How to Increase Your Chances of Getting a Visa

Multiple countries are tightening their belts and their borders. From South Korea to Australia, more and more people are getting their visas rejected.

Sometimes, it seems that even the most random applicant gets rejected: one member out of an entire family, a professional with previous travel experience, or even someone who’s been to the country before. Equally, some people get accepted almost miraculously. So, what’s the deal?

The Philippines has always been something of a high-risk country. With a relatively low ranking of 78 out of 109 in the 2024 Henley Passport Index (HPI), Philippine passport holders are visa-free in only 69 countries. In comparison, Singapore and Japan can travel visa-free to 194 countries.

With a population that’s known for overstaying on their visa – and even have a term for it (“TnT,” meaning “Tago nang Tago” or ‘Always Hiding’) – it’s no surprise that Filipinos may have a hard time gaining the trust of some international embassies.

But even if we’re all just taking our chances, here are a few ways you can up your chances of getting a visa to your desired country:

Don't get lax with documents

It’s always a heartbreaking surprise when people who’ve been granted previous visas get rejected on their next planned visit.

Don’t get overconfident when it comes to filing your visas: double-check everything on the application form, and make sure the photo and paper measurements are exactly what the embassy asks for.

Remember, agents in that office deal with an enormous number of applicants a day, it’s not their job to figure out or fix your application for you.

I remember applying for my first Schengen visa with other university students and our professor telling us – or perhaps threatening us – that if we didn’t order our inch-thick documents in a specific way (bank statements after application, affidavits after bank statements, and so on), we could get rejected. I literally spent close to an hour making sure all my documents were organized like a table of contents – and it paid off.

I’m not sure if that warning holds any water, for all I knew, the French embassy couldn’t care less how my papers were organised, but at the end of the day, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Follow all instructions to a T, from sizes to what kind of information they ask for, and even how they want you to fill the application (Typed out? Handwritten? Black Ink?).

Build travel credentials

By this, we mean travel more. Philippine passports are still entitled to visa-free travel to 69 countries, so why not take advantage of that? It’ll be a lot easier to prove yourself a credible traveller when you already have a history of abiding by your stay privileges.

A few trips here and there can be especially handy for when you apply for more challenging visas such as US, Schengen, or UK. Multiple embassies also ask for copies of previous visas and if you’re able to supply them with these, especially to OECD countries, there’s a better chance they’ll grant you a visa.

If you’re already planning a trip to these visa-free countries: Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Macau, then we highly suggest you visit our other channels to better curate your trip and maximize your stay.

It's better to explain

Cover letters are usually optional, but if you have the time, we highly recommend making one. This is your one chance to explain your specific circumstances to the embassy; why your documents say what they say, or why certain things are the way they are.

If it applies to you, feel free to tell them about your previous travels and how you’ve never overstayed a visa, or perhaps share more of your day-to-day itinerary with them.

Make sure your bank balance is consistent

Bank statements can be tricky; embassies know that people can easily loan money to fill their bank accounts for the sole purpose of applying for a visa. As such, it’s important to prove consistency in your documents. Embassies will ask for bank statements that will track expenses anywhere from three to six months ago; they may also ask for a document that will show them the median amount in your account. Make sure that these will be enough to fund your travels.

There’s no magic amount that will get them to approve visas, but of course, the more money you have, the better. Just make sure that the amount remains consistent; having a smaller amount balloon up in a matter of days or weeks will raise a red flag to anyone.

Elaborate on what keeps you here

Supporting documents are a helpful way to establish trust. You can usually show embassies documents that prove you have ties to the country. These can be personal or professional; they can be a certificate of employment, land titles you may own, or reports of investments you’ve made.

It may also be plans to travel further on in the year, a renewed lease on your apartment, or perhaps documented plans of a wedding you’re celebrating in the country.

If you need to, file for an affidavit of support

Freelance professionals or those currently unemployed may find it difficult to apply for a visa, especially when income is unstable at the moment. If necessary, file for an affidavit of support. This is a document that legally puts the obligation of payment for the trip on someone else, perhaps a parent or relative.

The affidavit will need to be notarised, and bank documents of the person supporting your trip will also be needed, but it shows the embassy that there is someone who will be able to support you while you are abroad.

If possible, have your return plane ticket ready

Embassies will usually remind applicants not to purchase plane tickets until after the application process. However, if you have the budget for it, it might be a good idea to have your tickets and a prepared itinerary that matches your intended dates of stay.

It will show that you have plans of leaving the country (which is what they want to ensure), and that you’ve already committed to it in one way or another. Hotels can usually be booked after plane tickets.