tourist visa korea philippines 2022

How To Get Korean Visa in the Philippines: A Complete Guide for First-Time Visitors

Anxious and paranoid about getting rejected for a Korean visa ?

You’ve probably heard success stories of visa approvals and horror stories of denied visa applications from family and friends.

But don’t fret. With enough research and preparation, you can boost your chance of getting approved for a visa to South Korea. Yes, you can achieve your long-time dream to visit the country that ignited your love for K-pop, K-drama, and K-BBQ!

Here’s a detailed guide for tourists who’ll apply for a visa to Korea.

Related: How to Fill Out Korean Visa Application Form: A Step-by-Step Guide

Table of Contents

Latest updates on korean visa application for filipinos, 1. visitors to jeju island, 2. transit tourists, 3. foreign transfer passengers, 4. passengers of fly gangwon airlines of clark international airport (crk) heading to yangyang international airport, 5. philippine official and diplomatic passport holders, types of korean visa for tourists: single-entry visa vs. multiple-entry visa, south korea express visa, i. accomplished application form, ii. passport-size colored picture, iii. philippine passport, iv. passport bio-page, v. oecd visas and arrival stamps (if applicable), vi. invitation letter and photocopy of inviter’s passport or id (if invited by a korean citizen) or korean company business permit (if invited by a company in korea), i. for employees, ii. for businessmen/self-employed applicants, iii. for housewives, iv. for students, v. for retired senior citizens, vi. for filipinos married to koreans, vii. for religious workers, how to apply for a korean visa at a travel agency, how to apply for a korean visa at the cebu consular office., 4. check your visa application status online, 5. claim your passport, 1. visit visa-free countries first before traveling to korea, 2. for first-time visitors to korea: apply for a single-entry visa with a stay of 10 days or less, 3. inform hr about your korean visa application, 4. maintain an unquestionable transaction history in your bank account, 5. frequent visitors to korea who used to get visas on arrival are now required to apply at the korean consulate., 6. avail of credit card promo for a korean visa, 7. check for korean visa updates regularly, 8. tourists who frequently visit oecd countries within 5 years are not required to submit an itr., 1. what are the names of travel agencies accredited to process korean visa applications, 2. can first-time travelers apply for a korean visa, 3. when should i apply for a korean visa, 4. can i get a visa to korea without an itr, 5. is the company alpha list still required in the korean visa applications, 6. how can unemployed filipinos get a korean visa, 7. are plane tickets and hotel bookings necessary for a korean visa application, 8. can i get approved for a korean visa if my bank account was opened less than six months ago, 9. are both the bank certificate and bank statements required can i submit just one of them, 10. how much show money should i have in my bank account, 11. what requirements should i submit if i have a sponsor, 12. i am a freelancer and don’t have a certificate of employment. can i submit other documents instead, 13. i’m currently abroad. can i ask someone to file my korean visa application for me, 14. we’ll travel to korea as a family. should we apply separately or at the same time does everyone have to be present during the visa application, 15. my old passport is lost. will my visa application be accepted without it, 16. why was my korean visa application denied can i make an appeal, 17. i have an unused korean visa that has expired. do i still need to apply for a new visa, references..

• June 2022: Walk-in Korean Visa application is now open 1 . The Korean Embassy in Manila has announced that they now accept walk-in tourist visa applications on the weekdays from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM (except on holidays). The processing period of the application is five or more working days. Note a daily visa application limit might be set if the embassy received a large volume of visa applications. Meanwhile, processing of applications made through travel agencies has been postponed. However, walk-in applications will be closed as soon as the embassy releases a list of travel agencies and resumes applications through these agencies.
• May 2022: Filipinos may now visit Jeju Island without getting a Korean visa starting June 1, 2022, as long as they adhere to the existing COVID-19 guidelines 2 . Filipino travelers must enter through international airports located in Jeju Island and in Yangyang-gun County, Gangwon do Province. Moreover, it is now allowed to visit the Seoul Metropolitan Area and Gangwon for 15 days visa-free.  However, Yangyang International Airport only allows a group of five or more people from the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia 3 . To qualify for visa-free travel, you must book through travel agencies recognized by Gangwon Province. For those who wish to enter Jeju Island, only direct flights are allowed. 

Who Are Exempted From Getting a Korean Visa?

Can Filipinos enter Korea without a visa?

Generally, no. But certain kinds of visitors are allowed visa-free access to the country.

One way for Filipinos to enter Korea visa-free is to fly directly to Jeju International Airport. Currently, there are no direct flights from the Philippines to Jeju Island, but you can take a Manila-Hong Kong-Jeju flight via Cathay Pacific or Dragonair.

Philippine passport holders can stay only on the South Korean island without a visa for up to 30 days.

Transiting through Korea on your way to or from the U.S., Canada, Australia, or New Zealand ?

You’ll be allowed a visa-free stay in Korea for up to 30 days if you have a valid visa to any of those four countries and a confirmed plane ticket or boarding pass leaving Korea within 30 days from the date of entry.

Update : In an official announcement 4 released on November 7, 2019, the Korean Embassy has made it clear that tourists in transit to third countries are qualified to get visa-free entry to Korea, except for nationals of 24 excluded countries which include Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, and Nepal, among others. They have also indicated two specific groups of travelers who are likewise eligible for this visa-free category: (a) Travelers who hold a visa to the United States (including Saipan and Guam), Australia, Canada, or New Zealand who transit through Korea bound for the country of origin or a third country ; and (b) Travelers who hold a visa (or permanent residency) to one of the 30 European countries who transit through Korea bound for the country of origin or a third country. Aside from a confirmed plane ticket for departure, you must also have no criminal record from any of the countries previously mentioned, nor you have been denied entry into Korea or deported in the last 3 years.

Passengers (including Filipinos but excluding those from 24 countries that need visas to enter Jeju Island) can also be granted visa-free entry to Korea if they’re transferring through the Incheon Airport and taking part in the Transit Tourism Program on their way to a third country or their country of origin.

These eligible travelers, also called “general transfer passengers”, can stay in Seoul for up to 72 hours, provided that they have a transfer ticket.

You can visit Seoul City and Gangwon province for up to 15 days visa-free if your flight route is from the Clark International Airport to the Yangyang International Airport via Fly Gangwon airlines 5 . 

To avail of the Visa exemption, you must book with an accredited travel agency and be fully vaccinated. It is suggested to travel in a group of five or with fifteen passengers to avail of cheaper packages. 

High-ranking Philippine government officials have visa-free access to Korea at any time, whether for a temporary visit or an official assignment.

It’s a privilege that official and diplomatic passport 6 holders enjoy under the Visa Exemption Agreement between the Philippines and South Korea.

How To Apply for a Korean Visa in the Philippines: A 5-Step Guide to Getting Approved

1. determine the type of korean visa you’ll be applying for.

Choosing the correct type of Korean visa is crucial to getting approved. Many applicants got denied a visa because they failed to qualify for the visa type they applied for.

Make sure you understand Korean visa types before applying for a visa.

Korean visas are classified into a broad array of categories. There are visas for short-term visits, business, studying, and a whole lot more.

With so many types of Korean visas to choose from, picking the one you need can be overwhelming. Good thing, the Korean Visa Portal has an online tool called the Visa Navigator that can help you find a suitable visa type.

Here’s how to determine the right Korean visa type for you:

• Go to Korean Visa Portal’s Visa Navigator
• At the top-right menu, click on the “English” link to change the language from Korean to English
• Select “Asia” from the Continent drop-down menu
• Select “Philippines” from the Country/Region drop-down menu
• Select the applicable option from the Purpose of Entry drop-down menu (If you’ll visit just for tourism and will not visit anyone in Korea, choose “Short Term Visit”)
• Select your Length of Stay
• Click the Visa Navigator Start button
• A list of visa types based on your search will appear. Check the eligibility requirements and allowed activities per visa type to find the one that matches your purpose
• To see more detailed information about a specific visa type, click on the corresponding button under the Status of Stay column and scroll down the page

Carefully read each description for the possible visa types, as it’s quite challenging to distinguish one visa type from the other.

For example, a person who will visit Korea to attend a relative’s wedding must apply for a visa type (short-term general C-3-1 visa) that’s different from that of someone who will travel just for leisure (ordinary tourist C-3-9 visa).

This guide focuses on the Korean tourist visa for Filipinos. If you’re visiting Korea for a different purpose, call the Korean Embassy at (02) 856-9210 local 270 or 500 or send an email to [email protected] for inquiries.

