cover letter south korea visa

Korean Visa without ITR — Here’s How I Successfully Did It!

[NEWS]: This 2024, the Korean Embassy and Korean Consulate in Cebu announced the simplification of visa application documents where qualified applicants including PRC license holders, government officials, elected officials, and specific credit card holders (BDO, BPI, RCBC, Metrobank) and their families can apply for a Korean visa without ITR (Income Tax Return), bank certificates, and bank statements. Visit the Korean Embassy’s official website for the latest news and updates.

Previously, I got my Korean tourist visa even though I lack the ITR requirement. At the time, I was fairly new to the job and didn’t have an ITR just yet. I understand the struggle and dread of not having this document to back your visa application. So, I’m creating this South Korean visa without ITR guide for those who want to try their luck, too. Although I do not guarantee the same outcome for you, I hope this will help you in your Korean visa application.

My Korean visa without ITR tips

Tip #1: write your korean visa cover letter, sample letter of explanation for no itr korean visa.

[Date of Application]

I am writing this letter to express my interest to travel to South Korea and explain why I do not have an Income Tax Return (ITR) as part of my South Korea visa requirements.

I would love to see and experience South Korea myself because… [state your personal reasons why you love to travel to South Korea]

[list the documents you included in your application]

[Complete name with signature]

Tip #2: List the Korean visa requirements and gather them

So, how long should it take for you to complete the requirements and apply for your Korean visa? Give it at least two to three months. The validity of the Korean visa is three months anyway, so you have enough time to prepare. Meaning, if your Korean visa is approved today, you still have the next three months to use it to enter Korea.

Tip #3: Attach supporting documents

Additional Tip: Since hotel name, address, and contact number are needed when you apply for your Korean visa, might as well book your hotel stay in Korea ahead. However, you should choose the one with a free cancellation policy in case your visa gets denied. You can check out Klook  or  Agoda where some properties offer free cancelation of up to 48 hours.

Tip #4: Apply through accredited travel agencies only

Tip #5: follow my south korea visa application guide for filipinos.

Good luck and have faith!

Disclaimer: While my South Korean visa without ITR was approved before, I do not advocate that you apply with incomplete requirements. I still recommend that you strive to complete the requirements set by the Korean Embassy  or Korean Consulate in Cebu to avoid complications. This article was originally published in Jan 2019 but is constantly updated for reliability and accuracy of information.

Clinical psychology

Psychotherapy, personality, cover letter for a korean student visa(4 samples).

As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.

Samples of cover letters for a Korean student Visa

When applying for a Korean student Visa, your cover letter is an opportunity for you to show your recipient why you qualify. The best format for writing a cover letter is:

Your full name

Your address

Name and address of where the application is being sent (typically the relevant >Embassy or consulate for your application in India)

[One paragraph on your educational background and desire to study at your particular program and what you are hoping to accomplish]

[One paragraph on how you intend to fund your tuition, stay and living expenses. >Include also anything that your program is providing you, such as accommodation or benefits]

[One short paragraph on what documents the officials can expect to find in this packet]

[Signature]

                                 Subject: Request for a Long-Term Student Visa   (Up to 3 years validity)  

Thanks and Regards

Email: ######”

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are the elements of a cover letter.

The Four Parts of a Cover Letter

Is it worth applying for a Korean passport?

The advantages of becoming a Korean citizen and holding an Irish passport include: 

Was this helpful?

Related posts, cover letter for hse position (5 samples), cover letter for lunch monitor (5 samples), cover letter for dnata equipment operator(5 samples).

Visa Traveler

Exploring the world one country at a time

South Korea Tourist Visa: Requirements and Application Process

Published: March 27, 2024

A South Korea tourist visa is required for all nationalities that are not visa-exempt. The official code for the ordinary tourist visa is C-3-9. You can start the visa application online but you must visit a South Korean embassy in person to submit the documents.

Quick summary:

• Who requires it: All nationalities that are not visa-exempt (or not eligible for K-ETA)
• Validity: 3 months for single-entry; 6 months for double-entry
• Allowed stay: up to 90 days for single-entry; up to 30 days for double-entry
• Processing time: 4 to 14 days
• Fee: 40 USD for single-entry; 70 USD for double-entry

Applications are reviewed by the specific embassy, hence the requirements, costs, and processing time differ significantly between countries.

Read the South Korea Visa Guide for general information on various visa options for tourists, requirements, eligibility and application process.

Table of Contents

Understanding south korea tourist visa.

Tourist visa validity

The single-entry tourist visa is valid for 3 months from the date of issue.

The double-entry tourist visa is valid for 6 months.

The multiple-entry tourist visa can be valid for up to 5 years but has additional requirements including prior travel history to South Korea and as such isn’t an option for first-time travelers.

Duration of stay

Single-entry visas allow up to 90 days but double-entry visas only up to 30 days at a time.

Allowed number of entries

There are three types of South Korean tourist visas – single-entry, double-entry and multiple-entry.

Allowed ports of entry

You can enter South Korea from any international airport or seaport with a tourist visa.

When to apply

The processing time varies greatly between South Korean embassies. In general, allow at least a few weeks for the issuance of a tourist visa after your first visit to the embassy. 

• Earliest: 3 months before traveling
• Latest: 3 weeks before traveling

Tourist visa extension

Extensions to the tourist visa are possible but not easily granted. You must apply in person at the Seoul Immigration office. Extensions are approved only on a case-by-case basis.

Tourist visa benefits

South Korean tourist visa also offers VISA-FREE travel to 7 other countries. Read the  VISA-FREE countries for South Korea visa  for more details.

South Korea Tourist Visa Requirements

Who requires a tourist visa

All non-visa-exempt nationalities require a tourist visa for South Korea.

If you are visa-exempt, you do not require a tourist visa instead you require a K-ETA to travel to South Korea.

Documents required

The following documents are required for the tourist visa.

• Passport valid for more than 6 months
• Completed Visa Application Form (Form #17)
• Two passport-size photos (1 digital photo for online form)
• Bank statement for the last 3-6 months

Depending on the nationality and the embassy where you apply, you may be required to submit additional documents such as the below.

• Proof of employment (employment letter, salary slips, etc.)
• Income tax returns (1-3 year ITR depending on whether employed or self-employed)
• Proof of long-term residence (if applying from a country other than the country of citizenship)
• Proof of property ownership
• Family book or marriage certificate

Photo requirements

The photo for the tourist visa must meet the following requirements. 

• Must be of size 35×45 mm, with the face taking 25×35 mm
• Must be against a plain, evenly lit and light background, without any marks or creases
• Must have taken within the last 6 months
• Mist be looking directly at the camera
• No sunglasses or hats, except for medical/disability reasons
• Facial features are not covered from the bottom of chin to the top of forehead
• Full face is visible without any shadows
• Full face, eyebrows, eyes, nose, or mouth must not be covered, but covered ears are permitted.

The visa fee varies significantly depending on the type of visa, the location where you apply and your nationality.

In most general cases, the single-entry visa fee is 40 USD, double-entry is 70 USD and multiple-entry is 90 USD. The fee is payable in local currency in cash.

In some countries, South Korea has outsourced visa processing to Visa Application Centers such as VFS Global. Visa Application Centers charge their own service fee for handling the visa applications.

The fee is higher, lower, or exempted for certain nationalities. You can find the complete list on the Korea Visa Portal . 

Processing time

Applications are reviewed by a particular embassy so processing time is not universal. Some embassies process tourist visas in 4 days, others in 7 days, some in 14 days or more.

The official guidance is to apply at least 3 weeks in advance of traveling to allow sufficient time for the issuance of your tourist visa.

In countries where the application process is outsourced to Visa Application Centers, express processing is available for an additional fee.

Tourist Visa Application Process

How to apply for South Korea tourist visa

South Korea’s tourist visa application process is partially online. You will have to fill out an online form but you will have to visit the embassy in person after to submit your documents. 

Below is the general process of applying for a South Korean tourist visa at the embassy. 

• Step 1: Complete the e-form online

Step 2: Visit the diplomatic office

Step 3: wait for visa processing, step 4: receive visa issuance email/collect passport, step 1: complete the e-form online.

Follow the below steps to fill out the e-form online.

• Go to the Korea Visa Navigator page and select your country. Pick “Short Term visit” and “90 days or less”.
• Scroll to the bottom and select “Ordinary Tourist C-3-9”.
• You will see multiple streams. The first stream on the list is for travelers visiting South Korea for tourism. Click on “e-Form (Visa Application)”.
• Read through the procedure guidance page and click “Fill out the e-Form”.
• Select the South Korean diplomatic office that you intend to visit, upload a face photo and complete the form.

After you complete the form, print the file with the barcode on it. You will receive an email with your application number. If you displace the barcode file, you can find it by entering your details on the Check Application Status page .

Prepare the printed visa application form (the one with the barcode) and attach copies of the other required documents. 

Visit the South Korean embassy or consulate that you picked during the application.

Formally submit your application in person at the embassy. Pay the visa fee in cash.

Check your email regularly in case the embassy requests additional documents. The visa process can take anywhere from 4 to 14 working days depending on the embassy. 

Receive Confirmation of Visa Issuance or Visa Grant Notice. Retrieve it online and print it before traveling to South Korea. 

If the embassy or consulate of South Korea still issues visa stickers in your country, you will have to collect your passport or request to mail it to you.

NOTE South Korean embassies no longer issue visa stickers inside passports. Stickers are still being issued in countries where visa application centers handle the process but this is going to be phased out soon.

Entry Procedure at the Border

Before going to the immigration counters, make sure to complete the paper Arrival Card. The airline staff will give you one onboard or you can grab one from the immigration. 

Present your passport along with the Visa Grant Notice and the Arrival Card to the immigration officer. Get stamped in and enter South Korea.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the minimum bank balance required for south korea visa.

There is no official statement regarding the minimum bank balance by South Korean immigration. It will depend on your circumstances and nationality.

That being said, anything less than 2,500 USD may be considered too low to sustain a trip to South Korea. 

Can I apply for South Korea tourist visa online?

You can begin the application process online by filling out the application form (form #17). However, the next steps require you to visit a South Korean embassy in person. Applications completely online are not possible.

Is a cover letter required for South Korea tourist visa?

A cover letter is not required for the South Korea tourist visa. But you can still submit one if you need to explain your circumstances in detail.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WITH VISA TRAVELER

I highly recommend using these websites to plan your trip. I use these websites myself to apply for my visas, book my flights and hotels and purchase my travel insurance.

01. Apply for your visa

Get a verifiable flight itinerary for your visa application from DummyTicket247 . DummyTicket247 is a flight search engine to search and book flight itineraries for visas instantly. These flight itineraries are guaranteed to be valid for 2 weeks and work for all visa applications.

02. Book your fight

Find the cheapest flight tickets using Skyscanner . Skyscanner includes all budget airlines and you are guaranteed to find the cheapest flight to your destination.

03. Book your hotel

Book your hotel from Booking.com . Booking.com has pretty much every hotel, hostel and guesthouse from every destination.

04. Get your onward ticket

If traveling on a one-way ticket, use BestOnwardTicket to get proof of onward ticket for just $12, valid for 48 hours.

05. Purchase your insurance

Purchase travel medical insurance for your trip from HeyMondo . HeyMondo offers a 5% discount to Visa Traveler readers (use the link above), and covers all medical and travel emergencies during your trip.

Need more? Check out my travel resources page  for the best websites to plan your trip.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

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Travel with Karla

the teacher who loves to travel

A Freelancer’s Sample Letter for Visa Application

Freelancers like me dread applying for visa. We often think that we won’t get approved because we can’t provide some requirements like ITR, Company ID, and Certificate of Employment. I tried my luck and wrote a letter to the Korean Embassy explaining why I can’t provide the requirements.

Here’s a sample letter for Korean Embassy:

Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines 122 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Town Center Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City 1630

Dear Sir/Madam,

My name is Karla _____ and I am requesting a tourist visa to South Korea. I plan to travel to South Korea this July 2019.  I lived in Seoul for two years as a missionary. To be specific, I was a part of the English Ministry of _____. I taught the church members on how to speak English. This time, I plan to go back to South Korea as a tourist. I want to visit and promote some tourist destinations and Korean drama filming locations.

Part of the tourist visa application is to show an Income Tax Return (ITR), which unfortunately I do not possess. Hence, I am writing this letter. The reason I do not have an ITR is because I am a freelance travel blogger (www.travelwithkarla.com) and an English Proficiency Guide at _______. I travel to different places and write about them. Moreover, I also conduct online lectures on how to pass the IELTS and TOEFL exams.

I can give you an assurance that my finances right now are enough to cover my 5 days trip in South Korea. I was able to prepare an enough amount for my 5 days trip. Please see my bank certificate for reference. I am very positive that this amount is good enough for my trip.

In addition, I also attached an invitation letter from _____, the Director of Korean Cultural Center & Counsellor for Culture and Public Relations of the Korean Embassy. I was invited to be a part of the Honorary Reporters of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea. I believe that this trip will really help me in raising awareness of Korea in the Philippines. My 100,000 followers across social media accounts are excited to follow my adventures in Korea. I’m going to make a lot of travel guides after this trip.

I am really hoping that you would grant my request for a tourist visa. Hoping for your kind consideration.

Sincerely, Karla __________ Applicant

Here’s a sample letter for Japanese Embassy:

Embassy of Japan in the Philippines 2627 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, 1300

My name is Raymond _______ and I am requesting a tourist visa to Japan. I plan to travel to Osaka this May 2019.  I am seriously excited to see the beautiful sights of the city and move my childhood dream into reality. I was exposed to different anime all created in Japan since I was a kid. This exposure to anime is pushing me to visit your wonderful country.

Part of the tourist visa application is to show an Income Tax Return (ITR), which unfortunately I do not possess. Hence, I am writing this letter. The reason I do not have an ITR is because I am a freelance Physical Therapist and a board review Educator. I conduct lectures in review centers for local and US PT board examinations. I also treat patients with disability at their own houses.

I can give you an assurance that my finances right now are enough to cover my 5 days trip in Osaka. I was able to prepare an enough amount for my 5 days trip. Please see my bank certificate for reference. I am very positive that this amount is good enough for my trip.

I have traveled to the United States of America twice already as a tourist visa holder. My first one was last January 2017 in Hawaii and the second one was just last January 2019 in Philadelphia, PA. Please check my passport for reference. It has been my life goal to visit different countries and that includes the wonderful Japan.

Sincerely, Raymond ______ Applicant

I and my friend Raymond got our visas approved using the letter above. I hope you can also get yours approved using those guide. If you have any questions, leave a comment below.

Share this:

22 comments.

• Pingback: South Korea resumes issuing tourist visas - Travel with Karla

I’m curious if multiple visa can be granted if unable to provide ITR and give a letter of explanation… would you know? ? I applied for my 2nd Japan visa last year but around that time I was working remotely already so I asked for sponsorship from my sister. I was not given multiple visa (despite being approved prior with a japan visa) ?

YAY! This would be helpful for me for my application after lockdown. Badly want to travel to Korea for a long time now. I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR YEARS *fingers crossed

this is a good share. Currently, we have an increasing freelancers and digital nomads, and having an ITR is not priority, however, is noteworthy on the letter. I am sure that this article would have helped lots of pinoy travellers to experience South Korea and Japan.

This is so helpful since I also dont have ITR. Papano pag dependent ka ng parent? Pero me ipon ka din as freelancer?

• Pingback: Japan Visa Requirements 2019 + Tips - Travel with Karla
• Pingback: Korean Visa Requirements 2019 + Tips! - Travel with Karla

Thanks for sharing your reassuring tips for those who might be worrying about securing a SoKor visa. It would be a shame if they didn’t try simply because they thought they didn’t have the proper docs.

This is great, Karla! Perfect for freelancers and those who works online.

Thank you this is very helpful to use as a guide in makinh our own letters. There are a lot of requirement when applying for visas and sometimes they’re just impossible to get. This means, there’s still a chance tho!!

Thanks for sharing this letter (ma copy nga hehe) I remember ung nag tourist visa din ako sa singapore though complete requirements naman ako pero grabe yung embassy natin talagang last 10 seconds bago kami pinalabas sa embassy office.

this post is helpful for all the freelancers. congrats on the visa and enjoy your SK trip this July! lapit na!

Thank you for this. Will keep this in mind when we decide to travel to South Korea.

Great help for all the freelancers out there who really wants to travel. You provided pa sample letters. Nice!

So generous of you to share these sample letters! These are such a great aid and guide.

Wow.. Pwede pala to.. Thanks for sharing this.. Sobrang informative and helpful nito..

Wow! What a relief! I am really worried about my upcoming visa application and I have been thinking about it for 6 months now! I am really problematic if I will be approved or not. But with your blog, I am positive that I have a chance to be approved. Me and my boyfriend are planning to visit Korea together this September. I have been to Korea last year as a tourist too but I was employed during that time. And we also purchased the ticket when we are still employed. We did not expect that there’s some issue on our company before and we decided to resign and be an online freelancer. So imagine the pain of thinking that we will be denied? Haha but thanks to you Ms. Karla! Can I ask you something? What did you put on your visa application form? Did you choose “others” then wrote freelancer? What about the contact details of the company? My online client can’t give me a contact details because we only communicate via email. I am looking forward for your answer! You are a big help Ms. Karla! Godbless.

Yup, checked “others”, then I wrote freelancer. For contact number, I just used mine. Good luck on your application. 🙂

Thank you so much Ms. Karla. One last question, my client is based in UK. Shall I put the company name and the UK address too? But I will put my contact number instead, do you think that will be a problem? What did you put on your application Ms. Karla on the co. name and address? I’m sorry, I have a lot of questions.haha. Thank you so much for your reply!

This will be a great help to get every applicant’s visa approved. I can refer to this if I wish to travel to SoKor someday.

Hi Ms. Karla! Did you attached proof of income when tou applied? I am an online freelancer too and I will apply a tourist visa next month. Thanks!

Hi Mindy, I just submitted my bank statement and bank certificate.

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In this article

South Korea Visa

South Korea visa policy, application, requirements, visa types and more

South Korea is a versatile country, known for both the modern cities like the capital Seoul, as well as the traditional temples and the picturesque countryside.

To visit it, citizens of several countries will have to apply for a South Korea visa – although a fair number of them are exempt from visa requirements for short term purposes.

Do I need a visa for South Korea?

You need a visa for South Korea unless you are from one of the visa-free countries listed below, which include EU countries, Canada, Australia, and the United States.

Citizens of several countries (as listed below) can visit South Korea without a visa for short-term visits. Foreigners entering under the visa-waiver program are not allowed to work or engage in any remunerated activities.

If you are from one of the countries exempted from South Korea visas, but you want to stay longer than the visa-exemption allows, then you have to apply for the corresponding South Korea visa before you travel.

South Korea visa exemption for up to 180 days

Citizens of Canada can enter South Korea without a visa for a stay of up to 180 days.

South Korea visa exemption for up to 90 days

Citizens of the following countries can enter South Korea without a visa for up to 90 days:

• European Union countries (except Cyprus)
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Liechtenstein
• New Zealand
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Switzerland
• Trinidad and Tobago
• United Arab Emirates
• United States

South Korea visa exemption for up to 60 days

Citizens of Lesotho and Russia can enter South Korea without a visa for up to 60 days.

South Korea visa exemption for up to 30 days

Citizens of the following countries can visit South Korea without a visa for up to 30 days:

• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Marshall Islands
• New Caledonia
• Saudi Arabia
• Solomon Islands
• South Africa
•  Vatican City

»Here you can see the list of countries where South Korean passport holders can travel visa free

Other exemptions from South Korea visas

You are also exempt from South Korea visas if:

• You have a visa for the US., Canada, Australia, or New Zealand, and you are traveling directly from one of those countries or intend to travel there afterward.
• You are part of a Chinese group tourist and have a group-tourist visa to Japan
• You have an onward flight ticket out of the country, scheduled within the next 30 days

Types of South Korea visas

South Korean visas are divided based on the duration and how many entries in the country they allow:

• Single-entry visas, valid (as the name suggests) for a single entry and up to 90 days.
• Multiple-entries, allowing multiple entries in South Korea for the duration it has been issued.

Then, depending on why you want to visit South Korea, you can apply for one of the following visas:

South Korea Tourist Visa

South korea business visa, south korea family visit visa (for more than 90 days), south korea work visa, south korea student visa, south korea working holiday visa.

South Korea tourist visas issued to foreigners who want to travel simply for tourism or recreational purposes. So, you can receive a tourist visa if you are travelling for one of the following reasons:

• To receive medical treatment in a South Korean hospital
• To visit a family member/friend
• To attend a religious/cultural/sporting/musical event
• Another short-term reason

South Korea tourist visas allow the holder to stay in South Korea for up to 90 days. The holder of a tourist visa is not allowed to work or engage in any other renumerated activities.

You are eligible for a long-term Business Visa for South Korea if:

• You are a specialist who will work for a public or private organization in Korea to repair, install, or operate imported machinery
• You will work as a manager or specialist in a company in South Korea
• You are an Intra-Company Transferee
• You are a specialist in a foreign investment company in South Korea

If a foreigner wants to work in South Korea, they have to apply for a South Korea Work Visa. Foreigners eligible for a South Korea Work Visa include professors, foreign language teachers, researchers, and those working in another activity permitted by the Minister of Justice through a contract with a public or private organization or company in South Korea.

Foreigners who will enter South Korea to pursue their studies in a Korean educational institution have to apply for a South Korea Student Visa. They can be:

• Short-term Student Visas to attend a course of study that’s shorter than 90 days.
• Long-term Student Visas, to attend a course of study longer than 90 days, such as in a university or language school.

The South Korea Working Holiday Visa is available to citizens of countries that have a Working Holiday Agreement with South Korea (as listed below). The WHV allows the holder to remain in South Korea for up to one year, for the purpose of holidaying, working, or studying.

To receive the South Korea Working Holiday Visa, you must:

• Be from one of the eligible countries
• Be between 18 and 30 years of age (in some cases, the cut-off age is 25)
• Have sufficient funds to cover at least the beginning of your trip (at least KRW 3,000,000)
• You must not have received a South Korea Working Holiday Visa in the past
• Have a clean criminal record
• You must be travelling primarily for holidays (working or studying should be secondary purposes, otherwise you have to apply for a Student or Work Visa)

Citizens from the following countries are eligible for a South Korea Working Holiday Visa:

• Czech Republic
• Netherlands

You have to apply for a South Korea visa for Family Visit purposes if you fall under one of the following categories:

• You will stay with a relative in South Korea for longer than 90 days
• You are the spouse of a South Korean national
• You are the dependent (spouse or child under the age of 20) of a South Korean temporary or permanent resident

You can also receive this type of visa if you are part of the South Korean diaspora or you once held South Korean nationality (Overseas Koreans).

South Korea visa requirements

When you apply for a South Korea visa, you have to submit several documents to support your application. The South Korea visa requirements change depending on the type of visa you need as well as the country in which you are applying. However, the standard set of documents everyone has to submit includes:

South Korea Visa Application Form

• Valid for at least another six months
• Have at least two blank pages
• White background
• Taken recently (in the last three months)
• You must have a neutral facial expression, staring straight ahead
• Your face and ears have to be fully visible
• You must not be wearing glasses
• A return or onward flight ticket
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover the duration of your stay (such as through bank statements and income tax returns)
• Proof of accommodation in South Korea, such as hotel reservation
• Payment of the South Korea visa fee, as per the requirements of the Embassy/Consulate
• Reference Letter(s)
• Letter of Acceptance into the school/university
• Letter from your employer
• Letter of Invitation from the South Korean company
• For South Korea Work Visa: Employment contract
• Cover Letter, introducing yourself and stating the reason for which you are traveling
• Trip Itinerary, which details the activities you’ll be doing in South Korea on a daily basis
• Any other additional documents that the Embassy or Consulate request, depending on the purpose of your trip

Depending on the method through which you are applying, you can get hold of a South Korea Visa Application form in the following ways:

• Online, by downloading it from the website of the Embassy or Consulate through which you are applying, if it is available there.
• At the Embassy or Consulate itself, when you go to make an appointment or submit the documents
• At a visa application agency, if you are using the services of a private company to apply for your South Korea visa

You have to complete the application form completely and truthfully, with black or dark blue pen. The writing should be clear and legible.

