How to Apply for a Danish Schengen Visa for Filipino Tourists (Manila, Philippines)

by Visa Guides & Immigration, Denmark37 comments

With its vast coastline and 400 islands, Denmark (or the Kingdom of Denmark) is surely a great contender for an amazing Nordic or Scandinavian adventure! Thankfully, as a member of the Schengen Area, stopping by this wonder will be fairly easy to do when you include it on your Europe trip itinerary. (Danish Schengen Visa)

So in order to grab that coveted Danish Schengen Visa, I hope that my visa application guide below can be of help to you.

What to Do in Denmark…?

Come and check out this list of the top things to do in Denmark which features the best activities and tours to do in places like Copenhagen and more!

But first, some disclaimers:

  • NO ONE can give you the guarantee of your Schengen Visa’s approval — not even a lawyer, a consultant, a travel agent, or an embassy employee. Anyone who says otherwise is most likely going to be a scammer. So what I’m rather offering you here is a comprehensive guide with helpful tips to increase your chances of getting that visa. Nothing more, nothing less.
  • There are different types of Danish Schengen Visas (for fiance, work, study, etc.) but my main focus for this article will be a Schengen Visa for Tourism purposes only. To see a list of requirements for other types of visas for Denmark, go here.
    • Planning to visit Greenland or the Faroe Islands? The requirements are the same as those mentioned below, you only need to mention that either of these is your destination when submitting your documents at VFS.
  • Take note that additional documents could be asked from you if the Danish Embassy deems it so; and of course, initial requirements might also change over time after this post’s publish date, so it’s best that you check the Embassy’s main website as well which is located here.
    .

Schengen Area

A Schengen Visa is a document that allows the holder to travel freely within the Schengen Area or Zone for a maximum stay of up to 90 days in any 6 month period. This Schengen Area is a group of 26 European countries (22 European Union member states and 4 EFTA member states) that have abolished passport and immigration controls at their common borders and they are namely:

These 27 countries are namely:

[1] Excluding Greenland and the Faroe Islands
[2] Excluding overseas departments and territories
[3] Excluding Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, and the Caribbean Netherlands
[4] Excluding Svalbard
[5] With special provisions for Ceuta and Melilla

There are certain nationalities worldwide that are exempted from applying for a Schengen Visa, but as Philippine passport holders, in order to visit one or more of these Schengen states, we are required to apply for the visa. (Remember, Schengen Tourist Visa holders are NOT allowed to live permanently nor work in Europe, they only have the right to travel as a temporary visitor within the allotted timeframe indicated on their visa.)

» READ: How to Stay Longer in Europe

NOTE: It helps to mention that there are non-Schengen members in Europe that allow entry to their country if you have a Schengen Visa, namely: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Macedonia, Monaco, Montenegro, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Turkey, and Vatican City.

HOWEVER, you must check these details beforehand since their rules might have changed. Plus, customarily, only multiple-entry Schengen visas are allowed. For starters, you can check this list for a list of countries you can visit with a Schengen visa.

» When should I apply for a Schengen Visa?

Apply as early as three (3) months or 90 days before your planned trip date departure.

You can apply several days before your trip, sure — but it’s always best that you give enough time for the embassy to look into your application. After all, you wouldn’t want to make plans only to have the embassy provide you with a visa that has a validity period that’s NOT within your intended travel dates.

» Where should I apply for a Schengen Visa?

For Schengen Visas that have the main purpose of visiting a friend/family/national or reuniting with a fiancé/husband/etc. in a Schengen state, naturally, you should apply in the corresponding Embassy of the country where that person comes from.

Meanwhile, if you are planning to visit several Schengen Countries for your trip, your application must be made at the embassy of the main destination country — meaning, the country where you will be staying the longest. If the length of stay is almost the same, it’s best to apply for the country that you will first fly or enter in.

So as an example, apply at the Danish Embassy if according to your Europe itinerary, it is the country that you will be staying the longest and/or your first point of entry.

» Which Schengen embassy will I have a better chance of getting a Visa?

There’s no such thing as an embassy that would easily give away Schengen Visas. But, if it is a question of timelike which Embassy can you get application results the quickest — then that would be an easier query for me to answer, which then leads us to the question…

» How long does it take for Schengen Visa results to be released?

To the best of my knowledge, the following Embassies usually release visas earliest in an average of:

It can surely take longer if they need more documents or details from you.

» Can I visit Greenland or the Faroe Islands with a Schengen Visa?

Greenland and the Faroe Islands are autonomous or independent constituent countries under the Kingdom of Denmark, and as I’ve mentioned previously, Denmark is part of the Schengen Area Agreement — however, Greenland and the Faroe Islands are NOT.

