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.
Hi Wanderlass,
Good evening! May I submit documents in behalf of my boss? Is this okay with the embassy? Thank you.
Yes with authorization. I always just send messenger to submit my application.
Hello po. I’am planning to apply korean visa to visit my husband there who is currently working as sincere worker under poea. He took a vacation and back to korea last january. We got married last Oct. 2017, and we got our marriage contract late. Thats why he didnt have a time to update his status from single to married on POEA. What was the best thing to do? Do I have to change my passport and other requirements status from single to married before applying visa or it is better to be single?. I’am only visiting him for just a week since I am currently working.
Hello Wandeerlass. I want to visit Korea with my husband and daughter. I will be their guarantor. I am just new to my job (relatively just turned 4months). I can provide all documents except for the COE since I heard its hard to request COE. Besides, I do not want to get an impression from my current company that I am relatively new then will travel already. So in this case, I am thinking to write a letter of explanation why I do not have COE. What can be the best to reason out? I just want to use my separation pay from my previous job and also celebrate my birthday there.
Thank you.
hi, I have 2 bank accounts. should I pass both bank certificates? thanks!
Hi Wanderlass.. i need your opinion..i submitted a wrong COE. It was ntended for my car loan application and it was dated 2016, i know it’s my fault for being reckless. I didnt know the paper got in the mix and they look so much alike, with only the dates and ‘car loan’and ‘visa’ to differentiate. I dont know if i can just walk in uninvited to submit my current COE. I might just get snobbed. If u know anything around my predicament, i’ll be very thankful.
If I were you I would call their hotline and ask. If it were easy for you to go and submit the correct document, I would do that. You do have a reference number for your application right?
Hello ma’am, can I ask? What i can’t provide ITR kasi ka start ko lang sa small business ko? lhea
Bank certificate and statement of accounts
Ma’am what if i can’t provide ITR.. kakastart ko pa lng po sa small business ko..
I’ve been there once…Will I still be considered a first timer? Because in your blog you said 3x or more. Thanks;)
hi, what if i cant provide ITR? what are the other documents to submit as substitute for ITR.
Good day Miss Lilian. Planning to apply together with my son. I have papers to present except an ITR. I do online selling and a small canteen. Apparently I dont pay tax since its just a small time business but I pay an annual business permit i our municipality and DTI permit. I have Schengen Visa. Went to europe last and other travels in Asian country with my son. What can do if i dont have ITR? Thanks.