How to apply for a South Korea Visa?

You have to apply for a South Korea visa from one of the Diplomatic Missions of the Republic of Korea abroad (ie. an Embassy or Consulate).

If you have a sponsor or host in South Korea, they can request a visa on your behalf through the South Korea Visa Portal of the Korea Immigration Office.

Submitting the South Korea visa application at an Embassy/Consulate

If you do not have a sponsor in South Korea or you are otherwise not eligible for a “Confirmation of Visa Issuance” (see below) then you have to apply for your South Korea visa at the nearest Embassy or Consulate of South Korea.

The application process is as follows:

• Find the South Korean Embassy or Consulate responsible for your area*
• Submit the South Korea visa application.
• Wait for the visa application to be processed.
• If the visa is approved, it will be affixed on your passport and you can use it to enter South Korea.

*Find the Diplomatic Mission offices of South Korea here. The exact rules for submission of South Korea visa application submissions and appointments change depending on the specific country in which you will apply, so make sure to contact the Embassy/Consulate or visit their website.

If a sponsor will submit the South Korea visa application for you

If you fall under one of the categories listed below, and you have a sponsor in South Korea, then your sponsor can apply for a “Confirmation of Visa Issuance” on your behalf:

• You are travelling for business, invited by a South Korean company
• You are travelling for medical purposes
• You are travelling for research or academic purposes (ie. you are a professor, researcher, technical instructor or professional)
• You are a “Foreign National of Special Ability” (ie. you are highly skilled in advanced science and technology)
• You are an investor and you have been invited by a promotion agency of the Immigrant Investor Scheme for Public Business of South Korea
• You are travelling as part of a tourist group (for Chinese citizens only)

Where to submit the application for “Confirmation of Visa Issuance”?

Your sponsor has to submit the application for the Confirmation of Visa Issuance at the Visa Portal of the Korean Immigration Office (see here ). They have to:

• Complete the online South Korea Visa application form
• Pay the fee
• Attach the required documents for the South Korea visa (depending on the reason for your visit)
• Wait for the Confirmation of South Korea Visa Issuance. If the application is confirmed:
• Print the Confirmation and send it to you

What to do after your South Korea Visa Issuance is confirmed?

After the Korean Immigration Office confirms your visa, you have to send the letter of Confirmation of Visa Issuance to the nearest South Korean Embassy/Consulate and receive your actual South Korea visa on your passport.

You can then travel to South Korea.

South Korea Visa processing time

The processing time for a South Korea visa changes depending on which Embassy or Consulate you are applying in. However, you should submit a completed application at least 15 days before you intend to travel but no earlier than three months.

Procedures after you enter South Korea with a visa

Once you enter South Korea with a visa, and you intend to stay for longer than 90 days, you have to register your stay at a local Immigration Office in South Korea. You have to submit the relevant documents, such as:

• Your passport
• The completed application form (downloadable online)
• A passport-size picture with 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm dimensions
• Payment of the processing fee (KRW 30,000)
• Proof of residence (such as utility bills, a lease agreement, etc)
• Any other documents depending on the purpose of your stay

What is the duration of a South Korea visa?

The duration of the South Korea visa you receive depends on the purpose of your travel. So, if you are traveling for tourism purposes, then you will receive a visa for up to 90 days or less, usually for a single entry.

If you are traveling for a longer-term purpose, such as working or studying, then you will receive a visa with a longer duration.

Extending a South Korea Visa

If you want to stay in South Korea for longer than your visa allows, you can apply for a visa extension at the Immigration Office in South Korea. You have to apply for the South Korea visa extension at least four months before your current visa expires.

You have to submit the following documents:

• The completed application form for permission of extension of stay (downloadable online)
• Payment of the processing fee
• Your Foreign Registration Card (if you are extending a long-term visa)
• Any other documents depending on the specific visa

South Korea visa fees

The South Korea visa fees are as follows:

Special visa requirements for Jeju-do region

If you want to travel to the Jeju-do region of South Korea (and only there) you may be exempt from holding a visa even if you are not from one of the countries whose citizens are normally exempt from visa requirements.

However, to enter the Jeju-do region without a visa, you have to:

• Travel directly to the Jeju International Airport or Jeju International Passenger Terminal
• Only stay in the region of Jeju-do for tourism purposes
• Only stay up to 30 days

Note: Citizens of the following countries are not included in this scheme:

• Afghanistan

Also read how to Immigrate to South Korea.

A Freelancer’s Guide for a Korean Visa without ITR 2019

Are you a Filipino freelancer who’s planning to travel to South Korea real soon? Let me share with you some alternative ways and few tips on how to apply and have a greater chance of getting your tourist visa approved. And make your South Korea travel goal come to life!

Just recently, I traveled in South Korea with friends. We had the best time of our lives in our six days of discovering the beautiful city of Seoul. But before all came to pass, I faced few struggles with my visa application. Because I’m a freelancer, I had no Income Tax Return (ITR) or Form 2316 to present which is one of the required documents in applying for a visa.

Knowing that incomplete requirements would most likely be denied — I was a little anxious about it. But how did I get a visa approval from the Korean Consulate without an ITR? Here’s an easy guide on how to apply for a South Korean tourist visa and get a higher chance of approval.

How to Apply for a Tourist Korean Visa

Prepare the necessary documents.

• Application Form — you can download a copy of the form here .
• 1 piece of Passport size colored picture
• Original Passport (should be valid for more than 6 months)
• Photocopy of Passport Bio-page (page 2)
• Original & Photocopy of valid visa/s and arrival stamps to OECD member countries for the past 5 years (if applicable only)
• Original Certificate of Employment[Must include applicant’s position, date hired, compensation, office address, HR landline number (cell-phone number is not allowed), HR e-mail address]
• Original Personal Bank Certificate(Must include account type, current balance, account opening date, ADB)
• Bank Statement(Original or certified true copy of the bank statements/passbook for the last 3 months)
• Photocopy of ITR (Income Tax Return) or Form 2316
• Copy of PRC Card or IBP Card (if applicable only)

Check out full details of the visa requirements for different categories here .

Submit your visa application

In submitting your visa application, you need to arrange your documents according to how the list of requirements is chronologically ordered.

There are two options on how to submit your visa application:

• Through a travel agency . Travel agencies would require you to pay around PHP 1,000 – 2,000 for the processing fee. The same requirements should be complied. There are 35 accredited travel agencies you could choose from. You can check the full list here .
• Personal Submission (applicable only to those applying in Cebu). You can personally submit your documents for the visa application at the Korean Consulate here in Cebu. You may refer to the address and contact number provided below. No payment needed and it’s fast and easy . The receptionist of the building at the ground floor will require you to present one valid ID before you could proceed to the 12 th floor. When you reach the Korean Consulate’s office, a guard on duty will greet you. You will be asked for what’s your purpose of visiting and then a priority number will be given. Your phone’s camera will also be sealed while you’re inside the premise. It would take for about 15-20 minutes to process the submission of your documents.

Address of Consulate in Cebu 12th Floor Chinabank Corporate Center, Lot 2, Samar Loop Cor. Road 5, Cebu Business Park, Mabolo Cebu City

Contact Information Tel: (63-32) 231-1516(9)Fax: (63-32) 231-2950E-Mail: [email protected]

Starting April 1, 2019 , visa processing period will be 7 working days due to increase in number of Korean visa applicants. Visa Fee for 59 days (or less) stay in Korea will be free of charge. For 60 to 90 days stay in Korea — visa fee is PHP 2,000. Note: Submission time for visa application is from 9:00AM to 11:00AM only (Mondays–Fridays) except holidays.

What to do when you don’t have an ITR?

I’ve been in the freelancing industry for quite some time and truth be told, most freelancers are not tax payers. I’m one of those who weren’t declaring income and filing appropriate taxes to the government. I had long been planning to register in BIR, but I always put it on hold. Not until early this year, I’ve felt the need to do so.

Knowing that I have a couple of international travels this year (wherein one of these was in South Korea), I’ve had to establish a good personal background. So, I registered myself as a professional tax payer just February of this year in BIR and started paying tax.

As freelancers, we’re enjoying lots of perks — decent pay, freedom to work anywhere and anytime as long as there is a good internet connection. We can easily travel as much as we want, whenever we want to. There’s no problem traveling within the Philippines. Of course, we’re on our comfort zone. You just bring one or two valid IDs and you’re set to explore the country.

But, traveling internationally is a different story. Especially to those countries which require a visa. There are certain rules to follow and requirements to comply. One of the most basic and important visa requirements is the Income Tax Return (ITR). So, what should you do when you don’t have an ITR for your visa application?

Write a cover letter

A cover letter is written when you’re lacking one of the requirements. This is to explain why you are not able to submit the said requirement. Your cover letter should contain, but not limited, to the following details:

• Your purpose of writing a cover letter.
• Reason why you are unable to present the said required document.
• Describe the nature of your job as a freelancer.
• You can mention your flight details , hotel/airbnb booking details , Klook vouchers . You can even mention who you are traveling with, if you’re traveling in a group.
• Indicate all supporting documents you will provide.
• Explain your desire of traveling to their country — why you have chosen to travel to South Korea.
• Be sincere in your letter that you are returning to the Philippines within the specific travel period.

Note: Keep your cover letter short and simple. You can contact me if you want me to make a cover letter for you @Php350 only. HAHA!

Disclaimer: My cover letter doesn’t really guarantee that your visa application will be approved. The approval of your visa application still depends on the Korean Embassy or Consul’s judgment.

Submit all supporting documents

It is not necessary, but I strongly suggest that you submit additional documents to somehow support and strengthen your visa application. Submit all the supporting documents you have mentioned in your cover letter. Here is the list of supporting documents I’ve submitted for my visa application:

• Certificate of Earnings from Upwork (or any Freelance Marketplaces you belong to).
• Certificate of Registration from BIR and BIR Payment Form No. 0605 (if available).
• Flight details, Airbnb and Klook bookings (or any bookings you made in advance for your trip in S. Korea).

Friendly Tips for Traveling Freelancers

Register your freelancing job in bir.

If you are a freelancer with a heart of a traveler, I highly recommend you register as a professional tax payer in BIR just like what I did. If freelancing is your only source of income — you better register as early as possible if you are planning to go on a trip outside the country.

Why do I say so? Maybe, you’ll think it’s not really needed, you don’t want to undergo the tedious registration process, or you just don’t feel like paying taxes at all. Regardless of your reason, it is our responsibility as a Filipino citizen who’s earning an income to pay taxes to the government. BIR should give me commissions for this! HAHA

Also, there are few benefits of having an ITR — one of these is for the smooth processing of your international travels. Though I don’t have an ITR yet (since I only registered a couple of months ago), I have a strong feeling if it weren’t for the certificate of registration and the payment form from BIR that I’ve submitted for my visa application, I would possibly be denied.

Visit:  https://vabootcamp.ph/blog/the-simplest-method-on-how-to-register-as-a-freelancer-in-bir/

Secure a certificate of employment / contract from your clients

Certificate of employment or a contract is another important document for your visa application. If possible, you may request from your client to get one.

Deposit sufficient funds on your savings bank account

Make sure that you have sufficient funds to convince the consulate or embassy that you can finance all the expenses for your travel. Mostly, they require you to provide a bank certificate and/or statement of account.

For the Korean visa application, they require you to submit a bank statement for the last 3 months and a bank certificate that shows the account type, current balance, account opening date, and average daily balance (ADB). The older your savings account with more deposit transactions; and no or less withdrawal — the better.

Just a little warning, don’t deposit big amount of funds (i.e. 50K PHP) on your account few days before you request to print your bank certificate or statement. It would only reveal that you intended to deposit this amount as show money. This might affect the approval of your visa application.

To wrap it up, all you must do is prepare and take proper actions. Remember, you can’t travel to South Korea without a visa. So, start applying one month before your travel date and give yourself ample time to comply if the consul will ask for additional requirements.

Just follow these simple steps:

(1) prepare and submit all the required documents;

(2) write a cover letter if you lack a requirement and submit all other supporting documents; 

(3) make sure to provide an impressive financial overview;

(4) justify your intention of traveling to their country and that you’re returning to the Philippines; and lastly,

( 5) add faith and LOTS of prayer! Ask your Priest or Pastor! Kidding! But would be good as well, right?This simple guide doesn’t really guarantee that your visa application will be approved. The approval of your visa application still depends on the Korean Embassy or Consul’s judgment. I hope you found this post helpful. God bless on your visa application! 

Our 7D6N ‘ish Itinerary and Budget in Seoul 

About THE AUTHOR

I am a Christian Freelance Website designer & developer based in the Philippines. Also, one of the “Top Rated” Web designers on Upwork that you can hire. I’m trying to live a digital nomad lifestyle, traveling while doing freelance jobs in between.

I design modern, easy-to-use, Thrive Themes, Elementor Pro WordPress websites. I am also a consistent Top-Rated Website WordPress designer and developer in Upwork (The largest online talent solution connecting businesses and skilled professionals). 

Glengallarde 2016 - 2022 © All Rights Reserved. matthew 6:33

Cover Letter for Korea Student Visa

by Contentholic | Jun 17, 2024 | Cover Letter for Visa | 0 comments

Korean universities are becoming increasingly popular for students who are finding their academic dream destination. While some might say that this is the influence of K-pop singers who belong to this East Asian Country, we would rather say that this is the charm of the country’s one-of-a-kind universities and effective education system that has an astonishing student success rate. The country has an advanced up-to-date curriculum of courses at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Each year, prospective students enter a strenuous competition to get their student visas accepted so that they can begin their education and journey in the country. However, it is not an easy nut to crack as multiple formalities have to be completed. After you have completed the said formalities, the visa officers decide if you should be considered eligible to study in the country or not. One of the tasks that should be accomplished by you is to write a cover letter for Korea Student Visa and submit it along with your request for a study permit. 

What is a cover letter for Korea Student Visa?

A cover letter for Korea student visa is a document written in the voice of the student who wishes to study in the country. This document is written in the form of an application/letter that is addressed to the embassy/consulate of The Republic of Korea which is situated in your country. The intent with which a student must write their student visa cover letter should be to sufficiently explain the purpose for which they want to travel to Korea and what are the reasons that have convinced them that this country will be the most suitable one for higher studies. Moreover, another writing goal that is to be achieved by you is to familiarize yourself with the visa official by giving your personal details from different parts of your life. However, you must remember that all these details have to be relevant to the purpose of a cover letter. Keeping this in mind, there are general guidelines for the structure of a proper cover letter which is widely accepted. Here, in this blog, we have presented the apt format for a cover letter for visa . 

Points to remember

• Colorful texts and unnecessary highlights are not encouraged. 
• Since it is a theoretical essay, avoid writing information in points. 
• Put different information in different paragraphs to avoid intermingling of ideas.
• Understand the significance of careful editing and proofreading.
• Try to collect insights and expectations from alumni or current students.
• When your academic past and future align, your profile becomes more trustworthy. 

The appropriate structure of a visa cover letter

Introduction 

A brief introduction with to-the-point details of yourself, your course & college, and the reason for applying for a cover letter.

Academic Details

Follow the introduction with details of the education which you have completed until now. Share the important examinations you have appeared for, the score obtained by you, your favorite subjects, and awards/recognition that you won.

Professional Information

List out the companies and positions at which you have worked. Stress on the skills that were learned during this period. It is better if the knowledge from your work experience connects with your course in Korea.

Talk about your course

Express how and why you developed such interest in your applied course that you decided to pursue higher studies in it. If you are excited to study a particular module or topic, write about it by giving suitable reasons

Choice of University

Share the criteria based on which you finalized your academic institution in Korea. Put a spotlight on the facilities that the university promises to provide you as a student.   

Korea as a country

Elaborate on how Korea is a suitable education destination for an international student like you. You can share academic as well as non-academic reasons for your wish to study in Korea. Some points that can support your case are safety (thanks to the low crime rate), reasonable tuition fees, college fests, friendly & polite natives, natural beauty, attractive heritage sites, etc. 

Future career goals

Divide your answer into short-term and long-term career objectives. Be reasonable and do not exaggerate or set baseless unachievable goals. You can increase the clarity of your answers by writing about the companies in which you hope to find employment, the variety of job roles available, the scope of growth, etc. 

Convey your Financial Details

Emphasize the worth of assets and valuables owned by you or your family. Bank details too are considered highly relevant. Clarify how you are going to fund your higher studies in Korea and whether there is a sponsor who is funding your education, stay, and other significant or insignificant expenses.

Closing your cover letter

Wrap up your cover letter for Korea student visa in a maximum of 5-6 lines. Reemphasize your interest in your course program and Korea. In 1-2 lines only you can share how this course will affect your personal and professional life. Extend warm regards to the visa officials for reading your application and expressing your hope of receiving a study permit.  

Mistakes that can level down your Cover Letter for Korean Student Visa

• Writing a cover letter without prior research work and strategy planning is like guaranteeing a visa rejection for yourself.
• Maintain stability between highlighting your achievements and overstressing them. Repeating information can prove to be harmful to your cover letter. 
• Clearly address your English and Korean language proficiency in your cover letter for student visa . 
• After starting with an interesting introduction, do not go light on your conclusion. Maintain a similar writing tone throughout your document. 
• Using cliched sentences will show that you have not put in any personal effort. 
• At no point should your visa cover letter indicate a lack of focus. 

The Republic of Korea has more than 400 public and private institutes for higher studies. More than 150,000 international students are accepted to study in the country each year. The reason why thousands of students choose to study in Korea is the seriousness with which the country has maintained an impeccable reputation for the quality of its education. It is only reasonable if the students are expected to submit a foolproof cover letter to secure their admittance into South Korea. Yes, this single document can have a mammoth impact on how officials view your profile as a student. Make sufficient efforts to ensure that you have explained your purpose clearly. Although it is a theoretical write-up, you do not have to write weak statements that demotivate the reader from reading your entire document. Instead, make sure that your cover letter for Korean student visa is engrossing enough to not let the reader drift their eyes. Coming to the writing style, keep it simple yet informative, creative yet related to the purpose, and communicative yet respectful. One way to ensure that your cover letter for student visa is written according to ideal standards is to get professional help from people who are experts in such form of writing. At Contentholic , we provide trustworthy Cover Letter Writing Service from which thousands of students have benefitted until now. We enjoy a reputation of being the best in the business because of our quality documents written by skilled cover letter writers .

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS) for Cover Letter for Korea Student Visa

Name some of the best courses for international students in south korea..

• Some popular courses for international students in South Korea are-
• Finance and Management
• Hospitality
• IT & Computer Science
• International Trade
• Engineering (Robotics, Mechanical, Civil, Nanoengineering etc.)
• Tourism & Event Management
• Korean Language & Cultural Studies

Many popular courses in the country offer specializations if students are interested in carving out academic niches for themselves. 

What is cover letter for Korean Visa application?

A cover letter for Korea student visa is an application that highlights your intention to study in the country as you navigate through your interests and passions.

Is it important to learn Korean to study in Korea?

Depending on your course and university, it might/ might not be a prior requirement for you to learn the Korean language. However, it is advised that students migrating to Korea for studies should learn the language as it will help them communicate better with their surroundings.

Do I have to take IELTS to study in Korea?

The scores of your English Language Proficiency Tests are important if you wish to study in Korea. You can take either the IELTS or the TOEFL exam. There are different passing scores for bachelor’s and master’s levels. 

How much money do I need to study in Korea?

The tuition fee for studying in Korea depends upon the course you are pursuing, the university to which you have been admitted, and the facilities that are being provided to you. The average amount that a student needs to study in Korea can range between $ 3000- $ 5000 per year. 

Which Korean universities teach in English?

Some Korean Universities that have courses in the English language are-

• Hankuk University of Foreign Studies
• Sogang University
• SolBridge International School of Business
• Korea University, Seoul Campus
• Myongji University

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South Korea Tourist Visa: Requirements, Application, And Fees

Last Update: 20-08-2024

Ruchika Daga

South Korea

⚡Quick Summary

Do Indians Need a Tourist Visa to Visit South Korea?

Yes, Indians need a visa to visit South Korea. South Korea issues e-visas to Indians and can take up to 12 working days to process these visas. South Korea’s single-entry tourist visa is valid for 90 days which Indians can use to stay for up to 30 days in the country.

Do you want South Korea to be your next travel destination? This blog is an extensive guide to obtaining your South Korea tourist visa. We cover everything from documentation, and application procedures to visa fees, types, and validity.

Use the navigation bar to jump to the section you need. Have questions? Call us on 073148 52914 or you can also WhatsApp us. Teleport’s visa experts are always available to help you.

Let’s go to South Korea without worrying about visas!

Table of Contents

What are the different types of south korean visas for indians, how to apply for south korea visa.

South Korea Visa Requirements

Financial Requirements for a South Korea Visa

South korea visa processing time, south korea visa fees, validity and duration for south korea tourist visa, how to check the status of a south korean tourist visa application for indians, common reasons for south korea tourist visa rejections for indians, what to do after reaching the south korean airport, is there a south korea visa on arrival for indians.

No, South Korea doesn’t offer visa-on-arrival to Indians. You need to have your e-visa approved before starting your trip to the country.

South Korea offers visas for various purposes such as visas for medical treatment, trainee visas, journalist visas, work visas, etc. However, for Indian tourists, the following visas are relevant - 

• Ordinary Tourist Visa (C-3-9) - Issued to a person who plans to visit Korea for travel for holidays or leisure for a period of 30 days.
• Group Tourist Visa (C-3-2) - Issued to a person or group who plans to visit Korea for travel, or small-scale cross-border trading, guaranteed by a travel agency.

Apply for your South Korea Visa with Teleport

Teleport makes applying for a South Korean visa straightforward and stress-free. Follow these steps for a smooth application process:

Step 1: Start Your Korea Visa Application:

Go to Teleport's South Korea visa application page and select 'Start Application.' Teleport offers both tourist and business visa options for South Korea.

Step 2: Enter Basic Information and Make Payment:

Upload an image of your passport. Choose between full or partial payment, and follow Teleport's guidance for putting in personal information. Teleport automatically populates your data using the image of your passport or you can also choose to do it manually. 

Step 3: Courier Your Documents:

A dedicated Teleport Relationship Manager will guide you through collecting all necessary South Korean tourist visa documents. You need to courier these documents to the nearest Teleport office.

Step 4: Appointment Booking:

Your Teleport Relationship Manager will schedule an appointment at the visa application centre based on the available slots. They will also submit your documents at the visa application centre.

✅ Teleport ensures your application and documents meet all the necessary South Korea tourist visa  requirements before submission.

Teleport also keeps you updated on your visa application status through regular WhatsApp messages and emails. You'll receive timely notifications regarding the embassy's/consulate’s decision. All updates will be communicated via the platform, and upon visa approval, you can download it from your Teleport Dashboard .

Apply for South Korea Visa through VFS Global

Step 1: Determine the visa type

Identify the type of visa you need. People typically apply for a 'Temporary Visit' Visa for tourism purposes. Get the documents required for the visa in order. Read the next section to know all the documents you need to apply for a Korean visa. If your documents are not in English, translate them before applying for the Korean visa.

Step 2: Get started with your South Korean visa application

Fill out the online visa application form and print it. You will need it together with the documents required for the Visa category chosen for submission at the Korean Embassy/Consulate.

You do not need to book an appointment with the Korea Visa Application Centre in India. You can directly walk-in and submit your application.

Step 3: Visit the Korea Visa Application Centre

Submit your completed visa application form at the Visa Application Center in person or through a representative. You will also need to pay the visa fee at the visa centre. 