Filipino tourists may apply for either a single-entry visa or a multiple-entry visa to Korea.

Single-entry visa holders can enter Korea only once and stay for up to 59 days within three months from the issue date.

Meanwhile, multiple-entry visa holders can go to Korea an unlimited number of times and stay for up to 30 days per visit within a validity period of up to 10 years.

The Korean government has recently relaxed its multiple-entry visa qualification criteria for Filipinos to attract more travelers from Southeast Asia.

The following people may apply for a multiple-entry visa 7 to Korea:

• Highly skilled professionals such as lawyers, doctors , and professors
• Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Korea
• Graduates of a master’s degree from abroad

The express visa is an expedited processing service for a temporary visitor’s visa application only.

It’s processed within just three to five working days (excluding the application date), which is faster compared to the standard processing time of five to 15 working days.

Some accredited travel agencies provide this service.

A filled-out application form for the express visa should be filed together with other requirements when you apply for a Korean visa. A non-refundable service fee for the express visa costs Php 1,000 (in addition to the processing fee charged by the travel agency).

Update:  Starting September 9, 2019, the Korean Embassy in the Philippines will no longer accept Korean visa express applications due to an overwhelming increase in visa applicants. However, in another announcement 8  they released subsequently, the following applicants can still apply for an express visa and get the result after 5 working days:

• Applicants invited by the Korean government and public agency
• Applicants invited by a Korean school, company, or organization
• Family members of Koreans (parents, spouse, children, the family of the spouse, etc.)
• Direct family members of foreigners who stay in Korea and have a valid/registered alien card
• Applicants who need urgent medical treatment
• Applicants with an official request from the Philippine government office
• Applicants who don’t belong to any of the above groups but “recognized urgent matter for the better diplomacy relationship”

Applying for another tourist visa? Read our application guides for an Australian visa , US visa , Schengen visa , and Japan visa.  

2. Prepare the Korean Visa Requirements

This section provides a complete and updated list of Korean visa requirements.

Make sure all your documents are complete before filing your application. Download, fill out, print, and sign the visa application form in advance so that you won’t waste time accomplishing the forms during your application.

Create a checklist of Korean visa requirements to ensure that nothing is forgotten. Keep them all in an envelope to avoid missing any document.

a. Basic Requirements

• Download from the Korean Embassy website
• Filled out digitally using CAPITAL LETTERS
• Printed in A4-size paper
• Manually signed (Forms with a digital signature are not accepted)
• No erasures and no marks outside the boxes
• For non-applicable items (such as Details of Visa Issuance Confirmation), just leave them blank

READ: How to Fill Out Korean Visa Application Form: A Step-by-Step Guide

• 35 mm. x 45 mm
• With a white or off-white background
• Taken within the last six months
• Shows a full face without a hat
• Pasted on the application form
• Original copy of the latest passport
• Valid for more than six months prior to the departure date
• With signature and at least two blank pages
• For applicants who have traveled to visa and/or non-visa countries: Original copy of old passports with travels or photocopy of arrival stamps within the last five years (This is a new requirement starting March 1, 2019 )

Submit a photocopy of your passport’s second page (which shows your photo and personal information) along with other Korean visa requirements.

If you’ve traveled to OECD member countries for the last five years, submit your old passports, as well as photocopies, that contain the relevant valid visas and arrival stamps.

The Korean Embassy honors the following OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries:

• Czech Republic
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Slovak Republic
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• United States

Having OECD visas speeds up visa processing and exempts you from submitting an ITR, but it doesn’t guarantee approval. Likewise, having no OECD visa doesn’t mean you’ll get denied a Korean visa.

The Korean Embassy has no template or guidelines for the invitation letter. Even so, make sure that the letter from your inviter includes the following details:

• Your purpose and length of stay in Korea, address, and contact information.
• Inviter’s contact information.
• A brief note that the inviter guarantees you’ll comply with Korean laws and regulations.

b. Additional Requirements

The Korean Embassy also requires certain financial documents proving you can shoulder your travel expenses.

The additional requirements vary for employees, entrepreneurs/self-employed people, housewives, students, senior citizens , and spouses of Koreans.

Take note of the Embassy’s specifications for the following income documents:

• Certificate of employment: Must include the position title, hiring date, compensation, office address, HR landline number (mobile number not accepted), and HR email address
• Bank certificate: Must include bank account type, current balance, account opening date, and six-month average daily balance or ADB 9

Income tax return (ITR) : No need to submit an ITR if you’re a frequent traveler to OECD countries within the past five years

• Original certificate of employment
• Original personal bank certificate
• The original or certified true copy of bank statements or passbook for the past three months
• ITR or Form 2316
• PRC card or IBP card (if applicable)
• Photocopy of business registration documents from DTI or SEC
• Photocopy of the business permit or mayor’s permit
• Photocopy of ITR or Form 2316 with payment receipt from a BIR-authorized bank
• If the spouse is employed: Spouse’s original certificate of employment and ITR or Form 2316
• If the spouse is self-employed (photocopies only): Spouse’s business registration documents from DTI or SEC; business permit or mayor’s permit; and ITR or BIR Form 2316 with payment receipt from a BIR-authorized bank
• Original bank certificate (yours or your spouse’s)
• The original or certified true copy of bank statements or passbook (yours or your spouse’s) for the past three months
• Photocopy of NSO/PSA marriage certificate
• Applicant’s documents:

Original school certificate (a document certifying that the student is currently enrolled in the school for the current academic year, with the school’s dry seal and school head’s signature).

Photocopy of school ID.

Photocopy of the birth certificate .

• Parents’ documents:

If parents are employed: Original certificate of employment and photocopy of ITR or Form 2316.

If parents are self-employed (photocopies only): Business registration documents from DTI or SEC; business permit or mayor’s permit; and ITR or Form 2316 with payment receipt from a BIR-authorized bank.

• Original bank certificate
• Photocopy of NSO marriage certificate
• Photocopy of valid visa (if applicable) or photocopy of passport or valid ID (if parents will not travel with the student)
• Photocopy of senior citizen ID
• If a bank certificate and bank statements are named under a family member: Photocopy of marriage certificate, birth certificate, or any relevant proof of relationship
• NSO/PSA marriage certificate
• Certificate of Korean Marriage History (valid for three months)
• Photocopy of Korean’s passport bio-page
• Invitation letter from Korean spouse
• Photocopy of Korean’s visa to the Philippines
• If the Korean spouse is employed: Original certificate of employment
• If the Korean spouse is self-employed: Business registration documents from DTI or SEC
• Photocopy of Church SEC in the Philippines
• If employed: Original Employment Certificate and ITR or Form 2316 (photocopy)
• If businessmen: Photocopies of Business registration from SEC or DTI, Business Permit or Mayor’s Permit, and ITR or Form 2316.
• Original Personal Bank Certificate
• Original Personal Bank Statement
• Invitation from Korea:
• Invitation letter
• Photocopy Inviter’s ID
• Photocopy of Korean church’s business permit

3. Submit Your Korean Visa Application

Walk-in applications for tourist visas are no longer accepted at the Korean Embassy in Taguig. Instead, the Embassy has designated 35 travel agencies to receive visa applications , similar to how Japan visa applications work in the Philippines.

Travel agencies have their own rules for Korean visa applications, which also change from time to time. Some are even strict about details as small as the font size to use for accomplishing the application form .

Contact the travel agency first to inquire about its guidelines and confirm any information before you apply for a visa.

For example, ask the agency about its schedule for receiving visa applications, so you won’t arrive when the office is closed. Also, check if the agency accepts documents sent via courier, in case you live too far from any agency’s office.

Where to Apply for Korean Visa: A Complete List of Accredited Travel Agencies for Korean Visa Application

Although the actual visa application process may vary per travel agency, here’s what you can expect to do during your Korean visa application at an agency.

• Go to your preferred travel agency’s office. Bring an ID aside from your passport.
• Sign in and leave your ID to the guard.
• Present your documents to the staff. Get your queue number.
• When your number is called, go to the appropriate window (with an OECD visa / without an OECD visa). Wait for the staff to finish checking your documents. You may be asked questions about your trip to Korea or to provide additional documents.
• The staff will give you a slip with the pickup schedule for your passport. Keep this piece of paper.

While the Korean visa itself is free of charge for a stay of 59 days or shorter, you’ll have to pay a service fee to the travel agency that will process your application.

