SOUTH KOREA VISA REQUIREMENTS AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES

This article is about South Korea Visa requirements and Application process.

Starting July 1, 2018, an assigned travel office will be handling applications for Korean Tourist Visas. The necessities are the same. However, applications can’t be coursed through the Korean Embassy any longer. This new arrangement and strategy were actualized because of the enormous spike in Tourist South Korea Visa applications from the Philippines. From 90,000 applicants in 2015, it grew to a massive number of 160,000 in 2017. To make it simpler and increasingly advantageous for everybody, the Korean Embassy has assigned 35 travel offices all through the nation where you can document your application.

The following are South Korea Via requirements and application procedures:

STEP 1: COMPLETE THE SOUTH KOREA VISA REQUIREMENTS

Here are the records that all candidates need to document.

1.An accomplished South Korea visa application form.

• The South Korea visa application form must be COMPUTERIZED. Also, make sure not to leave anything blank. If some fields do not apply to you, put N/A in them. (Not Applicable)
• Print the duly accomplished form (size: A4)

You can download the South Korea Visa Application here

2. One (1) colored passport photo (35 mm x 45 mm).

• Your picture must be taken against a plain white background
• Paste it on your application form

3.Philippine Passport.

• Your Passport must have the validity for at least another six months.
• Submit it without any jacket or other forms of cover.
• If your Passport is new (with a validity of 10 years), it must contain your signature. If not, then there is no need to sign it because your signature is already in the bio.

4.A photocopy of your passport bio (page 2). This is the page of your Passport which contains your information.

5. On the off chance that it is accessible, bring an original and a photocopy of your valid visa(s) and arrival stamps to OECD member nations within the most recent five years. Legitimate visas to OECD member nations will build your odds of getting approved, so make it sure to present these if you have them. As of June 12, 2019, Japan Visas are no longer accepted by the Korean Embassy.

STEP 2: PROVIDE THE NECESSARY ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Contingent upon your employment status, these are the supplementary documents that you’ll have to present for your South Korea visa application.

A. SOUTH KOREA VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR EMPLOYEES

1.An original copy of your certificate of employment.

• To be imprinted on your company’s official letterhead.
• It must contain your current position at the company.
• It must include the date you were enlisted.
• It must state how much your salary is.
• It must provide the address of your office.
• It must contain the Human Resource landline number (a cell phone number isn’t permitted).
• Lastly, it must include the e-mail address of your company’s Human Resource Division.

2.Your personal bank certificate (original copy).

• It must incorporate your account type.
• It must include your account’s current balance.
• It must incorporate the date when you opened your account at the bank.
• Lastly, it must state your average balance (ADB) for the past six months.

3.An original copy or a certified true copy of your bank statements/passbook for the past three (3) months.

4. Income Tax Return (A photocopy of your ITR Structure 2316)

• Ideally, Your ITR must be stamped by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)
• Travelers who have gone as tourists to OECD member nations in the last five years are excluded from presenting an ITR.

5.A photocopy of your PRC or IBP card (if relevant).

6. If a Korean national invited you for a visit, you should likewise present:

• An invitation letter and must be coupled with a photocopy of your inviter’s Passport or Identification card.

7. If an organization invited you to Korea, you should likewise present:

• An invitation letter and,
• A photocopy of the Korean organization’s business permit.

*If in any way you are a freelancer and you cannot present a COE, you will be solicited to show pieces of evidence that you have a current job. These pieces of evidence may include photographs or screen captures of your work, letters from your customers, and the like. Mostly, you have to demonstrate to the embassy that you are making a living here in the Philippines and that you will not go to Korea to search for a job.

B. SOUTH KOREA VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR BUSINESSMEN

1.A photocopy of your business registration from the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Department of Trade and Industry. The certification from SEC must incorporate pages with the names of the investors/stockholders.

2. Your business permit or mayor’s permit (A photocopy).

3.your personal bank certificate.

• It must incorporate your account type.
• It must include your account’s current balance.
• It must incorporate the date when you opened your account at the bank.
• Lastly, it must state your average balance (ADB) for the past six months.

4.An original copy or a certified true copy of your bank statements/passbook for the past three (3) months.

5.Your Income Tax Return ( a photocopy of ITR Structure 2316)

• It must contain a receipt of payment from a bank authorized by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)
• Ideally, it must be stamped by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)
• Travelers who have gone as tourists to OECD member nations in the last five years are excluded from presenting an ITR.

6.A photocopy of your PRC or IBP card (if relevant).

7. If a Korean national invites you for a visit, you should likewise present:

• An invitation letter and,
• Your inviter’s passport or Identification card (photocopy).

8. If an organization invited you to Korea, you should likewise present:

• An invitation letter and,
• A photocopy of the Korean organization’s business permit.

C. SOUTH KOREA VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR STAY AT HOME WIVES/HUSBANDS

1. If your spouse is employed, present a copy of his/her original certificate of employment.

• To be imprinted on the company’s official letterhead.
• It must contain its current position at the company.
• It must include the date they were enlisted.
• It must state how much their salary is.
• It must provide the address of their office.
• It must contain the Human Resource landline number (a cell phone number isn’t permitted).
• Lastly, it must include the e-mail address of their company’s Human Resource Division.’