Please note that you are only permitted to visit the application centre assigned to your jurisdiction based on your location. Refer to the table below to determine which centre you are eligible to visit.

Step 4: Pay Your Visa Fees

After completing your application, the next step involves paying the visa application fee. You can download the form, print it, and bring it to the Korea Visa Application Center. You'll be required to pay both the visa fee and service charges at the center.

Step 5: Track Your Application

You will receive an email notification once your decision has been returned to the Visa Application Center. If accessing email is inconvenient for you or if you prefer more detailed tracking, you may opt to receive updates via SMS directly to your phone. Please inquire at the Visa Application Center you are visiting to confirm if this service is available.

Additionally, you can monitor the status of your visa application online. Simply utilise the Reference Number provided on the invoice or receipt issued by the Korea Visa Application Center, along with your last name, to access this service.

Step 6: Collect Your Passport

Once a decision has been reached on your visa application, you have the option to retrieve your passport directly from the Visa Application Centre or opt for delivery by courier service, albeit with an additional fee.

For in-person collection, remember to carry the receipt issued by the Visa Application Centre along with a valid form of government identification. If circumstances permit, you may authorise a representative to collect your passport on your behalf. They must present a signed letter of authorization from you, the receipt provided by the Visa Application Center, and a government identification card.

Mandatory Documents

Supporting Documents:

The South Korea visa processing time is 10 to 12 working days. However, it can vary depending on factors such as the type of visa and the current workload at the embassy or consulate.

To ensure a smooth process for obtaining a South Korean tourist visa, begin by gathering essential documents such as recent photos, your travel itinerary, financial statements, and a completed visa application form. Once prepared, schedule an appointment at the nearest South Korean visa application centre.

Considering the time involved, initiating this process at least 2 months before your planned travel date is advisable to minimise any last-minute challenges.

All the South Korea visa cost mentioned below should be paid in cash/card at the time of submission of the visa application form at the Korean Visa Application Centre.

When applying for a South Korea visa, meeting the financial requirements is a crucial part of the application process. Here’s a breakdown of the key financial documents you need to provide:

1. Bank Statement:

• Minimum Balance: A minimum bank balance for South Korea visa is ₹70,000 per person in their bank account.
• Duration: The bank statement should cover the last six months.
• Original Statement: Ensure that the statement is an original, stamped, and signed by the bank, demonstrating consistent and sufficient funds to support your stay in South Korea.

2. Income Tax Returns (ITR):

• Submission of ITR: You are required to submit your Income Tax Returns for the last three years. This document is crucial in showing your financial stability and regular income flow.
• Consistency: The ITRs should be complete and consistent with the information provided in your bank statements, reflecting your ability to support yourself during your stay in South Korea.

These financial documents help establish your financial capability and intent to return to your home country after your visit to South Korea. Ensuring that these documents are accurate and up-to-date is essential for a smooth visa application process.

The South Korea tourist visa for Indians is a single-entry e-visa valid for 90 days which allows its holder to stay in the country for up to 30 days. It's essential to check the details provided by the South Korean embassy or consulate where you apply for the visa, as they will specify the exact validity period and any conditions attached to the visa.

Track Your South Korea Tourist Visa Application Through Teleport

Teleport allows you to keep track of your Korean visa application effortlessly. If you've applied for your Korean visa using Teleport, expect to get updates in real-time via WhatsApp, email, or directly on the Teleport Dashboard .

Here's how to check your application's progress:

• Sign into the Teleport Dashboard .
• Navigate to 'Your Applications.'
• Select your application to see its current status.

Track Your South Korea Tourist Visa Application from the Government’s Website

• Visit the official website of the South Korean government.
• Select Electronic Visa (Individual) or Electronic Visa (Group) or Visa Application Centre.
• Input your application no., passport no., date of birth, and name.
• Click on ‘Search’.

Track Your South Korea Visa Application Through VFS Global

Alternatively, you can use VFS Global’s portal to keep track of your application. Simply follow the instructions below:

• Visit the VFS online application tracking page.
• Input the 14-digit Visa Application Reference Number you received after paying your visa fee. 
• Enter your last name.
• Fill in the captcha and hit ‘Submit’.

When applying for a Korean visa, knowing what could potentially lead to denial is crucial for strengthening your application and boosting the likelihood of getting approved. Here are some important considerations:

• Lack of Proper Documentation: Submitting incorrect or misleading information can cause your application to be immediately declined and may also affect future attempts. All Korean tourist visa documents for Indians that you submit must be authentic, completed, and satisfactory.
• Not Enough Proof of Financial Stability: It's important to show a bank balance of at least ₹ 70,000 to cover your travel expenses and any emergencies that might arise.
• Questionable Travel Record: A history of overstaying visas in other countries could be seen as a red flag, suggesting a risk of not adhering to Korea's visa regulations.
• Intentions Under Scrutiny: Not being able to convincingly explain the reason for your visit and its consistency with your planned activities might arouse suspicion. 

Teleport’s Expert Tip

Upon your arrival at the South Korean airport, ensure a hassle-free exit by following these steps:

• Prepare Travel Documents: Have your passport and a valid South Korean visit visa ready for quick verification by immigration authorities. It's advisable to carry physical printouts or ensure easy accessibility on your mobile device.
• Understand South Korea's Regulations: If you have items to declare or your baggage requires inspection, proceed to the customs area. Familiarize yourself with South Korea's Customs Regulations to make use of various services, duty-free shopping, and traveler facilities.
• Unaccompanied Minor Guidelines: If you are an unaccompanied minor, stay with your designated flight attendant for safety. Identify your assigned adult at the destination airport to ensure a secure arrival.
• Keep Your Arrival Card Ready:
• A foreigner entering Korea has to go through immigration at the port of entry . Please present your passport along with the completed arrival card (Form No.41-2) that states the purpose of your entry, location of residence, etc. to immigration officials. 

Additional Resources

VFS online application tracking page

Embassy of the Republic of Korea in India

Visa Application Form

South Korea Business Visa

South Korea Visa Check

Getting visas can be tough. With this blog, we’ve tried to explain the process of obtaining a South Korean tourist visa. In case you have questions for us, feel free to call us at 073148 52914 or message us on WhatsApp . Team Teleport is at your service! 

Consider applying with us at Teleport for a hassle-free South Korea tourist visa application. Our intuitive and user-friendly platform simplifies the entire process, so that you have one less thing to worry about - your visa!

South Korea’s beautiful landscapes await your exploration. Who knows, you may bump into a K-Pop star. Have a safe travel and enjoy your journey!

The eligibility criteria typically include having a valid passport, proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay, a confirmed itinerary, a return ticket, and no intention to work or study during your visit. South Korea tourist visa requirements may vary based on your nationality, so it's essential to check the specific requirements for your country.

While travel insurance is not a mandatory requirement for a South Korea tourist visa, it's highly recommended to have comprehensive travel insurance coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and other unexpected events during your stay.

South Korea does not typically offer an online visa application process for tourist visas. You can only fill in your application form online and usually need to apply in person or through a visa processing centre, either directly or through a designated travel agency.

It takes 12 working days to process a South Korean tourist visa after you've submitted your application and provided all the required documents.

The specific bank balance required for a South Korea tourist visa for Indians can vary depending on various factors such as the duration of stay, planned activities, and the embassy's discretion. While there is no fixed amount, having approximately 70,000 INR in your bank account could be considered sufficient to cover your expenses during your trip.

Read more about visas

What requirements should I submit if I have a sponsor?

Even if someone will sponsor your trip, you still need to submit both your own and your sponsor’s financial and employment documents. Click here for the complete list of Korean tourist visa requirements . 

Aside from the basic requirements, you should also submit the following:

• Sponsor/Guarantee letter – a letter from your sponsor explaining how he/she will cover the expenses of your trip to South Korea.
• Photocopy of the sponsor’s passport (bio page only). Otherwise, you can submit a photocopy of any government-issued ID.

Note also that only immediate family and employers can be your sponsor.  If the sponsor is neither an employer nor an immediate family member (e.g., a boyfriend/girlfriend), you may still proceed with the application but there’s no guarantee that it will be approved. 

If your parent, sibling, child, or spouse will sponsor you, submit a birth certificate or marriage certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority as your proof of relationship.

If your employer will support your travel, submit its business documents and a sponsorship letter with the company letterhead.

Go back to the main article: How to Get Korean Visa in the Philippines: A Complete Guide for First-Time Visitors

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KOREA VISA FOR FILIPINOS: Requirements & Frequently Asked Questions

For the latest version of this post, check out: Korean Visa Requirements!

IMPORTANT! We will no longer be making updates to this article. Please refer to our more updated post with the title KOREAN VISA REQUIREMENTS & Application Process for Filipinos instead.

We know South Korea is one of the most popular destinations among Filipinos because there’s not a day that goes by without us receiving questions about getting a Korea visa. Hence, we decided to put up this post.

Note that we’re NOT employed by or affiliated with the Korean Embassy in Manila. We’re only writing based on our own experience applying for one. (We have applied three times so far, and everything went smoothly every time.) We’re publishing this simply to have a page that we can redirect users to when they ask us questions about the application process.

And because this post is limited to our personal experiences, we can only answer questions about applying for a TOURIST visa as an employed, self-employed, or freelancing Filipino. For anything outside of this scope, it would be best to contact the embassy directly to have a definitive answer.

WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?

What are the requirements for applying for a tourist visa?

We have a dedicated post about that here: Korea Visa Requirements

How to apply? What are the steps?

We have a step-by-step guide here: How to Apply for a Korea Visa in Manila

Do I need a travel agency to apply?

YES, unless you’re applying directly in Cebu. The Korean Embassy in Manila requires tourist visa applications filed starting July 1, 2018, to be coursed through any of their designated travel agencies. However, the Korean Consulate in Cebu is not affected by this and will continue to accept walk-in applicants as they did.

If you’re applying in Manila BEFORE July 1, 2018, you can still work on the application yourself. It’s fast and free. However, if for whatever reason this isn’t a practical option — you live in the province, you just can’t spare a working day for this — by all means, find a travel agency. Just remember that they will charge you a service fee.

Do I need to book flights before applying?

No. It’s not one of the requirements. I’ve tried submitting this before, they removed it from the pile.

How about hotel reservation? Do I need to book hotels before applying?

No. You don’t need it. However, make sure you have an idea which hotel you will be staying because it’s one of the required fields in the application form. You don’t need to reserve, but you need to know where you intend to stay.

Should I stay in the hotel I wrote on the application form?

No. If your application is approved, you can pretty much stay in any hotel or hostel you want.

How long does it take to process the application?

At least 25 WORKING DAYS in Manila, according to the embassy.

But according to the travel agencies we consulted, it’s safer to apply AT LEAST 30 WORKING DAYS before your trip.

That’s how long the embassy takes to process. But you must also allow agencies time to collect, document, sort out, deliver to and pick up the passports from the embassy.

In Cebu, it’s 10 working days.

What are OECD visas?

These are visas granted by countries that are part of the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development). These are the member countries:

Update (June 12, 2019): Although Japan is an OECD country, JAPAN VISA is no longer honored by the Korean Embassy in reaction to several cases of applicants submitting FAKE Japan visa and stamps.

I have OECD Visas. Does it mean my application will be approved?

Not necessarily. But you have better chances. And that the processing is a lot faster.

How long can I stay in Korea if I am granted a visa?

Regular visas usually allow 59 days. You can apply for a longer stay.

Can I submit just the bank certificate?

No. Starting October 2016, a bank statement showing transactions for the past 3 months is a required document.

So you have to submit BOTH a bank certificate and a bank statement.

How much money should my bank account have to get approved?

I don’t know the minimum amount. I don’t think the embassy explicitly says it. But I have tried applying with P100,000 in the bank for a 4-day stay and got approved.

I guess the key thing to remember here is that how much you have should be proportional to how long your stay is. For example, if you have only P100,000, don’t apply for a 59-day stay because that would obviously raise a lot of questions regarding whether or not you can afford the trip.

To give you a ballpark figure, the Embassy of France requires EUR 120 per day from Schengen Visa applicants. That’s around P7600 per day. Add the cost of airfare and hotel, and that should be the minimum amount in your bank. Again, this is not the official rule. We’re just using the French Embassy’s policy as an example.

I’m a freelancer. I don’t have a Certificate of Employment. What can I submit?

I have tried applying for a visa when I was a freelancer. What I did was, I requested for a letter from my clients that could serve as a certification that I was working for them. The letter also included what I do for them, when I was hired, how much I receive as compensation, and other details.

Here’s the format I followed .

The embassy accepted it, and my application was approved.

HOWEVER, the Embassy seems to have been MUCH stricter these days, so I’m not sure whether or not they still accept something like this.

I’m a student with a part-time job. Should I apply as a student or an employee?

I consulted a designated travel agency for the best way to go about this, and they said that it’s better to apply as a student and submit parents’ docs.

They said that applying as both employed and student can confuse the embassy. They also said that part-time jobs are often viewed by the embassy negatively because it tells them 2 things: one, that you are not as rooted and as financially stable, and two, that there is a possibility that you will work there too.

I don’t have an ITR. What should I do?

I honestly don’t know how to answer this because I’ve always had an ITR even as a freelancer.

But according to some of our community members who have done this before, they included an explanation letter and other proof of sources of income in their application.

How early should I apply for a Korea visa? Can I apply months before my actual travel date?

If you have a target travel date, apply not earlier than 3 months before that.

When a regular visa is issued, it allows the holder to enter Korea at any time within the next 3 months (90 days) of the issue date. So if your visa is issued on July 1, you can enter anytime before October 1.

But if you’re applying in Manila, make sure you apply at least 30 working days before your intended travel date.

Do I need to show up to submit the documents?

NO, usually. You can ask someone else to do it for you IF THE REQUIREMENTS ARE COMPLETE.

However, every agency can implement their own rules. So it’s best to call the travel agency where you plan to lodge your application to be sure.

I need to explain something. Will they accept a cover letter?

Yes. I did once. They accepted it.

How much is the visa fee?

FREE if your application is for 59 days or shorter.

P1800 for 60- to 90-day stay.

However, travel agencies will be charging a service fee for processing your application. Fee differs from agency to agency, but it’s usually between P700 and P1000.

What is the address of the Korean Embassy?

KOREAN EMBASSY IN MANILA 122 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Town Center, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig city 1634, Philippines Email Address: [email protected] Contact No.: (63-2) 856-9210 visa local no. 270, 500

KOREAN CONSULATE IN CEBU 12th Floor Chinabank Corporate Center, Lot 2, Samar Loop Cor. Road 5, Cebu Business Park, Mabolo, Cebu City Email Address: [email protected] Contact No.: (63-32) 231-1516(-9)

Is it possible to apply for a multiple-entry visa?

YES, but only if you’re qualified. Holders of any of the following credit cards can apply for a multiple-entry visa and are EXEMPTED from providing bank certificates and ITR :

BDO Gold Cardholders: multiple-entry visa valid for 5 years Gold Visa Credit Card Gold MasterCard Credit Card Gold UnionPay Credit Card Gold JCB Credit Card American Express​ Gold Credit Card

BDO Elite Cardholders: multiple-entry visa valid for 3-5years Platinum Visa Credit Card Titanium/Platinum and World Elite MasterCard Credit Card JCB Platinum Diamond UnionPay Credit Card Diners Club Premiere American Express​ Platinum Credit Card American Express International Dollar Charge Cards Cathay Pacific American Express Credit Cards (Standard and Elite)

RCBC Bankard Premium Card: multiple-entry visa valid for 5 years World Mastercard (including co-brands Balesin and The City Club) Black Platinum Mastercard Diamond Platinum Mastercard Visa Infinite Visa Platinum JCB Platinum UnionPay Diamond

For BDO, promo is valid until December 31, 2022. For RCBC, promo is valid until December 31, 2020.

Update: Effective November 11, qualified cardholders must submit credit card statements for the past 3 months + copy of the front side of the card (FRONT only).

Note that you are only exempted from providing financial docs (bank certificate, bank statement, etc.). Employment or business documents must still be submitted.

If unable to provide credit card statements, you must submit personal bank certificate (original) and bank statements showing your history for the past 3 months (original or certified true copy).

What are the common reasons why Korean visa applications are denied?

I can only speculate, but based on the messages we receive from our followers, the usual reasons are the following:

• You can’t prove that you can financially support yourself on this trip . You probably have insufficient funds or your sponsor is not in a good financial standing.
• You can’t prove that you intend to return (rootedness). You probably don’t have a stable job at this point, newly employed, or newly resigned, and it’s giving the impression that you intend to work there.
• Your intention/purpose in Korea is unclear . This is why it is best to be specific when you’re detailing the reasons for your visit.

If my application is denied, can I apply again?

Yes, but only after 6 months.

What does a South Korea visa look like?

What is the Visa Issuance Confirmation in Section 2 of the Application Form?

The Section 2 of the application form calls for details of Visa Issuance Confirmation. This section is only for those with a document called “Confirmation of Visa Issuance.” Many people think it refers to previous Korean visas; NO, IT DOESN’T. The “Visa Issuance Confirmation” is a completely different document, usually issued in Korea.

I have more questions. How do I contact the Korean Embassy?

Feel free to call the Korean Embassy to confirm. Here are the numbers:

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

2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣0️⃣ • 1️⃣ • 6️⃣ – last update 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣7️⃣ • 3️⃣ • 1️⃣5️⃣ – first up

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Hi! What if I dont have a personal bank account?

Hi! Currently, I’m unemployed and just waiting for my review for Architecure board exam which will start on Sept 3. I’m afraid my Visa application will be rejected. I already have a certification from my review center which states that I am enrolled and the details of my review. I also have my review center ID. What are the other requirement that I should pass? And also, my father will support my finances for the trip. But he will not travel with me. I will travel with my sister and mother only. Is this possible? I can also produce my own bank certificate for back up docs if ever needed. Would really appreciate for you reply. Thank you.

Hi! I think we have the same situation. Currently unemployed since i am going to review pa starting this nov. Did you apply na ba? How did it go?

Hello. May I ask how did ur applications go? I’m in the same situation kasi. Thanks!

Hello. Ask ko lang if ano nangyari w your applications bc I’m in the same situation rn. Thanks!

Hello! What happened ba sa applications niyo? May plans po kasi ako for travels tapos by that time, ganyan na rin po situation ko. Thanks po!

What if student and 18? Isa lang po yung parent na may bank certif and bank statement okay lang po ba yun? :(

Sa akin tinanggap kahit wlang bank account yung mama ko ! single parent din siya. Pero bank account ko ang ginamit sa pagpasa sa applcation sa SK tourist visa, bali naglagay lang ako nang Cover Letter para maexplain kung bakit akin ang ginamit! atleast na APPROVED naman yung visa ko .

If you don’t have a bank account but travelling or is being sponsored for the trip, then you can ask the person to provide the necessary requirements. I brought with us our yaya for the trip. I just provide a notarized affidavit of support. and in the application form, my name was placed there as a sponsor so in her application form, i also attached another copy of the Bank Certficate, ITR, and Bank Statement as proof. She was given a single entry visa.

What if my applicatio has been denied because of lack of reason to travel And unfortunately my sin has a contest to attend to in south korea and the DEPED will assist all student and parent can they give me visa eventhough i just got denied this august?

Good day Mr. Flores! I just wanna ask, my mom’s just a housewife pero my aunt will shoulder my travel expenses. Will I still get a good chance for VISA approval if I add a notarized affidavit of support and/or cover letter? Thank you!

Hi! I’m unemployed po cause I just graduated last July. My auntie got married with a korean. She told me that I can visit her in korea with all expenses paid. What should I do?

Hello..same with I am also a Yaya or helper.. I need the some info. About how to make a SK tourist visa..but I don’t have bank account. I have a korean employer and they want me to bring there to korea for vacation.but i don’t know how .and also what are requirements needed about this situation?

hi regarding to the sponsor matter. the one who will sponsoring me is my niece since our Birth certificate cannot confirm our relationship that much because she my cousins daughter it will not appear on our certificate that we have same surnames. can i just submit also a notarized affidavit of support?

Then don’t apply, because it’s one of the requirements.

Hi S! Just bring your old passport when you travel. That’s what happened to me, too. I still had a valid visa when I renewed my passport. I asked the staff at DFA and they said even if the passport is no longer valid, any valid visas inside will remain so. :)

ask ko lng kung possible ba na magrenew ng visa kahit hindi pa expired? june 2020 kc expiration ng visa ko gusto ko sana i-avail yung promo ng bdo

Ay, di ko po alam :(

pwede pa kaya un sa kapatid ko may valid single entry pa sya sa passport nya kaso nasulatan accidentally so pina renew ng dfa. magagamit pa po kaya nya ung single entry nya valid pa nmn pa tska hindi gamit together with his new passport thanks po

Hi Louise! Ano yung nasulatan accidentally? The visa page or passport page? Nakapagparenew ba kayo? Or ano ang pinarenee niyo, yung approved visa or passport? Medyo same tayo ng scenario kasi.

Hi Louise, naku, di ko alam. I think pwede pa, pero best to call DFA na lang to be sure sure sure.

Hello Mr. Dimen. Magtatanong lang po ako kung pwedi ba ako mag apply ng tourist visa kahit pay tatak yong passport ko na 68-1? Galing na rin akong Korea.

Hi Jhaja, di ko po alam. :(

If pwede man po, baka mahirapan po kasi may record na. Pero best to consult a designated travel agency po para mas informed po yung advice.

Hi Mr. Dimen. Is there a high chance of approval if may invitation from korean boyfriend but he will not shoulder any of my expenses? just a mere invitation for a trip in korea. Can I still include the invitation letter and copy of his passport as part of the requirements? Thank you.

Hi Dongsaeng, yes, if you’re invited by a Korean, you must submit an invitation letter and copy of his passport.

Re whether or not the chances are higher if may invitation, not sure. But I know na better ang chances if you can show that you can afford this trip and you’re employed, regardless of whether or not invited by someone there or hindi. So I think yes, if financially stable ka naman and employed, better ang chances mo kaysa sponsored ka by someone there.

Hi po ask ko lang po denied po kc yung visa ko for South Korea,makakabpunta po ba ako ng jeju kahit na may tatak yung passport ko?kahit wala pa po ng 1 month?

Hi any update with this situation? Same situation with her.

Hi! For example I applied for a korean visa using bdo gold and got approved on multiple entry. My question is , is it okay if I travel next year ? Thanks in advance. :)

as long as it’s within the validity period of your visa.

Hi! I’m unemployed po and a fresh grad. My auntie got married with a korean and now she’s living in korea. She told me that I can visit her in korea with all expenses paid. I got enough money in my bank account, valid passport, but i dont have COE an ITR. What should I do to be approved in korean visa? What letters should I make?

Hi Krystal, usually sa ganyang case, you can write a letter of explanation why you don’t have a COE and ITR and proof to support your reason. For example, if your reason is kaka-graduate mo lang, submit proof of that. You also need proof of relationship with your aunt.

Note however na hindi guarantee yung mga yan. Pwede pa rin nilang i-deny kahit inexplain mo and may proof.

Hi! May I ask if its exactly 60days for the bank statment requirement? The bank that issued my BS starts from June 15 to Aug 30, 2018 balance. Is it questionable on the part of embassy? Hope you can answer my query.

Hi Cher, the requirement has to be the past 3 months. 90 days, not 60 days.

Hi po good morning ask q lang po twice na q nag apply for korean visa and twice din aq na denied. first is not qualified to entry to korea pero i have a complete requirements 2nd reason why i denied is they said my other documents is fake but is not.. i know nmn n mahigpit cla so why i am submitted a fake documents. this coming nov i try to apply again may i know if the reason why i am denied is naka record ba sknila un? kse kng dun cla mag babase so i dnt have any chance to entry korea.

Did they say kung anong document ang fake daw?

Hi, I have a US visa but I didn’t end up going to the US due to work. Do I still have to submit photocopy even if I don’t have the arrival stamp?