Visa processing fees range from Php 500 to Php 1,500 per applicant. If you’ll stay in Korea for 60 to 90 days, you’ll also be charged a visa application fee of Php 2,000.

The Korean Consulate in Cebu still allows walk-in applications every Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. only. Applicants are encouraged to arrive earlier at 8:30 a.m. or until 10:30 a.m. to allow time for processing.

No need to set an appointment for visa application in Cebu, as applicants are served on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Here are the visa application steps at the Consulate in Cebu:

• Go to the Cebu Consular Office (12/F Chinabank Corporate Center, Lot 2, Samar Loop cor. Road 5, Cebu Business Park, Mabolo, Cebu City). Bring two valid IDs aside from your passport
• Register and leave your ID at the concierge in the lobby. Take the elevator to the 12th floor
• Get a queue number from the guard. You’ll be asked to present an ID
• Wait for your number to be called. When it’s your turn, proceed to the Visa window and submit your documents. The staff will check them to ensure they’re correct and complete
• Get the slip that contains the schedule for your passport pickup

Visa processing in Cebu is free for a 59-day stay or less. If you’ll stay in Korea for 60 to 90 days, you’ll have to pay Php 1,350

If you have questions about visa application in Cebu, you may contact the Consulate via email at [email protected] or phone at (032) 231-1516(-9).

Waiting for the result of your Korean visa application can be as worrisome and nerve-racking as gathering the requirements.

Good thing, you can view the status of your application through the Korea Visa Portal. Here’s how:

• Visit the Check Application Status page of the Korea Visa Portal
• Click on the “English” link in the upper right corner to change the language from Korean to English
• Next to “Type of applications,” select “Diplomatic office”
• Select “Passport No.” from the drop-down menu. Enter your passport number
• Type your name as shown in your passport using this format: SURNAME FIRST NAME (Example: DELA CRUZ JUAN)
• Enter your birthdate in this format: YYYY-MM-DD (Example: 1984-08-19)
• Click the Search button

The search result will show one of these statuses:

• No Search Data Has Been Found – It may mean an error in the spelling or format of the information you provided. Do the steps again, making sure you enter your data correctly this time. If the same status appears, it probably means the travel agency hasn’t forwarded your documents yet to the Embassy.
• Application Received – The Embassy has received your requirements and has yet to decide on your application. Refresh the Korea Visa Portal a few times to see if the status will change.

Approved – Congratulations on your visa approval!

Visa processing times vary depending on where you file your application.

If you submit your requirements to a travel agency, processing may take five to 15 working days. This is the typical lead time for a visa application without an OECD visa.

Update: In late 2019, the Embassy of Korea in the Philippines announced that the processing of South Korean visa now has an average lead time of 24-30 business days . However, in a more recent update, released on January 20, 2020 , the Embassy reveals that they have allotted additional visa staffs to help with the processing of applications, reducing the total waiting time from an average of 25 days to as short as 10 to 15 days.   This reduced processing period will be retained even during the peak season (March – April) to accommodate tourists who are eager to see the cherry blossoms.

Processing an express visa application or a regular one with an OECD visa is faster, usually around three to 10 working days.

Visa applications filed at the Consulate in Cebu are processed for seven working days, with or without OECD visas. The consular office releases Korean visas every Monday to Friday, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. only.

Most agencies require claiming the passport personally from their office, while a few others can mail it to you.  

When you pick up your passport and found out you’re approved, check the visa carefully to ensure all data are correct.

Tips and Warnings

Some Filipinos got approved for a visa to Korea even if they’d never traveled before. However, it doesn’t mean approval for all first-time international travelers.

You’ll have a greater chance of Korean visa approval if you’ve established yourself as a frequent traveler. The easiest way to build a travel history is to visit visa-free countries 10 such as Hong Kong , Thailand, Indonesia, and most Southeast Asian countries.

Showing a lot of stamps on your old passports proves that you’re a tourist who just wants to tour a country for a short time, returns each time, and never overstays.

While it can be tempting to request a two-week or one-month stay in your Korean visa application, you’re better off settling for a shorter stay if this is your first time visiting Korea.

Asking for a longer stay will raise doubts about your true intention for traveling to Korea, especially if your bank documents show that you don’t have enough money to fund your trip.

From the consul’s point of view, there’s a risk of overstaying or getting a job illegally in Korea.

“The documents you have submitted cannot be verified.” This is one of the common reasons the Embassy gives to Filipinos who are denied a visa.

If the Embassy can’t contact the concerned parties for validation of your documents, there’s no way it can ensure the accuracy of the information on your visa application.

So make it easy for the consul to verify your certificate of employment, bank certificate, bank statements, and other documents. Give a heads-up to your HR department, employer (or clients, if you’re a freelancer), and bank. Tell them to expect a call or email from the Korean Embassy for document verification.

Your bank certificate and bank statements will be closely scrutinized. If the consul spots a strange transaction in your bank statements—like a one-time large deposit a few weeks or days before your application—it raises a red flag and may lead to rejection.

So keep a normal transaction history in your bank account. If you’re a regular employee with a payroll account, much better. The more frequent the transactions are, the better because it means your account is active. 

You’re considered a frequent visitor if you’ve visited Korea more than four times in the last two years or more than 10 times in total (with one of the visits made within the last two years) . You also should have never overstayed or violated any law in Korea.

Under the old system, these frequent visitors could easily travel to South Korea and simply receive their visas at the port of entry or on arrival.

However, a notice 11 released in February of 2017 announced that foreigners (Filipinos included) under the Frequent Visitors Policy are now required to apply for a visa at the Embassy, a process that’s easier than regular Korean visa applications.

To apply for a visa for frequent travelers, just go to the Korean Embassy in Taguig or Consulate in Cebu. However, this information was the one available in 2017. As recently as September of 2019, one of our readers informed us that the Korean Embassy in Taguig doesn’t process applications for frequent travelers and was asked to apply via a travel agency instead. 

Here are the documents you need to submit:

• Visa application form
• Passport (original and photocopy)
• One passport-size picture taken against a white background
• Photocopy of previous Korean visas and/or arrival and departure stamps

For frequent travelers to Korea, a multiple-entry visa with a five-year validity and a maximum stay of 30 days is issued. This visa is free of charge.

Did you know that you can qualify for a multiple-entry visa to Korea without having to submit a bank certificate and ITR?

You can enjoy this privilege if you have a BDO credit card or BPI credit card that’s eligible for the promo (Check the Korean Embassy website 12 for the list of eligible cards). Simply present your original credit card and submit a photocopy of the card and the original credit card account statement to the travel agency when applying for a Korean visa.

The promo is valid until December 31, 2019, but it may be extended, just like it did in the previous years.

Sometimes, the Embassy issues new rules and processes regarding visa applications. Keep yourself updated to avoid mistakes and getting rejected for a visa.

Regularly check the Visa Announcement page of the Korean Embassy website for updates. You may also follow the Korean Embassy’s Facebook page .

Note that Japan is not included in this qualification.

Frequently Asked Questions.

• Rocamora, J. (2022). Korea opens walk-in visa application for Filipinos. Retrieved 20 June 2022, from https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1175636
• Jeju Island And Gangwon Province Are Now Visa-Free For Pinoys. (2022). Retrieved 23 May 2022, from http://pageone.ph/jeju-island-and-gangwon-province-are-now-visa-free-for-pinoys/
• Koumelis, T. (2022). Visa-Free Entrance to Jeju & Yangyang, Korea from June 1. Retrieved 23 May 2022, from https://www.traveldailynews.asia/visa-free-entrance-to-jeju-yangyang-korea-from-june-1
• The 3 ways to go to Korea visa free 상세보기 |Visa AnnouncementEmbassy of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of the Philippines. (2019). Retrieved 15 November 2019
• Abadilla, E. (2022). Visa-free flights to Korea via Clark. Retrieved 27 July 2022, from https://mb.com.ph/2022/06/01/visa-free-flights-to-korea-via-clark/
• Diplomatic and Official Passport Section Frequently Asked Questions . (2019). Retrieved 3 October 2019
• Ri, P., & Hana, L. (2018). 11 Southeast & South Asian countries granted multiple-entry visas for Korea : Korea.net : The official website of the Republic of Korea. Retrieved 3 October 2019
• Notice on Change of Visa Processing Period from Sep. 12, 2019 and subject of express visa . (2019). Retrieved 3 October 2019
• What is the average daily balance (ADB)? definition and meaning . Retrieved 3 October 2019
• Rey, A. (2018). LIST: 63 countries where Filipinos can travel visa-free . Retrieved 3 October 2019,
• Notice on Frequent Visitors Policy 상세보기 |Visa RequirementEmbassy of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of Singapore. (2017). Retrieved 15 November 2019
• Announcement on BDO and BPI Credit Card Promo . (2017). Retrieved 3 October 2019

Written by Venus Zoleta

in Juander How , Travel and Leisure

Venus Zoleta

Venus Zoleta is an experienced writer and editor for over 10 years, covering topics on personal finance, travel, government services, and digital marketing. Her background is in journalism and corporate communications. In her early 20s, she started investing and purchased a home. Now, she advocates financial literacy for Filipinos and shares her knowledge online. When she's not working, Venus bonds with her pet cats and binges on Korean dramas and Pinoy rom-coms.

