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
-
- 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, did the embassy require you to have your ITR stamped? It clearly says in the requirements they gave that they only need the photocopy, when we went to the consul, they said they need it with the BIR stamp. Just want to ask if we’re experiencing the same thing
Hi Sha, wondering if you already produced a stamped BIR?
Not yet, my office gave it to them last week wednesday, they were told to go back in tuesday. Sheesh. we’ll seenwhat happens tomorrow
I see. So they actually require BIR form 2000 instead of 2316 then?
Eh not sure, we submitted the form 2316 and the korean consul wants it “stamped.” Just informed my office about this, so not sure what document im getting back
My officemate also went to Korean Embassy-CEBU they asked the same thing.
I ask for a copy of 2316 and gave us a transmittal with BIR STAMP. I am afraid that this will not also do. But I’ll try. Im from Davao and will be processing my VISA on Jan. 22, 2016 in CEBU. :(
Thank you so much! If it’s not too much, hope you can update when it went successfully. :)
Hi Sis,
Just called korean embassy visa dept, they said copy of 2316 will do. No need of stamped document.
seriously? damn. That’s what the South Korean Consul-Cebu said. now im confused -_-
Yes, that was office in Mckinley Taguig.
We emailed Korean Consul-Cebu and they confirmed that it should be stamped by BIR. Now we are confuse about the stamp they are saying. Still waiting for the response. Will be sharing it here soon. :D
Hi, Tammy, we submitted our requirements last week. They have a note at the counter to have form 2316 authorized/stamped. We just asked our HR about this and they did all the work. It took them around 2 weeks to secure the stamp because BIR asked for a lot of supporting documents. When our HR secured everything, BIR told our HR to come back after 5 days, because they have to review it online pa daw. -_- You also have to pay 115 pesos for the stamp diay. Hope this helps.
Hi Sha, thank you for the response.. I think you are talking about BIR RMC NO. 33-2010, that is for people who want their ITR and AFS stamped by the BIR. I asked the old lady in BIR(Parang Chief of Division) about that and she said that I need to make a new TRANSMITTAL and she will stamp not the 2316 but the transmittal itself.This is the screenshot I showed to the embassy but they embassy told me It is not clear. So what I did Is that I made a new transmittal as What Iv'e said earlier and the old Lady stamped it saying(DFA knows my name so Don't worry). I will be going to Cebu this Friday and I hope this new Stamped transmittal will do. :D
Im not sure about all the BIR stuff, our HR processed everything. We just received our visa yesterday. Good luck!!
Wow COngrats CHA!! hahaha.
I will be processing mine tomorrow.
Ask ko lang, winithdraw ko na kasi laman ng savings ko. Baka mag tanong sila sa bank.
Ang sayo? Intact pa savings mo while waiting for the result? :)
oo, di ko talaga ginagalaw savings ko ahahha pero parang di naman sila strict. Read a comment somewhere na her visa got approved with only 30k in her bank account
waaaa… sa 55k ko. 8k na lang na iwan. ay bahala na.
Try try ra ni akoa. bahala na c batman. hahaha
Somebody help me.. I have British boyfriend that work in Korea. And he want to invite me to have a vacation this Feb coming Chinese New year. I’ve already been in korea for work last setp2013-nov2015. I already have a bank account but just newly open last Oct when I came back to Phil.. what are those requirement to appt tourist visa. Thanks for the answer
Hi,
Since you travelled with your family, may I ask if you submitted proof of relationship (ie Birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc) in addition to the requirements for tourist visa?
Hello po pupunta po kc ang parents ko sa korea pero for 3 days lang need paba mag apply ng tourist visa?pls reply thank u
hello ask ko lang if
unemployed pero we’ll travel as family?
im a spanish passport holder i want to go to korea buet my son and wife has a philippine pass port can i carry theme
Hi, Im planning to apply for tourist visa in korea. Is both bank cert and bank statement need to be submitted? thanks
It says BANK CERTIFICATE issued by the bank not bank statement nor passbook.
hi – I have a friend where he worked as an OFW before in Singapore and he just came back last year and started to work back in the Philippines late this year, probably August. Since he only started back working late this year, he still dont have any copy of ITR which is one of the requirement for a tourist visa, will this result to unsuccessful visa application? please advise. thanks!
Hi! I’m self employed but under a corporation. Do I need to bring the SEC papers and company ITR or it should be my personal ITR? Thanks!
I submitted both
Is there a personal interview during the visa processing, when applying a south korean tourist visa?
not formal interview but if you apply yourself, they could ask some questions.