Shengen Visa for Filipina holding a 10-year U.S. Green card.

[allanr 5]

My Filipina wife wants to go on her 26 day dream tour of Europe. She is a U.S. 10-year green card holder.  We will drive 10 hours for her Shengen Visa interview (Netherlands) in San Francisco in January.  My concern is that they require that her tour, insurance and airline tickets be paid in full prior to arriving at the VFS.global interview.    She's had the same job for over 3 years, she makes a fairly good amount of money (~$60k), and we have plenty of money in the bank.   

 

There is nobody talk to at this visa service about the chances of her being rejected since she is still a passport holder from a 3rd world country.  If she is denied a visa, we are out over $6,000, which is the prepaid amount for the airline ticket, tour price, and insurance required.   Does anyone have experience with the Shengen visas and how often people from 3rd world countries are denied? 

 

If the chances of her being rejected are over about 10%, I'm thinking the risk of prepaying for everything is not worth it.

 

Thanks in advance.  

Edited December 17 by allanr

[SalishSea 17,979]

2 minutes ago, allanr said:

My Filipina wife wants to go on her 26 day dream tour of Europe. She is a U.S. 10-year green card holder.  We will drive 10 hours for her Shengen Visa interview (Netherlands) in San Francisco in January.  My concern is that they require that her tour, insurance and airline tickets be paid in full prior to arriving at the VFS.global interview.    She's had the same job for over 3 years, she makes a fairly good amount of money (~$60k), and we have plenty of money in the bank.   

 

There is nobody talk to at this visa service about the chances of her being rejected since she is still a passport holder from a 3rd world country.  If she is denied a visa, we are out over $6,000, which is the prepaid amount for the airline ticket, tour price, and insurance required.   Does anyone have experience with the Shengen visas and how often people from 3rd world countries are denied? 

 

If the chances of her being rejected are over about 10%, I'm thinking the risk of prepaying for everything is not worth it.

 

Thanks in advance.  

The obvious bit of advice is to make sure that all of the tickets and arrangements are refundable, in case of a denial.

[Boiler 45,752]

16 minutes ago, SalishSea said:

The obvious bit of advice is to make sure that all of the tickets and arrangements are refundable, in case of a denial.

I was going to say the same!

[OldUser 7,003]

46 minutes ago, allanr said:

Does anyone have experience with the Shengen visas and how often people from 3rd world countries are denied?

This is a US immigration forum. While some people may have anecdotal knowledge on Schengen visa approval rate, it won't be as extensive as VJ user knowledge when it comes to US visas and immigration. 

 

I'd recommend searching forums related to travelling or Netherlands. Each EU country has different approval rate, some higher, some lower. US LPR status helps (I hope it was disclosed in application). I know US LPR originally from South East Asia region with weaker passport who got approved for Schenhen visa recently. So it's possible. 

Edited December 17 by OldUser

[allanr 5]

1 hour ago, SalishSea said:

The obvious bit of advice is to make sure that all of the tickets and arrangements are refundable, in case of a denial.

The issue is that the tour portion of the trip is over $4,600.  It has a hard-and-fast 10 day refund period, and will not send the documents needed for the Shengen Visa until it is paid in full. From what I've read, in the majority of cases, it takes longer than 10 days to get the decision on whether you've been accepted or denied.   I am looking into airline tickets that are fully refundable.  They have a disclaimer on expedia that states that not all taxes and fees may be refunded.

 

it's never easy...

[Boiler 45,752]

Book a different trip that has more flexible cancellation

[SalishSea 17,979]

14 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Book a different trip that has more flexible cancellation

Or, consider booking directly through the airlines?  Not sure if that eliminates the losses, but maybe the value of the trip would be preserved via a voucher/credit at least.

[Lemonslice 4,922]

28 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Book a different trip that has more flexible cancellation

Exactly.  When they have the visa in hand, they can upgrade to the tour.  

Edited December 17 by Lemonslice

[allanr 5]

30 minutes ago, Lemonslice said:

Exactly.  When they have the visa in hand, they can upgrade to the tour.  

So, the recommendations here are to lie about the trip in order to get a Visa.  Given Shengen's somewhat ridiculous requirements, it's actually good advice. Looking for a trip now that fits that criteria. The couple I've seen so far say they will issue travel credits rather than refunds...

 

Thanks to all...

[Lemonslice 4,922]

39 minutes ago, allanr said:

So, the recommendations here are to lie about the trip in order to get a Visa.  Given Shengen's somewhat ridiculous requirements, it's actually good advice. Looking for a trip now that fits that criteria. The couple I've seen so far say they will issue travel credits rather than refunds...

 

Thanks to all...

Absolutely not lying.  Plenty of ways to be truthful, even open about the extras you might add later. 

Plan a realistic (refundable) trip first, same destinations, same duration, same dates.  If you are approved for the visa, then add the tour services.   Wishing her an easy visa approval, and to both of you a fun trip.

 

I have had to requests more than a dozen visas in my life, and I was always able to tweak some details later; restaurant reservations, museums exhibits, walking tours.    

 

 

[appleblossom 2,816]

Have you got a link to where it says bookings paid in full are required? I find that a bit odd, normally you’re told not to book non refundable things before having a visa in hand! 

[JeanneAdil 6,583]

I waited to travel to UE when i was naturalized / it would be a few years for u but it makes traveling to UE so much easier

and  i used that waiting time to save so the trip was really fantastic

 

why Shengen?

 

why not apply for tourist visa to say France?  once u r in 1 Shengen country,  u r free to travel all  /we fly to several on our trip from 1 to anther and no customs or passport checks 

[OldUser 7,003]

1 hour ago, JeanneAdil said:

why Shengen?

 

why not apply for tourist visa to say France?  once u r in 1 Shengen country,  u r free to travel all  /we fly to several on our trip from 1 to anther and no customs or passport checks 

Schengen.

 

Applying for a particular country tourist visa requires entering and exiting EU through that country. That's at least one downside. Secondly, while there are no borders for travelling, police checkpoints emerge here or there from time to time. I'm not sure how police handles document check in this case (visa for country A, but travelling in country B).

 

[davidvs 354]

Why do you need to book a tour in advance? Just book refundable airline tickets and worry about a tour after the fact.  

 

It's off topic, but I would argue you don't even need a tour to enjoy your trip, just plan it yourselves.

[JeanneAdil 6,583]

24 minutes ago, OldUser said:

Schengen.

 

Applying for a particular country tourist visa requires entering and exiting EU through that country. That's at least one downside. Secondly, while there are no borders for travelling, police checkpoints emerge here or there from time to time. I'm not sure how police handles document check in this case (visa for country A, but travelling in country B).

 

we flew country to country (flying first to Paris with return trip from Paris) considered domestic flights with no customs and immigration / flights to switzerland ,  Spain and Italy 

we drove to Belgium and into geermany / no police checkpoints but with a visa to any of the Schengen countries,  you wouldn't have to worry if there were checkpoints if u have a valid visa

 

A Type D long-stay visa issued in France or by another Schengen country allows you to travel in the Schengen area for a maximum period of 90 days in any 180-day period during your visa's validity period subject to presenting supporting documents as to the purpose of your visit and your means of subsistence.

Edited December 17 by JeanneAdil