Browse all articles written by Venus Zoleta

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ADVISORY ON RESUMPTION OF PRE-PANDEMIC VISA PROCESSES BEGINNING 01 APRIL 2022

Pursuant to Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) Resolution No. 165 dated 24 March 2022, all COVID-19 restrictions on visa issuance are hereby lifted, and all pre-pandemic visa processes are hereby reinstated beginning 01 April 2022, subject to the existing health protocols and requirements prescribed by the IATF , as follows:

Beginning 1 September 2022, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul will be following a new procedure for accepting visa applications for 9(a), 9(b), 9(f), 9(g), 47(a)(2) and 13(a). The procedure may be found here: www.philembassy-seoul.com/ann_details.asp?id=14014

The visa application process for 9(c) (seafarer/crewlist) and 9(e) (diplomatic/official business) visas remain the same, and the applicants or their representatives may personally submit their applications at the Philippine Embassy from 09:30 A.M. to 12:00 N.N.; P.M., Sundays to Thursdays.

Please make sure to bring all the required documents, as listed in this Advisory. The Philippine Embassy reminds all foreign nationals that additional documents may be required if and when deemed necessary by the visa officer.

A Philippine visa is an endorsement by a consular officer on a travel document (e.g. passport) denoting that the visa application has been examined, and that permission is requested from Philippine immigration authorities at ports of entry to allow the bearer to enter and stay in the Philippines for a specified period of time. A visa is not a guarantee that the holder will be automatically admitted into the country as admission of foreign nationals into the Philippines is a function of the Bureau of Immigraton (BI) . Philippine visa holders are, therefore, subject to regular and discretionary immigration control at ports of entry. The BI may deny entry of any visa holder for any valid reason.

Entry Exemption Documents (EEDs) will no longer be required beginning 01 April 2022 from foreign nationals entering the Philippines, provided they comply with all the visa requirements, immigration entry and departure formalities, and other health protocols required by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines. Nevertheless, all foreign nationals with valid and subsisting EEDs issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Republic of the Philippines prior to 01 April 2022 shall still be allowed entry into the Philippines.

A properly filled-out application form is required from all visa applicants. These forms may be downloaded at www.philembassy-seoul.com/forms.asp. However, 9(a) visa applicants must preliminary submit their applications through the Philippine Visa Online Portal at www.visa.gov.ph

All photos must conform to the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, as follows:

• All applicants are required to wear decent clothing for passport photo capture.
• When having their photos captured, applicants may smile, but without showing their teeth and gums.
• Eyeglasses and colored contact lenses should not be worn.
• As much as possible, both ears of the applicant should be visible.
• Any accessories (e.g., earrings, necklaces) should be removed prior to photo capturing.

All documents required below must be presented before the visa officer. Please print all documents using an A-4 sized paper.

Personal appearance is required from all visa applicants, except for 9(c) seaman and crew list visa applicants who may submit through their legitimate agents through an authorization letter.

Non-Korean nationals must submit the original and valid passport, as well as the original and photocopy of their Alien Registration Card (front and back).

All foreign national minors below 15 years old and planning to enter the Philippines unaccompanied by parents must have a Waiver of Exclusion Ground (WEG). Under Section 29(a) (12) of the Commonwealth Act No. 613 or the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, alien minors who are below fifteen (15) years of age who are unaccompanied by or not coming to a parent, are classified as excludable. In order for them to be admitted into the Philippines, they must secure what is known as a Waiver of Exclusion Ground (WEG) from the BI. They may be allowed admission upon the approval of the WEG application by the Commissioner of the BI.

To obtain a WEG from the Philippines, please visit the BI website at immigration.gov.ph/faqs/waiverforexclusion-ground and at immigration.gov.ph/images/FORMS/Checklist/9Others/2.%20Waiver%20of%20Exclusion%20Ground.pdf

Alternatively, parents based in South Korea may also follow this procedure:

Submit the following documents at the Philippine Embassy:

Three (3) original duly accomplished Affidavit of Support and Guarantee with Consent to Travel for WEG, to be signed in person by the child's parent/legal guardian at the Embassy;

Valid passport of the minor and two (2) copies of the data page;

Valid passport of the minor's travel companion and two (2) copies of the data page;

Valid passport of the parent/legal guardian who executed the affidavit (2 copies of the data page);

Submit the minor's English Family Registration Certificate [영문 가족관계증명서] if the child is registered at the Korean City Hall; and

Payment for the acknowledgement of the Affidavit of Support and Guarantee with Consent to Travel. Please note that this payment is separate from the WEG fee that will be paid at the port of entry (to be explained below).

Upon arrival in the Philippines, the travel companion will file the application for the WEG Order before the BI at the port of entry with the following documents/payment:

Duly-filled up WEG application form signed both by the parent and the travel companion. A copy of the WEG application form may be found here: www.philembassy-seoul.com/forms.asp

Original copy of the Affidavit of Support and Guarantee and Consent to Travel notarized by the Philippine Embassy and the minor's English Family Registration Certificate [영문 가족관계증명서] if the child is registered at the Korean City Hall;

Photocopy of the return ticket of the minor child;

Photocopy of the passport of the travel companion;

Photocopy of the passport of the minor; and

Payment of PHP3,120 (Philippine pesos) for the processing and approval of the WEG. Please note that BI fees may vary.

All foreign national minors 15 to below 18 years old and planning to enter the Philippines unaccompanied by parents, an Affidavit of Parental Consent and Guarantee of Financial Support and parent's proof of employment/ business must be submitted to the Philippine Embassy.

The following are the visa types which may be issued by the Philippine Embassy:

Applicants of the Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV) may directly submit their applications to the Philippine Retirement Authority at www.pra.gov.ph

Nationals of the countries listed below who are traveling to the Philippines for business or tourism purposes are allowed to enter the Philippines without visas for a stay not exceeding thirty (30) days, provided (i) they hold valid tickets for their return journey to port of origin or to their next port of destination, and (ii) their passports are valid for a period of six (6) months beyond their contemplated period of stay in the Philippines.

Nationals of Israel and Brazil are visa-free for a period of fifty-nine (59) days from entry, pursuant to existing bilateral agreements with the Philippines.

Upon arrival in the Philippines, citizens of the below-listed countries who wish to stay longer than thirty days can apply for an extension at the nearest BI office. Alternatively, they can submit an application for a temporary visitor's visa at the Philippine Embassy prior to their departure in South Korea.

All other foreign travelers with passports issued by countries not listed below need to secure an appropriate visa before traveling to the Philippines.

Effective 13 April 2015, nationals of India travelling to the Philippines as a temporary visitor may be granted a visa-free entry for an initial stay not exceeding fourteen (14) days, provided they possess the following:

Either a valid Australian, Canadian, Japanese, Singapore, UK, U.S. visa or permanent residence permit;

A national passport valid at least six months beyond the contemplated stay in the Philippines;

Return or onward ticket to the next country of destination; and

No derogatory record with the BI, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), and the International Police (INTERPOL).

The 14-day visa-free entry may be extended by an additional seven (7) days for a maximum of twenty-one (21) day stay. This type of admission cannot be converted to other types of visa categories.

The following are allowed to enter the Philippines for pleasure and recreation purposes (as tourists or to visit friends or relatives), and/or business (of commercial, industrial or professional character) of a temporary nature without a visa for a stay not exceeding seven (7) days , provided they hold valid tickets for their return journey to port of origin or next port of destination and their passports are valid for a period of at least six (6) months beyond the contemplated period of stay:

Holders of British National Overseas (BNO) passports;

Holders of Macao-Portuguese passports; and

Holders of People's Republic of China passports coming for tourism purposes only and with either a valid Australian, Canadian, Japanese, Schengen, or US visa.

