Embassy of France to the Philippines Resumes Issuance of Certain Visas From Today
Philippine citizens can file their application for a visa to France starting from today, Monday. June 22, given that the visa type they are applying for belongs to one of the categories for which visa operations have resumed.
According to a notice of the Embassy of France to the Philippines, the Embassy has resumed the issuance of certain categories of visas from today.
The processing of the following types of visas will be given priority:
- Student/entrance examinations (short and long stay)
- Business (short and long stay)
- Family establishment in France
“Our service provider, VFS Global (30th Floor, The World Centre, 330 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue, Makati City, Metro Manila) will receive visa applicants in accordance with currently enforced health guidelines (wearing of masks, taking of temperature, etc.),” the notice explains.
However, the Embassy reminds applicants that the issuance of a visa does not guarantee the possibility of entering French territory, as the entry of every traveller is determined by the relevant border restrictions on the date of travel.
The Embassy also advises visa applicants to make sure that the laws of the Philippine allow them to leave the Philippines on the chosen date of departure.
“The consular services of the Embassy of France to the Philippines will not be liable for cases in which the holder of a visa it has issued would be prevented from leaving the Philippine territory on the selected date due to the measures adopted by the Filipino authorities,” the press release reads.
Previously on June 15, France lifted entry restrictions on for non-essential travel to France for citizens of the European Union and the Schengen Area countries, excluding only Spain and the former EU nation, the United Kingdom.
On the same date, France promised it would comply with the EU Commission’s recommendation to gradually and partially lift travel restrictions for third-country nationals, in accordance with the procedures which will have been adopted at European level by then.
Whereas last week, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs invited international students who need to travel to France for study purposes to do so, as starting from July 1, the consulates abroad will also start processing residence permit applications as a priority.
