According to 2018 records supplied by reserving platform Agoda, the top international locations visited via Filipinos are Japan, Hong Kong (China), Thailand, Malaysia, UK, the USA, Italy, and France. Because we’re a part of ASEAN, we don’t need a visa to enter Hong Kong, Thailand, and Malaysia. However, for the opposite international locations, getting a visa can get laborious, highly-priced, and complicated. That’s why we all need to get our visa applications approved on the first attempt.
The hassle is the Philippine passport is a vulnerable one, rating 75th of 199 nations. While we will locate the SOP for using visas anywhere on the net, we requested seasoned travelers their secrets and techniques to nabbing the coveted visas. Here’s what they shared:
Japan
Homeschooling mother Donna Donor travels the world along with her son, Kib. She said now is the time to apply for a Japan visa. “These days, it is easy to use because of the imminent Tokyo Olympics that is much less than 500 days away.” She says that on massive occasions in a rustic method, the government is spending several cash. “It’s easier to apply for a visa due to the fact the USA needs a budget.” Take note of special countrywide occasions of nations you plan to go to, like royal weddings, coronations, and sports activities like the Olympics and World Cup.
Banker Toby Reyes advises that at every consulate, expect that you are “responsible till demonstrated innocent.” “Especially in nations like the US and the UK, particularly if you have the profile of a person who might overstay, you have to give proof that you may come again home. How? Strong ties to the Philippines like you have a permanent activity, property, plenty of cash.”
Toby provides, “I also positioned under consideration the culture of u . S. I’m applying to. For instance, the British are very proper and well mannered, so when I gift myself and my files, I make sure I’m also right and polite. I even organized my documents in a big binder with every section well categorized. For example, ‘Bank Statements,’ ‘Proof of Employment,’ ‘Proof of Properties Owned,’ and many others. This isn’t necessary, but I trust the Entry Clearance Officer appreciates the care I put into my application, which could help get me good final results. I constantly get my UK visa!”
It’s a shaggy dog story shared amongst mother and father that whilst you practice for a US visa, bring the children and say the magic words: “We are going to Disneyland!” In case you don’t have children, you might sense depression, understanding that an American visa is one of the toughest visas to get.
Take coronary heart and pay attention to this critical reality: While the United Kingdom and many other international locations depend on files to show your qualification for a visa (you could practice for an Australian visa online, for instance), the United States bases their decision on their private interplay with you. How your appearance, how you speak, and how you answer questions count extra than your documents. You nevertheless must prepare all the requirements, but these are had to assist your solutions on your interview.
Mike Aquino, Tripsavvy.Com contributor, and journey author says that his mindset is to adopt a stoic attitude in the direction of getting on. “Go in already waiting for the worst-case scenario, so rejection is something you already be given, and an approved visa is a nice bonus. Attitude is a large part of getting one’s visa permitted. I swear consuls can smell the desperation on you.”
Filipinos love going to Paris and Rome. To get to those famous towns, you want a Schengen visa. The Schengen Area covers Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
With so many nations you may visit with simply this one visa, the trick is to choose which the USA is greater open to granting a visa to Filipinos. Kate Alvarez, the creator of Smile mag, says that Italy is the strictest. “When I arrived in Rome, I finally understood why. There have been such a lot of Pinoys! I applied thru the Netherlands, and there have been only some humans in line.” Lifestyle writer Kristine Ching agrees. “[Apply through] the Netherlands for your visitor visa. There’s no queue, and you get your visa in much less than a week. Germany is fast, too.”