The following are allowed to enter the Philippines for pleasure and recreation purposes (as tourists or to visit friends or relatives), and/or business (of commercial, industrial or professional character) of a temporary nature without a visa for a stay not exceeding fourteen (14) days , provided they hold valid tickets for their return journey to port of origin or next port of destination and their passports are valid for a period of at least six (6) months beyond the contemplated period of stay:

Holders of Hong Kong Special Administrative (SAR) passports; and

Holders of Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) passports.

• Beginning 15 March 2022, all foreign nationals who wish to apply for 9(a) Temporary Visitor’s visa must file their visa applications via the DFA Philippine Visa Application Portal through the following link https://www.visa.gov.ph .
• Printed online portal application form;
• 2x2 passport size photo (similar to the uploaded photo in the online portal);
• Round trip ticket (open-ended and one-way tickets are not accepted);
• Itinerary with details
• Proof of hotel accommodation or lodging; and
• Valid passport for at least six (6) months from the date of visa application and copy of passport data page.
• Filled out Letter of Guarantee form (available at www.philembassy-seoul.com/forms.asp) , including copy of guarantor’s valid passport. If the guarantor does not have a valid passport, a copy of a valid Korean government-issued ID may suffice. If the guarantor is a foreigner, a copy of his/her valid passport and Korean Alien Registration Card (front and back) are required. Please note that the guarantor cannot be an individual traveling with the applicant.
• The following supporting documents must also be submitted to the visa officer during the selected interview schedule. These supporting documents should have been issued within one (1) month from the date of visa application.
• Per Memorandum Circular RSDJR-12-018 dated 12 October 2012, for visa-required nationals without 9(b) visas (transit visas), the passenger/s shall be under airline custody, disallowed from leaving the vicinity of the airport. They shall remain in the airport transit lounge until their actual date and time of departure.
• Original passport and copy of its data page. The passport must be valid for at least six (6) months beyond the intended period of stay in the Philippines;
• Duly accomplished non-immigrant visa application form with visa applicant's signature;
• Passport-size color photograph of the visa applicant, taken within the last three (3) months, pasted in the designated box in the application form; and
• Confirmed onward ticket showing flight details of travel from country of origin to destination country via the Philippines.
• Original passport valid for at least six (6) months from the date of departure from the Philippines;
• Copy of the passport data page and must have the applicant's signature on the original passport before making a copy;
• Original Seaman's Book;
• Copy of the seaman's book bio/information page;
• Filled-out application form with picture taken with picture taken not more than six (6) months from the date of application;
• Copy of the electronic ticket;
• Letter of Guarantee from the employer confirming the applicant's purpose of visit to the Philippines, indicating the name of the vessel to be joined and the place where the application will join the vessel. The letter must also indicate the date or arrival of the vessel to the Philippines, date of arrival of the crew, date of embarkation and date of vessel leaving the Philippines. The letter of guarantee must be issued within two (2) weeks from the date of visa application;
• Letter of invitation from the company in the Philippines confirming the applicant's purpose of visit to the Philippines, the duration of stay of the visit, indicating the name of the vessel to be joined, and the place where the application will join the vessel. The letter must also indicate the date or arrival of the vessel to the Philippines, date of arrival of the crew, date of embarkation and date of vessel leaving the Philippines. The letter of invitation must be issued within two (2) weeks from the date of visa application; and
• If applying through a representative, the representative must bring his/her copy of passport, Korean government-issued identification card and business card, English Employment Certificate or English Business Certificate. The Representative can only be an employee of the same company or a travel agent.
• Copy of the Vessel Register showing the vessel's name, official number (IMO) and specification particulars;
• Copy of the passport of all crew members. The passport must be valid for at least six (6) months from the date of departure from the Philippines;
• Copy of the Seaman's Record Book of all crew members. The copy of the Seaman's Record Book/maritime credentials record must show the page with the latest disembarkation and embarkation log entry. The copy of each crew members' Record Book must be printed in separate pages, and the latest disembarkation of the previous vessel and embarkation of the latest vessel are properly ordered;
• Signed letter from the vessel owner naming the Vessel Master/Captain (full personal data from Passport and Seaman Book), identifying the authorized ship agent (with contact details), and requesting entry crew list visa for the vessel's foreign crew members. This letter should also state the total number of foreign crew members, and indicate the name of the port of entry and the date of disembarkation. If the disembarking crew members are less than five (5) people, please indicate their full personal data from the Passport and Seaman Book; and
• Crew list visa application form and list of foreign crew members. The application form (excel file, not PDF) and all the documents required must be emailed at [email protected] and all information must be filed-out (N/A or TBA is not allowed).
• the particulars of the visa applicant;
• his/her official designation in the mission/consular office in the Philippines;
• his/her expected departure date from the country of origin;
• expected duration of assignment in the Philippines; and
• the complete name and designation of the official he/she is coming to replace (or if he/she is an additional official being deployed in the Sending State's mission/consular office in the Philippines).
• In the case of qualified dependents: that the visa applicant is traveling to the Philippines to join and live with the principal for the duration of the principal's assignment.
• Duly filled-out application form;
• One (1) colored photo, 4" x 4", taken within six (6) months before the date of application with white background, pasted in the designated box in the application form;
• Clear copy of the visa applicant's diplomatic/service/official passport;
• Declaration or Itinerary; and
• Supporting documents to establish family ties, marital union, employee-employer relations, etc. as may be deemed necessary, in order to properly ascertain appropriate visa type per existing rules and regulations.
• Student visa applicants must be a foreign national who is at least eighteen (18) years of age who seek to enter the Philippines temporarily and solely for the purpose of taking up a course of study higher than high school at a university, seminary, academy, college or school, permitted by the BI to accept foreign students.
• Duly accomplished non-immigrant visa application form with visa applicant's signature; and
• Passport-size color photograph of the visa applicant, taken within the last three (3) months, pasted in the designated box in the application form;
• Original and photocopy of the accepting Philippine school's Notice of Admission (NOA);
• Original and photocopy of the Certificate of Admission and Eligibility (CAE) issued by the CHED, if enrolled in courses/programs where restrictions exist due to shortage of facilities (i.e. medicine, dentistry);
• Original and copy of apostilled police clearance issued by the Korean police authorities and translated in English; and
• Original medical health certificate accomplished by a General Practitioner. The medical certificate must also include the x-ray results with CD, laboratory reports, etc. The medical exam must be taken within one (1) month from the date of visa application.
• the admitting school/university/college/Higher Education Institution (HEI), for purposes of enrolment and competency level assessment; and
• the BI Student Visa Section, for registration and processing of his/her Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) i-Card application.
• The Philippine Embassy does not endorse applications for admission to any school in the Philippines. Please refer to the admitting school authorities for specific details of their foreign student admission programs.
• Upon arrival in the Philippines and acceptance by the learning institution, the foreign national should apply for a Special Study Permit at the BI's Student Desk. Details about the required documents by the BI for the issuance of the Special Study Permit can be found at their website at: immigration.gov.ph/services/special-permits/special-study-permit
• Foreign nationals proceeding to the Philippines to engage in any lawful occupation be it for wages or salary, or other forms of compensation where bona fide employer-employee relations exist fall under this category of entry visa. Applicants may range from various professions, inclusive of medical practitioners, nurses, professors, technical experts, scientists and other skilled professionals for banking, commercial, industrial, agricultural, business, and similar enterprises.
• Prior approval from the DFA is required prior to issuance of a visa under this category.
• The employing corporation in the Philippines shall file the application for a pre-arranged employment visa under category 9(g) of the Philippine Immigration Act, and submit the necessary documents to the BI;
• After assessment and evaluation of the submitted documents, approved applications are communicated by the BI to the DFA; and
• The DFA gives authority to the corresponding Philippine Embassy for the issuance of a 9(g) visa abroad.
• Copy of the passport data page with signature of the applicant;
• Filled-out Application Form with picture taken not more than six (6) months from the date of application;
• Round trip e-ticket (open-ended tickets are not acceptable);
• Letter of guarantee from the employer confirming the applicant's employment, purpose of visit to the Philippines (i.e., short business related trip and shall not be employed nor service income in the Philippines), and financial support while in the Philippines. The letter must have the official company seal and/or employer's signature. Guarantee letters from family members, friends or company co-workers are not allowed. The guarantee letter should have been issued within two (2) weeks from the date of visa application;
• Letter of invitation from the company in the Philippines confirming the purpose of visit of the visa applicant and the duration of stay of the visit (must match the dates in the flight ticket), with a guarantee that until the applicant obtains the 9(g) working visa from the BI, the company guarantees that he/she will not be employed by nor derive income from the Philippine-based company and will financially support the applicant. The letter must have the official company seal and/or employer's signature, and should have been issued within two (2) weeks from the date of the visa application;
• Colored copy of the employment contract;
• Colored copy of the receipt for the 9(g) visa fee from the BI;
• Colored copy of the Philippine Alien Employment Permit ID;
• Original medical health certificate accomplished by a General Practitioner. The medical certificate must also include the x-ray results with CD, laboratory reports, etc. The medical exam must be taken within one month from the date of visa application.
• Items 37(a) to (d) above;
• Letter of guarantee from the company where the family member of the dependent applicant is currently employed. The guarantee letter must mention the confirmation of the family member's employment; relationship of the dependent applicant to the family member employed; and purpose of the visit to the Philippines (e.g., to reunite and support his father/mother/husband/wife); and financial support while in the Philippines;
• Letter of invitation from the company in the Philippines where the family member of the dependent applicant is employed, confirming the family member's employment; relationship of the dependent applicant to the family member; purpose of the visit to the Philippines (e.g., to reunite and support his father/mother/husband/wife); duration of stay of the visit (similar to the dates in the round-trip e-ticket) and guarantee that the dependent applicant shall not be employed by nor derive income from the Philippine-based company;
• Colored copy of the employment contract of the family member currently employed;
• Colored copy of the receipt for the 9(g) Visa Fee from the BI;
• Colored copy of the Philippine Alien Employment Permit ID of the family member currently employed; and
• Original and copy of English Family Registration Certificate issued in the applicant's name;
• A special non-immigrant visa is issued to qualified foreigners coming to the Philippines as professors, scholars, trainees, fellows, students, technical personnel, volunteers, and other participants of certain entities and programs under the auspices of particular institutions, agencies, foundations, and corporations recognized by the Philippines.
• For more information, please visit the DOJ website at www.doj.gov.ph/visa_application.html and the PEZA website at www.peza.gov.ph/documents/visachecklist.pdf
• Original passport and photocopy of the data page. The passport must bear the applicant's signature before making a copy. It must also be valid for at least six (6) months beyond the intended period of stay in the Philippines;
• Roundtrip e-ticket (open-ended tickets are not allowed);
• Letter of Endorsement from the relevant Philippine government agency;
• Original Letter of Guarantee from the employer confirming the applicant's employment, purpose of visit to the Philippines (i.e., short business-related trip and shall not be employed nor derive income in the Philippines until the appropriate visa is obtained from the DOJ), and financial support while in the Philippines. The letter of guarantee must have the official company seal/employer's signature and a guarantee from family members, friends or co-workers are not acceptable. The letter of guarantee must have been issued within 2 weeks from the date of the visa application.
• Original or colored copy letter of invitation from the company in the Philippines confirming the purpose of the visit of the visa applicant and the duration of stay of the visit, with a guarantee that until the applicant obtains the 47a(2) visa, the company guarantees that he/she will not be employed by nor derive income from the Philippine-based company. The duration of stay of the visit should match the dates in the flight ticket. The letter of invitation must be issued within 2 weeks from the date of the visa application.
• Items 41(a) to (c) above;
• Letter of invitation from the company in the Philippines where the family member of the dependent applicant is employed, confirming the family member's employment; relationship of the dependent applicant to the family member; purpose of the visit to the Philippines (e.g., to reunite and support his father/mother/husband/wife); duration of stay of the visit (similar to the dates in the round-trip e-ticket) and guarantee that the dependent applicant shall not be employed by nor derive income from the Philippine-based company.;
• Employment contract of the family member who is currently employed;
• The Philippine Embassy may issue a permanent residence visa (specifically the 13(a) Non-Quota Immigrant Visa) to the qualified non-Filipino spouse of a Filipino citizen. The applicant must be married to a Filipino citizen or unmarried children under twenty-one (21) years of age of a Filipino citizen, if accompanying or following to join such citizen.
• Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Botswana, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt (visa applicant must be a male and married to a female Philippine citizen), El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, Fiji, France, Gabon, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea South, Latvia, Lesotho, Libya (visa applicant must be a male and married to a female Philippine citizen), Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau SAR, Malaysia, Malta (provided that the marriage took place before 24 April 2001 or the couple has been married for at least 5 years), Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Montenegro, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Northern Mariana Island, Norway, Oman (visa applicant must be a male and married to a female Philippine citizen), Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Russia, Saudi Arabia (visa applicant must be a male and married to a female Philippine citizen), Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela.
• Two (2) original filled-out application forms;
• Joint letter request addressed to the Commissioner of the BI from the applicant and the petitioning Filipino spouse/parent;
• Applicant's passport, with validity of at least one (1) year at the time of filing;
• Two (2) copies of the data page and latest immigration admission stamp in the Philippines;
• Passport of the petitioning Filipino spouse/parent, with validity of at least one (1) year at the time of filing, and two (2) copies of the data page. The Filipino spouse/parent should maintain his/her Filipino nationality;
• Four (4) passport-size (2x2) ID photos;
• For spouse, original and 2 copies of the PSA-issued Marriage Certificate. If married abroad, a Report of Marriage duly issued by the PSA. For unmarried children, original and 2 copies of the Birth Certificate which should contain the applicant's name and his/her parents;
• Original and copy of apostilled police clearance issued by the Korean police authorities and translated in English;
• Original medical health certificate accomplished by a General Practitioner. The medical certificate must also include the x-ray results with CD, laboratory reports, etc. The medical exam must be taken within one month from the date of visa application;
• Original and 2 copies of proof of sufficient financial capacity to live in the Philippines, such as, but not limited to bank statement, at least three (3) months, employment certificate from the employer indicating position and salary, or certificates of stocks, or proof of business registration for self-employed;
• Original or printed clear scanned copy of other supporting documents proving that your Filipino spouse or parent is currently in the Philippines (e.g., Philippine immigration arrival stamps, certification issued by the local municipality/barangay where the Filipino national resides, or duly notarized employment certificate); and
• If traveling with the Filipino spouse/parent, original and copy of the round-trip or one-way e-ticket for the Filipino spouse/parent traveling on the same flight.

