Nobody likes lining up at embassies. NO BODY. Waiting in a queue for someone to tell you that you're probably not a terrorist and mark it down on your passport just isn't very enjoyable, but it's a necessary inconvenience for everyone in the Philippines. Unfortunately our passports don't carry much cache and someone has to vouch that we aren't traveling with anthrax in our pockets. To make things even more complicated, different VISA centers operate a little different. Some are better than others, even though they mean the same thing. Those applying for Schengen visas have the choice of any country they are visiting, and choosing the best one is essential to save time. The Italian visa center (shared with New Zealand) is about average. The queues are long, but they do have family lanes for large groups. The waiting area is small and it can get a little tight during peak seasons, but the place is well air conditioned. It's still going to take you the entire day, but this is a little better than others. read more