Hi! I would like to apply tourist visa with my 3 children. Do i need to bring them to Korean Embassy when applying for visa?

Hi Ophel! You can apply on their behalf. :)

For my parents since im applying for us.. do they need 2 original bank cert and bank statement for my dad’s? He is retired.. my mom a housewife… since im applying for them will it not suffice?

Hello leslie!

I wonder what happened to your appliction. Do you mind if I ask what requirement did you provide for your parents since we have the same case. TIA!

Can you still get denied if you have a bpi/bdo gold credit card but is unemployed? Is COE still required?

How come you have credit card if you’re unemployed?

Hi.. I’m a freelancer, can I categorize myself as self employed? Do I also need a DTI and mayor’s permit? Thank you

I’m also a freelancer. I registered myself as self-employed with my fullname as the trade name. There’s no need for you to register to DTI or SEC. I also don’t have a mayor’s permit. I was asked to get an Occupational Tax Receipt but the LGU from where I’m living doesn’t know about OTR so they just asked me to get a temporary mayor’s permit so I could register myself to BIR.

Hi po. Pano po kung may invitation letter ako galing sa Korean friend ko. Ask ko lang sana kung sino ang isusulat ko sa Details of Sponsor? Thank you!:)

If your korean friend will sponsor your travel expenses (accommodation, food, transpo, etc.) then you can put his/her name..you also need to submit photocopy of your friend’s passport or ID

Hi what if i’m already 22 and still a college student, tapos walang bank statement ang parents ko but my korean boyfriend will shoulder all my expenses during my day tour. What will i do? Thankyou :)

Hi Monica. Anong nangyari? Mejo parehas kasi tayo ng case, the only difference is yung friend ko na magshoshoulder lahat ng expenses is nasa japan. I hope you reply! Thank you

Hi! I requested a bank cert last january for korean visa but i did not proceed. Can I still use the bank cert I requested last january for my korean visa application this June?

I think you should request for a new one.

hi. I also don’t have a certificate of employment because i’m a part timer, fresh graduate and i’m still reviewing for my board exam. Instead of having a letter written by a client can I instead have it written by my employer? Please answer my question. Thank you so much!

i think it should be ok as long as the COE contains your position, date hired, compensation, office address, HR’s email and landline..the embassy may call your HR to verify your COE..

hi! when is the best time to apply for a korean visa? we are planning to go there by october.

Hi. Dream ko mag tour sa Korea. Pwede ba ako mag apply ng visa kahit “not employed” ?

Perhaps, if you have someone sponsoring your tour.

Hello! What if ininvite ako ng korean friend then sya ung sponsor ko for accomodation, kasi sya ang mag bobook ng plane ticket ko papuntang korea at nasa korea siya. Kailangan ko pa din ba ng bank account ? At un employed po ako, ma approve po ba ?

Kah, same tayo. Makiki kamusta sana ako. Naka pag apply kaba?

Hi! I’m a bit confused about sa OECD Visa. What does it mean? Nakatira po ako sa US pero hawak ko pa rin is Philippine passport. Ibig sabihin po ba nun ay meron akong OECD Visa since taga US ako? Thank you in advance.

hi dream namin makapag- tour sa korean, makaka kuha ba kami ng family ko ng multiple – entry kahit isa lang may bdo gold visa samin?? yung husban ko lang kasi ang may bdo, ako kasi sa ibang mga banks ang credit cards ko and yung daughter ko is 2 years old pa lang

only the person with the card

how about the supplementary?

Hi. I have a supplumentary BDO Gold. Would like to ask if you pursue your application using the supplementary card? Was it accepted even without Bank Cert and ITR? Hoping for your response.

When is the time I can apply for a visa? If let’s say I am travelling by December?

But as long as you have enough time for it to be processed, then around the month of September (2nd week), October or November will be perfect.

The validity of the visa is 3 months. Example: If you’ll be in Korea on the 5-11th on December, you can apply for your visa 3 months before. So, around the 5-10th of September. Keep in mind that if you’re a first time applicant, it takes 5 days to process the visa. :)

Hi..my husband is working in korea and iam planning to visit him early next year ,can i stay there atleast 30 days with 50k on my account though my husband will support or finance my trip?

the free visa can allow you to stay up to 59 days in SK..if your husband will sponsor your trip, then put his name on the application form as your sponsor

Hi may friend po ako. Husband po nya american.. working sa korea for how many years. How many times na rin po silang balik balik sa korea. Pwede po b syang makakuha ng mas matagal sa 90 DAYS VISA.?

Hi, have you tried passing your application for visa while on going pa yung renewal ng passport mo? My passport will expire this Dec 2017 and my travel will be on Oct 2017. I already processed my passport renewal last June 14,2017 (express) kaso may delay si DFA which will cause me to submit my old passport(Exp. Dec 2017) for the visa application next week. Will I be approved or denied? Thanks a lot po.

Hi I know matagal na tong comment mo but may I know ano nangyari? If you were approved. Thanks!

How much travel costs should I write in the application form?

depends on how much is your estimated expenses for the duration of your stay in SK..for example if you allocated $100 USD per day and your stay is good for 4 days, then write $400 USD in your application form..just make sure your bank certificate has a balance that is more than your declared travel costs..

hi po…unemployed po ako,and I was worried na bka ma deny ang visa ko ksi wla akong mpasa na COE..Im doing tutorial as of now..at yn ang source of income ko.slamt po sa sasagot..God bless..

ano po dapat kng gawin.or ipasa kng wla akong.cmpany na.pnpasukan?tutorial lng.po ang work ko ngyn..slmat po sa sasagot

Hi! I wanted to ask what if you are a cabin crew and you wanted to get a visa but unfortunately, you won’t be able to surrender your passport bc of your internat’l flights? Is a photocopy of passport and company ID okay?

I guess disregard this. Ididikit nga pala nila ung visa sa passport. So, di talaga pwede photocopy. Haha. Thanks anw.

I would like to ask, I have a JAPAN Visa dated April 2012 in my old passport. Should I pass it for my KOREA Visa application? I will be applying my KOREA Visa this first week of Aug. Counted pa ba siya on the “5 year period”? Also, yun pa yung huli ko na trip abroad. So, walang ibang nakalagay sa old passport ko.

Hope you can recommend.

Thanks a lot!

Hi! Please help. My bank eastwest do not provide bank ADB and opening date in the bank cert even if I already told them I need it for visa purposes. They said they can give me separate print out of my ADB and prinscreen of my account opening date. Could I just attach these 2 to the bank cert? Do I need to make a cover letter for this? Thanks a lot in advance!

Hi po. Eastwest bank din po ako. Nagpasa po ba kayo ng cover letter or yung Bank statement na lang po talaga? Pinasa niyo din po ba yung print screen?Thank you po.

Hi im planning to get a tourist visa together with my daughter and our friends. But in my case i will used the employment certificate of my husband who is already working in korea he has an e9 visa and one of the req is the itr but my husband dont have the itr is there a chance that my visa application approved?

Hi! I’m currently unemployed, but I do family business na nakapangalan sa mother ko.. Can I use this us my source of income to get my visa approve?

That would be difficult because hindi sya sayo nakapangalan. :|

ask ko lang pano pag un-employed ka tapos wala kang source of income pero nakalagay sa invitation ng korean friend ko na sagot nya lahat ?? wala akong bank account.. ok lang kaya un ??

I’m really worried, the korean embassy just called in our office, sadly there is a problem in our phone so we need to cut the call and we were hoping for another call (for the whole day, but nothing happens). Is there any chance for them to call again? also I we are travelling for 4 and the 3 of us are employed to our mother’s business and we will travel with my mom. However, she has low banks statement (since she use it as an emergency) and I have bigger bank statement that so bothers me. Also she will guarantee my sister. What will I do? is the risk of denied visa is higher?

Hi my sister and I will travel together on October. We’re both still students, however, our parents bank accounts named it under our names, in short the bank accounts we will be presenting will be our own. do we still need a cover letter to explain our situation? They are both self-employed, we can provide the itr, business registration, etc. but the bank statements will be under our names

Hi Kathryn, we believe it’s not a problem.

Hi! Has anyone here got their visa application accepted but didn’t push through due to some circumstances? Do you think it will be harder to apply the second time around?

additiona question kahit 4days tour need pako din visa ? thanks po sa sasagot

Hello!!! I just want to ask about the freelance certification. Do I need a signature of our manager? What if he only sent it to me through email? Do I need to legalize it through notarization?

Hi Grethel, I submitted a scanned version of a signed letter though. I didn’t have it notarized. But make sure your client’s contact details and your employment details are there.

I have a bank account since 2016 that is exclusively for my payroll. Recently (almost two months ago), I opened another account where I placed my personal savings. This is also where I save money, enough for my planned travel to Korea. The embassy requires the original or certified true copy of a bank statements or passbook for the last 3 months and I’m planning to use the account I recently opened. But I would like to know if the bank statement of my recent (2-month-old) bank account is OK for my visa application.

Regarding with you comment a year ago? I’m also currently in that position, may I ask if what happened to your application? i have my payroll account and i recently opened a savings account with 2 months old.

Hi Lou, if I were you I would submit both bank cert and bank statement for BOTH my payroll and saving account to show that I have 2 accounts. That’s what I always do.

Hello, Dito PO ako sa Dubai now nagwowork at may residence visa.Plan ko po na magbaksyon sa Pilipinas sa March.At magtour Ng 10 days sa Korea..Possible po ba na ma approve Ang korean visa ko Kung mag apply ako.?thanks

Hi! My sons plans to go to Korea this November. They are currently working for their fathers business and they have no ITR. They have bank accounts in their names and their father will be giving them a certificate of absolute suport for thier trip. Will it be enough for them to be given a Korean Visa?

Hi. I am planning to go to Korea with my younger sister as a graduation gift. I will be shouldering all the expenses, but I am wondering on what will be the process for her visa application since our parents don’t have a bank account or a business. Will my financial details suffice? And should I make a cover letter explaining the situation?

Your answers will be a great help.

great help,,thank you so much

Hi! My family is planning to visit S.korea end of this year. Im the head of the family, my concern is ” Do i need to submit 5 sets of documents? E.G Business and bank details, or just one set for the 5 of us is enough like the Japan Visa Application. Thank you

Hi. I’ve recently resigned in my full time job a month ago and I am now in transition of becoming a freelancer. I still don’t have any client but there’s a possibility that I will be having one this week. I have plans on applying for SoKor visa on the third week of September. So for the questions:

1. You mentioned that you provided a Certification before when you were a freelancer. If my client is from abroad, will a digital Certification / scanned copy be okay?

2. Since, if ever, I’ll just be starting my work this week or the following week, I will not be able to process my tax obligation yet, right? So will my ITR from my previous work be ok?

Thank you in advance!

I’m in the same situation now. May I ask how your application went? And did you tick employed in the application form or wrote freelancer in ‘Others’? Thank you!

Hi! What if foreign yung company(freelancer ako), do I still have to send the hard copy to them and have it red ribbon? But our boss is here in PH? Thanks! :)

If I am travelling with my family and we are all employed (we’ll support ourselves for the trip), do we still need to bring our birth certificates and our parents’ marriage contract? Thanks.

Sa mga my pbi/bdo gold credit card na ng apply for tourist visa kinakailangan b ipakita mismo sa korean embassy? Sa agency ksi ako ngpalqkad

Hello, I already have a ticket na for Nov 7,2017. When is the best time to apply for a visa? Ok lang ba kung this September na? Naguguluhan kasi ako dun sa validity ng tourist visa, sabi sa site ng embassy 3 months validity daw, sabi naman sa ibang blog 59 days daw. Thank you in advance and by the way, this is a great blog entry you have here. Keep it up and more power!

You can stay in KOREA for up to 59 days, but you should use your visa within 3 months after ma-issue. So yes, pwede ka na magapply ngayon kahit November pa yung trip kasi valid sya for 3 months, but kapag nasa Korea ka na, dapat yung stay mo di lalagpas sa 59 days.

hello, my cousin and I are planning to go to Korea next year. Just a little background, she’s still a student and I hold a Canadian passport. I will be shouldering all our expenses. I was thinking of giving her an Affidavit of Support that she can submit with all her other requirements. You think I need to give her my bank certificate and statement as well? Any insights would be much appreciated! Thank you.

good pm. My family(we’re 6) just got our Korean visa, valid from Sept 8-Dec8, 2017. It’s quite sad coz we wrote the intended travel in Dec 27-Jan 1… I read that the validity is really 59 days but we’re positive that the embassy will consider our planned date of travel. That means visa will expire even before our trip. it’s ok for us to renew but when is the best date to renew? is it ok to renew earlier to give us time to prepare the stuff since its winter, Is October or November ok to renew? Will the embassy get angry with for not leaving on the given visa validity when in fact our travel is really sked during the Christmas season. thank you

under important reminders showing on the SK website, “Validity of visa is only 3 months from the issue date. Do not apply more than 3 months prior to the date of travel.”

Hi. Just wanna ask re EOCD visa. I had been in France last 2015 and had my Schengen visa valid for 15 days only during our trip. Is it considered under the EOCD Visa you are referring to? Do i still need to submit it to the embassy during our application for South Korea visa? Thanks in advance.

Hello, If I got approved for a single entry tourist visa, is it possible to apply again for a D2 (student) visa again? Thank you sa sasagot.

How to apply tourist visa with family?

hello, question. My COE states that it is for Bank Certification instead of Visa Application. It still has my Compensation Package. Will that be acceptable?

Hi Cristine! Not sure. :( I think it’s still okay, but that’s just a hunch.

Hi, question. My parents’ trip to Korea will be their first travel out of the country. Is there are a rule or something that they should have a previous travel prior to their Korea trip before applying for a tourist visa?

Nope. It’s okay if Korea is your first international trip. Although there’s a bigger chance of getting approved if may past travel history talaga.

Hi! I recently graduated from college and unemployed. My parents’ grad gift for me is a trip to S. Korea. My question is, what documents should I bring if I am neither student nor employed? Thank you :)

Write a cover letter explaining that this is a graduation gift from your parents, declare them as your guarantor, and then submit their bank/employment papers instead.

Hi. Same sitution. Same pa rin ba ng process ngayong 2019?

Yep! Pwede pa rin yun.

Hi, i have a bpi gold mastercard. Do i still need to submit bank statement (original or certified true copy of BS/passbook for the last 3mos)? Kasi ang nabasa ko bank cert and itr lang ang not needed to be submitted if u have bpi/bdo gold cc?

No need. :)

Hi, I’m really curious. Totally no need to submit any financial document if you have a BPI Gold MasterCard? Maski credit card statement not needed anymore? Thanks!

Hi! tanong ko lang po ilang months po need sa statement ng credit card (bdo)? tia!

Latest billing statements with photocopy of credit card

We have multiple visa till Dec. 2, 2017. Is it possible to renew our visa in korean embassy even if we still have 2 months left? Thanks

hi i would like to ask sana im a fresh graduate i dont have work yet and no bank accounts .. is it possible na maka kuha ako ng visa if ever ung boyfriend kong korean mag ssponsor ng lahat lahat ?? ticket food and sa bahay nila ako titira ??

Hi! It will be very, very difficult. Many of those in similar situations who messaged us were denied.

Hi what if i’m still a college student and graduating naman this october tapps this summer or before graduation gisto ko pumunta sa SK my parents don’t have bank accounts but yung sister ko meron pwede bang un nalang gamitin ko?and also iinvite din ako ng boyfriend kong korean at gusto nya din na mag sponsor sakin what should i do? Thankyou

Having your sister sponsor you might be your best bet. But we don’t know for sure.

Hi! I’m in a pinch right now. I’m a graduating college student who’s also a freelance photographer. I work part-time and earn quite a fair amount per client and I get a lot in a month. My parents will not be funding my planned trip so I plan on submitting the requirements on my own. Do you think this will be okay? Will at least P50,000+ in my bank account suffice for a supposed 4day trip??

Thanks so much ;_;

Hi EOS, yeah, like Kate, we also have friends who had funds a bit north of P50,000 and their applications were approved. Although to be honest, we don’t know how often it happens. What we know for sure is that if you only have that much in your bank account, you need to make sure you have all the other requirements.

hi! what if i only have around 30k in my bank account but i will be writing my aunt’s name in the visa application form as guarantor, will that be okay? i’ll be traveling with her din. thanks!

Hard to tell, but since you have a guarantor, there’s a good chance it will be approved as long as your aunt meets the requirements and can prove she can support both of you.

a friend has 50K for a 3-day trip and got approved..:)

Hi! I got my visa last December 2016 (thru the BPI promo) and planned to visit Korea with my daughter the same month. However, due to a family event that we can’t miss, we didn’t push thru with our trip. This November 2017, I’m scheduled to finally visit Korea, using the visa that I got last Dec 2016 (valid until Dec 2019). Won’t I have any problems/concerns? Will it not be an issue that I didn’t travel on my initial intended dates in 2016? Thanks!

Hi Riza, as long as your visa is valid, I don’t think it would be an issue.

Hi @The Poor Traveler !!!

I stumbled upon this article last summer and because of how detailed you outlined the steps, this made us decide to push through with our application. We applied last Sept. 26 as a group and we got our visa on Oct. 4!!! Hooray!!! Thank you so much for sharing all these information. This help us greatly on planning our SK trip this coming last week of the month, in time for autumn!!!

Wow! Congrats! Enjoy the autumn colors!!!

Hi! Ask ko lang po po kung yung bank is nagbago ng system and yung kaya lang nila iprovide na bank statement is screenshot?ano po kaya kailangan ipacertified true copy ba o kailangan ko magprovide ng cover letter? Thank you :)

Hi Camil! Have it certified. :)

Hi. I’m pregnant and i want to have tourist visa in korea my boyfriend is korean. Is it possible that I can get tourist visa?

Hello, just wanna confirm if I have bpi credit card and bank certificate is already waived does that mean i don’t also need to submit a statement of account? Thanks.

Hello! Do we still need to provide a certificate of employment even though we have a BDO credit card? The details states that the applicant will be exempted from providing financial documents if he has a active BDO credit card. So does that mean we don’t have to provide certificate of employment?

Hi. I’m a student and may problem ako sa requirements ng parent ko about sa bank cert. May nakaindicate sa bank cert kung ano ano yung mga included, hiningi ng dad ko sa eastwest yung bank cert and ayaw nila ibigay yung 6 months ADB kasi yun daw ang format nila and kita naman daw sa bank statement yun. Pano po kaya pwede gawin?

You can still submit that.

hi, ask lang sana po ako. EX OFW po ako, just last 3 months i exited from my work in saudi. Can i still used my final COE even i am not working already from my previous company?? as of now i am still unemployed. thank you

I just want to confirm something. We are planning to go to Korea in December. Originally, we only plan for a 4-day trip but it can extend longer. Pwede bang ilagay sa application na four days lang ang stay. Magkakaproblema ba kung lalagpas ng 4 days ang stay ko? Thanks a lot.

Hi! You can stay longer than what you declared as long as pasok sa validity length nung visa.

Hi, would P30k be enough for a 5-day stay? Also, what if yung ADB ko is not that high. madalas na winiwithdraw ko lahat ng funds ko from my ATM. And, pwede ko bang gamiting personal savings account yung Payroll account ko? Thanks for your assistance.

Hi Sir, what it may savings account po ako nagkakalaman nmn po ung sahod ko po monthly kaso kinukuha ko rn po.tapos lalagyan ko po this month ng 25k.kukuha po kasi ako ng tourist visa for 5days.vacation po ng family ng bf ko.ok lng po ba un?

I have all the requirements for tourist visa application for Korea except that I cannot provide a copy of business permit from the mayor, I have just closed my business last january 2017. What else can I submit in place of the business permit?

I’m scheduled to get the result of my application on 2nd week of Dec. Can I still claim it even after the schedule given or I have to follow the date?

Thank you, Pao

Have a nIce day =))

Yes, if you are not available on the exact release date, you may claim it after the date, JUST TO MAKE SURE WITHIN A WEEK (for example, your original release day is Monday or up to Thursday, you may claim it up to Friday; if your release day is Friday, you may claim it on Monday the following week). I would suggest if you claim it after the release date, claim it PERSONALLY. But of course, I strongly recommend to claim it ON EXACT DATE if you really have a time or you are available that time.

Hello po..april 2018 po ung punta namin ng korea..through travel agency..tapos sila n din ang magpaprocess ng visa namin..magkano po kaya dapat ang laman ng account good for 4 days?this january n po kasi kami magpapasa ng requirements..thanks

Ask ko lng po, balak namen pumunta with the whole family pero si mama at si papa is wlang work at kme lng ng sister ko ang may work pero naka base kme s UAE, parehas may account ang parents ko s pinas at kme ng sister ko ang bank namen is from UAE, tatanggapin kya po nila un for requirement. paano po b kme mag aaply if ever?

Hi Jackie, feeling ko naman tatanggapin naman din un as requirements. Are your parents senior na? If so, may ibang set of requirements sila.

Not sure where you should apply, kung sa UAE or kung pwede sa Pinas. Best to call the embassy.

Thank you for this useful blog of yours. I just have a question:

We only have a marriage license and NSO marriage certificate is too long to process that it may not come on time with the date of our planned Korea trip? Will marriage license suffice. Thank you

Hi Ron. I honestly don’t know the answer to this, but if I were in your shoes, I would submit a copy of the marriage license and write a letter of explanation to justify. :)

I would like to ask if it is my 2nd time to apply for Korean Visa and I was approved the first time, is that considered to be part of the OECD visa requirement or no? Thank you. :)

Hi! Last time I applied, past Korean visas are not counted.

Hello what if my bank account is newly opened?i will open bank account this january and planning to go to Korea in february?

Not advisable. They will see that you just opened the account in the bank statement and it will raise more suspicions.

Plan namin ng younger sister ko pumunta sa SKorea this April, I’m a 2017 College fresh Grad while my sister is graduating high school this May, our mother will cover all the expenses, however, she is a businesswomen, so she doesn’t have employment supporting papers while my father is a government employee. Will an Affidavit of Support and Cover Letter (explaining that this is a graduation gift for both of us and will declare them as our guarantor) be enough to guarantee the approval of our Tourist VIsa?

Nothing can “guarantee” approval. Will you also be able to submit your mom’s business registration docs since she’s a businesswoman? If so, submit those too because they and your mom’s bank records will be required.

Hi po. Ask lang po if may chance po kayang maapprove ung visa namin for a 3days tour in sk.. unemployed po ako pero may enough money naman po ako on hand para sa trip and magsponsor din po yung mother ko. Kaso wala po syang itr kasi housewife lang po sya but may laman po ung account nya kasi every month syang pinapadalhan ng kuya ko na working in abroad. Ok na po kaya ung bank statement and bank certificate lang nya ung iaatach ko when applying for visa? Thanks po

Hi Yan! I think the safer way is to have your brother sponsor you instead?

follow up question po. ano ano pong requirements, kung si kapatid ang sponsor ng travel to SK? salamat po, god bless.

Hi Mervin. Di po namin alam pag unemployed kasi talagang requirement nila ang COE and ITR. Nirerequire pa rin nila yan kahit na sponsored ng iba ang trip.

Hi, I just opened a bank account last Jan.9 and planning to apply a korean visa on April 10. Is there any chance of being aproved? Its 3months old by that time. Hope to hear from you or from anyone here with same scenario. Thank you.

May chance naman but it depends on many other factors.

Hi i would like to knowkasi friend ko mag apply sya ng korean visa but tax exempted na daw sya pano yun wala na syang ITR?

Is this because of the new tax policy? 2018 lang yun na-implement pero ang ITRs are records of the previous year so hahanapan pa rin sya ng ITR from 2016 or 2017.

Hi thank you for the response. pano daw po if hindi tlaga sya na deducan simula nung pumasok sya sa work need ba nun ng letter galing sa employer na wala tlaga syang tax

Hmmm, naku, di ko na po alam kapag ganun. :(

Hi po. Just wanna ask if ok lang ba na local bank account ang gamitin ko for visa req? Or shud i open a new 1.. June po sana alis namin. Thank u in advance.

