Schengen Business Visa Requirements (Philippines → Netherlands)

Visa Type: Schengen Visa Type C — Short-stay Business Visa Max stay: 90 days within a 180-day period Apply at: VFS Global, Makati or Cebu Source authority: Netherlands Embassy in Manila + IND (Dutch Immigration)

Personal Documents (Applicant — Gilbert)

Identity & Travel

• Passport — valid for at least 3 months beyond the last day of the visa, issued within the last 10 years, with at least 2 blank pages for stamping
• Old passports (if any) — bring all previous passports
• 2 recent passport-size photos — Schengen specs (35mm × 45mm, white background, biometric)
• Photocopies of passport bio page

Application Forms

• Schengen Visa Application Form — completed online, printed in 2 copies, signed
  • Online portal generates a unique code — must be on the printout
• Cover letter — explaining purpose of visit, dates, who's sponsoring, return plan

Financial Proof

• Bank statements — last 3 months, original + copy
• Payslips — last 3 months
• Income Tax Return (ITR) — most recent
• Certificate of Employment — from current employer (if applicable)

Travel Insurance

• Travel medical insurance — minimum coverage €30,000, valid in all Schengen countries, covering full duration of stay
  • Must include emergency medical care, hospitalization, repatriation

Accommodation

• Hotel reservation for entire trip
  • OR letter from Droplet stating they're providing accommodation (with hotel address)

Travel Itinerary

• Flight reservation (round-trip) — booking confirmation, NOT paid ticket yet (recommended to use refundable booking until visa approved)

Ties to Philippines (proof you'll return)

• Employment contract with current employer (Droplet PH side, if applicable)
• Property documents (land title, condo papers — if owned)
• Family ties — marriage certificate, kids' birth certificates
• Business registration (if self-employed/agency owner)

Company Documents (Droplet — Sponsor / Inviting Party)

These come from the Netherlands side. Droplet must provide:

• Business invitation letter — on Droplet company letterhead, signed by an authorized representative, stating:
  • Gilbert's full name, passport number, position
  • Purpose of the visit (production site visit, operations review)
  • Exact dates of the visit
  • Confirmation of who covers expenses (flights, hotel, daily allowance, visa fees)
  • Droplet's address in the Netherlands
  • Contact person at Droplet
• Droplet's Chamber of Commerce extract (KvK uittreksel) — proof Droplet is a registered Dutch company
• Copy of contract between Gilbert/Gilbert's company and Droplet (the one stipulating the visit)
• Letter of guarantee (if Droplet is covering all costs) — Dutch form available from IND

Special: Orange Carpet Facility Program

The Netherlands Embassy in Manila has a fast-track program for employees of registered companies. Worth asking Droplet:

"Is Droplet registered under the Netherlands Embassy's Orange Carpet Facility Program? If so, my visa application can be processed via the expedited track at VFS Makati/Cebu."

If yes — significantly faster processing.

Fees (subject to change — verify on VFS site)

All fees should be shouldered by Droplet per contract. Confirm in writing.

Timeline

TODO

• Confirm trip dates with Droplet to determine application window
• Request invitation letter + KvK extract from Droplet
• Ask about Orange Carpet Facility Program eligibility
• Get travel insurance quotes (Pacific Cross, Bluecross, AXA — all common for Schengen)