2.An original copy of your or your spouse’s personal bank certificate.

• It must incorporate the account type.
• It must include the account’s current balance.
• It must incorporate the date when the account at the bank was opened.
• Lastly, it must state the average balance (ADB) for the past six months.

3.An original copy or a certified true copy of your or your spouse’s bank statements/passbook for the past three (3) months.

4.A photocopy of your or your spouse’s Income Tax Return (ITR Structure 2316)

• Ideally, it must be stamped by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)
• Travelers who have gone as tourists to OECD member nations in the last five years are excluded from presenting an ITR.

5.A photocopy of your marriage certificate issued by the NSO.

6. If a Korean national invites you for a visit, you should likewise present:

• An invitation letter and,
• Your inviter’s passport or Identification card (photocopy ).

7. If an organization invited you to Korea, you should likewise present:

• An invitation letter and,
• A photocopy of the Korean organization’s business permit.

D. SOUTH KOREA VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS AND MINORS

1.An original copy of the school certificate.

2.A photocopy of school ID.

3. Birth certificate issued by the NSO.

4.The supporting financial documents of the student’ s/minor’s parents:

If the parents are currently employed, an original copy of the certificate of employment must be presented:

• To be imprinted on the company’s official letterhead.
• It must contain its current position at the company.
• It must contain the date they were enlisted.
• It must state how much their salary is.
• It must provide the address of their office.
• It must include the Human Resource landline number (a cell phone number isn’t permitted).
• Lastly, it must contain the e-mail address of their company’s Human Resource Division.
• If in case the parents are independently employed (self-employed), present photocopies of their business registration from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) just as well as their business permit or mayor’s permit.

5.An original copy of the parents’ bank certificate. The following must be incorporated:

• It must include the account type.
• It must incorporate the account’s current balance.
• It must incorporate the date when the account at the bank was opened.
• Lastly, it must state the average balance (ADB) for the past 6 months.

6. Your parents’ bank statement/passbook for the past three (3) months (original or a true certified copy).

7.A photocopy of your parents’ Income Tax Return (ITR Structure 2316). Travelers who have gone as tourists to OECD member nations in the last five years are excluded from presenting an ITR.

8.A photocopy of the parents’ marriage certificate issued by the NSO.

9. If a Korean national invites you for a visit, you should likewise present:

• An invitation letter and,
• Your inviter’s passport or Identification card ( photocopy).

10. If an organization invited you to Korea, you should likewise present:

• An invitation letter and,
• A photocopy of the Korean organization’s business permit.

E. SOUTH KOREA VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR RETIREES/SENIOR CITIZENS

1.A photocopy of senior citizen’s I.D.

2. Original copy of your personal bank certificate

• It must incorporate your account type.
• It must include your account’s current balance.
• It must incorporate the date when you opened your account at the bank.
• Lastly, it must state your average balance (ADB) for the past 6 months.
• If the bank certificate is under a family member’s name, proof of relationship must be provided. (i.e., a photocopy of the marriage contract of the spouse, a copy of the birth certificate of the child, etc.)

3. Your personal bank statement/passbook ( original or a true certified copy ) for the past three (3) months. If the bank certificate is under a family member’s name, proof of relationship must be provided. (i.e., a photocopy of the marriage contract of the spouse, a copy of the birth certificate of the child, etc.)

4. If a Korean national invited you for a visit, you should likewise present:

• An invitation letter coupled with a photocopy of your inviter’s Passport or Identification card.

5. If an organization invited you to Korea, you should likewise present:

• An invitation letter and,
• A photocopy of the Korean organization’s business permit.

STEP 3: SUBMIT YOUR SOUTH KOREA VISA APPLICATION TO A DESIGNATED TRAVEL AGENCY

When you have already compiled all of the prerequisites, you can start filing your South Korea visa application with an officially assigned travel agency. A friendly reminder though – the only applicants that are allowed to apply DIRECTLY at the embassy are Korean nationals, their spouses, and their children, government officials on authorized business trips, those applicants who need to apply very urgently, and holders of visa issuance numbers (this is a separate document which is issued in Korea).

If you do not belong to the group mentioned above, listed below are the 35 travel organizations certified by the Korean Embassy to aid in the processing of your (Tourist) South Korea Visa Application. They are listed along with their branch areas:

1.Aboex Travel and Tours (Mandaluyong)
2.Adventure International Tours (Makati, Cebu)
3.Ark Travel Express Inc. (Makati)
4.Blue Horizons Travel and Tours Inc. (Makati, Cubao, Cebu, Boracay, Bohol)
5.Budget Travel and Tours Inc. (Alabang, Manila)
6.Casto Travel Philippines Inc. (Makati)
7.City Travel & Tours Corporation (Makati, Angeles)
8. Come On Phils. Golf and Travel Agency Inc. (Ermita)
9.Constellation Travels, Inc. (Makati, Iloilo)
10.First United Travel Inc. (Makati, Bulacan, Cebu)
11.Getaway Tours International Inc. (Manila, Sucat, General Trias, Dasmariñas)
12.Grand Hope Travel, Inc. (Cebu, Bohol)
13.Hanatour Manila Inc. (Pasay, Boracay, Cebu)
14.H.I.S. (Philippines) Travel Corp (BGC, Cebu)
15.Hankookceb Corp. (Cebu)
16.Horizon Travel & Tours, Inc. (Binondo, Ermita)
17.International Journeys Inc. (Manila)
18.Island Resort Club Tour Services, Inc. (Pasay)
19.JTB Asia Pacific Phil. Corp. (BGC, Pasay, Quezon City, Cebu)
20.KP Joeun Consultancy Inc. (Pasig)
21.Las Palmas Tours and Travel Agency, Inc. (Manila, Makati, San Fernando)
22.Marsman Drysdale Travel Inc. (Makati)
23.MNK Travel & Tours Corp. (Pasig)
24.North Star International Travel, Inc. (Makati)
25.Pan Pacific Travel Corporation (Binondo, Ermita, Makati, Cebu)
26.Party-on Travel and Tour Community, Inc. (Ortigas)
27.Rajah Travel Corporation (Makati, Manila)
28.Rakso Air Travel and Tours Inc. (Makati, Ermita, Santa Cruz, Angeles, Boracay, Cebu, Davao)
29.Reli Tours and Travel Company (Makati, Pasay, Binondo, Las Pinas, Mandaluyong)
30.Sharp Travel Service (Phils.) Inc. (Makati, Manila)
31.Swire Travel Phils, Inc. (Makati, Alabang, Clark, Subic)
32.The Baron Travel Corporation (Makati, Cebu)
33.Travel Pros (Megamall, SM Aura, Fairview, North Edsa, BGC, Quezon)
34.Travelservices, Inc. (Makati, Cebu, Laguna)
35.Uni-Orient Travel, Inc. (Makati, Binondo, Ortigas, Cebu)

OTHER REMINDERS FOR YOUR (TOURIST) SOUTH KOREA VISA  APPLICATION

• The agency you submit your documents to will charge you with a fee for your application to be processed. The prices differ from one agency to another, but it will cost you around 500-1,500 pesos to process your application.
• Make sure to contact the agency first and ask how much their rate is before you proceed to their office to file your South Korea visa application.
• The handling time for regular travelers (with OECD visas) is three business days, and it takes up to 5 business days for first-time travelers.
• Once you have submitted your application and all the necessary documents, all you have to do is sit tight and wait for the processing of your South Korea visa application to be finished.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

What amount do I need in my financial balance to be allowed a South Korea Visa?

There is no official sum. Your South Korea visa application is dependent upon numerous variables, so no specific minimum figure can ensure approval. As longs as you have enough money to fund your stay, there is a huge probability that your application will be approved.

How long can I stay in Korea?

If you are granted a tourist visa, you can stay in Korea for up to 59 days, but in most cases, some are only allowed to stay for 20 days. You may apply for a more extended stay, but you will have to justify that.

Do I need hotel bookings and a confirmed flight schedule?

No, you don’t. You can put down the contact details of the hotel you intend to stay at on your application form, but you can always change this after your request for a South Korea Visa has been granted.

What countries are included in the OECD Visas?

OECD Member Countries here 

The following are the member nations:
1.Australia
2.Austria
3.Belgium
4.Canada
5.Chile
6.Czech Republic
7.Denmark
8.Estonia
9.Finland
10.France
11.Germany
12.Greece
13.Hungary
14.Iceland
15.Ireland
16.Israel
17.Italy
18.Japan
19.Korea
20.Latvia
21.Luxembourg
22.Mexico
23.Netherlands
24.New Zealand
25.Norway
26.Poland
27.Portugal
28.Slovakia
29.Slovenia
30.Spain
31.Sweden
32.Switzerland
33.Turkey
34.United Kingdom
35.United States

On the off chance that I get rejected, how long would it take before I can apply for a South Korea visa once again?

It would take 6 months.

Do I need a South Korea visa if I want to go to Jeju Island?

No, Philippine passport holders can visit Jeju Island even without a visa for up to thirty (30) days.

If I am a student with a part-time job, can I apply as an employee?

One of the best things for students to do is to apply as “a student” and submit the documents from your parents. Applying for a South Korea visa as an employee will only cause confusion, so it is better to apply as a student to avoid any future problems.

What is the Korean Embassy’s contact number?

Manila: (63-2) 856-9210 visa local no. 270, 500
Cebu: (63-32) 231-1516(-9)

Related Posts

• South Korea Travel Guide

More Places to Visit in Asia

• Ho Chi Minh Travel Guide
• Halong Bay Travel Guide
• Hanoi Travel Guide
• Bangkok Travel Guide
• Singapore Travel Guide
• Lantau Island Travel Guide
• Hongkong Travel Guide
• Macau Travel Guide
• Kuala Lumpur Travel Guide
• Yogyakarta Travel Guide
• Bali Travel Guide
• Jakarta Travel Guide
• Cambodia Travel Guide
• Tokyo, Japan Travel Guide