This is not, in any way, an “official” write-up on how to get a Tourist Visa for South Korea. It’s just me relaying my experience (since we all know that Filipinos generally don’t have the easiest time when it comes to getting these types of documents). Basically, I looked into this issue online, reading lots of helpful blogs and browsing through forums and, of course, referring to the official website of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of the Philippines.
My target date of departure for my SoKor trip is the last week of March. All flights and accommodations have already been booked. Some suggested I apply with the help of a travel agency but, for some reason, I preferred to do it my own way. Considering that I have a Monday-to-Friday eight-to-five job, I had to file for a leave of absence for my trip to the Korean Embassy in Taguig City. I left Baguio at 2am, and arrived in Cubao at around 8, then went directly to the Embassy.
Of course, I made sure I had the complete requirements. I arrived just as the Embassy opened. Not a lot of people, no queue, the security was tight but friendly. Make sure you have more than one valid ID since they will let you leave one at the gate. I submitted the documents and left the Embassy. It took me less than 3o minutes to go in and out. Compare that to the 6-7 hour bus trip from Baguio. So I went malling (HAHA!). Since no malls were likely to be open at just around 9, I took a cab to SM Mall of Asia, arrived at around 10, had a late breakfast, walked around, did some damage to my wallet, then caught the 4pm trip back to Baguio.
Exactly one week later, I took another leave of absence, but this time left Baguio at half past 6 in the morning, arrived at the Embassy at close to 2 pm, just in time for the release of the visa and passport. Had some nail-biting moments while queuing, especially when the two young ladies before me were turned down because they needed to submit a few other proofs. Then it was my turn, I was handed my passport back, and I just stood there going, “That’s it? I’m good?” The elderly guard winked and said, “You’re good”, and you couldn’t possibly wipe the ear-splitting grin on my face. Claiming took me all of 20 minutes. So I went malling again (this time, in a more celebratory mood – SoKor HERE I COME!), did some more damage, then caught the 8pm trip back home. OH YES.
Update: My second SoKor trip took place August 2015, and my second time applying for a tourist visa went much much smoother. There were some new requirements – which will be discussed below. AND I GOT A MULTIPLE ENTRY VISA EVEN WHEN I DID NOT APPLY FOR IT. YASSSSS THANK YOU! Now when to go back….. hmmm….
Now here’s the helpful (I hope) bit of this post.
What are the documentary requirements for a South Korean tourist visa?
Depending on your purpose for going there, there are certain requirements that must be submitted. Check them out here. For my case – an Employee – these are the ones I brought with me:
1. The VISA APPLICATION FORM, downloadable from the site. Properly and duly filled up after reading the instructions on the second page. They couldn’t be any clearer.
2. Passport-size colored ID picture taken within the last 6 months. The requirements said to bring 1 copy, but to be sure, bring more at least 2 or 3.
3. Your original passport. Make sure it still has a remaining validity of AT LEAST 6 MONTHS from the date of your trip.
4. Photocopy of the Passport Bio-Page, or the 2nd page of your passport, the one containing your info.
5. Update: (because I didn’t have this yet the first time I applied) Original and photocopy of valid visa/s and arrival stamps of OECD member countries for the past 5 years, if available (except Korean visas). In my case, I photocopied my visa and arrival stamps during my trip to Japan on November 2014. The original was still in the passport I submitted, so that’s a given.
6. Original copy of my Certificate of Employment. I got this from my office, duly signed by the head of our department. I think for private companies, the signatory is the HR head. My Certificate of Employment included the name of the agency I work for, the address, the contact number, and the pertinent dates. According to the website, it should also indicate the date of issue of the Certificate. Mine had that, as well as a clear indication of my period of employment (“From XXXXX to date”), my status of employment (Permanent/Regular), and my current gross monthly pay.
7. Original Personal Bank Certificate. I requested a bank certificate from BDO, and got it the next day. It’s NOT A BANK STATEMENT; make that very clear when you request one from your bank. I also opted to use my personal BDO bank account instead of my account with the bank where my salary is credited.
