The Visa Application Center for Czechia in Manila, Philippines, is set to resume processing Schengen visa applications starting next month. In a press release, the Czech Embassy in Manila announced that starting June 1, 2024, citizens of the Philippines wishing to apply for a visa can schedule online appointments through the VFS website to submit their applications.

As per the Embassy's guidelines, individuals falling under the family category, such as spouses of Czech citizens, are permitted to directly submit their applications to the Embassy. However, the Embassy advises such applicants to arrange appointments via email. Additionally, it remains uncertain whether submitting Schengen visa applications directly to the Embassy will be feasible.

Effective July 31, 2019, individuals wishing to appeal the decision of the Czech Republic Embassy in Manila must pay a €60 fee, which is subject to monthly fluctuations based on the exchange rate. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Czechia will review the complaint within a 60-day period.

Citizens of the Philippines and Nauru must adhere to visa requirements for both short-term (up to 90 days) and long-term (over 90 days) stays in Czechia.

Conversely, citizens of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau do not require a visa for stays up to 90 days in Czechia, provided the purpose of the visit is non-commercial. Short-term visa applicants (up to 90 days) traveling to Czechia are obligated to submit their visa applications at the VFS Global Center.

As clarified by the Embassy, visa applications can be lodged up to six months prior to the intended travel date. The standard processing time is 15 days, although longer processing times are rare and only granted under exceptional circumstances. Hence, it is recommended to submit the application at least 15 days before the planned trip. Applications submitted less than 15 days before the intended travel date may not be processed in time, as per the Embassy's guidelines.