Yep! Okay lang local bank account.

Hi, I am planning to submit my documents to the embassy, however i am confuse if i need to still state my travel details when I went to HK, one is for tourism and one is just for a transit going to Shenzhen. Concern ko lng po is since hndi na po nag stamp si HK sa passport, need ko pa din po ba siyang state sa application form. Naisip ko lang po na bak mga kabearing since ang mkikita lang pong stamp is yung alis and arrival ko po sa Pinas. Thanks po

What if i already have visa and my flight will be on march but my visa expiration date on Feb. 21 , what should i do?

Hi po..just want to ask.. What if i got a VOID stamp on my Visa more than 3 years ago, and i’m planning to try again, Can i still apply for another one?. And on my application, do i need to declare that i got Void?

hi. i would like to know po. in a multiple entry visa for 3 years, we have 030 days as period of sojourn. what does that mean? 30 days for the whole 3 years? or 30 days per enter in korea?

30 days per trip

hello! me and my brothers are planing to go to korea on march. We are planning to present our family company’s ITR and Bank statement, would it be okay? also, under the details of Sponsor section in the application form, should i check yes for “do you have anyone sponsoring you for visa?” since we are claiming that the company will shoulder all our expenses. sorry if i have a lot of questions. hahaha. thank you in advance.

If you’re declaring that the company will be sponsoring your trip, then yes, you should check yes for that item.

However, based on our experience though, even if we were to be sponsored by a company, they still required that we submit our PERSONAL bank statement and ITR. :)

Hi! I’m a freelancer but the company I’m working for is based in the US. Will the sample COE letter apply to my case?

Yep, that’s okay. As long as they can vouch in a document/letter that you work for them and provide details of your arrangement with them.

Hi! Good day! I will apply for korean visa tomorrow, i have complete requirements. From COE, ITR, bank cert and statement, but I am worried with my amex card, having second thought of submitting it because i have used all my credit limit. Do you think, Will it be a problem? Thank you, your response will be much appreciated.

Hi can i ask if i dont have bankstatement is it fine ? but i have a cash money to support my vacation in korea . Because im my work was giving cash basis salary and i dont have time to go to bank

Based on our experience, they would still require bank statement unless you have other documents that can prove funds. It has to be documented somehow.

Hi I applied last January 23 and I was denied it said “I failed to qualify for the visa category I applied for”. I applied for a tourist visa under the employee category. And I plan to apply again what do you think should I apply under the self employed category because we have a family business.

What documents did you present since we also have a family business I am worried now that I will be denied. Thanks!

Is the family business named after you? Or can you produce any proof that you own that business in part? Because if you can’t, then I think you cannot use that business for your application.

hi. i would like to ask, i’m a student, and my first cousin who’s an OFW ang magssponsor s SK trip ko, at kasama din siya, if anong papers ang pede at dapat naming isubmit for application of visa???

Hello. We have same situation. Planning to apply for a Korean visa on January. OFW ako, and I’m planning to sponsor my cousin. What should i do? How’s your application po? Ok lang po ba mgsponsor ang non-immediate familymember? Hope you reply po. Thanks.

Check out this post: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2013/12/korea-visa-requirements-manila-embassy-application/

Note the requirements for students.

In addition, submit your sponsor’s employment, tax, and bank documents. Not sure if non-immediate family members are allowed to sponsor, but if they are, they might also ask for proof of relationship.

hi po. ask ko lang ano ano requirements pag galing ako ng saudi because OFW ko. then end of contract na ko by oct. and nagplaplan kame mgSK for vacation.ano mga need ko isubmit eh that time wala pa ko work. thnx

hi! Ask ko lang po kasi balak ko magapply ng korean tourist visa with my 3 years old daughter I have a Philippine passport but my daughter have a Nepalese passport because her father is a Nepalese. Pede ko Maya xa is a sa application ko Dto sa Korean Embassy sa Pinas…? TIA!

hi! Ask ko lang po kasi balak ko magapply ng korean tourist visa with my 3 years old daughter I have a Philippine passport but my daughter have a Nepalese passport because her father is a Nepalese. Pede ko kaya sya isabay sa application ko Dto sa Korean Embassy sa Pinas…Gusto ko kasi Osama sya.. TIA!

Hi Elijah, I’m sure pwede, but if she’s using a Nepalese passport, there might be additional documents. Possibly, photocopy of ACR I-Card and Philippine visa.

hello po. ask ko lang po sana kung ano ano requirements na ipapasa ko, kung ang brother ko sa italy ang mag sponsor sa akin travel to s korea? thanks po. god bless.

un employed din po pala ako. pero may bank account naman ako.

Hi! I’m planning to visit South Korea with my mom this coming April. She retired early because of health issues back then (breast cancer). This is her 10th year living as a cancer survivor so she decided to visit Korea as a treat. I have a regular job with around 30k salary, but unfortunately I only have 20k on my savings account. She has enough bank savings (around 1.5 m). Will we have a problem, considering that she doesn’t have a job and I only have a small amount of savings? Would there be a problem if she transfers 50k on my account this month and we apply for visa next month? Thanks.

Hi Ciel. I’m not sure we’re the best people to ask because we haven’t been in this situation. How old is your mom? I don’t think your mom is going to have a problem because it’s easy to explain (through a cover letter) that your mom retired early for the reason you mentioned, and since she has big savings in her bank account, that should be enough to cover the travel expenses.

The bigger problem is your bank account. Even if you add 50K, they will still see it on the bank statement. (But I guess that’s better than having 20K).

However, since you have a stable job and this is a family trip, there might still be a chance. If I were in your shoes, I would just have my mom sponsor the trip, declare that on the form, and explain it further in a cover letter. You would still be required to submit your bank documents, but you would have your mom’s bank docs too to support it.

Again, we’re not the right people to ask, but that’s what I would do if I were in a similar situation. :)

Hi. My husband and I just booked a flight to South Korea in May 2018. But he doesn’t have work because I’m the one who is employed. Can he submit my proof of income and our marriage cert when we apply for visa?

Hello po, I’m graduating on April 12 and our flight is on April 21. Will I apply as a student or an unemployed? My parents will sponsor my trip as a graduation gift. Also, I traveled to different countries na like Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia do you think it will increase my chances for the approval of my visa?

I will be traveling with my sister who is already working (pero medyo bago pa lang sa work niya) btw. Hope you can reply kasi we are really nervous po about applying and considering a travel agency na po :(

Apply for a visa before graduation so you can apply as a student. :)

If I am going to apply as an English Teacher in South Korea, what are the processes and kind of VISA I should get?

Hi Jay. I have no idea. We’re only familiar with the tourist visa.

how if you do not have ITR?

Hi! Thanks so much for this blog. We will be applying as a family. Im a housewife also. Does that mean for me and my kids we can submit a photocopy only of my husband’s bank cert, ITR and bank statement? Also, from our bank account, they didn’t specify the ADB but gave us a bank statement/transactions within 3yrs. Will that be ok? Thank you in advance

Yes to the first question.

Re bank account, if by default the bank doesn’t indicate the ADB in the bank certificate, yes, you can submit that regardless. BPI is like that, and it’s okay. But please note that you will still have to submit BOTH the bank certificate AND bank statement.

Hi! What if i’m newly employed (1 month) since i just graduated last year but i have been to korea twice before and have been to OECD countries like Australia, UK and Scotland, will i be denied? This is given that i will present my own savings bank statement and payroll account and other necessary requirements ( i might also attach my parent’s statements). Or is it ok to just submit my parent’s statements and state that they will financially support my trip?

Hi Joanne, even if you submit your parents’ statements, you will still have to submit your own bank docs and ITR. But yep, submitting your parents’ docs and presenting your travel history will help your application a lot. :)

what if i don’t have an ITR yet since i just got employed in my first job?

Write a letter explaining that, but provide other proof of income and employment like COE, payslips, etc. instead. :)

hi did the embassy calling banks to verify?

Ang alam ko hindi, pero pwede silang humingi sayo ng additional documents kung may duda sila.

I am newly employed but i have sufficient funds in my savings. (almost 100k). I will also use my parent’s details as my sponsor for this trip. Thus i will present their gold credit card and transactions, will I be granted a multiple entry visa given these conditions? Also do i need to present my own ITR despite my parents having a gold credit card?

Hello. Can I ask if Korean Visa has expiration if you won’t use it right away? Because I wanted to apply now but can I still use it for next year? Thank you

Your blog is very informative. I also have some questions and I hope you can help me. I am an OFW and I applied for my Korean visa here in the country I am presently working in. I will be travelling with my mother and she will process her application by herself in the Philippines. Kindly give me advise what documents I should present if I will shoulder her expenses. I am planning to send her my COE, bank certificate here in the country I’m working, and birth certificate. Do I still need to provide a copy of my approved visa, plane ticket, and a notarized copy of support to strengthen her application? Or a simple cover letter will suffice?

By the way, my mother is 59 years old, unemployed, with bank account around 50k balance ( Isend her monthly remittance). She has been to HongKong, Macau, Malaysia and Singapore. Does she need to present her own bank documents as well? I know it could have been easier if we will apply together in the Philippines but I have a short vacation that’s why I applied here. Or is it better if I will ask assistance from a travel agency? Thank you very much.

Hi JB! A cover letter and notarized copy of support will surely help her application.

Yes, your mom would still need to submit a copy of her bank documents.

Hello! I have already applied for a Korean VISA and received a single entry last August 2017. However, I was not able to use it for the whole 3mos validity due to personal reasons so now, I am re-applying and hopefully get to fly by April 2018. Would like to know if I am now qualified to fill out Section 2: Visa Issuance Confirmation although I have never been in Korea?

Thank you so much! -Maj

NO. The Visa Issuance Confirmation is a separate document, different from a visa. We explained that in another post: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2013/12/korea-visa-requirements-manila-embassy-application/#What_is_the_Visa_Issuance_Confirmation_in_the_Section_2_of_the_Application_Form

But we’ll add na rin to this post. :)

Thanks po for the confirmation and swift response!

I will be invited by my Korean friend. I have the following:

husband’s bank cert & statement (I’m a housewife.) husband’s ITR (Dec 2017) Korean friend’s invitation letter & passport (scanned copy)

Question is: Do I still have to provide my husband’s COE? We misplaced his latest one. :'(

YES. He should get another from his employer.

Thanks so much, Yoshke! You’re an angel! More power to you! :)

Hello po. next week pa mag eexpire visa ko can I apply for a new one asap?

Hi Wee, is it used na? If used na, pwede na. If unused pa, di namin alam. :(

Hi! Just want to ask if the embassy will accept appeals because I got denied but my girlfriend got approved. We submitted the necessary documents needed and we have almost the same answer on the application. The reason for my denied visa was ” The purpose of entry was not explained in detail”. We already have plane tickets and payed our lodging. Will they be considering it? Thanks in advance!

hi po we are planing to visit s korea since my husband is working their. posible po b gamit bank acct ko and COE ni mr? housewife po ako and kasama ko 2kids k. thank u

Submit the requirements listed under HOUSEWIFE above.

For the self-employed, doesn’t the COR serve as a substitute for the COE?

P.S. By self-employed, I mean as a professional instead of a business owner.

Hi. My wife and I both have a stable job in Bahrain. We are planning to travel SoKor next month. We are advised by the Korean Embassy here that we should have at least P200k on both of our bank accounts. Is it really that necessary? Thanks.

The embassy’s rules change depending on the country. The rules in PH is not the same in Bahrain. If the Korean Embassy in Bahrain says you need to have at least 200K, then follow that because there’s no better source than the embassy itself.

But that rule does not apply to applications lodged through the Korean Embassy in the Philippines.

Hi i’m planning to apply tourist visa on August for my November Korea trip however it’s bothering me kase sa july i will file my resignation so yung buong month ng August is nag rerender nalang ako and last month ko na din sa work yun. Okay lang po ba yon? Is the Korean Embassy going to check my status as an employee sa company namin? Hope to get answer to this question. Thank youuu!

Get your documents (COE, ITR, alphalist, etc) before you file your resignation. Tapos tsaka ka mag-apply.

As for kung tumatawag sila, not every time. I think bihira lang un, kapag may duda lang sila.

Hi po, I am a student and my father will sponsor my trip to korea. It says in the requirements for students that we need to provide an Alphalist. My father requested for it but it was not approved, confidential daw po kasi yon sabi nung HR department. Ano po pwede gawin?

We don’t know the answer to this kasi it’s a really new policy and wala pa kami masyadong alam about sa intricacies nung policy :(

Hi! Is it ok if certificate of employment is not original? I mean i will just print the COE sent to me thru email? With signature of company owner? Thanks!!

Hi Juliet, I’ve done this before and they accepted it. But this was last year. Mukhang mas strict na sila now so di ko na alam

Hi! I will be travelling to Korea this coming April 26 – May 1. I have a Multiple Visa but it will end on April 30, 2018. Usually, the immigration will put 30 days of stamp on the passport. My only concern is, will there be a problem if I don’t re-apply for my Visa even though I’ll be coming back on May 1?

Thank you very much.

on my assesment it doesnt matter, kasi ginamit mo ang entry visa mo before it exppires, yun naman arrival visa mo valid for 30 days stay sa korea, so there shouldnt be a problem

hello po. may itatanong lang po ako. kasi po kami po ng mama and little brother ko plano po magbakasyon this month sa busan korea. we are planning to stay there for 59 days po sana. pero po hindi po kame mags-stay sa hotel kasi po don po kami magsstay sa house ng friend ni mama sa busan korea. Kelangan pa po ba ng invitation letter from my mama’s friend from busan korea??? help po please. First time po kasi namin if ever eh. thank you po

Nasagot ko na ‘to sa kabilang page.

Yes, kelangan ng invitation letter and photocopy of passport/ID of nag-iinvite na taga-doon.

Hi, I don’t have a saving account but I have a pyroll savings account more then a year opened. Is that applicable or do I need to open a savings account? Thanks

I think payroll account is okay basta maayos ung ADB and current balance.

Hi! I am applying for a Korean Visa. I have an OECD VISA ( canada) but I wasn’t able to use it for some valid reason. Do I still need to get an ITR?

Hmmm. Di ko sure kapag unused ung visa. :(

Hi. Do they really stop accepting applications when you arrive say for example, at 8am? Like they turn you away form even entering? Or the line is simply long? Thanks

Hi Bibi, they have a maximum number of applicants that they can entertain. When they reach that number, they will no longer accept anyone.

What do u you show as proof that you have a Gold BPI/BDO credit card?

Hi! Is it ok na yung ITR form 2316 walang BIR recieved stamp or certified tru copy stamp. Sabi kasi ng BIR they dont stamp in form 2316 since last year. Ok lng ba yan? I have the alpha list with received stamp pero yung itr wala. Thanks in advance

good afternoon.

we are planning to travel to south korea with my family and my minor granddaughter will go with us. what is the requirement if a child is travelling with relatives without her parents.

many thanks.

Hi! You’ll need a DSWD Clearance. You’ll find the details in this post: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2014/04/dswd-travel-clearance-minors-application-requirements-frequently-asked-questions/

Is it possible to deny kung nag graduate na ng grade 10 sa school, tapos hindi pa ulit nkaka enrol sa ibang school pero may School certification din naman,.

Hi, my mother and I is planning to go to Korea next yr probably in the month of April. By that time, I will already graduate from school and is jobless (bec. I will be a fresh grad). Is it okay to indicate that I am still a student?

Hi! I honestly don’t know the answer to this. But if I were in your shoes, I’ll apply as someone sponsored by my mom then include an explanation letter saying na this is a graduation celebration trip.

Hi! I just applied for our Visa (mine and my family’s). I’m a newly grad and is currently waiting for the commencement exercises. I indicated that I’m unemployed and wrote a letter that I will not be able to provide anything including my diploma and TOR as it will be mailed after a month pa. I also indicated that I will be submitting requirements na equivalent sa student’s and I attached a certificate from the school stating na I graduated na. Got approved naman :)

Hi! I just wanted to ask if it’s possible to enter Korea via Taiwan? We just had our Korean visas approved and my family and I were planning to stop at Taiwan first for a few days then fly to Korea after. Hoping for your reply! :)

Yep, that’s possible.

Hi can i ask?.wla po kc akung itr ia2ply ko plang,nag wo2rk ako sa corporation ng ate ko,ok lang po ba na siya mag sponsor saken,yung bank account ko po lets say 100k po yung lamAn,ok lang po yung amount for 7day na pag stay sa korea,posible din kaya na magrant yung visa ko,thanks po..

Yep, okay lang yung 100K for 7 days. Pero kahit sponsored ka ng sister mo, malamang hingin pa rin yung ITR mo. Yun kasi experience ng teammate namin dati.

Hi, I am working as part timer/freelancer since Feb 2018, my questions are:

1. Is it possible to submit ITR from my previous job? since I am working now as part timer only means no tax, etc. or the ITR and Certificate of Employment with indicated salary should be tally? 2. How long it takes to get a personal bank certificate and original or certified true copy of bank statements/passbook? should it be requested this from my bank?

Note: I am planning to apply tourist korean visa by July 2018. My boyfriend is working there 1 year already and invite me to visit korea since holiday there by 1st week of Oct 2018.

Thanks for advance answer!

1. Yep. 2017 ITR talaga ung needed now kasi every year lang un. And yes, pwedeng tingnan nila kung nagtatally ung ITR mo and COE, so my reco is to write an explanation letter.

2. Madalas, within the day or the next day, makukuha mo na.

Hi, may I ask for clarification: if I provide my ITR, do I still need to submit my form 2316 and company alphalist? The requirement posted on the korean website indicates, “ITR(Income Tax Return) or Form 2316 Copy and Company Alphalist (Form 1604 CF with BIR received stamp / please highlight your name)”. Thanks!

I processed my visa application. Is it possible to have someone else claim my visa/passport? The thing is I’m far away from Manila and I’ll be busy during the release date/week.

Hi. I’m newly married and I still don’t have any other supporting documents (except for marriage contract) to prove it. All my ids including my passport are still in single status . Should i put it in my application that I’m still single or married? Thanks!!!!

Hi Wy, always declare the truth. So in your case, I think it’s best to declare you’re married. But just make sure you submit a copy of your marriage cert/contract and a cover letter explaining the situation.

hi! i’m still a student and the one who will sponsor me is my father’s brother but my parents aren’t married and i’m using my mother’s surname should i attached a letter with my application about my scenario???

Hi Chinchin, I’m not sure if nag-aapply to sa Korea pero sa Japan visa, what they would recommend sa ganyang situation ay magsubmit ng birth certificate mo + birth certificate ng dad mo + birth certificate nung uncle mo. Having all 3 BCs will prove your relationship with your uncle/sponsor.

Again, not sure if magwowork yan sa Korea. But that’s what I would do rin if I were in your shoes. Tapos add ako ng Cover Letter explaining the situation. I’d write something like, “My trip will be sponsored by (name), who is my uncle. My parents are not married and I’m carrying my mother’s last name, so we have different last names. But to prove our relationship, I’m attaching a copy of my, my father’s and my uncle’s birth certificates.”

Something like that. That’s just me, though.

Thank you po for the info,, eto last na po kaya po kasi kami pupunta ng korea is for a convention with our school ung isa ko po kasing classmate her sponsor is a relative who is an ofw and they don’t even have the same surnames alam niyo din po ba if ganto ung case?? thank you po ulit

Does every one need to submit a birth certificate? I’m not a minor or a student, just an employee. I was invited by a Korean institute which will pay for everything.

Di naman listed ang birth certificate sa requirements pag employee.

HI! 100 thousand per person? because we are three …two adult and one child (5yrs old only) thanks.

Hi! I’m a first time traveller. also a student. and got my invitation letter from Korea, in our Ministry. Paano po kung kaka opened lng po ng parents ko ng passbook s bdo? Is it valid? yun nlang po kulang s requirements ko po eh. flight po sa july 22 na. at mag pprocess n po kmi ng visa this may. bayad n po ako s reg fee ,accomodation, food, and ticket.

Requirement kasi talaga nila yung 3-month history ng bank account. Tinitingnan kasi nila ung maturity and ung activity ng account. If your trip is sponsored by your ministry, you can try getting a letter from them instead and other proof of purpose of travel. Pero walang guarantee yun.

hnd ko po ksi alam noon e. 3 mos po pla s bank account.

Hi! Employed ako pero mom ko yung magsponsor ng trip ko. Pwede bang yung bank statements ng parents ang isubmit? Onting funds lang kasi pag account ko e. Thank you!

Yes, i-declare mo lang that your parents will be sponsoring your trip. Then submit both your parents’ and your own bank and employment documents.

hello, i’m applying for visa and my aunt is supporting me and she is working s an ofw in the middle east but i will not be able to give her coe neither a bank statement will that still be applicable???

There’s a big chance your application would be denied if you couldn’t provide those docs.

Good afternoon,, ung mom ko po is may bank account pero joint account po siya pero sa kanya naman daw po mainly nakaname pwede po ba na un ung ipasa ko???

I’ve tried submitting a joint account bank cert & statement before, naapprove naman. So I think di sya issue as long as okay ung ibang requirements.

Hi! I am employed but my mom will shoulder all the expenses. Need ko pa ba isubmit bank statements nya or any supporting documents from her? Thank you!

Yep, you will need to submit both your own and your mom’s financial and employment documents.

Hi! I tried calling the embassy and tinanong ko if need pa ba ng bank statements of my mom kasi sya yung mag sponsor ng trip ko. Sabi nung nakausap ko, I only need to submit affidavit of support and no need na ng bank statements. I also can’t provide employment documents ng mom ko kasi wala syang work. Parang may business lang kami na nagtitinda ng fruits pero hindi din registered. I am employed btw. I’m confused.

Hi Maria, you can join our support group kasi baka may mga may similar case sayo. The members might be able to help. https://www.facebook.com/groups/thepoortraveler/

Follow up question po. Pano if walang employment documents mom ko? I mean, we own a land and nagtitinda ng fruits and veggies ganon.

Hello! I am a fresh grad, graduated Feb 2018, so technically unemployed right now. I plan on going to South Korea this June 2018 with my friend. My mom is financially capable and will be sponsoring my whole Korean trip, sort of like my graduation gift. I also have been to South Korea twice in the past five years though that was when I was still a student. I plan on applying as a student, following the requirements for students but my main problem is the School Certificate since I am not enrolled anymore. Any advice on what document I can use instead of the School Certificate?

Hi Giselle, if I were in your shoes, I’d just submit a cover letter telling the truth and explaining that I recently graduated and that this trip is a graduation gift from my mom. Then submit an affidavit of support from your mom.

Hi! My Korean visa was denied last November 2017 but what is sadder is that I was granted two Korean visa previously – December 2016 – september 2017. The reason that was indicated on the piece of paper was – reason number 5 (not qualified for the visa that you are applying ) but in the website the reason is number 7 – (the purpose is not clear) I tried figuring out what was the reason why I was denied. Maybe because my money during the third time I travel was only 30k and I don’t have a letter of invitation or maybe I travel too often to Korea……but last night I was talking to a travel agent and she told me that the reason why I was denied was because I stayed in Korea for a month. She said I lied… because in the application form I only stated that I will stay only for 20 days. I can re apply again and I am anxious of getting denied.I want to know based on your experience and knowledge, is it true that it matters that you follow what was said in the application form? I mean the fact that they gave you 59 days of stay – it doesn’t matter how long will you stay as long as you don’t overstay? I work is home-based job and I can work anywhere I want so I can really work anywhere so it is the reason why I can stay longer in any country. Please enlightened me. Thank you

Hi Kat, it could be any of several other factors. We’d need more details to form an opinion. What did you declare as your purpose of travel? To tour or to visit someone? What did you declare as your accommodation in Korea? A hotel or a friend’s address?

