5. If applying for a tourist visa: You will need a cover letter addressed to the Embassy of Belgium (authorized to handle visa application on Slovenia’s behalf).

In the cover letter, explain your day-to-day itinerary and outline every specific activity you are planning to take—places to go, tours to join, people to meet/visit, etc.

Also, through this cover letter, submit an informal declaration explaining your intention to return to the Philippines before your visa expires.

In the cover letter, explain your reason for visit, where you will stay (did you get a hotel accommodation? Are you staying over at someone’s place?), how you will fund the trip (do you have enough in your savings to finance your travel?), and your day-to-day itinerary. Outline every specific activity you are planning to take—places to go, tours to join, people to meet/visit, etc.

Also, through this cover letter, submit an informal declaration explaining your intention to return to the Philippines before your visa expires. Make sure you sign the cover letter.

Explain and submit proofs for your reason to return:

• Do you have a young child in the Philippines you need to go back for and take care of? Submit the child’s birth certificate.
• Do you have senior citizen parents who are counting on your return? Submit a copy of their senior citizen IDs.
• Are you an employee or a student and must return for your job or schooling? Submit copies of employment or school documents.

We will discuss more about proof of strong ties later in this article.

As already stated above, you will also need to submit your flight reservation and proof of accommodation.

6. If applying for a visit visa: You will need proof of relationship with your host, partner, or sponsor—how are you related to the person you are visiting? Proofs in the form of Birth certificates, marriage certificates, written correspondence between you and your sponsor (screenshots of video calls and chats), and any other evidence of your relationship with your sponsor, such as photos together, are acceptable.

Equally important is the invitation letter written by the host or your partner based in Slovenia. In this letter, the host or your partner must indicate the exact address where the host resides, as well as the purpose and full duration of your visit to your host’s country.

If you are visiting your immediate family member or a close relative, you have to provide proof of the urgency of that visit. It could be a marriage celebration, birth of a child, serious health problem, or funeral.

Proof of strong ties or deep-rootedness is also extremely important. One of the most common reasons for visa denial is the lack of strong ties; make sure you provide a compelling reason to return to the Philippines.

6. On COVID-19 vaccination- As of April this year, Slovenia allows a restriction-free entry—it no longer requires travelers, regardless of their country of origin, to present a vaccination, recovery, or test certificate, upon entering the country.

However, as the pandemic situation is still developing, it would be advisable to bring your COVID-19 vaccination certificate (plus a photocopy of it) in case you might need it.

7. Travel Insurance – the coverage must be applied during the entire duration of the trip in Slovenia and must be valid for all Schengen countries. Coverage sum must be AT LEAST EUR 30,000 (Php 2.5 million or USD 50,000). I highly recommend Pioneer Insurance which you can avail yourself through me. Feel free to directly inquire through JASTravel on Facebook and I would be very glad to assist you. 

8. Proof of Funds or Financial Capacity – these documents are necessary to prove that you can either support yourself or your sponsor can cover your expenses financially during the whole duration of your travel.

• • For sponsored travel: Your host or sponsor declares that he or she will be solely responsible for all expenses incurred during your trip.

  • If applying as a Tourist or as a Visitor without a Sponsor – this means that you will cover all your expenses during the entire duration of your travel.
    
    • Bank statements – must show records of the past six months. A bank statement shows your transactions in your account at a specific period. It will show debits (withdrawals, payments, taxes, service fees) and credits (deposits, interest earned.) Bank Statements can also be seen online especially if you have a registered account. There is no signature for the manager or a bank officer.
    • Bank Certificate – it is a confirmation by the branch manager or a bank officer that you have an existing account in their bank. It shows the account number, the type, and other details such as the opening date of your account, your account balance as of the date of request, and your average daily balance. 
    • Other proof of income (supporting documents) – although it is not really required, you can submit invoices and pay slip equivalent to prove that you earn enough to support this trip financially.