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
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.
Nakabook na po ung flight ng family nmen sa korea on Sept…when is the right time to apply for korean tourist visa? We are 7 po…di po kaya kme mahirapan? Thanks..
Maximum 3 months before your trip. Example if you are going on December 1, the earliest time you can apply is September 1.
HELLO! I’m teenager. Wala pa po akong mga Bank account at may sponsor lang po ako para sa Expenses ko at Fonds ko. Anu po requirements ko bilang isang tourist lang ?
Hi! I would like to ask if how much is the minimum amount na dapat nasa bank mo? Like i heard one time it should have 100,000 on it for them to approve it. Thank you po and God Bless! ?
Hi po.. I want to visit Korea, ipasyal ko mother ko and my 2 pamangkins. What will be the requirements for my mother and pamangkins.. I already have my coe, bank cert and itr..
kasi wala naman sila itr etc.. Salamat po
May i ask po if mahirap ba pumila sa embassy at this time of the year (Sakura Season)? I did applied last 2014 around september. And it was easy. No hassle. Kaso this time my sister heard na as early as 3am dapat nakapila ka na to reach the day’s quota.
Yung new requirements need ng alphalist from employer, may alternatives ba if hindi magissue si employer kasi confidential ang alpha list?
Request for certificate of employment that stating your salary.
Hi po, I’ve been wanting to go to korea, I have all the requirements needed except only sa ITR.. I worked homebased po kc which is online.. my employer is based in UK and online job doesnt require ITR.. I have COE with me as well, bank statement and etc… maapprove po kaya visa khit walang ITR?..
Can i use my bpi atm as financial proof needed?
you can ask bpi to issue you a certificate of fund
Hello, tanong ko lng. I don’t have ( ITR (Income Tax Return) or Form 2316) now cause I stopped working since last year August 2017. What should I do with this poh? Thanx.
noob question, kapag ba multiple entry and na grant sau,pwede ba khit sa susunod nataon kana mgvisit sa south korea?
basta w/in the period of validity