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South Korean Embassy to resume tourist visa issuance on June 1, 2022

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MANILA, Philippines — The South Korean Embassy in Manila announced that it will resume the issuance of tourist visas by June 1, 2022.

In a notice issued on Thursday, the embassy said “application and issuance of all types of visa, including tourist(C-3-9) will resume.”

The issuance of short-term stay visas for sightseeing and tourism purposes was suspended in 2020 amid COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

“We hope that this resumption of visa processing service will promote people-to-people exchanges between Korea and the Philippines via tourism,” the embassy said.

According to the embassy, detailed information regarding the visa application procedure will be announced soon.

Meanwhile, multiple entry visas issued before April 5, 2020 which have yet to expire “may be used without re-application,” the embassy added.

Further, the embassy said a “Submission of Consent for Isolation will no longer be required.”

The embassy, in a Facebook post, said travelers to South Korea must still follow protocols for COVID-19 testing.

“Passengers must present either a negative PCR certificate(issued within 48 hours) or a negative RAT certificate (issued within 24 hours) prior to the departure date,” the embassy said.

Meanwhile, “unvaccinated passengers will not be exempted from quarantine while vaccinated passengers will be exempted from quarantine.”

Information regarding the quarantine protocols can be found on the embassy’s website .

  In March, the Korea Tourism Organization announced that visitors to South Korea who have already been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be exempted from mandatory quarantine.

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Tourists are required to enter their vaccine status to a Q-CODE website prior to their arrival in South Korea and scan the provided QR code upon immigration.

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Filipinos can now visit Seoul visa-free – but there’s a catch

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This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

VISA-FREE. Filipinos can now see Seoul, South Korea visa-free under certain conditions.

File photo by Amanda Lago/Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – Revenge travelers, it’s time to start packing! 

Fully-vaccinated Filipinos will be able to visit Seoul, South Korea without a visa starting June 1, under certain conditions.

