List of Schengen Visa Requirement for 3rd World Class Passport Holders

 Hi there everyone!

It's been a long time, but I will make it up to you this time.

I have prepared a list of the Schengen Visa Requirements for a 3rd world class passport holder like me, most specifically to Filipinos like me based in the middle east.

However, if you are not a Filipino, but also coming from a developing country like mine, you may also pick-up the ideas for the success of achieving that dream Schengen Visa.

Attaining that trip to Europe with having a passport from a third class country seems to be tedious -- possible but requires a lot of documentation and preparation.  Even building an impressive bank funds will require time.  Not only that it is quite a lot of work, but the visa application fee itself is something that is needed to be prepared for -- especially if your application is as family.  So, with this guide, it will be like your road map to success in seeing that dream country of yours.

In this list, I also personally made some FAQs which were raised to me and I would love to share my thoughts. Download: FREE SCHENGEN VISA GUIDE 2023/2024

My first Europe travel was back in January 2014, it was in Athens Greece. At that time, it was a late celebration of our 10th wedding anniversary and also hubby's 40th birthday. It was 2-in-1 celebration. It was a late anniversary celebration since I could not travel because of the 3rd mester of pregnancy with my 3rd child. We did not mind the Hellenic embassy giving us a single entry for 1-week validity (exact to our travel dates). 

Then our 2nd travel was for the whole family back in Sept 2015. We applied thru France visa and landed in Frankfurt Germany.  Yes, it was possible to apply for a visa in a different country of landing. I highly suggest that you read the FAQ part in the attached file as I have discussed it there in details. They gave us 6-months multiple entry. However, we did not go back within that span of time.  But thanks to the France embassy for showing us how generous they are.

My 3rd Schengen visa attempt was in Netherlands, February 2020.  Our target travel date was in April, to see the blossom of Tulips in the Keukonhof Gardens.  They gave us a visa, valid for 2 weeks upon target date of landing. But because it was Covid period that time, the whole world has shut down its airports and travels, the visa just got expired.

In between the years, I travelled to Asia and USA in various times.  

However, in late 2022, my interest in Europe had awaken.  My husband and I applied through Switzerland embassy.  They gave us 3 months validity, but who will travel to Switzerland between Oct-January -- cold months? 😅 But it was my most unforgettable travel since we went to Chamonix in France and it was my first time to climb the alps.  Seeing it from the top was an unforgettable experience.  We landed in Geneva then travelled to nearby France (Annemasse). 

Mont Blanc, Chamonix France 

Then, we went back to Geneva and started seeing the Switzerland for the first time.  I remember that lake next to a petrol station. It was gorgeous, yet it was not yet a tourist spot.  We moved to Montreux in the following days and I really admire the Chateau Du Chillon -- the very first medieval castle I ever went inside.  I could still vividly remember the chills in my spine that time -- thinking how blessed I am to be born at this time and not during that time.  That medieval time, there was a huge gap in the lifestyle between servants and rich.  And if you happen to be born in a poor family, there is no way to change your life. You were born poor and you will die poor.  Unlike our time today, women is empowered and respected in many countries.  The poor can mingle with the can-afford people and there are a lot of budget travels available (that's the most important part for me).

Chateau De Chillon, Montreux Switzerland

 Then we moved to Bern, Switzerland's capital.  That time was Autumn season, so the leaves has 4 colors.  It made itself so unforgettable to me until this time.  I loved its old town, how gorgeous! Then, we went to Interlaken.. OMG!!!! I could not even express its beauty! The lake was so clean and the houses around it were pleasant.  We went to Harder Kulm to view the Interlaken from the top, but it was foggy that we did not succeed to achieve our goal.  We went to Luzern, another gorgeous old town, as expected 😍.  Then we moved to Zurich and finally experienced the Lindt Chocolate Museum Factory tour. It was one of the most unforgettable experience I ever had.  We also went to Rapperswil-jona, south of Zurich, I even took off my shoes and dipped my feet there just to really feel the icy water of Zurich! Another unforgettable experience for me.  We also explored the Old town in Zurich and again, another gorgeous place in Switzerland.  To me, Switzerland is a gorgeous country 360 degrees, I could not find any unlikely corner. I even felt safe the whole time of our travel there.