8. Photocopy of my Income Tax Return or Form 2316. Since I am travelling March 2013, I made sure I got the latest, which is my ITR for 2012. I had it certified as a photocopy of the original.
9. Update: Original or certified true copy of bank statements or passbook for the last 3 months. I requested this from my bank, and they provided a snapshot of my bank statements. I also provided a photocopy of my actual passbook and had it certified by the bank.
10. Update: Copy of PRC (Professional Regulation Commission) or IBP (Integrated Bar of the Philippines) Card, if available. I also saw this only now, not when I applied for the second time, so it was not required of me. But my friend, who was applying for the first time, got a suggestion from the security guard at the Embassy to add a photocopy of her PRC CPA license, just to ‘increase her chances of being approved’, according to the guard. And yes, her visa application was approved.
Filling up the Visa Application Form
It’s very simple, really, and this is important: READ THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE FORM. They couldn’t be any clearer; you’re practically spoonfed. You shouldn’t have a problem if you follow everything to the letter. I made three copies, just to be sure. Not duplicate copies, but three blank forms filled out carefully. Avoid erasures.
Submitting the Documents
STICK TO WHAT IS REQUIRED. If it said photocopy, then submit the photocopy. You may think you’ll have better chances by submitting the original, but this time, STICK TO WHAT IS BEING ASKED. No more, no less. I even took the prerogative of using a paper clip to keep them together, but the lady behind the window simply removed it and gave it back to me. (haha!)
Fix them in order of the listing in the website’s documentary requirements.
How much did I pay?
Nada. A SoKor tourist visa is GRATIS if you will be staying there for 59 days or less. I’ll only be there for about a week, so I didn’t pay for anything.
Is there an interview?
None. They didn’t ask me any questions. The lady just took the documents from me, and then I was given a number to claim it after 5 working days.
(On my second application, it took only 3 working days.)
Is it a must that I have travelled to OECD member countries for the past 5 years? Or that I have a US Visa?
No. The first time I applied, I haven’t travelled to any OECD member country, and I don’t have a US Visa. But those who did, and those who have, will only have a processing period of 3 working days. I remember when I was claiming my visa, there was a separate window and queue for US Visa holders and those who have already visited Korea in the past. (This is where I was made to queue during my 2nd time.)
Can I just have someone submit the documents for me?
Yes. I saw some travel agency representatives doing so. It’s a matter of choice, really. Since there is no interview, I don’t think personal appearance is required. However, for my part, I preferred to be fully aware of what goes on, so I decided to do it myself.
I advise you to go there personally when it’s time to release the visa. As I mentioned earlier, some were asked to give more documents. One lady ahead of me in the queue, in particular, was asked for a copy of her Meralco billing (as proof of her residence address). I panicked when I overheard this, because what if they made me do that? I’d have to go back home (6-7 hours!) to get one. Just to be sure, bring with you your latest utilities billings. It doesn’t hurt to be prepared.
How much should be on the Bank Certificate?
No idea. Some say it should be at least Php 100,000.00. Others say Php50,000.00 is enough. I think you should just make sure that you have enough money to sustain you for the duration of your stay in Korea.
Important details:
The embassy is located at 122 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Town Center, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. I don’t know my way around the place, so I relied on the cab driver to take me there. It’s beside the British embassy.
Submission of application is from Monday to Friday, at 9 to 11 in the morning. The afternoons are for releasing, between 2 to 4 pm. To avoid long lines, be there early.
You could take the easy way out and use an agency to apply for the Visa; just be prepared to pay a certain fee for their doing the legwork. I just thought it was more fun and hands-on this way.
Hope this helped.
(Originally published April 6, 2014. First trip to South Korea (Seoul-Jeju-Busan) was March-April 2013 – you can check out my travel posts here – and the second trip (Seoul-Gyeonggi) was August 2015. The third….? ZOMGSOONPLEASE.
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