              
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Liechtenstein

Requirements:

1. The application form must be fully completed and signed in the corresponding blanks.
2. One photo is to be attached; the photo must have a passport format, full-face capture, and a light background. The photo must be recently taken.
3. The passport as well as all the copies of your previous visas, valid for at least 3 months prior to your departure is required. The passport must have at least two blank pages.
4. One must have a copy of the reservation of the return ticket for the time intended to be travelling. It is not recommendable to buy the ticket before getting the visa, if not necessary.
5. The travel medical insurance policy is to be secured, covering any medical emergency with hospital care and travel back to ones native country due to medical motives
6. The current bank statement (preferably for the last 6 months)
7. A reference letter from the employer.

After Italy has denied my first visa application, it exalted me not to give up, and this time I intake the advised of my fiancee. Last  February 2015 I applied once again and this time for Austria. First we went to Vega Travel  in Wafi Mall to arrange the following documents:

• Dummy airline ticket 100 AED
• Hotel booking 100 AED
• Travel Insurance 15 days 115 AED
• Form Filling 80 AED
•  Appointment fee 95 AED

Their travel Agents are the best, they aided us with useful ideas on my application. The agent courteously informed me to come 15 minutes before my appointment in VFS , just one floor above Vega.

VFS global is a centre that  provides visa and passports application processing services. So I went and paid 
   247 AED visa processing fee + 5 AED (sms)

VFS global has told the result will be release after 2 weeks depending on the Austrian embassy if they need further verification.

I thought it would be much easier than the first time.  Tourist visa for Austria has been more difficult for me, I received an email that I need to go Austrian Embassy in Abu dhabi for the interview. As the saying goes dreams doesn't come instantly, you have to work for it. I disregard the thought of being it far and not knowing the place. Exactly at 8 A.M I left the house and ride the metro that goes to al ghubaiba station

Austrian Embassy is located in Al Reem island Abudhabi, I ride the bus in al ghubaiba station Dubai 25 AED per ticket, after reaching the terminal I ride another bus (2 AED) going to al reem island. Anyway I've reached the embassy and had the interview ,they've advised me to wait for the response from them. I told to myself finally it's done and came back home at 7 P.M

After 2 days another dilemma again, I received an email from the consulate stating that my reasons during the interview was not enough to prove that I am coming back.  They had written in the email  if I want an appeal/objection of their decision, I can write an appeal letter written in German language. I was about to give up but as a saying goes " If there's a will there's a way" .

I happened to have a Austrian friend long time back , so I contacted him & ask for his help . Kodus to him finally I got the Schengen visa.

This is only my personal experience in Dubai, I don't know if it applies the same procedures of your country. Always check with your correspondent embassy's.

INfo & INsights:

• Apply for interview free country if you don't want any hassle.
• Make sure you can support your answer during the interview.
• If you intent to stay for a 1 week or less and you are planning to visit another schengen country, my advise never initiate to open that topic. As far a I know the rules is that you should spend most of your stay in the country that you applied for. 

I know guys mostly of my blogs are overdue post, please bear with me , I write when I feel to write only.


 

How to apply for Italy Visa in Dubai

Traveling to Europe is one of my greatest plan in life but I was hesitant. My fiancee has show enough guts, he applied, got the visa for France and is plan to go by December.

Schengen Visa is a document issued by the appropriate authorities to the interested party for visiting/travelling in and within the schengen areas example to the countries below.

• Austria                     
• Belgium
• Czech republic              
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Liechtenstein

I was desperate to go with my fiancée so I completed  immediately the required documents:

1. The application form must be fully completed and signed in the corresponding blanks.
2. One photo is to be attached; the photo must have a passport format, full-face capture, and a light background. The photo must be recently taken.
3. The passport as well as all the copies of your previous visas, valid for at least 3 months prior to your departure is required. The passport must have at least two blank pages.
4. One must have a copy of the reservation of the return ticket for the time intended to be travelling. It is not recommendable to buy the ticket before getting the visa, if not necessary.
5. The travel medical insurance policy is to be secured, covering any medical emergency with hospital care and travel back to ones native country due to medical motives
6. The current bank statement (preferably for the last 6 months)
7. A reference letter from the employer

At first my fiancee has told me to plan everything before applying so I will not be denied but I tend to be hardheaded and I finished everything as fast it could.

I booked a cheap dummy airline ticket from a travel agent, arranged a hotel in booking.com, purchased the travel insurance online and arranged an appointment with CKGS website.

The Cox and Kings Global Services (CKGS ) is  an Italy Visa application centre is adjacent to dubai mall metro station. The first tall building you will see after getting out of the metro station, another  hint is the pappa roti cafe at the ground floor of the building.

I had choosen Italy for it is known as the easiest country to get a travel visa amoung the schengen countries for filipinos. The initial plan is to meet in Paris since his visa is for France & we will go around Europe together. 

Before you will proceed to their  office on the second floor the security personnel  in the ground floor will ask you to sign the registration book. Promptly I went up, waited for my number to be called, after 15 minutes they've announced my number ,they took my finger prints and my papers. I paid the processing fee 343 dirhams +5 AED for the sms. They advised me to wait for the sms of the result. 

After 3 days I received a sms to get my passport back and me who is so super excited went there hurriedly. They are about to close when I reached the centre at 7 p.m. When they handed over to me the envelop without any second ,I opened and found out that I was  denied for some reasons that I didn't proved enough that I am coming back and my bank statement does not state an enough balance. The embassy has put a rejection stamp in my passport.My dream to go with my boyfriend was gone.

I've learned my lesson" good things happens to the people who knows how to " listen to the experience people"

INFO & Insights:

*Don't be ashamed to ask for suggestion from the people who has a schengen visa, as much as possible get every single info that you need to know before you will apply. 

*Always make sure to have a sufficient amount in your bank before asking for the bank statement.

*Be positive & don't lose hope , there is always another time & another chance.