Korean Tourist Visa

Many of my Filipino friends are eager to visit South Korea (This post is my answer to their inquisition, haha!), but sad to say, Filipinos' are not granted to enter South Korea without a valid visa. However, a Korean tourist visa (which let you stay in Korea up to 90 days) is simple and straightforward to obtain. - (If you have a regular job and you pay taxes, a bank account, or perhaps a sponsor.) Without further (blah blah) ado, here are the new implemented requirements for Korean Visa.

Requirements for first time applicants
First time applicant means you are not a frequent traveler or you haven't been to any of the OECD member countries.

1. Application Form



2. One (1) Passport size colored picture (34mm x 45mm/white background)



3. Original Passport (6 months valid)



4. Photocopy of Passport Bio-page



5. Original Certificate of Employment (if employed)



6. Photocopy of Business Registration and Business Permit (if self employed)



7. Original Personal Bank Certificate issued by bank



8. Original copy of bank statements/passbook for the last 3 months



9. Photocopy of ITR (Income Tax Return) or Form 2316 (available from your HR department or request through Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).



10.  Invitation Letter & Copy of inviter’s Passport (if invited by Korean resident.)



11.  Invitation Letter & Copy of Korean Company Business Permit (if invited by Korean company)



12. If applying as a student, the applicant is required to submit his/her School Certificate, NSO Birth Certificate and Parents’ Documents (employment certificate, bank certificate and ITR).

***Take note***
"All documents must issued within 3 months on the date of application."

To download the latest Visa Application Form, under Consular/Visa Service click VISA APPLICATION FORM.  I suggest you complete the online PDF form as neat as you can.

Requirements for Frequent Travelers
Frequent travelers are the travelers who have been to any of the OECD member countries.

1. Application Form



2. One (1) Passport size colored picture (34mm x 45mm/white background)



3. Original Passport (6 months valid)



4. Photocopy of Passport Bio-page



5. Original & Copy of valid visas and arrival stamps to OECD member countries for the past 5 years



6. Original Certificate of Employment (if employed)



7. Photocopy of Business Registration and Business Permit (if self-employed)



8. Original Personal Bank Certificate issued by bank



9. Original bank statements/passbook for the last 3 months

When you have completed all the requirements then your good to apply your tourist visa.

The Embassy of South Korea in the Philippines is Located at :

122 Upper McKinley Road
McKinley Town Center, Fort Bonifacio
Taguig city 1634, Philippines.

Applications are accepted, Monday ~ Friday 08:30 ~ 12:00nn ONLY
For first time applicant, submit your requirements at Windows 1 & 2, and for Frequent Travelers submit your requirements at Window 3.

Visa fees:

For Philippine Passport holders:

• 59 days (or less) stay in Korea — GRATIS (no charge)


• 60 to 90 days stay in Korea – Php 1,350


• Single Entry – Php 2,250


• Multiple Entry – Php 3,600

If your application is accepted, they will give you a claiming stub which the date of release is stamp. *Please do not lost the stub otherwise it's another waste of time.   

The Processing takes 5 working days for first time travelers and 3 working days for frequent travelers. This may be extended though, depending on the Consul’s decision.

Releasing time is only from 2 to 4 pm.

First time applicants are advice to personally claim their visas. An interview with the consul may be required before the result of the application is given.






Korean Tourist Visa

When the consul hand you your Visa, check if the information about you are ALL correct before leaving the Embassy. If there is even one mistake such as the spelling of your name, you have to tell them right away, so they will correct whatever mistake was imprinted on your Visa. Then you would have to wait for another 30 minutes for that. (This is a very important issue, you don't want to be held in the airport and suffer for the consequences)

My piece of advice

If you think you are capable to obtain a Korea Tourist Visa, I suggest to do the processing by yourself. You DO NOT need to hire an agency to process your application, because private agencies are no way will have any connection inside Korean Embassy even they say so. And the process is similar, so agencies are just there to guide you step by step, which you don't need when you can get all the information you need on the internet. In that sense, you can save your money.

Well, I don't wish you luck, like the others. You don't need luck on this, what you need is WILL POWER. Believe in yourself, be confident and don't be afraid to ask for anything your not sure about or anything you don't know about.

For more information Visit the official website of the Embassy of Korea in the Philippines.
 
Should you have any inquiries or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment below or email me at apinayblog@yahoo.com.