I just wrote tourism as my purpose of travel in the application for. During my first and second application ( that was granted ) I also indicated that it was for tourism but with letter of invitation and with a guarantee that my friend will help me with the accommodation( with their home address ) On my third application , I applied without an invitation and with tourism/ travel as a purpose. By the way since I was denied last November , I went to Jeju island last January to experience winter and last April for the cherry blossoms. SO technically i’d been to Korea four times already.

Hi I would like to ask regarding the employee category, since I am a contract of service/ contractual, would I be denied?

Hi Inah, not necessarily. I’ve applied as a freelancer/contract-basis before, naapprove naman. Although, un nga, mas strict daw ngayon. You can submit other proof of income/employment to be sure.

Hi. My korea visa was denied last Jan.6,2020. May duration ba kung kailan pwede mag enter ng Jeju after ma-denied? Kasi I’m going to Jeju on Jan.19,2020. I’m worried if baka di ako payagan ng Jeju Immigration due to denied visa which is less than a month palang. Please help. thank you.

I have no idea about that. Sorry. :S

Hello Yoshke Dimen :) I’ve been reading all your replies sa mga nagtatanong regarding for fresh grad. with no work yet. May I ask, in my case, yung Tita ko mag su-support ng trip as a graduation gift. She will be the one that will make the letter, right? And my supporting files like bank statement, etc., who should provide? From my parents or from my auntie that will sponsor the whole trip. Thank you. :)

Hi Patricia, I’m not sure. I think your tita should provide the docs. For good measure, you can also submit an affidavit of support from your tita. Hassle pero mas binding yun kaysa simpleng letter.

Hi Tanong ko lang kailangan daw ng school certificate sabi ng agency but my son graduated already last March at timing din na enrollment ngayon so the school wouldnt entertain school cert for visa and they would be releasing their diplomas after 6 months pa,whats the best alternative to do?

Hi Mary Ann, it doesn’t need to be a diploma. According to some members of our FB group who were in the same situation, they were able to secure a certificate (a letter) from the school stating that the kid studied at that school within a certain period. The embassy will understand that it’s school break or you can write a cover letter pointing it out. But you will still need some sort of certificate from the school.

I didn’t experience this. Just relaying info.

Hi! Ask ko lang po regarding sa ITR. Pwede ba ung walang BIR stamp? I went to their office and they said it’s already valid even without the stamp. And regarding din sa COE, okay lang ba kahit walang compensation at company address na nakalagay? Or okay lang na gumawa na lang ako ng cover letter to state the missing information? Advice naman po. Thank you!

Hi I’m planning on applying for a visa here in Dubai (and obtaining requirements here) but I’ll be flying to South Korea from the Philippines. Would that be alright?

Hello! I am applying for a Korean visa and I am still a student and I just wanted to ask if it is okay to pass the bank certificate and statement of my sponsor or should it be my parent’s bank cert and statement only? Thank you! Have a great day!

Hi Maya, if your parents have sufficient funds in their account, best if parents kasi it won’t raise as many questions.

Hi! I’m currently working as a caddy but I dont have ITR and ayaw mag issue ng company ng COE cos our job is not considered as their employee. I have my bank account po and my trip will be sponsored by my boyfriend which is korean po. I have all the docs po pati ng sponsor ko yung ITR and COE lg po kulang. May chance po ba ma grant visa ko? Im planning to apply on august. Any help and advice will be considered. Thank you po.

Hi. Nice read! I’ll be travelling to Korea this November and the only OECD country I have visited is Japan last November 2016. I was a granted a single-entry VISA for that. I am a bit confused about the “frequent traveller” tag. I’ve been to Japan only once and have never been to any other OECD country, and from my own understanding, in order for me to qualify as a “frequent traveller”, I must have visited an OECD country “more than once” within the last five years. Since it says in the Korean Embassy website “OECD visa/s and arrival stamps”, I assumed that you have to have travelled more than once. But since I’ve only travelled once to Japan, I’m really confused if i will be considered as a “first time traveller” or a “frequent traveller”. I’m worried that this might jeopardize my trip, because if i consider myself a frequent traveller (btw, i will be applying through a travel agency because i live in Palawan), i might get denied simply because i just fail to satisfy the requirements of a frequent traveller. Do you think i should just apply a first time traveller and disregard my single-entry OECD visa? Do you think I should submit the photocopies of my Japanese VISA and still submit the ITR and the Company Alphalist just to be sure? I would like to solicit your thoughts about my predicament. Thank you very much.

Hi Markie, according to our go-to travel agency, if you have a USED OECD visa, even if you only have one (as long as it’s used), there is no need for an alphalist.

I’m just relaying info, by the way. I’m not sure, either. What I would do though is still get an alphalist if I could, so if in case they ask for it, I’d be ready. It’s so hard to apply these days. Better be ready for anything.

the OECD thing is a little bit confusing, I have been approved for a single entry Visa in Korea last year. The question is, will it be considered as an OECD visa that exempts me from submitting the ITR.

Hi AJ, in the past, the embassy website explicitly says that past Korean visas are not counted as OECD. That bit of info is no longer up on the website so I don’t know if that still applies now.

Thank you for your response. Yes. I’d also secure the company alphalist just to be sure. you’re right, it seems more difficult to apply nowadays. I’ve read horror stories how some applicants were denied a visa when they’ve already been to OECD countries and have a considerable amount in their bank accounts.

Good luck, Markie! And thanks for visiting our blog!

Hi i got an approval on my visa but my husband until now which is 5th day after we apploed doesnt have any result yet. It says in the online when we check is application received. Does this mean he is denied? We check as well his email but no email from Korean embassy if they need supporting documents. Thanks in advance

Hi Mitch, just wait a little bit more. Most applications are assessed individually talaga.

Hi. What do you think is the minimum ADB that they require? Is 10k enough?

They don’t say. But 10k might be too low.

Hi Yosh! I’ve overheard my boss this morning mentioning the words “alphalist”, “embassy” and “2316” while having a phone conversation. Rings a bell. Out of curiosity, I asked him if he would be going to Korea. Turns out he was sponsoring her daughter for her Korean visa application. My boss has a used Australian VISA for his travel last year. Is he exempted from submitting the ITR and the company alphalist? Thank you. Btw, he also has BDO Gold.

Hi Markie, yep, he himself is exempted from submitting an ITR if he’s the one applying/traveling. But if it’s his daughter applying, I think he will still have to provide those unless may supplementary card yung daughter. I’m not that familiar with the rules surrounding the card coz I haven’t done it myself.

Thanks! I just told him to request for a copy of the company alphalist and submit everything. baka masisi ako kapag sinabi kong pwede na OECD visa nya. Hehe. Thanks ule!

Yep! And always better to bring whatever he can kasi mahirap na. Ang hirap pumila sa Korean Embassy ngayon. Sayang ang time if babalik pa.

Hi! My student is inviting me to go to Korea. Their parents will be

sponsoring my trip including round trip airfare, food and

accommodation and other expenses that I need during my stay

there. I plan to stay there for 5 days. My question is, is this an

advantage for my Visa getting approved? They are doing this as a

sign of gratitude for being their children’s tutor in the last 6

Hi Jeny, it all depends on how well you can provide the requirements.

If they can provide all the requirements required from sponsors, that’s fine.

In my opinion though, I believe having someone sponsor your trip complicates things. It’s much simpler to apply as someone shouldering own expenses. However, that only works if all requirements are met.

Hi I have a previous USED korean visa (single entry) is it considered as a OECD visa? that would exempt me from providing an ITR.

Hi AJ, in the past, the embassy website explicitly says that past Korean visas are not counted as OECD. I don’t know if that still applies now.

Hi good day! I am invited by my korean friend to visit in SK June 30 and he will cover all the expenses. I don’t have any bank statements/ certificate to present as it was newly opened account ( 2 mos ago ). Will it be okay if I submit a copy of a bank statement/certificate of my sponsor -my Korean friend?

Our travel date is on September 22-29. Can I apply on June 28? I’m confused if the start date of the visa is the date when you applied or the date it was issued. Thank you.

The date it was issued.

Hi.. schedule ko po sana ng application of korean visa bukas. Ang problema yung bnk certificate ko bukas pa mailalabas kase isa lang nk duty na pipirma na bank officials. Bukas pa mapipirmahan. Ask ko lang if pwede bang to be follow up yung bank certificate providing a letter na maisa submit ko din within the day. Balak ko kase mauna ako sa embassy then yung friend ko ang kukuha ng certificate ihabol nya nalang sa akin.

Please reply. Thank you

Hi! Meron na po ba may alam na case, na after mag apply ng visa (approved) nagresign sa work? Wala naman po bang naging problem? Plan ko kasi mag resign after magpa visa. Thanks!

‘Yung potential na magiging problem mo is Immigration. Usually, ina-ask kung ano work mo palabas ng Pilipinas.

mahihirapan po ba sa immigration pag nalaman na nag resign ka bago lalabas ng bansa?

Pwede, kasi baka isipin nila na maghahanap ka ng work dun.

Hihingian po ba ng COE pag sa immigration?

If you get picked for secondary inspection, pwede sila humingi ng COE.

Hi! My son and I will be applying for a Korean Visa. I would like to ask your opinion regarding the portion for EDUCATION. My son’s graduation is on June 29, 2018, so technically he has no Bachelor’s Degree yet. And under EMPLOYMENT, we checked STUDENT (he already has a certification from the university) Is it right if we will just check OTHERS and explain that he is yet to graduate on June 29, 2018. Thank you.

Hello, I just want to ask if business visa to Hungary is already considered as an acceptable Korean Visa Requirement for visa to OECD country?

Hello, I’ve check bdo website and it says there that they extended the tie up with bdo bank only until Dec 2018.

I also have question about my situation, can I apply for visa even if my visa is not yet expired but already USED?. (Exp on july 26,single entry)

So I can use my bdo gold credit card. Even ifthe I dont have bank statement and bank certificate?

we are applying family visa.. but i forgot to secure school certificate ng anak ko kc bakasyon na.. report card is okay kaya? or any proof na shes studying on that institution?

You can write a letter explaining just that. But yes, if walang school cert, you can submit other documents to prove it.

Your blog is very informative! Thank you!! By the way , I have some questions tho..

* Is there a possibility that you’ll get denied sa visa application if less than a year ka pa sa new work mo? Even though you can submit your ITR from your previous employer.

* Since I just got a new job this year. For the alphalist with BIR stamp. What alphalist do I have to submit? From the previous or current company? I’ve heard na e attached yung alphalist mo sa ITR. I’m confused.

Please advise. Thank you so much!!

Hi Drazzel,

Regarding being with your company for only less than a year, I don’t think that would be a problem. On my 2nd application, I was in the same situation. I just moved from one company to another. So I just wrote a cover letter explaining that.

Same with the alphalist. I’m not sure which one is the right one to submit, but either way, just write a cover letter to clear things up.

Hi! I don’t know if you have any experience on this but I would like to ask a question regarding application. I will be applying for my 4th Korean visa (first 3 were approved) but this time, I only have a few days left before my actual departure to Korea since the trip was spontaneous.

I am leaving on July 6, 2018 (Friday) but I will be applying for visa on June 29, 2018 (Friday), so exactly a week before departure because one of my requirements will only be issued on June 28. I have OECD so the processing time will only be 3 days so by July 3 or 4 I should be getting the result.

My question is, the fact that I am applying only a week before my actual departure date, will it negatively affect my chances of getting an approved visa? I am confident that my requirements are complete and I have sufficient money to shoulder the trip. It’s just that the trip was really spontaneous.

Hi Anne, no. They’re used to cases like that. Yung last application ko ay tight din.

Hi, I would like to ask, we will going to Korea, next year pa naman. Kasama ko mom ko and Lola. My problem is, yung mom ko is plain housewife, she have a bank account naman pero di ganoon kalaki. Pwede ba na gumawa ako ng affidavit of support na ako yung mag ssponsor sa trip namin? Kahit parehas na first time kami na pupunta ng korea? Kasi i have all the requirements, and i have bank account din na enough para samin dalawa. And yung lola ko naman, ganoon din she is 59 years old. No work and bahay lang. Pero she have a Bank account na kaya niya mag tour ng korea. Possible kaya na madeny siya? Tatlo kaming pupunta. Thank you! :)

Hi SP, I think makakatulong yung Affidavit of Support kasi I think binding naman yun if notarized. I would do the exactly the same if I were in your case.

Then write a letter explaining why you want to travel with her and that this is a family trip. They’re usually more forgiving to families traveling together. :)

HI, ARE MANILA RESIDENTS CAN APPLY IN KOREAN EMBASSY – CEBU ? I WILL BE ASSIGNED IN CEBU FOR ABOUT A MONTH. THANK YOU

Hi! Will it be ok to go to SK a few days before the end of the validity of the visa? I plan to stay for a week and my return would be beyond the validity of the visa. I read somewhere that your return to the Philippines should be within the 90 day validity period issued for the visa.

Hi! Would you know if, for the Bank Statements, I can use the ones generated by BPI Express Online? The requirements kasi state “Original or certified true copy of bank statements” — which I’m not sure would cover something I printed off from BPI’s portal. Thank you!

PS – Would you have any idea how much “show money” would be somewhat acceptable for a 12-day stay? I’d be super grateful for any input!

Hi Michelle. I haven’t tried submitting a BPI account for a visa application, but from what I know, if BPI Express, you will still need a copy from the bank itself. You’ll need to call the hotline and request for it, and then pick it up at a BPI branch.

Regarding show money, #12 here: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2017/03/south-korea-visa-filipinos-frequently-asked-questions/

Hi…i have a problem with my dti..there is a discrepancy in my middle name…what should i do? Will i be able to apply for a korean visa?

Regarding the new rules with Korean Embassy. Does it affect the Visa promo of BPI and BDO Mastercard holder? Can I still apply directly in the Embassy using one of the MasterCard?

Hi Tezah. Via agency na rin yung BPI and BDO promos, I think.

Hi! It is said that we can still apply directly to the Embassy in Cebu. Can my cousin run the application for us? Thank you for your answer.

Hi! I think so, yes. Basta complete ang requirements.

Hi Good Day!

Yung HR po kasi namin nasa ibang bansa, magkakaproblem po ba ako kung yung phone number na ibibigay ko sa CoE eh landline galing sa ibang bansa? Marami pong salamat! :)

Hi! Okay lang po yun. ‘Yung isang apply ko, nasa Singapore yung office na binigay ko sa COE.

Marami pong salamat! Pwde din po kaya na yung office address sa SG yung gagamitin ko? Or pwde po ba na hindi magkaparehas yung office address sa ITR tska sa COE? Lumipat po kasi kami ng office.

Hi! I’m a fresh grad po, and still reviewing for my board exam this upcoming September, and I will also take the NMAT on October for medical school admission next year. My family plans on going to South Korea on December. Basically, for the time we’re supposed to apply for a visa, I do not have any work yet. But my parents are going to support my finances. I’m scared of not having my visa application approved. What documents do I need to present to the embassy in my case? I’d really appreciate any replies, thank you very much! Hope you could help me.

Hi Icy, what month will you be applying? If I were in your shoes, I’d write a cover letter explaining the purpose of your trip and your situation (that you’ve just taken the NMAT, etc.) and then submit proof. I’m not familiar with NMAT but is there anything that you can submit to prove that you’ve just taken it and is just waiting for results?

May I ask if a Manning Agency can apply Transit Visa for Seafarer through walk in application ? Thank you

Hi Rodelyn, naku wala kaming alam sa transit visa. :(

Hi! Currently, I’m unemployed and just waiting for my review for Architecure board exam which will start on Sept 3. But our travel date will be on August 31. I’m afraid my Visa application will be rejected. I already have a certification from my review center which states that I am enrolled and the details of my review. I also have my review center ID. What are the other requirement that I should pass? And also, my father will support my finances for the trip. But he will not travel with me. I will travel with my sister and mother only. Is this possible? I can also produce my own bank certificate for back up docs if ever needed. Would really appreciate for you reply. Thank you.

Hi vek, I think you still have a shot at having your application approved. Just write a cover letter explaining that you’re traveling with family and that you’re currently taking a review program for the board exam. Then send a copy of your review center ID and certification. I don’t know anyone who’s in the same situation but I would certainly do that if I were in your shoes.

Note that you might still need to submit your own bank cert in addition to your dad’s documents.

Hi good eve po..ask ko lng po sna pnu kung ung bf ko mag invite s akin punta ng South Korea anu po dpat gawin wla n p nmn me work..thanks po

Hi Mhey, if unemployed, mahihirapan talaga maapprove unless may valid reason (retired, student, etc.).

I am currently working at Dubai and wishes to visit Korea on September 14, 2018. One of the requirements on applying visa here overseas is your Dubai visa should be valid for 6 months on the date of travel other wise you should get visa from your country of origin if youare not a uae national. My visa will expire on march 01, 2019 so i will be short of 2 weeks. how do i process my visa in the Philippines if I cant do it personally. Also, if I can how are the procedure and requirements?

hoping for your assistance. thanks

Hi Daryl, you can contact a travel agency or ask someone (a relative or a friend) to ask on your behalf sa travel agency pa rin. Di naman kelangan ng personal appearance pag nag-aapply. As for the requirements, same lang din ng requirements as listed here: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2018/05/new-korean-visa-requirements-application/ .

If hindi nagaapply, kung ano equivalent sa Dubai. Example, instead of ITR, you can send a copy of nung tax docs mo dyan sa Dubai.

Hi. My boyfriend and I are both freelancers. Our travel date is Aug 16, 2018. We are music teachers and we offer home based lessons so wala po kaming ITR and certificate of employment na mapapakita. We’ll just make an explanation letter regarding our concern pero ano pa kayang pwede namin ipakita na proof para ma-approve kami? Will it help kung may friend kami na nasa Korea tapos papagawa kami ng letter of invitation sa kanya? Would really appreciate your reply. Thank you!

Hi Gen, kahit na may letter of invitation kayo, they would still assess your application based on your personal situation (financial, employment, etc.). You can try making an explanation letter bakit wala ka ITR and then hingi ka ng letter from your clients (or sulat ka tas papirmahan mo lang sa kanila) certifying na hina-hire ka nila as music teacher. Pero no guarantee yan. Mahirap kasi talaga pag walang employment proof.

I’m a Filipino passport holder, residing in the Philippines. I will be attending a conference in Korea, August this year. However, I’m coming from Japan since I have a 10-day short course there.

Can I apply for a Korean passport here in the Philippines? Or I have to apply for a Korean Visa in Japan?

Thanks in advance!

Hi Cherry, you can apply here in PH. Just make sure you’ll give your application enough time before you leave for Japan so you have your passport with you.

Hi! I have a friend and na deny ang Korean Visa nya this July lang, but sabi nung agency nya mag re-apply daw agad ulit after a week yung friend ko sa Korean Consulate sa Cebu at yung agency parin ang magpprocess. Is it possible na pwede agad mag re-apply kahit hindi nasunod yung “after 6 months” na rule?

Hi Tala, as far as I know, may 6 months na rule talaga. I’m not sure if di nag-aapply yun if sa Cebu mag-reapply.

Hi i have a business here in Philippines and i also complete all the documents they need for tourists visa i provide bank certificate, bank statement, Business permit, DTI, ITR, i have money to travel i have business here in Philippines i can prove to go back here i also went to other countries here in Asia. My reason to travel is just for tourists. I am wondering why they denied me they also ask me one year bank statement i send to them but they didn’t approve my visa application. My question is why? I would like to ask too who are in charge in korean embassy (filipino po ba) because i am really wondering why they should give me reason why they denied me. Can i call the korean embassy to ask what category of visa do i need to apply for. Thank you and i hope to hear you soon.

Hi! How many days yung inapply mo?

But yes, you can call the embassy to ask kung ano category dapat apply-an mo.

Hi! Good Day! Tanong ko lang po, may branch kasi yung office namin dito sa pinas pero yung HR namin sa SG. Okay lang ba na SG telephone number yung ibigay sa CoE? Marami pong salamat! :)

Hi Nie, explain mo lang yan sa cover letter para malinaw sa kanila. :)

Hi Yoske! We’ve been to South Korea 1st week of July 2018, thanks to your great blog! However, is there a timeline when we could apply again for SoKor visa? Since it’s a single entry visa, we might want to try applying for multiple entry. Pwede bang mag apply agad after ma-expire yung single entry? If not, how many days or months? Thanks in advance and more power to you and your blog!

Hi Sam! Ang alam ko, wala namang rule sa pag-apply ulit if granted and used naman yung previous. Pwede ka apply ulit anytime basta expired/used na ung visa. Yun ang alam ko. :)

Hello Yoshke. I will be submitting our (family of 5) requirements here in Cebu. I just want to be sure if the cover/explanation letters should be addressed to The Consulate of the Republic of Korea in Cebu. Thanks!

Yep! Sa consulate naka-address :)

Hi! I have a live in partner who’s working in Singapore for almost 8 years now,we have a son turning 6 this August,we are applying for a korean visa and plans to go together, what are the requirements needed for a housemom with no work,no itr but i do have a bank account the source of income is from my live in partner in singapore. Do i still have to request for affidavit of support for me and my son? thank you in advance..

Hi Bianca, I don’t know for sure but yes, I think you would need an Affidavit of Support. I’d also write a cover letter and explain my relationship with the sponsor, if I were in your shoes.

Hi ask ko lang po kasi mag-apply po kami ng visa sa December and yung flight is Jnauary next year. Yung mama ko po kasi employed siya kaso wala po silang HR. Bale yung pinka-boss siya na rin pong tumatyong HR at nagpa-process ng pag-recruit at payroll. Paano po kaya ang gagawin sa certificate of employment?

I-explain na lang po nung boss nya dun sa Certificate of Employment yung situation. Make sure na lang na andun ung mga required details like contact number ng boss nya. :)

Just wanted to ask if you have tried submitting a bank statement that is downloaded online but signed and certificated the branch of account? I have a BDO account and downloaded my transaction history for the last 90 days (limited by online banking). When I went to my branch of account to request for a bank cert, I asked one of the staff if they can certify my downloaded statement and she agreed. She stamped the last page with Certified True Copy and signed it free of charge. Would that be okay to submit as Statement of Account? Thanks!

Meron po ba nakaranas dito na approved ung Korean visa tapos nag resign after. Paano po pag sa immigration? Thank you

Me! Our trip was from August 22 to 25, 2016. I applied for a visa on July 29, 2016 and got approved on August 2 or 3, 2016. Then I resigned on August 5, 2016. Hehe! Wala namang anything major na tinanong sakin sa immigration. Parang wala akong maalalang tinanong ako about my work actually. Pagdating sa Korea, I remember wala din masyado tinanong sakin. Parang wala ngang tinanong e. Tinignan lang mukha ko and yung photo ko sa passport. You’re safe. Basta poker face ka lang. lol

Hi po! Ask ko lang if pwede po ang 50k na show money for 4 days na travel sa South Korea? Thanks

Pabasa na lang po nung #12

Hi! I am a fresh graduate, currently unemployed and reviewing for board exams (which will be on November 2018). Travel plans will be around end of Nov to December but only for just 3-4 days. I’m going to apply for the visa through the BDO card promo and I have the card on my name and I also have a recent travel to the US. I have a bank account that my OFW mom regularly sends money in. Is it okay if I apply as an unemployed and just provide the bank statement that would cover all my costs? Would those be enough or should I include a cover letter explaining my circumstances? Thanks!

You need a letter to explain that you just graduated and you’re reviewing for board exams and attach proof.

Hi sir, is it helpful to show that you have a credit card? Hindi po sya bdo/bpi. If so, anong kelangan iattach dun? Thank you!

Hi Jane, I think it can be helpful basta it shows na you’re paying diligently.

Hi. Is there a chance to get visa approval if the certificate of employment has no landline number since the province where im working has no landline yet?thanks

If the company can explain that in the certificate, that would be helpful.