According to a May 31 announcement by the South Korean Embassy in Manila, nationals of four Asian countries including the Philippines may enter South Korea visa-free, as long as they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, book a tour program arranged by one of eight designated travel agencies, and are scheduled to fly in and out via Yangyang International Airport on the same flight as their tour group.

The visa-free entry allows Filipino tourists to travel only in Gangwon Province, where Yangyang Airport is located, and the Seoul Metropolitan Area. Tourists will be allowed to stay for 15 days.

Gangwon Province is located in the northeast of South Korea, and is home to several national parks.

At the same time, South Korea is also resuming visa-free entry to Jeju Island.

From June 1, Filipinos will be able to enter the tourist favorite without a visa, and stay for up to 30 days, provided they fly into the island directly. 

The South Korean Embassy in Manila will also begin processing visas, including tourist visas, on June 1.

“The Korean Embassy hopes that the visa-free entry will promote people-to-people exchanges between Korea and the Philippines via tourism,” it said on Facebook. – Rappler.com

Time to tick South Korea off your travel bucket list! Book your dream vacation now using this Klook promo code .

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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
• Love Locks in South Korea: Where to Find LoveLocks in Seoul?
• 3 Day Seoul DIY Itinerary: Best Things to Do in Seoul, South Korea
• Top 10 Phone Apps For Your South Korea Trip [Free Apps to Download for South Korea Visit]
• 10 Awesome Street Food to Eat in Myeongdong, South Korea

Table of Contents

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.

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Travel More for Less!

[2022] KOREAN VISA GUIDE for Filipinos (Step-by-Step)

Mello fabrique.

• January 2, 2022
• South Korea , Visas & Immigration

The Philippines has been one of South Korea’s largest tourism sources for many years now and it’s not surprising why. Filipinos love everything about South Korea, from history to culture, food to products, and K-pop to K-dramas. They just know the special recipe that caters to the taste of Filipinos. I’m even willing to bet that your dream of visiting Korea starts from one of these, but even if it’s not, I can guarantee that there is a whole another world to explore in South Korea.

Korean entertainment industry is one of the biggest in the world, though I am not an avid fan of it, but in the snippets I’ve seen, I could totally understand why fans are so crazy about them. Walking through the streets of Seoul could transport you directly into Korean drama scenes, it was that Magical! Well, let me tell you that you are just a 4 hour plane ride and an approved Korean Visa away from experiencing all these and to be honest, getting a Korean Visa is not as complicated as you might think since the Korean Embassy is quite lenient in giving out tourist visas to Filipinos, nowadays. Let these 6 simple steps be the start of your adventures in the Land of the Morning Calm!

TABLE OF CONTENT

Step 1: determine the type of visa you need to apply for., step 2: prepare and complete the korean visa requirements., step 3: find an accredited travel agency by the korean embassy., step 4: submit the documents and pay for the fees., step 5: wait for the visa application results., step 6: claim your passport and korean visa., ii. south korean tourist visa frequently asked questions (faqs), save this now, read it later.

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I. HOW TO APPLY FOR A SOUTH KOREAN TOURIST VISA (STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE)

Depending on your purpose, there are different types of Korean Visas you can apply for, (such as business visa, student visa, etc.) . You may skip applying for a Korean Visa, ONLY if you are qualified to: South Korea Visa-free Program for Filipinos .

This guide is for those applying for a KOREAN TOURIST VISA (with and without sponsor/invitation) only if the purpose of visit is Short-term or for Leisure/Tourism .

If you have a different situation or intention/s, it’s best to directly contact the Embassy of Korea in the Philippines for more information.

Make sure all documents are clear and readable. Read this: KOREAN VISA REQUIREMENTS LIST for Filipinos .

TIP! You can also submit other relevant documents that prove the reason for your travel (such as medical certificate, invitation letter, etc.) .

As of July, 2018 , due to the rapid increase of Visa applicants, The Embassy of Korea in the Philippines no longer accepts direct applications from individuals applying for Tourist Visa except for special cases (such as a spouse or child of a Korean national/citizen, a government employee on a business trip, and the Korean Consulate in Cebu ). Otherwise, the only way to apply is through travel agencies accredited by the Embassy. Read this: KOREAN VISA Full List of Accredited Travel Agencies by the Embassy (with contact details) .

The Korean Embassy does not charge a Visa fee for stays shorter than 59 days , however accredited travel agencies do and they usually range from (P500-P2,000) as processing fee. For Visa applications of stays ranging from 60 to 90 days, the Embassy charges P1,800 as Visa fee (this is on top of the travel agency processing fee).

TIP! Be as early as you can on the day of submission as lines can get quite long at times in some travel agencies.

Processing time takes 10-15 business days , but take note that this is very unpredictable due to the influx of South Korea Visa applicants. Which is why I recommend applying at least a month or two before your intended travel to allow ample time.

The travel agency will notify you via SMS/Text messages once your passport is available for collection but, they wouldn’t usually tell if your visa is approved or not. Some agencies offer different arrangements to claim your passport (such as mail delivery, etc.) .

In my experience back in 2017, I applied directly at the Korean Embassy in Manila and I got my Visa after 5 business days.

TIP! If approved, it’s always best practice to check and make sure all information on your Visa is correct to avoid complications in your travels. GOOD LUCK!

I hope you find this helpful in getting your Visa. If you have other tips, suggestions or you have gone through a different Visa procedure, please share your experience in the comment section to help out others. Let’s make this place be the source of useful information and a start of meaningful conversations that gives value to others! 🙂

1. Is Travel Insurance required to apply for a Korean Tourist Visa?

NO. It’s not part of Korean Visa Requirements . However once your Visa is approved, I strongly recommend getting one because while South Korea is a very safe destination, remember that you can’t really eliminate the risk when traveling, but you can always add protection! That said, here’s my recommendations;

• For the best “budget-friendly travel insurance”: SafetyWings
• For the best “travel insurance coverage”: World’s Nomads

2. How much is the Korean Visa fee?

It’s FREE , but accredited travel agencies charge from (P500-P2,000) as processing fee (for stays less than 59 days) . An additional (P1,800) change by the Embassy only for those who applied for Visa (stays ranging from 60 to 90 days) .

3. Is Korean Visa Fee refundable?

Unfortunately, it’s Non-Refundable regardless of the outcome ( Approved / Denied / Withdrew ).

4. Do I need a travel agency to apply for a Korean Visa?

The Embassy of Korea in the Philippines no longer accepts direct applications from individuals applying for Tourist Visa except for special cases (such as a spouse or child of a Korean national/citizen, a government employee on a business trip, and the Korean Consulate in Cebu ). Otherwise, the only way to apply is through travel agencies accredited by the Embassy. Read this: KOREAN VISA Full List of Accredited Travel Agencies by the Embassy (with contact details) .

5. How long is the processing time for a Korean Visa?

10-15 business days , But take note that this is very unpredictable due to the influx of South Korea Visa applicants.

6. How early can I apply for a Korean Visa?

3 months before your intended travel , (but keep in mind that it might be very close to the expiry date).

7. When is the best time to apply for a Korean Visa?

At least a month or two before your intended travel to Korea is the ideal time to apply for a visa. Why? Because sometimes, Korean Visa processing time takes longer than usual due to the volume of the visa application the Embassy receives. Also, it’s always a best practice to allow ample time to avoid complications in your travels.

8. How long is the validity of a Korean Visa?

3 months from the date of approval and for stay up to 59 days (based from my experience with my Korean Single-Entry Visa).

9. Is ‘show money’ required to apply for a Korean Visa?

YES! The Korean Embassy requires financial documents for a reason and that is to establish your financial capability to cover all your expenses while in Korea, as well as your intention to return. If your trip is sponsored by someone, you need to submit their financial documents instead.

10. How much is the ‘show money’ to apply for a Korean Visa?

The Korean Embassy did not specify how much money you should have in the bank. It may be because it varies from person to person and the amount can also be totally different for everybody. But trust me, your financial documents don’t need to have millions, it just has to be realistic! So, if you intend to travel for a duration of 15 days with ONLY P20,000 in the bank, well that will raise a lot of red flags. In this case, you may want to consider applying with a Sponsor/Guarantor.

Most people I know who applied for a 5 to 7-day stay with P100,000+ in their bank accounts were pretty successful in getting a Korean Visa. I guess that’s a reasonable amount for that duration and their situation. But, a friend of mine got approved with only P35,000 in the bank for a 4-day stay. It was very risky, but it worked. I don’t recommend it though.

