Travel to South Korea
South Korea has become a popular travel destination for Filipinos. I believe this is due to cheap flights are available all year round with increasing number of budget airlines. It also helps that South Korea have eased up their visa policy to attract more tourists.
My whole family visited Seoul in April, 2014. And because we wanted to avoid paying sizable service fees to travel agency who charges per head, we decided to do it ourselves. So here it is, your guide on
How to apply Korean Tourist Visa in the Philippines
To apply South Korean tourist visa in the Philippines is very easy and straight forward. That is, if you have fund to show and complete requirement. It is even easier if you are considered a frequent traveler.
FREQUENT TRAVELERS are defined as persons who have traveled to any OECD member countries within the last 5 years. Note that unused visa doesn’t count. The OECD member countries are US and Canada, Japan, Schengen member states, and the United Kingdom. There is a fast track window dedicated for such applicants.
Those who have traveled to South Korea 3x or more within the last 4 years are also considered frequent travelers.
As with all my visa application for Philippine passport holders posts, I’ll only be focusing on TOURIST VISA. If you are working, studying, or marrying, this post will not be useful. You can find the requirements in the consular section of the South Korean Embassy’s official website.
Tourist Visa Requirements for First Time Applicants
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- Application Form – [download]
- One (1) Passport size colored picture (34mm x 45mm)
- Original Passport (6 months valid)
- Photocopy of Passport Bio-page
- Original Certificate of Employment, if employed
- Photocopy of Business Registration and Business Permit, if self-employed
- Original Personal Bank Certificate issued by bank (NOT Bank Statement, NOT Passbook)
- Photocopy of ITR (Income Tax Return) or Form 2316
- [optional] Invitation Letter & Copy of inviter’s Passport, if invited by Korean resident.
- [optional] Invitation Letter & Copy of Korean Company Business Permit, if invited by Korean company.
Tourist Visa Requirements for Frequent Travelers
- Application Form – [download]
- One (1) Passport size colored picture (34mm x 45mm)
- Original Passport (6 months valid)
- Photocopy of Passport Bio-page
- Original & Copy of valid visas and arrival stamps to OECD member countries for the past 5 years
- Original Certificate of Employment, if employed
- Photocopy of Business Registration and Business Permit, if self-employed
- Original Personal Bank Certificate issued by bank (NOT Bank Statement, NOT Passbook)
Where to Apply Korean Tourist Visa in the Philippines?
Address : 122 Upper McKinley Road
McKinley Town Center, Fort Bonifacio
Taguig city 1634, Philippines
Applications are accepted, no need to schedule
Monday~Friday 08:30~12:00nn
First Time Applicants: Windows 1 & 2
Frequent Travelers: Window 3
How long is it to Apply Korean Tourist Visa in the Philippines?
First Time Applicants: 5 working days
Frequent Travelers: 3-4 working days
How much is the visa fee of Korean Tourist Visa?
59 days (or less) stay in Korea — FREE (Walang bayad, Libre Lang)
60 to 90 days stay in Korea — PHP1,800.00
Apparently they also issue 3-year, multiple entries visas.
Korean Embassy’s issue with yayas and caregivers
It is almost impossible to secure a Korean visa for your yaya, caregiver, or nurse.
When we applied for the whole family in April, we included my father’s caregiver who have traveled with us to China, Taiwan, and other Southeast Asian countries. Her passport is filled with travel stamps, yet despite writing guarantee and letter of financial support for her, they still wouldn’t issue her visa.
It took 5 trips to the embassy (2 hours drive away during rush hour, not to mention wasting gasoline), each time presenting new required document, for us to realize they are not going to issue her visa.
In the end I got a Korean friend to guarantee for the caregiver. And so I learned that the Koreans have issue with the Filipino traveling with yaya or caregiver. They find it arrogant. The consul said that “if my father can’t walk, he should just stayed home.” He said it in a joking manner but obviously I know for sure it was 100% meant. What an a$$hole. I don’t know if this is an acceptable attitude of a Korean country representative abroad. But he issued me the visa anyway. So I let it pass.
ano po ung acceptable amount sa bank certificate
hi mae, the embassy did not mention how much exactly the amount you should have in your bank. as long as it’s enough or more for your entire stay. You know what, i only have 52K in my bank. but i have submitted COE, ITR. complete requirements ko nun. very easy. was there for 9 days last march
can i ask po if how much is the proccessing fee for visa?
There is no fee for Korean Visa. :) But travel agency offers visa assistance from P2,000 or more to review and give tips. You may contact me for free inquiries regarding dyan sa tourist visa mo :) email me at mariatherese123456789@gmail.com
hi sir. any help naman po pan makakuha ng working visa any country. salamat po
hi… ask ko lng pano if retired gov’t employee na ang mama ko at lyk pumasyal ng korea. ano need nya iprepare n document, ung COE p rin nya? kc ala nmn cya bznez…
Need parin po ba ang bank cert at itr if may travel na from any OECD countries?
galing po ako ng Japan last week for a 2wks tour at gusto ko rin magaplay nxt month ng tourist visa sa SK. nabasa ko na need narin ngayon ang bank statement plus the bank cert..at exempted nman sa pagpasa ng itr if may OECD visa. may litte akong bisness, how true is this mam?
What if po kakapagawa pa lang po ng passport? it means hindi pwedeng kumuha ng Visa?
you can apply a visa as long as your passport is valid or 6 months valid before expiration date
Gusto sana rin namin mamasyal sa Korea, kaming mag asawa kasama ang mga 2 anak namin, individually po ba magfill up kami ng form or may form na pang buon pamilya na. Ang isa ko pang tanong, wala po akong trabaho ngayon at misis ko lang ang mayroon, posible din ba akong mabigyan ng visitors visa?
Hi, i just want to ask if kailangan ko pa po ba kumuha ng bank certificate kahit nakapunta na ako sa Japan! May nabasa kasi ako na blig na kapag nakapunta ka na sa isa sa mga 3rd countries ay no need for bank cert.
Thanks :)
Hi Franz,
Yup according the official information from Korea embassy, applicants with valid visa or who have been to any OECD nations within the last 5 years, you are only required to submit an Employment certificate. Hope this helps! :)
travelling_bk
Is this applicable for Korean visa applicants later than March 1, 2015? My hubby and I had our honeymoon in Japan last December 2014 and I just booked a ticket to Seoul in celebration of our 1st anniversary. Do we need bank certificates pa rin ba? Thank you!
hi. same din tau ng situation. i have been to japan too. do u have any updates? thanks.
hi! saan mo nalaman sis na ayaw nila nagdadala ng Yaya?? mag aapply kasi ako sa monday for my baby’s Nanny… thank you!
Very informative. Thank you for sharing. Pwede malaman if how much yung multiple 3 years? Or 1 year multiple entry? Thank you.
Hello, you may contact me for free inquiries regarding dyan sa tourist visa mo :) email me at mariatherese123456789@gmail.com
Hi . ask kolang po anong requirements kpag in invite lng at may sponsor? Thanks
hello maria.i just sent u an email. :) thanks.
we had 5 yrs multiple, they didnt charge
I went to Korea last year using a Govt Passport, now I am planning to go back using a regular passport. Thanks for this.
Hi! I am traveling with my friends on July. I am a student. Is it possible that instead of parents docs, I’ll pass na lang the documents of my own business? Thanks.