Hi! I am also a freelancer (virtual assistant). I have an ITR (Self-employed) and also have a Certificate of Registration. I want to be on the safe side and also submit certifications from my clients. In your visa form, did you declare self-employed or employed since you are submitting a COE similar document?

Self-employed. I explained it din in a cover letter that I would be submitting letters/certifications from clients.

The Embassy asked us to submit parents consent, does that mean we are already approved after we send that or not yet?

Hi Shin, no idea. Parang not necessarily.

That what we thought too, since we are 19 already, our requirements are complete but the korean embassy asked us to send a parent consent to them. we are sponored by our parents for our trip.

Hi, I have Korean friend, soon to be part of our family. He invited me to go to Korea, since he will be needing my help to prepare a lot of things specially his soon to be wedding with my sister next year. He would like me to stay at least 2 – 3 months. I am currently employed, I can produced ITR and bank statement. Will my visa application gets approved for that period of time? He will pay and provide accommodation including food during my stay. What would be the best option for me? I can deposit maybe around 100k on my BPI account. Your advice is highly appreciated.

Hi Moon! Make sure you have an Invitation letter from your Korean contact (make sure it explains why he’s inviting you) and a copy of the inviter’s passport.

It’s also great that you’re employed and you have ITR, COE and bank statement because you will still have to submit them even though your trip is sponsored. However, I’m not sure about the length of your stay. I have no experience applying for a stay that long. But since you’re employed, I think you will also have to submit leave of absence proof. Not sure. Best to consult the agency where you’ll be applying through.

By the way, when is your trip? If your travel date is near, don’t deposit 100K into your account. It will look fishy and highly suspicious.

Hi, I’m a freelancer so I ticked ‘Self-Employed’ on the Visa Application Form. Although I’m not sure what to put under Employment Details, Name of Company and address of company. What did you put in yours? Should I put my client’s details? By the way, my trip is for one of my clients so they’ll produce coe, letter, etc, for me.. I’m just torn on whether I should put their details in the application form. Please help!

Hi Andz, if you’ll have COE and the trip is for your client, I think it’s best to declare you’re an employee, not self-employed.

If you tick self-employed, make sure you have business registration documents.

Thanks so much for your helpful answer. The client is based overseas though, not PH. Will it make any difference? Thanks again!!

I’ve done that before. My client was also based overseas. I declared EMPLOYEE kasi they issued a COE naman for me. I just made sure that my employment arrangement was explained clearly in the COE. Na-approve naman. But this was before they turned over much of the process to the travel agencies. I’m not sure if nag-strict na sila about it though.

I’m a freelancer po. Yung company po ng client ko is registered sa Belize pero, sa Thailand siya nakatira ngayon. Ano po ang Address at contact number na ilalagay sa COE? Yung sa Belize po ba or yung sa Thailand?

Belize po yung address, kung saan nakaregister ung company. Sa number, kung anong number best macocontact ung client mo. If may physical office sila sa Belize and kaya nila iconfirm na you work for them, sa Belize na lang. Pero if yung nasa Thailand talaga best na kausap, number nya na lang although medyo weird. Di ko sure ito ha, ito ay sa tingin ko lang.

Pwede po kaya na certificate of earnings na lang from upwork?

Makakatulong yung certificate of earnings + letter of explanation but best if meron pa ring COE from your client pa rin, complete with details so they can confirm.

Hi. Ask ko lang, I was denied last April 2018. Mag aapply kasi ulit ako sa January. Minimum lang sahod ko, makakaapekto ba yun sa pag apply? and first time ko lang mag oout of the country if ever.

Hi Cherry Anne, did they tell you the reason for denial?

Reason is “you failed to quality the visa category that you applied for”

I submitted all the documents that they need, but my COE dated January 2018 then March po ako nag apply pala. Akala ko pwede pa yun. Then ung money ko 40k lang sa bank acct kasi nakakabasa ako ng mga first time out of the country pero naapproved naman. But ngayon po plan ko taasan ng 80k bago ako mag apply ung bank acct ko and papainvite po ako sa bf ko., kaso worried lang ako kasi first time out of th country ko if ever and 10k minimum lang sahod ko

Naku, maaaring combination ng maraming reasons kung bakit ka nadeny. Yung COE + mababa yung funds + walang travel history.

If may bf ka sa Korea, maaaring naging factor din yun. Mas mahigpit sila if may kakilala ka dun lalo na if bf/gf.

Ilang days yung inapply mo dati?

And when you said tataasan mo to 80K, paano mo tataasan yun? If biglaan yun, fishy yun para sa embassy and magiging dahilan din yun na madeny ka ulit.

salamat po. update ko po kayo once na magokay visa ko hopefully po :)

may ipon po ako sa savings ko hindi naman po sya biglaan na nilagay lang po dun. before po hindi po ako nagpainvite sa bf ko , mas ok po ba kung hindi din ako papainvite sakanya this time na mag aapply ulit ako?

It’s simpler and mas walang complications kasi kapag walang nag-invite pero okay lang yun kung kayang magstand ng documents mo on their own. Syempre mas maganda if truthful ka sa application.

Hi, i have two passports. Taiwan and Philippines. Can I leave PH using my PH passport and then use my Taiwan passport upon entering Korea since it doesn’t need a Korean visa. Then when leaving Korea, I’ll use my Taiwan one and PH when arriving in the PH?

The Philippine Immigration would ask for the Korean VISA in your passport at the immigration counter before boarding your flight. Even though you have Taiwan passport, you will be leaving the Philippines using your PH Passport and they’ll probably be looking for your Korean VISA in your PH Passport.

Hi Marlene, sorry but I have no idea. :(

Hi Yoshke :) im a graduating student and i have part time job. Im planning to apply for kr visa next year po. Can i use my personal bank account and COE then just include my certificate of enrollment? TIA!

Hi Pudding,in my opinion, it’s better to choose just one, ideally one na stronger ang supporting docs mo. If mas maayos ung supporting docs ng parents mo kaysa sa’yo, safer to apply as a student. That’s just my hunch, though.

If you choose to submit docs to prove you’re both employed and student, best to write a cover letter to explain it.

UPDATE: I consulted a designated travel agency for the best way to go about this, and they said that it’s better to apply as a student and submit parents’ docs. They said applying as both employed and student can confuse the embassy. They also said that part-time jobs are often viewed by the embassy negatively because it tells them 2 things: one, that you are not as rooted and as financially stable, and two, that there is a possibility that you will work there too.

I’ll add this to the FAQs above too.

Quetion po regarding:

“No. You don’t need it. However, make sure you have an idea which hotel you will be staying because it’s one of the required fields in the application form. You don’t need to reserve, but you need to know where you intend to stay.”

Paano po kung sa bahay ng korean friend ko ako magi-stay at hindi sa hotel? Tsaka di na sana ako magbo-book ng hotel. Pag po ba sa immigration hahanapan ako ng proof ng hotel accommodation? Thanks po!

If invited ka and magse-stay ka sa Korean friend, you need to submit an Invitation letter and a copy of the inviter’s passport. You also need their address and contact details for the visa form.

Sa immigration, you will need an invitation letter and in some cases, proof of relationship.

I hope you can help me on this. I already purchased a round trip ticket to Korea and my flight is on November 21, 2018. However, I am unemployed for almost 2 years, no savings or current bank account, but I have more than enough money (Php X,XXX,XXX.00) on hand. Do I still have a great chance of granting a visa? Hoping for you prompt response. Thank you!

Hi John, it’s going to be tough because for the Korean embassy, it’s not just about the money. It’s also about strong ties in PH.

By any chance, do you have a credit card?

Will having a credit card, help?

Hi Yoshke! I was invited by a Korean friend at siya ang magsponsor ng expenses ko dun. Sa invitation letter ba anu dapat nakalagay? Na sponsored nya ung trip ska magiging boss ko sya or sponsored trip lng? Thank you.

Hi Julie Ann, di ko alam yung usually hinihingi ng Korean EMbassy re invitation letter. Di ko pa kasi naranasan mag-apply for Korean visa na invited. Pero in general, invitation letters should have the inviter’s details, your details, your relationship with the inviter, and the reason for the invite.

Mentioning na magiging boss mo sya though might not be a good idea kasi baka isipin nila na magwowork ka dun.

Hello! I’m a student and isa sa mga requirements ay yung copy ng bank statement and certificate ng parents. What if yung mother lang po yung may bank account? Will it still be valid? Thank you!

Hi Janella, ang alam ko okay lang pero di ko sure. :S

Hello. It will be my first time to apply korean visa and i’m quite nervous ‘cos i have a lots of what if. Ask ko lang po, I’ve been employed for 2.5 years pero kaka-open ko lang ng personal account ko sa bdo. Some of the requirements kasi is Bank Certificate w/ 6 months ADB & Bank Statement for the last 3 months, I think di ko kaya maprovide yun. Is there any way na pwede kong ipasa para ma-approve lang? I have 1 credit card from Security Bank (Classic) & 1 upcoming from BDO (I think classic lang din to) Will it help po ba?? Thanks a lot

Hi Ellen, naku, mahirap yung ganyan. Major requirement kasi nila yang bank statement for past 3 months. Di ko po alam kung paano dapat gawin.

Need mo na ba talagang mag-travel pa-Korea soon? If I were in your shoes kasi, I would wait na lang and apply kapag okay na ung bank accounts ko. Mahirap din kasi ma-deny, nasa record mo na yun pag nagkataon.

Hi good day! We plan to go to Korea this December 10-14 for a short vacation and to celebrate na rin my daughter’s birthday. I’m a housewife and my husband and I just recently opened a joint account for our travel savings (Last august lang), and kaka transfer lang din niya sa new work niya that same month. We have enough savings nman for a 5-day trip but I’m scared kasi to apply baka ma deny because of those reasons (ie: newly opened account and new work less than 6 months). Less than 6 months kasi yung maturity nun account but can produce 3months worth na bank statement. Would it help if we submit another bank account (sa husband ko lang) pero current account siya and not savings? Or credit card statements? Thank you!

Hi Katz, yung current account nya, okay naman yung laman nya and maturity?

Hello po! What if po may error sa marriage contract ng parents? Magaaply po ako ng tourist visa under student category. thank you po in advance!

Hi Leyn, naku, di ko po knows. best to contact na lang the travel agency kung saan kayo mag-aapply. Andito ung mga contact numbers: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2018/05/korean-visa-travel-agencies/

If i apply then got approved but decided not to go, magiging block listed po ba ko?

Di ko po alam, sorry. :(

Hi, we hqve submitted our application for visa on Nov.20, pwede pa bang magpahabol ng explanation if walang HR landline na nakalagay sa COE?

Hi Nic, di ko po alam. Ang alam ko, di na pwede. Best to ask the agency kung saan po kayo nag-apply.

Hi, I have a 5-yr multiple entry visa. What happens if for example I already consumed the no. of days granted by the embassy on the 3rd year and I want to go there again? Do I have to apply again for another visa? Thanks

Hi Vicky, naku, di ko alam pag ganyan. :(

Hi! Ask ko lang po kung may idea kayo kung gaano na po ba dapat katagal na active ang credit card (bpi/bdo) before magamit for visa application? Pwede kaya kahit yung wala pang 1month? TIA!

Hi Joy, wala ako idea. Huhu. Sorry. :(

Hello! Just want to ask if group po yung kukuha ng visa, individual ba dapat kami may savings account? Or dapat isa lang? Thank you in advance.

Hi Thine, family ba kayo? If hindi family, yep, individual ang bank account.

Hi! If meron na akong visa but I intend to max the period of sojourn, would I have problems with the immigration? I have bought a return ticket as well and have booked all the hotels I will be staying at in the duration of my stay. Is it still problematic to stay that long or is it something other tourists do normally? (Note that I applied for a regular visa not a 60- or 90-day visa. Hope someone can help. Thanks!

Hi Iza, you’re staying for 59 days?

Technically, okay lang yun. Pero malamang magtanong ang Immigration kung bakit ganun katagal and proof na kaya mo isupport yung trip na ganun kahaba. In that case, make sure you have all the supporting documents.

Hello! Gonna ask po sana paano po kung first time lang po to travel sa Korea, yung as in ngayon lang po magttravel tas mag aapply po ng Korea Visa, may chance po ba na madeny yun? Or ma accept

Hi Mary Joy, parati namang may chance na madeny. Depende din kasi yun sa strength ng documents na isusubmit mo. Pero malaking advantage yung travel history. Pero di ibig sabihin na pag first time mo, denied agad.

hi po! ask lang po ako. last July 2018 po nakakuha ako ng 3 year Multiple Entry na Korean Visa. dahil po sa BDO Gold Credit Card. ang tanong ko lang po hindi po ba siya mavo-void kung hindi ko siya magamit within 1 year? ang balak ko po kasi mga bandang October-November pa po ako mag-travel to Korea. meron din po kasi nakapagsabi na sa ibang bansa po yata like US pag di yata nagamit agad within 1 year na-eexpired.

salamat po! :-)

Hi Fevie, di po ako ganun ka-familiar sa multiple. :(

I’M travelling this coming january 13, 2019 po and 1 of the requirement is the ITR. wala p kc naiissue ung company namin n ITR for the year 2018. baka daw by february pa. bka pomay alm kau n option if 2018 ITR is not yet available

Okay lang po yung for 2017 kasi gets naman nila na wala pa ung 2018.

Hello! I’m currently a college student and I plan to travel to South Korea with my cousin on May as a graduation gift. The thing is, I will officially finish my degree by April but graduation is still in June. My parent’s will also be the one to sponsor my trip. Can I still apply as a student or am I supposed to apply as unemployed?

Also, my family and I traveled to South Korea last March 2013. Should I still include that I visited Korea in the last 5 years?

Hi Pancho, apply for a visa in or before April (before you finish school) para less complicated and you can apply as a student. :)

hello, we are planning to travel to Korea with my whole family that includes me, my husband, our daughter, my sister and my parents, but my husband and i lang ang nagwowork sa family. how much is the bank statement needed for a 4days stay to get approved?

See FAQ #12 above tapos pa-compute na lang po.

If you have already booked a flight and hotel, do you have to deduct that to your “Estimated Travel Cost” at the application form?

Or do you still have to include it?

Hi James, since hindi requirement ang flight and hotel booking, I think kasama pa rin sya dapat sa cost. Minsan kasi, kahit na magsubmit ka ng flight booking, tinatanggal nila, so mawawala yung context.

Yung sa akin, 2x ako nagsubmit ng flight booking diretso sa embassy pa noon, tinanggal nila both times.

Hi, currently my friends and I are in ojt already and we are planning to go to Korea after grad on May. So mga around June kami aalis. But our parents will support all our expenses and it will be a graduation gift. If we will apply for visa before May, would they know na pupunta kaming korea after we graduate? Need ba magpasa ng proof like kailan kami exact aalis? And what if only my mother has bank account?

Lastly, will the embassy ask kung ilang araw ako magstastay dun? For example.. Can I say 3 days only pero I’ll be really staying for 5 days or so.

Hi Nads, yes, i-aask sa form kung mo balak magstay and kailan yung trip.

hello, ask po ako if pwd ba ung bank statement (from a foreign bank) ng mother ko abroad for visa application? Or needed talaga ng Philippine bank. And pwd din po ba ung mag susuport saakin is my girlfriend’s parents? Pwd bang ilagay sa affidavit of support? Thank you po.

Hi Jays, according to the travel agency we talked to, ang best talaga na sponsor ay immediate family. Yun ang pinaka-ideal scenario. Mas ok daw yung chances pag ganun kaysa di kamag-anak ang sponsor.

Pero oo, makakatulong talaga yung Affidavit of Support.

I think okay lang na foreign bank yung statement. Di ko sure though.

Good Day po! Pupunta po kasi kami korea this july po then tita ko po ang mag sponsor sakin as a graduation gift po. Pwede po ba yon? and ano po yung mga requirements na kailangan? Thank you po!

Hi Maria, I don’t know for sure, but if I were in your shoes, I’d write an explanation letter saying that you just graduated and that it is a graduation gift and submit proof that you just recently graduated and proof of your relationship with your aunt (Birth certs).

hello po, graduating po ako this coming june and meron na din po ako work na mapapsukan, maybe on july may work na ako.. and ang plan po kasi mag apply ako visa for september 7 to 14… any tips po para sa application ko, and sa bank meron din po ako bpi and landbank.

Hi! Explanation letter lang kung bakit wala kang ITR (I’m assuming wala ka pang ITR kasi new pa lang sa job.)

Hi guys. I applied in Cebu Embassy and got approved <3 Meron po ba dito na makakapagbigay sakin ng format ng invitation letter if ever gagawa ung bf ko kasi 20days ako magstay in Korea. and other documents na need ipakita sa immigration sa airport kapag may magsponsor sa trip ko pagdating don. salamat

Pag mababa ang Gross Income na ngreflect sa ITR ay makaaapekto sa chances na maaprove granting na okay naman ang funds at kumpleto and papeles?

Sa tingin ko po, pwedeng makaapekto po yun.

gragraduate po ako this june ng college and mga june din po ung alis namin (parang grad gift po). ask ko lang po kasi april or may ko po balak kumuha ng visa so technically di pa po ako graduate nun pero di ko rin po sigurado kasi kung mabibigyan pako ng school certificate ng school by that time. Pano po kaya maganda gawin po in this case?

Thank you po

Explain nyo lang po sa letter na graduating kayo and na gift yang trip, tapos submit din kayo ng proof na gagraduate kayo soon.

ano pong proof ang pwede ibigay po? kasi yung diploma ko po baka di ko din po makuha agad, Thank you po

I’m planning to visit SK this October and me plan din kami ng mga friends ko to travel to japan this Dec, kung kukuha ako ng bank statement and cert ng August 15 for SK, pwede ko pa siyang gamitin for Japan kung mag apply kami for visa ng october diba? Iniisip ko kasi na isang kuha na lang ng bank cert and statement.

Thank you in advance.

Are you familiar on the process of transferring a vslid Korean visa to a new passport?

Hi Donna, we’re talking about tourist visa, right?

As far as I know, there really is no need to transfer. You should just bring both the old passport (with the visa) and the new passport when traveling. According to the embassy’s website, “Applicants who possess valid Korean visa in their old passport and have since renewed their passport may travel to Korea with BOTH passports.”

But if you really want to have it transferred, that’s possible too. The details are here: overseas.mofa.go.kr/sg-en/brd/m_2444/view.do?seq=761440

I’m a fresh graduate and still unemployed but I want to visit SK for a 5 day trip with my friend. I have OECD visas and my mom will sponsor my trip. The thing is, she is also currently unemployed but a permanent resident in Japan. We finance ourselves using savings. What are my chances kaya?

Hi! Might be difficult. If I were in your shoes, I’d find another immediate relative to sponsor.

I would like to ask if possible pa rin kaya maapprovan yung visa ko if in case na yung savings account ko is hindi ko nadeposituhan due to my tuition fee last March. I’m planning to apply pa naman on May for visa. Is it okay ba na ibigay ko din ung bank statement ko for may payroll? kumbaga 2 yung ibibigya ko sa knla na bank statement? Kasi my friends told me na atleast daw every month nakikita na may transaction sa savings account though may savings I guess is enough for 6-day vacation there.. Please advise.

Hi Jessa, yep, okay lang na dalawang bank accounts ang isubmit. :)

Hi! I am planning to visit South Korea on October, I will be travelling with my husband and my sister. I will be the primary applicant. Ask ko lang, our bank account is under BDO but it is a JOINT ACCOUNT – me and my husbands’. Is it okay? Will there be any problem with that or is it required to have an account under my name only? Thank you very much

Hi Sheila, joint account din ginagamit ko pag nag-aapply sa Korea. Okay lang yun. :)

Hi, kakahired ko lang last January so yung payroll account ko is bago pa, plus hindi ganun kalaki yung pumapasok na pera kasi minimum wage lang ako and winiwithdraw ko lahat pag sahod namin. Ok lang kaya yun gamitin ko? or pwede kaya ko sponsored ng father ko since he’s working abroad? Thank you :)

I think yung best option is magpa-sponsor na lang sa father mo. Pero you will still have to submit your own docs.

Hi I check the portal yesterday which is Friday from 2-6 which I saw Approved but wen I checked it back around 8:30 it’s was changed back to application received. I want to ask if it’s usually happens because am nervous already and today is Saturday I need to wait till Monday pls if u av anytin to share regarding dis po

Hi! I’ll be graduating once I apply for a visa. I’ll be traveling alone and My father will be the one to sponsor my trip. He has his BDO credit card which is eligible for a multiple entry visa. Can I use that when applying for a visa even though he won’t be applying for one?

Hi Pat, ang alam ko ay di po pwede.

Hi po! Question lang. My tumawag kasi cp ko around 4:47 PM and 4:48 PM using also a mobile phone. And tomorrow naka schedule para pick upin ko yu g passport ko sa agency. Worry lang ako kasi hindi ko nasagot yung call. Possible na embassy kaya yon? Pero kasi tomorrow ko na kukunin sa embassy ko yung passport ehh nagpprocess sila ng late minute? And tumtaag ba talaga sila sa cp using mobile number din? Thank you so much!

hi pwede parin po ba ako mag travel sa korea kahit mag eexpire na yung multiple visa next month?

Hello, I’m planning to travel to Korea on December pero by October lilipat ako ng company na pagtatrabahuhan, ano pwede kong gawin para hindi mareject yung visa ko?

Hi, can I ask po kung unemployed ilalagay okayl ang po ba? kasi kakagraduate ko lang ng april as of now nagrereview pa lang ako for boards and hindi ako nagwwork. ano po need ko na mga requirements? Thank you so much!

I will be applying for a Korean Visa in August but I’m having a dilemma weather or not I should submit my Form 2316 from 2018. I am still working in the same company but as of June 1 but I recently switched from being a full time, office based employee in one of the company’s provincial branch to being a home based worker for the main branch of the same company.

I contacted our HR to get a copy of my Independent Contractor Certificate and they had informed me that the hiring date that they can put there is the date I started as a home based worker which is June 1, 2019 and advised me to ask for a Certificate of employment from the branch that I previously worked in.

My plan is to submit my form 2316 form 2018 and make an explanation letter about my working situation in the company and attach my COE from the previous provincial branch I worked in and the Independent Contractor Certificate form the main branch.

Would this be a good idea or would it be confusing? Would it be better if I just forgo submitting my ITR and claim that I am recently hired?

Hoping to hear you opinions on my dilemma,

Best, Paula

pwede ba gumamit ng previous school id simce next year pa daw next na issue ng ID? sa school po for visa, if not, ano pong pwede kong gawin?

Hi! If you’re a freelancer, what should you pick? Employed or self employed?

Hi Cathy, I think depende sa docs na meron ka. If registered ka with DTI/BIR, choose self-employed. Pero if hindi pero meron kang sort of COE document from your client, choose employed.

Na-try ko na pareho. I submitted a letter of explanation too. I didn’t encounter any problem. But di ko alam ngayon kasi medyo naghigpit na sila. Best to call the travel agency where you plan to lodge your application.

Hi. I have a question regarding sa SK visa application for OFW. In my case, I’m here in Taiwan, and our company only allowed to have a vacation once a year at least 2 weeks or exact 14 days vacation in the Philippines, because if ever, I’m planning to direct flight from Taiwan to Sk. If I applied visa in the Philippines, visa processing for 7 days and I can only allowed to travel in SK for the next 90 days. I tried to apply Korean Embassy here in Taiwan but they don’t accept SK visa application. So, as an OFW what is the best way how to apply a SK visa knowing in my case. Thanks.

Hi Frankie, di ko po alam kapag ganyang case. Pero sana ung ibang makakabasa nito, makasagot. :(

Pede nyo rin po i-post sa FB Support Group namin here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thepoortraveler

Hi, I have korean visa till oct 2019, may plan kmi mag travel this oct 2019, need ko pa ba mag apply ng new visa or valid padin ang visa ko? thanks!