So this means that you CANNOT visit Greenland and the Faroe Islands with a Schengen Visa, even if they are “under” the Kingdom of Denmark. To get a visa to these places, you need to apply for an additional/separate visa which you could apply for at the Danish Embassy.

To the best of my knowledge, the requirements are the same. (More info here).

• • •

Application Process for Danish Schengen Visa

Step 1: Determine the type of Danish Schengen visa you need to apply for

There are, of course, various types of Schengen Visas out there that you can apply for: a visa for residence, a visa for family reunification, a visa for studying, a visa for work, a visa for transit, a visa for being a spouse, etc.

For this particular guide though, I will only be discussing the requirements for a short stay (less than 90 days) tourist visa (both for tourism or for visiting family/relatives/friends) since it’s an experience that I’ve gone through myself.

If, however, you have a different situation or purpose of visit, it’s best that you head over to this page.

– – –

Step 2: Schedule your appointment online with VFS Global

When it comes to the Danish Embassy, they do visa applications via their external service provider, VFS Global. You can just walk into VFS without an appointment — but only from 7:00AM to 9:00AM from Monday to Friday. It’s from 9:00AM to 2:00PM on Mondays to Fridays that booked appointments are accommodated.

That being said, it’s still highly advisable to book your appointment beforehand so that you can select your intended time of visit (as well as to avoid long queues or waiting times).

Here’s how you can secure a time slot:

  1. Visit VFS website here and click the text that says ‘I don’t have an account‘.
  2. You will be lead to a registration page where you need to create your own VFS account. Provide your first name, last name, email, contact number, and intended password for your account. Click the button that says ‘Submit‘ once done.
  3. The page will load by itself and show you the log-in page. Enter the email and password that you set up and click the ‘Continue‘ button.
  4. On the next page, you will see a list on the left. Select ‘Schedule Appointment‘. You will then have to pick your application centre.
    • Under ‘Select visiting country’: Denmark
    • Under ‘Select residing country’: Philippines
    • Under ‘Select application centre: Denmark Visa Application – Manila (or Cebu if you’re in Cebu)
    • Under ‘Select visa category’: Tourists (or ‘Visiting Family’ if applicable to you)
  5. Once you have input all the necessary information, click ‘Continue‘.
  6. The next page will show the ‘Applicant List’ page. If you’re applying together with family or friends, you can only add 4 more applicant data (other than you) on this page to schedule a group appointment.
  7. Proceed to click ‘Add Applicant‘ and input all your relevant details. Afterwards, click ‘Submit‘ and proceed to secure your intended date for your appointment. Rest assured, there’s an option to cancel or reschedule your appointment.

– – –

Step 3: Prepare the required documents for your application

From what I’ve noticed, Schengen Visa requirements are almost similar, but with only a few tweaks or changes; so, you must ensure that you follow and provide everything that the Denmark Embassy requires.

Now, depending on your circumstance, click the symbol ‘+‘ below to view the corresponding requirements for each section. Take note that I have listed the requirements in order — meaning that the Embassy requires you to arrange these documents in such order upon submission (so take note of the order/numbering below).

Of course, always make sure that you have authentic, original, and complete documents at all times.

(Section A) Schengen Tourist Visa for Tourism

* * * * * *

(Section B) Schengen Tourist Visa for Visiting Family, Friends or Relatives

NOTE: If in case you are a Philippine national living or residing in a foreign country and you wish to avail a Schengen tourist visa, kindly inquire with the appropriate Danish Embassy in the country that you’re living/residing in about the requirements and procedures that you need to take (as the process and requirements will not be similar).

Also, the Danish Embassy may request more information or additional documents other than those listed above in order to verify the contents and truthfulness of the documents you’ve submitted; so, be prepared for that.

– – –

Step 4: Submit your application at VFS on your appointment date

It helps to arrive early for your appointment and the VFS address for both Manila and Cebu are:

Denmark Visa Application Centre – Manila
Ground Floor, Ecoplaza Bldg.,
Don Chino Roces Ave., Makati City
1231 Philippines

Denmark Visa Application Centre – Cebu,
Unit 503, 5th Floor, Keppel Center, Samar Loop
cor. Cardinal Rosales Avenue
Cebu Business Park, Cebu City
6000 Philippines

The process usually goes like this:

