My Schengen Visa Experience in Taiwan: Applying Through Poland
Following up on a previous post about applying for a French visa, I'm sharing my experience obtaining a Schengen visa through Poland while living in Taiwan.
Why Poland?
Initially, I considered applying for a business visa through another country. However, based on others' experiences, that consulate only issued visas for the exact dates requested, without the flexibility of a multiple-entry visa. This wouldn't work for my travel plans.
Therefore, I decided to apply through Poland, an Eastern European country known for potentially having a more straightforward process and a higher likelihood of granting multiple-entry visas.
Preparation: Research and Gathering Documents
With the help of readily available online resources, I searched for "Schengen visa application guide for Vietnamese citizens in Taiwan." I found numerous detailed guides covering everything from writing invitation letters and creating daily itineraries to booking flights and hotels. Since Taiwan passport holders don't require a visa for Europe, there aren't visa assistance services like those in Vietnam. Even though I was applying for a business visa for a company project, I had to handle everything myself.
Required Documents and Process
Here's a breakdown of the documents I prepared, based on online guidance:
- Visa Application: I visited the official Polish visa application website, selected the appropriate visa type, and filled out all the necessary information. Upon completion, the system generated a PDF file for the visa application and a QR code for scheduling an appointment. I signed the application, attached a passport photo, and saved it. Unlike my experience applying for a Danish visa, I didn't need to create an account or pay a fee upfront. The website I used was https://secure.e-konsulat.gov.pl/.
- Letter from Partner Company: This letter clearly stated my position and the purpose of my business trips. A scanned copy received via email was sufficient.
- Company Dispatch Letter: This letter formally authorized my business trips and included the same itinerary as the partner company letter. It needed to be signed and stamped by the company. I submitted a copy with my application and received the original back after my visa was approved.
- Employer Certificate: To be safe, I also obtained an employment certificate from my company stating my salary. However, the consulate didn't require it and returned it to me.
- Payslips: I printed payslips from the past three months. These were also not required and returned.
- Flight Bookings: Initially, my company booked real flights for me. However, canceling these flights would have cost a significant amount. Since I was applying for a multi visa and needed bookings for seven flights, the potential cost was too high. I then contacted an agent in Vietnam for assistance with booking cancellable flight reservations.
- Hotel Bookings: I booked hotels with free cancellation options through Agoda for three separate trips within the multi visa.
- Insurance: My company purchased travel insurance, which they covered, for the first trip only. I submitted a printed scan of the insurance policy.
- Bank Statements: I prepared bank statements for the past three months. These were also not required and returned.
- Copies of ARC and Passport: Standard copies of my Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) and passport.
- Detailed Itinerary: I prepared a detailed itinerary for all three trips covered by the multi visa, matching the information in the company letters.
- Passport Photos: I brought passport photos in the standard 3.5x4.5 cm size, taken in Vietnam previously.
My passport already had Schengen visas from Norway and France, as well as visas from Korea and the UK, so I hoped this would make the process smoother. However, my previous applications were made in Vietnam, where the process is more complex, requiring business licenses and financial reports, which are usually handled by visa service companies.
The Application Process
The Polish office in Taipei accepts applications directly, not through VFS Global, and only on Mondays and Wednesdays. When I submitted my application, I was asked basic questions, similar to a brief interview, about the purpose and duration of my stay. I submitted my application on a Monday and received notification of visa approval the following Tuesday. Visas are only issued on Wednesday and Friday afternoons.
While applying and picking up my visa, I noticed many Filipinos submitting applications. They explained that they were applying for visas to work in Poland for one year, with the possibility of extension afterward.
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