Zurich, Switzerland

Again in 2023 we travelled to USA as family, but we also travelled to Switzerland in Oct 2023.  We applied our visa to France (again) and was given 6 months visa*.  We landed in Geneva.  During our arrival, there wasn't any single question given to us to whether why our visa was France yet we landed in Switzerland.  Probably because my husband and I had good records in the system already 😀.  That time, we moved to Annecy on our first night.  It is another medieval city and the lake is like that of the one that you see in the Fairy Tale.  Annecy is just about 30-40 minutes from Geneva and is worth visiting.  

Lake Annecy, France

Then we started to move to Yvoire, another famous medieval city (infact quoted as one of the most beautiful medieval towns in France, according to Google).  I also highly recommend this place.  Then, we wanted to show the Montreux to our children, the Chateau De Chillon. After then, we visited the Callier Chocolate Factory.  It's so much bigger than Lindt in Zurich.  

Callier Choco Factory, Switzerland

We also spent a night at the Interlaken and the villa that we have booked exceeded our expectation.  It was so close to Interlaken. We also managed to go to Mt Eigger (foggy that time so we did not go to Jungfraujoch), but we also stayed one night in Lauterbrunnen and we also get to see the famous Grindelwald.  Those 2 places were like in the fairytales.  Then, we moved to Zurich as well and visited the Lindt Chocolate Museum Factory -- this time with all our children.  To me, I prefer the experience in Lindt than in Callier, if I were to choose one.

Zurich Old Town, Switzerland

February 2024, using the same France visa, my husband and I landed in Rome. We enjoyed the Rome & Vatican (world's smallest country).

 Rome, Italy

Then we moved up to see the Leaning tower of Pisa, spent a night nearby Pisa Tower.  Then we moved to Milan.  It was my first time.  And I was again impressed to see the outfit of the ladies there. Of course, it is the World's Fashion Center.  I did my research before the travel -- that Italians were fashionable so I consciously selected my daily outfit and these can be seen in my vlogs.  Models were just everywhere.  The details of the Duomo Di Milano was also very captivating like I spent almost a halfday there just adoring its details.  Then we walked to the nearby attractions. It is worth spending a day and night in Milan.  Then we moved to Lake Garda. We visited Desenzano side and slept in Sirmione.  The medieval village there was huge and world class. It is worth visiting it.  We even got a budget hotel, with Lake view. I slept the whole night with our door slightly opened and listened to the waves all night.  What a relief to my insomnia! Then we moved to Venice.  Ah, that unique huge medieval town surrounded by body of water.... ah that was another unforgettable experience.  Next time I would go back there I will make sure that I will get a night sleep in that vicinity.  You could enjoy a whole day of walking there in Venice.  Then, we drove back to Milan Bergamo for our departure.  We spent half day going around before we checked in at the airport.  I'd say Bergamo is worth the visit as well.

Venice, Italy

April 2024, on the same France visa from Oct-2023, I travelled to Nice France with my eldest daughter.  Close by to Nice is Monaco, another small country that is worth to visit.  We also moved to Marseille and went back to Nice by bus for our departure.  It was my first time strolling around Mediterranean via public transportation and I don't even speak French 😅 so our travel was a bit of challenge.

Nice, France

Overall, I love the France embassy for always giving us long duration and multiple entries.  Definitely I will apply again through them because based on my experience, processing the Schengen visa application is already too much of work and time and money, so if you are given multiple entry for longer period, that somehow saves you from all the effort and money.

Feel free to browse my guide and I wish you success in your Europe travel. Ciao! Salute!

Download the free guide here for the SCHENGEN VISA REQUIREMENTS LIST & FAQS