Hello dear British-Filipino friends! I finally have my Schengen tourist visa today. Have had to 'ambush' the postie and gladly gave the parcel to me. I still showed him my BRP ID but he said he knows me already (It was the 2nd time I approached him in a hurry ). It is 4 days since we submitted my application. It took us a while to book an appointment as we were still waiting for my daughter's passport-- not that we needed hers but my passport was sent along with it. Anyway, it is here now and I am very pleased. We applied through BLS Spain Visa Application Centre (VAC) in London https://uk.blsspainvisa.com/london/ And submitted the following documents: > Printed appointment receipt > Sponsorship letter works as cover letter too > Filled out application form (3-4 pages) and signed in 2 boxes with attached photo -**I had an issue in filling out my name in here at first because I don't know where to place my middle name (mother's maiden name). I am still carrying my maiden name in my passport. It turns out I don't need to write it anywhere. Just first/given and last names. ** > Passports (old and new) and husband's with copies > BRP card with copy > Marriage certificate with copy > Travel Itinerary > Hotel Accommodation details > Travel Insurance > Husband's employment letter, pay slips and bank statements which were never looked at We brought a pre-paid special delivery envelope but they don't accept it apparently. It costs us £20.50 plus £20 processing fee, £40.50 all together. They still say the visa is free. We only spent 5 minutes in the cubicle with the officer but waited 1.5 hours to have our numbers called. We had an appointment time but still a first come, first served basis when we got there. I couldn't imagine how much time we were going to be there when we weren't half an hour early. Good thing there was a play area for my toddler and was quite happy staying there with my mum-in-law whilst we were sorting our papers. I was expecting an airport-type security but anyone could just get in. The lady in reception is nice (unlike the feedback I read somewhere) and friendly especially to my daughter. I am so glad I have my visa at hand. I have even been granted multiple entries for 6 months even though I only placed a week on the travel dates. Edit to add: I am constantly being updated via SMS of the progress of my application. First hour of submission day I got a text saying they have my papers. Next day, it was in the Spanish Consulate being processed. And yesterday, I received a message that it is arriving today with the tracking number. Now it's time to prepare *cough* shopping for our first ever family holiday abroad.
Congrats Anne Had the same experience with France, I paid just over £40 as well for the admin fee and for the postage which is annoying but hey ho
Thank you. It's not until September. I was starting to worry when we were waiting for my daughter's British passport. But all are here now.
Well done Anne , that’s great news , and I’m sure your detailed post will help others here . Enjoy your holiday shopping .
Thank you OTT. I hope this helps. Would like to add, the Spain VAC are planning to make doors in their cubicles. People waiting can actually hear what is going on when you submit your application. At least they are doing something to make things private in the future