Hi po nabunot po kasi ako sa raffle para sa isang kpop concert ngaung October po, ask ko lang po if pwde ko po kaya gawing supporting document yung confirmation email pona pinadala sakin para sa visa application ko po,? nag applied po kasi ako last year pero for tourism lang pero na denied po ako kaya medyo parang natatakot na po ako.. pero all in all po kumpleto nman ung magiging requirements ko. Thank you po sana masagot nyo ako. Avid reader here :))

Hi Vanessa,

Makakatulong naman yun. Pero mas maganda kung hingi ka talaga ng letter from the organizers ng raffle na addressed sa embassy stating na nanalo ka nga, para mas formal and mas convincing.

Possible bang ma approved yung visa application pag fiance palang ang iisponsoran ko. Plano kasi namin mag travel few days after our wedding. One of the requirements for wife sponsor is PSA marriage certificate which will take time bago makuha.

Hi Mark, hindi ako sure ha, pero if I were in your position, i-push ko pa rin then I’ll write an explanation letter and submit other proof that you just got married. :)

Ako lang yan ha.

Hi!! Ask ko lang po if mahihirapan akong kumuha ng visa if newly employed ako or worst walang work sa time na kukuha ako ng visa but I will be travelling with my family, and I can support my trip naman (I have my own bank account) and my mom can support me as well since I am with her. It’s just that I have a plan kasi to resign after this year ends, so most likely wala akong job sa time na mag a apply ako for visa to sokor.

When is your trip? Apply for a visa before you resign.

Hi! What if newly employed and under probationary pa, will my employment status affect the visa application? thanks.

It could affect, but if your other supporting documents are strong, they can make up for it.

Hi po! Yung intended date of entry sa form kailangan po ba sundin yun? or pwede i-move yung entry date sa Korea? Feeling ko kasi parang hindi aabot sa travel date yung pag release ng visa.

hi.. may I also ask please,

I was given a single entry visa and the duration is until novmber 30, me and husband will travel on november 1-4, then suddenly we have a company sponsored tour to korea on the 3rd or 4th week of november, can i apply for a new visa for the next trip even if i have not used the first single entry visa? Or should I travel first then apply again for a visa? or if the visa can be amended to multiple entry because of the situation?

Please help.

I am not sure about this. But I think most countries do not allow a passport holder to have 2 valid visas at the same time. Usually, if may existing visa na tapos need to get another, the old visa will be revoked. Ganun ang most countries. Pero not sure if ganun din ang Korea.

Ang usual is, travel and use the first visa then apply again for another. Baka kapusin ka lang ng time if sa Manila ka mag-apply.

Hi, scheduled date of processing of our visa application would be October 1, 2019 pero yung bank stataments ko from June 12-Sept 12, 2019. Okay lang ba yun? Or need na mas close pa sa date ng processing ng visa yung 3months na banks statements?. Thank you

Hi. I am a first-time traveller to Korea, yet I have travelled already to UK from 2011 to 2014 (ofw for 3 years), UK is an OECD member. Can I include my previous visa to support my Tourist Korean visa application even if it is already beyond 5 years? After that, wala na akong trinavel abroad. I got denied already for 2 times, i complied all the requirements naman eh.

Di ko po sure ha pero ang alam ko po when they say OECD visa, they mean tourist visas lang. Di ko rin alam if pwede if beyond 5 years na pero I doubt it kasi specifically nakalagay na past 5 years lang and knowing how strict the Korean Embassy is, malamang kung ano talaga yung rule nila, yun lang.

Hi. My husband also got his visa denied just today. Does he need to submit the Alphalist together with his Form 2316 kung wala syang ITR? The reason why wala syang ITR is that he is a minimum wage earner at hindi sila taxable. First time nya to travel Korea and has never travelled abroad for the last 5 years. Last time he only submitted the Form 2316 (no stamp-received from BIR) and no attached Alphalist. He has enough savings and in good financial standing naman but he got his visa denied too. Need ba nya mag submit ng Alphalist, Form 1604-CF at Form2316? Are these documents talagang need may stamp-received from BIR?

Since last year, the alphalist is no longer a requirement, so I don’ t think that’s the reason.

But wait, di ba yung Form 2316 is the ITR form? So what do you mean wala syang ITR pero nagsubmit sya ng Form 2316?

2 questions po:

I’ve read sa previous responses mo na joint accounts are acceptable. Me and my husband submitted our joint account (statement and certificate) 1 copy lang kasi according sa agency, pwede na daw yun, Then our own individual accounts. Yung joint account has sufficient amount for our stay kasi tntransfer namin dun money namin but for our individual accounts, medyo maliit. Naiisp ko to just submit yung joint account kaso lang, it was newly opened last June lang. Would that be a problem? If yes, do you think having stamps to other countries would help?

Another question is the number of days.. nasakto kasi na nag extend sila nung nag pasa kami requirements. 15-20 days na daw. According to the agency, the release will be Oct. 15 and our travel date is Oct 17. Sobrang magkadikit yung dates. Will there be instances na mas napapaaga ang release?

Thank you very much!

1. Not sure if this is right, but if I were in your position, I would probably submit both the joint account and the individual accounts, and I’d probably write a letter explaining that we recently opened a new joint account which is why our individual accounts have lower balance. Ako lang po yun ha.

2. Yes, may mga instances na earlier ang release. Pero mahirap pa rin masabi talaga.

May i know in Cebu, is it possible to apply personally for both myself and my brother? Meaning, I will bring the documents of my brother?

Yes, you may apply for your brother. Just make sure the requirements are complete.

Totoo bang kelangan sumulat sa Korean Embassy kapag hnd ka nagtravel sa Korea after mag expire Korean Visa mo? Kung totoo eto, saan po ung reference link from the official Korea website?

Gusto ko lng sana verify. Salamat!

I don’t know for sure because I haven’t experienced having an unused, expired visa.

Even people who have experienced reapplying after not using a visa have conflicting accounts. Some claim na hindi need ng explanation letter. Meron ding nagsasabi na kailangan daw. Meron ding nagsasabi na may additional fee. Medyo magulo.

I don’t know if the Korean embassy’s website has info on this. Many of the Korean Embassy’s rules are not published on the website. Some rules are cascaded only to designated agencies through direct email, at least at first. The best way to confirm is to either call the embassy or call a designated travel agency.

Ive been to South Korea last 2016. I met a lot of new friends there and enjoyed it so much. Gusto ko sana bumalik, pero dahil sa budget, until now di pa ako nakabalik. Pero try nyo sa Taiwan, visa free po sya, and I would say that it has everything that Korea and Japan has to offer. Palaces, bullet trains, coastal area na may mga resto pwede ka kumain Ng fresh sushi. Meron din po sila Cherry Blossoms… At ang sarap ng street food.

Thanks for sharing! Fave din namin ang Taiwan! Mura pa!

Hi. I plan to travel again to korea next year feb 5 to feb 11 2020. But my visa will expire feb 9 2020. Can i still enter to korea with that visa validity?

Usually ang nakalagay naman sa visa is yung FINAL ENTRY DATE, so as far as I know, pwede pa rin.

Confirm mo na lang din with your travel agency to be sure.

Hello, I would just like to inquire. My cousins and I will be travelling to SK on June pero we’re kind of hesitant na to pursue since our sponsor will be our aunt. 7 kami mag ttravel with our aunt pero sya yung sponsor sa visa namin, so her documents will be submitted for 7 of us. Do you have any idea if it’s allowed to sponsor as much as people?

Hi Isa, as far as I know, that’s fine as long as your aunt can prove rootedness and that she has the funds to sponsor all of you.

Hello! Good day. Im currently working here in saudi arabia at may plan po akong pumunta ng korea, okay lang ba na dito sa embassy ng korea sa saudi na ako magprocess ng visa ko po? Salamat po.

I have approved korean visa (single entry) but unfortunately due to corona virus i wont be able to use it and will expire by April 30 2020. My ticket was rebook to June 25 2020. Can I apply for a new visa?

Question for the BDO gold credit card promo, are supplementary card holders still allowed or only principal holders only?

What if I want to go back to South Korea after 1,month.csn I apply again for another tourist visa ..with invitation of my Korean friend

Hi, Just want to ask regarding our valid Korean multiple Visa in old passport. We have already new passport. Do I need to inform the korean Embassy here in Philippines? or just to bring the old passport together with the new passport when going to Korea? Thanks in advance

Hello po ask ko LNG po paano Yong gagawin if may sponsor po or invite sakin Korea pero dto po ako Mongolia need ko parin po ba punta Ng imbassy Ng Korea dto SA monggolia

hello tama ba yung pagkakainitindi ko, validity period is 3 months from issue. like sa sample mo above, from july 1 to oct 1, pwede pumasok sokor until sept 30? na basa ko rin kasi sa website korean embassy, pero kasi finland so i dont know kung applicable sa atin. sabi: On the paper there is ‘Validity period of visa’ that will be usually 3 months from visa issuance date. It means  you can enter to Rep. of Korea until validity period of visa above . After entry to Rep. of Korea,  you can stay within ‘Period of Stay’ described on the paper from actual entry date .

mag travel kasi kami ng friend ko validity ng visa nya is Jun 15, pwede ba kaming mag schedule ng june 13?

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How to Apply For Five Year Multiple Entry South Korea Tourist Visa for Filipinos

In the application form, there’s no indication if you are applying for a single or multiple South Korea Tourist Visa. Whether you apply for a Single or Multiple, it is the discretion of the Embassy to grant you one. But, if you want to have a chance to be given a Five Year Multiple Entry South Korea Visa, read this article.

In this article, we will be focusing on a Tourist Visa . Multiple Entry Visa holders can stay in South Korea for a maximum of 30 days. The validity of the visa depends on your eligibility as well as your passport’s validity. Check out how you can get yours now!

Korean Embassy Update (May 19, 2022): Multiple entry visa issued before 5 April 2020 that has not expired can be used without re-application.

ADVISORY: As per Embassy of South Korea, starting August 23, 2022 , visa processing is 25-30 working days.  

• How to Apply For A South Korea Tourist Visa with Your Philippines Passport
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How to be Eligible for Multiple Entry South Korea Visa

If you want to have big chances of getting a Multiple Entry South Korea Visa, you must be any of the following:

Frequent Visitor

As per this notice :

• Those who visited Korea more than 4 times within the last 2 years from application date
• Those who visited Korea more than 10 times in total and at least once in the previous two years

BDO Credit Card Holders

Credit Card Holders of:

• Visa Credit Card
• MasterCard Credit Card
• UnionPay Credit Card
• JCB Credit Card
• American Express Gold Credit Card
• Platinum Visa Credit Card
• Titanium, Platinum and World Elite MasterCard
• American Express​ Platinum Credit Card
• Cathay Pacific American Express Credit Cards (Standard and Elite)
• American Express International Dollar Charge Cards
• Diamond UnionPay
• Diners Club Premiere
• JCB Platinum

Requirements:

• Credit card’s Monthly Billing for the last 3 months
• Photocopy of the Credit Card
• This is only up to December 31, 2022
• Bank Certificate and Income Tax Returns are not required for submission in case you avail this
• Read more here

RCBC Bankard Premium Card Holders

Active and Principal Card Holders of:

• World MasterCard (including co-brands Balesin and The City Club)
• Black Platinum MasterCard
• Diamond Platinum MasterCard
• Visa Infinite
• Visa Platinum
• UnionPay Diamond BDO Elite
• This is only up to December 31, 2020

Note: Links from notice to RCBC card holders are currently unavailable. Thank you for understanding. 

Requirements for applying for multiple entry south korea visa.

1. Valid passport – should be valid for more than 6 months

2. Filled-up Visa Application Form – Here’s a document version that is easier to edit. Don’t forget to sign it. Here’s a guide on  How to Fill Out a South Korea Visa Application Form [Step by Step Guide] .

3. Passport-Sized Photo – 1 piece, colored

4. Valid Visa or Arrival Stamps to any OECD Countries for the past five years – original and photocopy. OECD countries include: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, and US.

P.S. If you are a frequent traveler, you may also submit the valid visa or arrival stamps of your previous visits to South Korea

5. Bank Certificate – Include current balance, account type, and ADB. However, you may skip this when you are an eligible credit cardholder.

6. Bank Statement – for the last 3 months, in case you are an eligible credit card holder, submit your credit card statements for the previous 3 months

Supporting Documents

• Income Tax Return – you are exempt if you are an eligible cardholder
• If you are an Employee – Original copy of Certificate of Employment – with applicant’s position, date hired, compensation, office address, H.R. landline (not cellphone number), and H.R. e-mail address must be included.
• If you are a Business Owner – Business Registration and Business Permit
• Copy of IBP Card or PRC Card (only if applicable)
• If you want to apply, you can also make a cover letter stating that you wish to a Five Year Multiple Entry South Korea Visa and the reasons
• You can also attach your flight reservations , hotel bookings, and attraction tickets
• There is no visa fee for a stay of fewer than 59 days, but you’ll pay the travel agency about PHP 500 – PHP 2000

STEP by STEP Guide In Getting a Multiple Entry South Korea Visa

STEP 1: Gather the documents needed.

STEP 2: Find an accredited travel agency to process your application.

STEP 3: Wait for the decision.

STEP 4: Claim your passport with your visa at the travel agency.

Addresses that could help you

Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of the Philippines 122 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Town Center, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City 1634 +63-2-8856-9210

Consulate of the Republic of Korea in Cebu 12th Floor Chinabank Corporate Center, Lot 2, Samar Loop Cor. Road 5, Cebu Business Park, Mabolo, Cebu City +63-32-231-1516(-9)

Good luck with your application for a Five Year Multiple Entry South Korea Visa. It’s a handy tool, especially if you want to visit South Korea in every season. It’s also a great key in case you want to watch a concert or attend fan meets of KPop Idols. I hope this is helpful! Happy Travels!

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5 thoughts on “ How to Apply For Five Year Multiple Entry South Korea Tourist Visa for Filipinos ”

Until Dec 2022 pa ba yung sa bdo credit card holder ? Wala na kasi dun sa link na nka attached … TIA.

Hi! If multiple entry 30 days 5 years, does it mean you can enter multiple times and each time hindi lalagpas ng 30 days; or cumulative ang 30? TIA

How to apply fo five year multiple entry. Thank you

Hi, pag kakapundar palang ng business at wala pang itr maipakita?

Write a cover letter then lahat ng permits.

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Written by Kach Umandap

Founder of Two Monkeys Travel Group. Since 2013, Kach has visited all the 7 continents (including Antarctica) and 151 countries using her Philippines Passport. In 2016, she bought a sailboat and went on sailing adventures with her two cats - Captain Ahab & Little Zissou in the Caribbean for 2 years. She now lives in Herceg Novi, Montenegro where she's enjoying her expat life and living on a gorgeous Stonehouse. She writes about her experiences traveling as a Filipina traveler with a PHL Passport. Also tips on backpacking trips, luxury hotel experiences, product reviews, sailing & adventure travel.

Theme Parks of Quintana Roo: Xcaret, Xel-Há, and Xplor

Take off in style: simple flight booking & entertainment, madrid: why this city is so worth visiting, top places to visit to see penguins in their natural habitat, unveiling the perks of flight deal aggregators: are you getting the most out of your travel budget, related posts, 14 best cities to visit in china with tips on places to visit, travel guide to popular cities in vietnam – 25 day trips you can do in vietnam, 7 churches for visita iglesia during the holy week in pili, camarines sur, hotel indigo dubai downtown – the first 5-start boutique hotel in dubai, previous post, how to renew your b1/b2 usa visa through the interview waiver program, how to apply for south korea visa grant notice for filipinos, subscribe to our newsletter.

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• Visa Requirements
• South Korea

South Korea Visa Requirements - Documents, Eligibility & Fees

Indian passport holders who are willing to apply for a South Korea visa can find the necessary visa information on this page. In the following, you can find South Korea visa requirements which mainly include the visa documents and eligibility criteria. General guidelines to be followed at the time of submission of South Korea visa documents are mentioned on the page. For further visa consultation, you can contact BTW Visa Executives.

• Tourist Visa
• Business Visa

Following is the general list of documents required for South Korea visa for Indians.

A passport is a document that is required at the time of international travels. It is issued by the government of the country to verify the identity and nationality of the candidate.

The submitted passport must meet the parameters given below

• It must be original and genuine.
• It must be valid for 6 months ahead of the span of stay.
• It must have minimum three blank pages for the visa stamp.
• It must not be torn, ripped, split, or damaged in any kind of way.

One cannot cross international boundries without the passport. It is considered a criminal offense otherwise.

An old passport is a passport that has expired or is completely stamped. In the visa processing, it is required to track the travel history of the applicant.

If available, the old passport must also be provided meeting the given criteria

• It must be original and in a good condition to access the required information.

Without the old passport, you cannot get the visa stamp. Professional visa consultation is recommended.

The photo is provided to the authority so that you can be identified based on the same.

The photographs must be provided as per the given photo specifications

• It should be Without Spectacles & Sunglasses, No Smiling face (Teeth should not be visible).
• It must cover face 80% of the frame.
• It must be clicked on an all white background.
• Two copies to be submitted with general photo guidelines.
• It must be of proper size with dimensions of 35x45 mm (length - 45mm, breadth - 35mm).
• It must have a matte finish.
• It must be a recent photograph.
• The expressions on the face must be neutral, there must not be any kind of smiling of frowning in the photograph.
• Any kind of glasses must not be worn in the photograph.
• The hair must be tied back so that the face is clearly visible.
• The ears must be visible clearly.
• It must not have any headgear worn apart from religious reasons.
• It is to be taken care that your teeth do not show in the photograph.

Recent pictures are mandatory as old pictures can cause the authorities to reject your application.

An air ticket is a ticket or pass that is possessed by the traveller who is taking a flight for travelling from one location to another.

It is an important document and it should be submitted for the given reason

• to and from air ticket blocking (as we recommended do not book ticket until visa not approved )
• It must be confirmed for the complete round trip.

An air ticket shows your course of travel and confirms your return to the native country.

The application form filled with all the information that is necessitated to issue a visa in your name.

The visa application form is important as it contains all the required information of the applicant. It should be filled keeping in mind the following guidelines

• It must be completely filled with proper information and must be signed by the applicant.

The visa application form should be filled correctly as this information decides the fate of your visa acceptance. Professional visa consultation is recommended.

A hotel voucher is a ticket provided by the hotel of residence to the customers who are taking an accomodation in the hotel.

It should be submitted as per the following

• It must be provided to ratify the purpose of visit and as proof of accommodation as well.

If you are staying in a hotel during your time in another country, a hotel voucher must be provided as proof of accommodation.

Itinerary is a travel document that contains the details of travel schedule of the one who is going on the trip.

• The Itinerary must contain detailed information about your day-to-day plans.
• It must mention the day to day schedule and plans and program while in the country.

The itinerary must have proper and detailed information of the traveller's routine. Even if a single detail is missed out, it could affect the visa interview. Professional visa consultation is recommended.

A covering letter from the company is provided in the name of the employee if they are travelling to another country on behalf of the company for business.

The covering letter provided by the company should be acceptable based on the following conditions

• It must also mention the details of the traveller's stay in the country.
• It must contain the traveller's as well as the company's information and should be issued on the company's letterhead along with official seal and signature.

Covering letter is the first document that is seen by the consular. If the covering letter is not appropriate, it may cause your visa to get rejected as well. Professional visa consultation is recommended.

An invitation letter from company is provided at the time when a particular employee is being invited to the company or even at the times when the company is setting up a business conference or meeting inviting companies from different countries for the benefit.

The letter of invitation from the company submitted should match the following criteria

• It must contain the signature of the authority along with the designation, name of the company and the stamp.
• It must mention the contact details, the purpose of travel, sponsorship details and other important documents.
• It must be addressed to the respective diplomatic mission.

An invitation letter from a company to which are visiting is essential to provide proof of your purpose of visit.

A Company Registration or a Shop Act License is a document that is provided to the shop holders which is a proof that the shop is certified.

A Company registration or Shop Act License is an crucial commercial document that must meet the given requirements

• It must mention the name of the applicant.
• It must be issued in the English language.

If the Company Registration is not genuine, there may be issues with the business visa acceptance. Professional visa consultation is recommended.

Bank statement is a document that issued from the bank. This is obtained for the savings bank account to show ratify if you will be able to support your stay in the country.

The Bank statement is a mandatory document and it should meet the following criteria

• It must be original and should have the bank's stamp and signature on every page.

If the Bank Statement doesn't show enough funds or shows irrelevant expenditure, it could lead to visa rejection on financial means. Professional visa consultation is recommended.

An income tax return is a document that is a record of the tax that is paid to the government by the concerned tax paying citizen.

The proof of income tax returns must match the provided parameters

• It must be provided with a legitimate documentary proof of the payment of income tax.

One cannot leave the country if they do not provide appropriate proof of tax payment. Professional visa consultation is recommended.

Contract papers are the documents that state the roles and resposibilities of the individual they are being issued to. Other details like the period of work and the validity are also mentioned in the contract papers.

• It must be original and should specify certain details about the employee and the employer.

Without the contract papers, you will not be allowed to get the visa as the contract papers decided the span of the stay and hence the visa validity. Professional visa consultation is recommended.

A letter stating that you have accepted the offer you have received from the foreign company therby confirming your decision to join them.

Important to show that you have accepted the offer from the foreign company.

• It must be original and should be in a good condition.

A guarantee letter is a document issued by the bank on behalf of the customer who is about to make a purchase of goods from the supplier.

• It is a letter from the bank that is mandated at the time when a big purchase or sell is being made.

Covering Letter consists of traveler's information, Itenarary, detailed travel Information, trip expense details and your return guarantee to the home country.

The covering letter provided by the visa applicant should be acceptable based on the following guidelines

• It must mention other details as well as per the Consular's request.
• It must mention the accommodation details of the applicant.
• It must mention the person who will be bearing all the expenses during the trip, if not travelling alone.
• It must specify the traveller's relationship with the fellow travellers if not travelling alone.
• It must clearly specify the traveller's purpose of visit.
• It must mention the travel dates as per the invitation letter or the booked flight tickets.
• It must mention all the details as per the passport.

An invitation letter from university is a document that is issued by the institute for the student or the candidate who has been invited to the university for a certain reason.

It must follow the required criteria

• It must be original and should be obtained on the letterhead specifying the traveller's purpose of visit.

Without a proper proof of your purpose for acquiring the visa, like an invitation letter from the University, the visa application may not be accepted. Professional visa consultation is recommended.

A bonafide letter is a document that is issued by the organization or educational institute the candidate belongs to in order to prove that they are a part of that organization or school and class for the given period of time.

Bonafide letter determines your credibility that you belong to the particular institution. Not being able to submit the documental proof of the same, other related documents may also get rejected.

This is a common list of documents. For specific purpose visa choose from following:

For detailed information, Please go through South Korea Visa for Indians - Definitive Guide

Eligibility for getting South Korea Visa:

In order to be eligible to travel to the country on a visa, you will have to meet the following eligibility criteria.

Be a genuine traveller- You must have a valid and good intention behind travelling to the country.

Eligible to bear all expenses - You must possess sufficient funds to support yourself and any dependents throughout the stay.

Reasons to return - You must have strong ties in your home country that will ensure that you will return after your stay.

Be of good character - You must have a clean criminal track record and be of good character. You may have to provide PCC (Police Clearance Certificate) for the same.

Be in good health - You must at least meet the minimum health requirements required by the authorities.

Visa Fees for South Korea Visa:

*Important Note:

Embassy/Consulate reserves the right to ask for additional documents or personal appearance for an interview in special cases. Submission of the above-mentioned documents does not guarantee that a visa is granted, so It's recommonded to get the professional visa consultation. Submission of incomplete documentation or refusal to appear for a special visa interview may result in the rejection of your visa application .

Although the information on this website has been prepared with utmost care. However, regulations and requirements are subject to change.

To know all details like process, eligibility, fees etc. Please refer South Korea Visa for Indians

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