  1. Arrival and waiting period. Once you arrive at VFS, the security guard will confirm that you have an appointment and then he/she will usher you to the waiting area and advice you to wait for your name to be called.
  2. Submission of documents. Simply hand out your documents to the VFS staff and he/she will check the documents that you prepared and then ensure that everything is complete.
    • Like I mentioned previously, make sure that your documents are arranged in the right order.
    • If in case you have any missing documents, the staff will inform you about that.
    • The person will provide you with a 3-page questionnaire which you have to answer in a small private room. It’s basically your interview , but in written form.
  3. Biometrics. All Schengen embassies in the Philippines have to capture your biometric data (finger scans, digital signature, and portrait photo) and it will be kept in the Visa Information System (VIS) for 5 years.
    • If you have applied previously for the last 59 months you do not need to re-enrol your biometric data. However, there will be cases where you may need to re-submit your biometric data even if you have enrolled it previously. In such cases, VFS shall get in touch with you.
    • Do NOT wear colored or magnifying contact lenses which could alter your appearance.
  4. Visa payment. This must be paid in cash and it helps to prepare the exact amount in Philippine peso only. Once paid, they will give you a payment receipt (that has your application reference number and details) which you should keep. If you lose this receipt, VFS will not release your visa and passport; they will only release it after you give them a notarized affidavit of loss.
    • There are 2 things you need to pay for: first, the visa fee (paid when you registered here in section #3 above) and second, the VFS service fee. As of 2017, VFS service fee is Php585 per application and the visa fee is as follows:
      • 12 years old and above = € 80
      • 6 to 11 years old = € 40
      • 5 years old and below = FREE (but you will still be charged € 80 online upon registration; no worries because this will be refunded once the Danish. Embassy starts processing your application)
    • Be advised that payment of these fees is NOT a guarantee that the visa will be granted. It also helps to note that these are non-refundable and non-transferable if your application is denied or if you decide to terminate your application.

The Danish Embassy still reserves the right to ask you to appear for a personal interview after checking your visa application.

– – –

Step 5: Wait for the results of your Danish Schengen Visa application

Once the Danish Embassy is done assessing your application, they will send back your passport and your other original documents to VFS. Consecutively, VFS will send you a text message that you can now pick it all up. Make sure to bring your ID and the payment receipt when claiming your passport and the document detailing the decision on your application.

NOTE: You can check or track the status of your application online via VFS on this page. Please remember that the time for passport collection is from 2:00PM to 4:00PM from Monday to Friday, except weekends and holidays.

Some other things to remember:

  • If you cannot come personally to pick up your documents, you may send a representative in your behalf with your authorization letter, photocopy of your ID, payment receipt, and a valid ID with picture of your representative.
  • You may also opt to have your documents sent back to you through courier for an extra fee to be settled with VFS upon submission of your application. However, sending passports via courier is at the applicant’s own risk. The Danish Embassy assumes no resposibility for this. (Delivery will be done in 1-3 days within Metro Manila and 2-5 days if the address is in the province. Should the mailing address be outside a serviceable area, you may have to pick up your passport in the nearest courier branch.)
  • Naturally, the Danish Embassy will also NOT assume any responsibility if your visa application be rejected. And if it does get rejected, you will be given an information sheet that shows the procedures you can take in order to ask for an appeal.

• • •

Booking Essentials

Book an AirBnB
Booking.com

TIP: It’s a good idea to crosscheck the prices with other popular travel insurance providers like World Nomads and HeyMondo (as my reader, you get 5% off)!
.
However, take note a travel insurance’s affordability typically means lesser coverage; so please always ensure that you read the fine print in order to decipher which travel insurance company is the right fit for you and your trip!

Looking for more travel tips for the Europe?

Check out my other detailed Europe travel guides!

• • •

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Can I submit other documents not listed above?

If it can support your application even further, then sure! The Danish Embassy encourages that, especially you have a sponsor that will fund your trip, or if you have other documents that can help provide proof of your economical or social ties within the Philippines (example: pay slips, real estate properties, land title, etc.).

Do I need to provide a cover letter?

It’s not required, but it’s good practice to provide one.

Do you have an example cover letter?

Yes, I have. Check it out here.

How much money should I show in my bank account?

Most of the Schengen member countries would need you to show that you have at least EUR 50 (Php 2,500+) per day of your stay. You can use this as a standard and this is the bare minimum, that’s why I suggest that you add way more money to it if you can.

Is it possible to get a multiple-entry tourist visa to the Schengen area for one (1) year or more?

Yes, it’s possible! According to the recent Schengen visa code, you can get a 1-year multiple-entry tourist visa if you have obtained and lawfully used three (3) Schengen tourist visas in the past 2 years at the time of your application. You can get a 2-year multiple-entry tourist visa if you have obtained and used a 1-year multiple-entry visa within the previous 2 years; and lastly, you can get a 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa if you have obtained and used a 2-year multiple-entry visa in the past 3 years.

What if my plans change and I won’t be visiting some of the countries I indicated in my travel itinerary? Can I still travel to those other countries with my Schengen Visa?

