SCHENGEN VISA INTERVIEW GUIDE (Swiss Embassy)

SCHENGEN VISA INTERVIEW

SCHENGEN VISA INTERVIEW

Most of you who are first timers, just like me back before, are probably anxious with the littlest details. What time should you go, where, what you should wear, and of course the most common, what to say on the day of the interview. I am sharing on this post my experience. Presented in bullets for easy readability. Hope it helps :)

1. WHERE AND WHAT TIME TO GO:

So first you should know where to go.

The Swiss Consulate is located at 24th Floor, BDO Equitable Tower 8751 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City.

I didn't have a hard time looking for it as the place is known by taxi drivers. My appointment that day is around 10am but i arrived there at 7am (i didn't wanna be late lol). There were 7-Eleven and Starbucks Stores just down the building so waiting is not a problem. BE ON TIME! This is very important.

2. WHAT TO WEAR

This is probably the hardest thing for me as I didn't wanna look dumb by being too formal and also  look not serious for being under-dressed. So, i decided to wear my typical 3/4's polo with jeans and my all time favorite vans which is all black by the way. So i looked around, most of them aren't really dressed that much. I think the key here is to be presentable. 

Here's an observation:

FOR MEN: Most were just wearing a smart casual wear. Just long-sleeved polo, black pants/jeans and well polished shoes.

FOR LADIES: the lady right beside me was wearing white casual top, loose black pants ( i don't know how to describe it) and on her hand is an elegant purse.

Note though that outside the building, while waiting in the line, i was with two Swedish Couple, who also had an appointment, and they were on their HIKING attire.

3. WHAT HAPPENED INSIDE:

Before going up, you need to present a VALID ID at the lobby to be given a visitors pass (don't forget). 

Upon arrival at the floor, you need to surrender your phone and other things to the guard on duty as they are not allowed inside.

Your name will be called, and confirm your appointment with an appointment number the HOTLINE gave you.

They will give you a questionnaire to be filled out. Questions pertain to details of your travel such as date of entry, have you been there before, do you have a relative living there, etc. Just answer them truthfully.

With your documents on hand, just wait for the interviewer to call you. 

THE INTERVIEW

So i handed out the documents required of me. She checked them one by one making sure you're not lacking any (this really made me nervous as she is not saying anything while doing this! Waaaah). So after checking the interview started:

She asked me the basic questions. 

- Who is my sponsor (MY UNCLE).

- How long do i intend to stay in Switzerland (already stated on my letter of invitation)

- What is my Job

- Who paid for my tickets

- When am I planning to go back

All those stuffs. Just a typical conversation, not what I had in mind. Note though that the questions aren't same to all. And the interviewer by the way is also a Filipino, not some Swiss guy, which i though would be.

So after the interview. they told me they will submit my documents to the Main Office, based in Bern, and will get in touch with me as soon as my visa is ready.

MY ADVICE:

Just smile, be confident, answer truthfully and behave at your best ;)

ALSO SEE: APPLYING FOR A SCHENGEN VISA