Schengen Visa Approved After Rejection: Filipina in Japan Shares Key to Her Second Attempt Success
A Filipino citizen working in Japan has shared her inspiring experience of securing a Schengen visa to Italy—just weeks after her initial application was denied. Her journey underscores the importance of well-prepared documentation and strict adherence to embassy guidelines.
Denied Visa Over Financial Proof
The applicant, a Philippine passport holder residing in Japan under a direct-hire contract with a valid residence card, initially applied for a Type C short-stay Schengen visa to visit her boyfriend in Italy. Despite submitting several documents, her June 10, 2025 application was rejected by the Italian consulate in Tokyo. The reason? Weak financial documentation that failed to meet the embassy's standards.
Second Try, With a Strategy
Determined not to give up, she reapplied on June 18—this time armed with a much stronger and thoroughly prepared application. A major change in her second attempt was naming her boyfriend, an Italy-based foreign national, as her financial sponsor.
Her revised application included:
- A signed sponsorship letter from her boyfriend
- His employment ID, recent payslips, passport copy, lease agreement, and residence certificate
- Her own six-month Japan Post bank transaction history
- A certificate of employment and formal leave approval from her school in Japan
- A complete travel itinerary, round-trip flight booking, and travel insurance covering €30,000
The consulate reviewed her application, and the visa was approved. She picked up her stamped passport on July 7, 2025. The visa duration matched her travel dates precisely.
Lessons for Other Applicants
The applicant emphasized that non-essential documents—like a cover letter or personal photos—were dismissed by embassy staff. Instead, she advises applicants to:
- Follow the embassy’s checklist exactly
- Clearly reflect financial sponsorship in the application, especially in Question 33
- Submit only required documents to avoid confusion or delay
Her experience serves as a reminder that even after a rejection, a well-organized and corrected application can still secure approval.
Source: Gulf News