There is no border control within the Schengen Zone, so yes — you can deviate from your original plans BUT only for as long as they’re within the Schengen member countries.

If I am invited for an interview by the Danish embassy, what are the usual questions that they will ask?

Interviews are done by embassies since they usually want more information about your situation, if not verify. From my experience, the questions will often be simple as it covers the following aspects:

– Your background: proof of strong ties with the Philippines, your job, your financial capacity, etc.
– Details & purpose of your trip: to where are you going to, why you’re going, how long, where you’re staying, etc.
– Your relationship with your sponsor: only if you’re applying with a guarantor/sponsor
– Your travel history: if you’ve been to the Schengen area before, if you have relatives/family there, etc.

Of course, the questions may vary depending on your circumstance but generally, there really are no difficult questions since they only want to know more about you and your trip.  So just be honest and concise.

• • •

» Top Denmark Tours «

Copenhagen Canal Tour

Copenhagen Canal Tour
with Tivoli Gardens Admission Ticket

Danish Schengen Visa: Tivoli Gardens

Tivoli Gardens
Skip-the-Line Ticket in Copenhagen

– – –

As you can see, applying for a Danish Schengen Visa via the Danish Embassy is easy, and I hope that with this visa guide, I can help you prepare your documents and requirements better.

Let me know how it goes. Good luck!

• • •

Have you seen my latest vlog?

How I Afford to Travel the World (Vlog)

About Me

About Aileen : Sidebar

Hey there! I am Aileen Adalid.
At 21, I quit my corporate job in the Philippines to pursue my dreams. Today, I am a successful digital nomad (online entrepreneur, travel writer, & vlogger) living a sustainable travel lifestyle.

My mission? To show you how it is absolutely possible to create a life of travel no matter the odds — and I will help you achieve that through my detailed travel hacks, guides, resources, tips, and MORE!

Follow Along

CURRENTLY BASED IN: The Philippines

Trending Now

Top 10 Things to Do for Your First Tibet Travel

Make the most of your Tibet travel with these top 10 must-do activities, from exploring ancient monasteries to trekking mountains!

Geisha of Japan: Understanding the Facts, History & Myths

Japan’s geisha are cloaked in mystery & secrecy resulting in a number of false ideas about them — so let’s get the facts straight!

Maximizing Your Miles: Unlock Budget-Friendly Travel Hacks & Tips

Start traveling smart! Take note of these travel hacks that will help you in maximizing your miles or do points hacking.

EU261 Compensation: Your Essential Guide on European Flight Delays or Cancellations

Learn to claim EU261 compensation for flight disruptions like delays, cancellations, downgrades, or denied boarding!

Japan Cherry Blossom Forecast 2024: When & Where to Visit for Sakura Viewing (By Region)

Start planning your sakura (cherry blossom) adventure with this Japan cherry blossom forecast! (Includes best spots for ‘hanami’ viewing!)

Learn Today

How to Start a Successful Blog

and Earn Money!

Up for Grabs

AILEEN5OFF

Use this promo code on Klook to get 5% off on ANY tours & hotels worldwide!

37 Comments

  1. Maria Aleta Manaog Dionisio

    Hi Aileen,

    I enjoyed reading your article here. May I ask if VSF will collect all documents including passport and will return it ( ask to be picked up ) even if denied or approved? I mean, at the US Embassy you get to know right away if you are approved or denied of Visa.

    Reply
    • Aileen Adalid

      Hey Maria, yes, VFS will collect everything and they will return your passport once they receive the results (positive or negative) from the Embassy. I wish you all the best!

      Reply
  2. Mark

    Hi Aileen just want to ask a question.My girlfriend is currently working in Thailand on a work permit.Can she apply from there to get the schengen visa or she can only do it from the Philippines?

    Reply
    • Aileen Adalid

      Hey Mark! Given that she is residing in Thailand, she can just go to the nearest Danish Embassy to apply for a tourist visa. She doesn’t need to go back to the Philippines :)

      Reply
  3. Ma-Blessie Roda Johansen

    Hi Aileen i just ask abt my cases.If i go visit Denmark with my danish husband can i get Tourist Visa?And how abt my Travel Insurance it is nesessary?My husband live almost 3 years now here in Philippines.And He like to go back Denmark and i come for him.Thankyou

    Reply
    • Aileen Adalid

      Hey Blessie! Yes, you can apply for a tourist visa, but I’m not sure if the Denmark embassy right now currently accepts any tourist visa applications. Nevertheless, once you apply, you DO need to get a travel insurance. It’s a basic requirement across all Schengen countries like Denmark :) Hope that helps!

      Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Pin It on Pinterest

Use promo code AILEEN5OFF to save 5% off on all Klook tours and hotels!
This is default text for notification bar