South Korea

Applying for Korean Visa in the Philippines (LET'S GO TO KOREA!)

See you Seoul!!!! 



This is my family's experience with korean visa application in the Philippines.

DISCLAIMER: THIS WAS POSTED ON 2016 AND NEW GUIDELINES IN APPLYING FOR KOREAN  VISA HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED. VISIT MY NEW POST - https://wanderingpotatoes.blogspot.com/2019/10/how-to-apply-for-korean-tourist-visa.html

I am writing this blog in October 2016 but you'll probably read this by 2017 since we kept all preparations and plans a secret to our relatives and friends. At this very time, I am still living in Thailand (no one knows what will happen next year anyway) and my family are all in the Philippines. 

 So..... I was originally planning on sharing this next year but I think it will be quite helpful to many so posting it now will be better.

 Since we love travelling, we all decided to visit Korea (because me and my sister loves it, you know why) instead of them going to Thailand or me going back to Philippines (which I do every year). Of course it will be different. Rather than going local and known (Bangkok), this time we want to venture the bustling streets of Seoul. 

We're pretty sure that my family won't go anywhere since my parents have their jobs and my sister is still studying. On to the main point! Because I'm the one who's in the internet every single time (and the lone excited human), I went to research the requirements in applying a Korean Visa in the Philippines (because I know it's so strict). I read plenty of blogs, went to many sites to compile everything for them (they don't like it). Since 3 of them are travelling, plane tickets will be quite heavy to pay at once and I don't want to risk buying a ticket and ending up with no visa (I mean let's expect for the worst). We were planning to travel on October because it's the semester break and the season is the best, but again, the plane ticket. THEN FATE, I happen to read a Filipino blogger post sharing his experience when he applied a Korean visa. What attracted me about his post is, he applied for a MULTIPLE ENTRY VISA under a BDO promotion. So I was like, OMG. This is a chance of a lifetime. The validity of this visa is up to 3 years (if granted) and he and his wife was approved. Originally, the promotion was only for a short period but then they extended it until December 2016. I quickly phoned my parents and asked if they had the BDO credit card that was required (I know my father had the BDO credit card but I was not sure as to which plan was it). AND VIOLA!! His card is covered!! I sent inquiries to the embassy directly as well since our case is different. It was a bother for the blogger but I emailed him since July and my family were able to finish everything by October (HAHAHAHA, SNAIL). But he is very accommodating and would try to suggest everything that he knows. Thank you kuya!! Check out his blog! 


As I have mentioned. It took a long time for my mom to finish everything because of work, her parent and wife role and she got sick for a week and has totally forgotten about (she wouldn't remember if I haven't mentioned about it).

Note: MAKE SURE TO PREPARE THE REQUIREMENTS ACCORDING TO THE NATURE OF YOUR JOB. 

Quick background of my family: my father is a UV Operator/Driver (self-employed), my mother is a College Instructor (employed) and my sister is a Student (minor). My father is the BDO credit card holder. All of them have their bank accounts (yes, including my sister),

Going on, we had all these requirements prepared:

FOR BUSINESSMEN  / SELF EMPLOYED
  1. Application Form
  2. 1 piece of Passport size colored picture
  3. Original Passport (should be valid for more than 6months)
  4. Photocopy of Passport Bio-page (page 2)
  5. Original & Photocopy of valid visa/s and arrival stamps to OECD member countries for the past 5 years (If applicable only)
  6. Photocopy of Business Registration from SEC or DTI
  7. Photocopy of Business Permit or Mayor's Permit
  8. Original Personal Bank Certificate (must include account type, current balance, account opening date, ADB)
  9. Bank Statement (original or certified true copy of bank statements/passbook for the last 3 months)
  10. Photocopy of ITR (Income Tax Return) or Form 2316
  11. Copy of PRC Card or IBP Card (If applicable only)
FOR EMPLOYEES
  1. Application Form
  2. 1 piece of Passport size colored picture
  3. Original Passport (should be valid for more than 6months)
  4. Photocopy of Passport Bio-page (page 2)
  5. Original & Photocopy of valid visa/s and arrival stamps to OECD member countries for the past 5 years (If applicable only)
  6. Original Certificate of Employment (must include applicant's position, date hired, compensation, office address, HR landline number(cell-phone number is not allowed), HR e-mail address)
  7. Original Personal Bank Certificate (must include account type, current balance, account opening date, ADB)
  8. Bank Statement (original or certified true copy of bank statements/passbook for the last 3 months)
  9. ITR(Income Tax Return) or Form 2316 Copy 
  10. Copy of PRC Card or IBP Card (If applicable only)
FOR STUDENTS
  1. Application Form
  2. 1 piece of Passport size colored picture
  3. Original Passport (should be valid for more than 6months)
  4. Photocopy of Passport Bio-page (page 2)
  5. Original & Photocopy of valid visa/s and arrival stamps to OECD member countries for the past 5 years (If applicable only)
  6. School Certificate (Original) 
  7. Copy of School ID 
  8. Copy of Birth Certificate 
  9. Parents' Documents 
    • If employed: Employment Certificate Original [must include position, date hired, compensation, office address, HR landline number(cell-phone number is not allowed), HR e-mail address]
    • If Self-employed: Business Registration from SEC or DTI (Copy), Business Permit or Mayor's Permit(Copy)
    • Original Bank Certificate [must include account type, current balance, account opening date, 6 months average balance (ADB)]
    • Bank Statement (original or certified true copy of bank statements/passbook for the last 3 months)
    • Copy of Income Tax Return(ITR)
    • Copy of Nso Marriage Certificate


Other note:* If personally invited by Korean 
. Invitation Letter
. Photocopy of invitor's Passport or Identification Card (authentication not required)

* If invited by Company in Korea
. Invitation Letter
. Photocopy of Korean Company Business Permit(authentication not required)
* Frequent travelers who have traveled as tourist to OECD member countries within 5 years are exempted from submitting ITR.

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 Submission of applications are from Monday to Friday (except holidays) from 8am to 10.30am and releasing will be 1.30pm to 4pm. Further details will always be provided by the embassy AND YOU CAN ALWAYS ASK.

 It is very important to accomplish all these requirements. So basically, my father is under self-employed. And as mentioned above, he is the credit card holder which entitles him being exempted from submitting a Bank Certificate and ITR but all other documents were still handed. When you request your bank certificate and bank statement from your local bank, don't let them make you confused when they say it's the same. Just apply for both documents. It should be ready after a week with a fee (my parents' are for BDO, and it took a week for 100PHP). The documents for my sister were also photocopied even though you had the original one already from the parent. Making sure. :)

You should also have sufficient amount of money in your bank account that will support your expenses for the trip. COMPLETE ALL THE LISTED REQUIREMENTS PROVIDED BY THE EMBASSY. 

I asked the embassy if everyone should be present when submitting the application because they'll be travelling together and I was advised that a representative will be fine. 

My parents went to the embassy on a holiday which we didn't had any idea. So make sure to check the Korean holiday so you won't waste a day. They went back after a week and submitted their applications. My mom said that there is a different queue for those who are applying under the BDO promotion. They also had a credit card billing statement with them to support the ownership of the card. 

Visa Fee: 
59 days (or less) stay in Korea -- GRATIS
60 to 90 days stay in Korea -- PHP1,800.00

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea is located at 122 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Town Center, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. 

As per the embassy, the processing time are:
  • 3 working days (for those who have been to OECD member countries within 5 years as tourist)
  • 5 working days (for those who have not been to OECD member countries within 5 years)
My parents submitted their applications on Monday and they were asked to return by Thursday which I don't understand why since they haven't traveled anywhere except Thailand. Anyway, you just have to follow what they had advised you. 


And after that long months of preparation, FINALLY!!! 


It is their first time applying for visa and we're more than blessed to have it approved. For questions, do comment below. I'll gladly help as much as I can. 
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