To secure a Schengen visa for a trip to France, here’s a
summary of what you need to do:
Make sure you’re applying for a Schengen visa at the right
embassy.
Set an appointment through the embassy’s designated Call
Center.
Prepare the required documents.
Go to the embassy at the appointed time to personally lodge
your application.
Wait for the results.
Should you be applying at the French embassy?
A Schengen visa allows you to travel to France and/or any of
the other countries in the Schengen Area. In other words, once you obtain a
visa from ANY of the Schengen countries, you can travel to ALL of the Schengen
countries. That said, you can’t just apply for a visa in any Schengen country.
The rule is: your visa application should be lodged at the embassy/consulate of
the country that constitutes the MAIN destination of your trip in terms of
purpose or length of stay.
Are you traveling only to France?
Is the main purpose of your trip in France, even though you
will be visiting other countries?
Is France the country where you will be spending the most
time?
If you answer yes to any of the questions above, then, yes,
you should apply for a Schengen
Visa at the French embassy.
Please note that “purpose” in no. 2 usually refers to
business or some other official engagement. If you spend 3 days in France and 4
days in Germany, you need to apply for a visa at the German embassy, no matter
how much you protest that the main purpose of your trip is to visit the Eiffel
tower.
If you are spending equal time in 2 countries — say, 3 days
in France and 3 days in Germany — that is when other factors are taken into
consideration, such as where your flight from the Philippines will actually
land.
First of all, you should know that:
The French embassy is in Manila. If you’re from other parts
of the Philippines, you’ll have to fly there. No exceptions.
Applications may only be submitted 3 months prior to
departure at the earliest. If you’re one of those people (like me) who want to
prepare things well ahead of time, sorry, we will just have to deal with our
anxieties till 3 months prior.
On the flip side of the coin: waiting times for appointments
can sometimes take a month or more. Moreover, the embassy warns that while visa
processing usually takes just 5-7 days from the date of interview, it’s
possible it will take up to 8 weeks — for instance, if they ask you to provide
additional documents. Procrastinate, therefore, at your own risk.
Your embassy appointment is when you will be handing over
your requirements. Make sure you give yourself enough time to secure things
like bank certifications and marriage contracts.
Visa application interviews are held from Monday to Friday,
8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
[Source: http://smalltowngirlsmidnighttrains.com/2014/04/02/getting-a-schengen-visa-at-the-french-embassy-what-you-need-to-know/]