Again, the amount in your bank account should suffice to all your projected expenses in your trip to Korea, plus some extra funds for miscellaneous expenses. Also, you don’t necessarily have to spend all of them on that trip (which is why others refer to this as ‘Show Money’).

11 Do I need to book flights and hotel/s before applying for a Korean Visa?

No. You are not required to submit nor book flight tickets and hotel/s before applying for a Visa. Applicants are encouraged to secure a visa first before booking their flights and hotel/s.

For the question on the application form regarding your address while in Korea, you can reserve it online ( for FREE ) through through Agoda.com with a REFUNDABLE option if you cancel it a day before your intended stay. That way, you can also fill up the exact address and contact information needed on the application form.

12. What is the approval rate of Korean Visa?

90% is the approval rate for a Korean Visa, according to the travel agency I consulted .

NOTE: This may NOT be the exact approval rate by The Korean Embassy! This is just meant to give you an idea. Besides, not even the actual percentage nor anyone can guarantee you a visa, but only the Visa Officers and how convinced they are with your application.

13. What if my Korean Visa gets denied, can I apply again?

Yes! You can apply again after 6 months (from the date of your initial Korean Visa application results).

14. What’s the address of The South Korean Embassy in the Philippines?

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

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

Mello is a Filipino-Arabian who was born and raised in the tropical islands of the Philippines. An ordinary traveler with extraordinary stories to tell!

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LATEST UPDATE: The Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC) in BGC will now be handling all Korean visa-related applications and the release of passports instead of the South Korean embassy (the embassy will no longer process visa applications except for special cases). The good news? There’s NO need to book an appointment and you can just walk in to KVAC directly to lodge your application.

I’m sure that a majority of us Filipinos have encountered Korean influences at some point in our lives, may it be through K-Pop , K-dramas ( Koreanovelas ), cosmetic products, or food (among many others).

Due to these things as well as other factors, South Korea has remained a dream destination for many — but for those who want to make it a reality, there is the question of how our weak Philippine  third world passports can fare when it comes to entry or visa matters. Don’t fret though because applying for a South Korean visa is easy and also FREE!

RELATED READ : – South Korea Itinerary Travel Guide – How to Explore Nami Island, Petite France, and More! – How to Rent a ‘Hanbok’

Looking for Seoul Itinerary Ideas?

Come and check out my ‘ DIY Seoul Itinerary Guide ’ post which features detailed day-by-day activities that you could do, no matter the length of your stay!

The application process is SO simple and starting this 2018, the Korean Embassy is coursing applications through travel agencies (much like how the Japan Embassy does). As such, with the help of this guide, let us make your South Korea travel dreams come true!

…But first, a disclaimer :

NO ONE  can give you a guarantee of your South Korean visa’s approval: not even a lawyer, a consultant, a travel agent, or an embassy employee. Anyone who says otherwise is most likely going to be a scammer. That being said, what I can offer you here is a comprehensive guide with helpful tips to increase your chances of getting that South Korean tourist visa.

Top photo by: Shutterstock

Table of Contents

ApplicationProcess for South Korean Visa

Step 1: determine the type of south korean visa that you need to apply for.

There are, of course, various types of South Korean visas out there that you can apply for: a visa for studying, a visa for business, a visa for joining family, etc.

For this particular guide though, I will only be discussing the requirements for a tourist visa  since it’s an experience that I’ve gone through myself.

If, however, you have a different situation or purpose of visit, it’s best that you contact the South Korea Embassy for more information and for the complete requirements. You can do this via telephone ([02] 856-9210, local no. 270 or 500) or via email:  [email protected]

– – –

Step 2: Prepare the required documents for your application

Depending on your circumstance, click the symbol ‘ + ‘ below to view the corresponding requirements for each section. Make sure that you have authentic, original, and complete documents at all times!

(Section A)  South Korea Tourist Visa WITHOUT  Any Guarantor/Sponsor

• Philippine Passport.  Make sure that your passport is valid for more than 6 months prior to your intended travel date, it has your signature, filled out the emergency contact page, and has at least two (2) blank pages. .
• Photocopy of current Philippine Passport bio page.   This is found on page 2 (the part where your passport photo and other info are shown). .
• If applicable, previous Philippine Passport(s) .  You only need to submit this if you have traveled abroad within the last 5 years. .
• Doing this will help expedite the processing time of your visa.
• When I say ‘original’, this means that you will have to submit the passport(s) that contains the OECD visas and arrival stamps (no matter if they are your old or current passport[s]).
• Only used visas are counted.
• It is said that you are NO longer required to submit an ITR if you have traveled at least once to OECD member countries in the past 5 years — or have traveled to South Korea for more than two times within the last 4 years. .
• Both the IBP (Integrated Bar of the Philippines) and PRC (Professional Regulation Commission) cards are identification cards issued by professional regulatory bodies. The former is for lawyers and the latter is for certified professionals such as nurses or engineers who’ve passed their respective licensure exams. .
• Download the application form here: PDF .
• Print the application form on an A4-sized paper.
• Do NOT write outside the boxes and do NOT handwrite your application form (except for your signature) .
• If anything is not applicable to you, just put N/A.
• There is a part in Section 2 that asks for “Confirmation of Visa Issuance”. Just leave it blank or put N/A because this is basically info that’s only issued in Korea (most likely for Koreans only).
• See here for a SAMPLE filled-out application form: [ click ] and click the tab that says “Visa Application Form Sample”.
• There are sections here that ask for your address/hotel in South Korea as well as your intended date of entry and period of stay. Now regarding this.. .

You are NOT required to present “booked” airline and hotels beforehand because the embassy does NOT require applicants to book it before approval. It might sometimes help to present a flight reservation though, and you can do this easily with One Way Fly with a fee that is as low as Php 900~ only. . Once your South Korean visa is approved, check Skyscanner  to look for the best flight deals. As for hotel bookings, it’s best to do it with Booking.com or Agoda.com . With them, you can reserve a hotel with NO pre-payment and you can even cancel the booking a day before your arrival with NO cancellation charges at all.

• 1 Passport-sized photo.   This should be around 35mm x 45mm, colored, and against a white background. Paste this on your South Korea visa application form. .
• However, if you are a freelancer or if you have missing documents that you can’t submit such as an ITR, a Certificate of Employment, etc. — it is, therefore, a MUST that you submit a cover letter to the embassy to explain your situation.
• As for the itinerary, there have been some cases wherein some applicants were asked to submit a rough draft of their South Korea itinerary; so it’s best to prepare this just in case. .
• Original personal bank certificate: this must indicate your account type, current balance, account opening date, and 6 months average balance (ADB).
• Original or certified true copy of your Bank Statement or passbook for the last 3 months.
• Original Certificate of Employment: this must be printed on your company’s official letterhead and must contain details of your officer or employer’s address, HR landline number (cellphone number is not allowed) , HR email address, your position, your hiring date, and your salary.
• Photocopy of your ITR (or Form 2316)
• If you do NOT have an ITR or any of the other requirements above, write a simple letter explaining why you’re unable to submit them ( examples: you’re newly employed so you don’t have an ITR, etc. ). .
• Original personal bank certificate: this must indicate your account type, current balance, account opening date, and 6 months’ average balance (ADB).
• If you own a business , submit photocopies of your Business Registration issued by DTI / SEC, the company ITR, and your Business Permit or Mayor’s Permit.
• If you’re a freelancer , provide the latest photocopy of your ITR (or Form 1701A) with a corresponding payment receipt from a BIR-authorized bank and proof of work ( examples: screenshots of your work, a letter from clients, proof of payments for your work, etc. ).
• It is said that the only time you are exempt from submitting an ITR is if you have traveled to OECD countries in the past 5 years.
• Start filing your local taxes as early as NOW — after all, a lot of embassies (not only Korea) require an ITR. So if you’re looking for a hassle-free experience on Philippines tax compliance, I suggest registering with Taxumo because they can take care of literally everything for you: tax forms, payments, and submissions. I’ve been using them for years now and it has been such a time-saver. Come sign up with my code AILEEN and you can get a 10% discount on all their subscription plans!
• Photocopy of your senior citizen ID. .
• Given the way the Embassy of South Korea presents its requirements for visa applicants, it’s best that you acquire a guarantor/sponsor who can provide an ITR. Refer to section (B) below for this. .
• Refer to ‘Section (B)’ below. .
• ELECTED POLITICIANS: Members of the Senate, Members of the Congress, Governors, Provincial Board Members, and Mayors (City or Municipality) — along with their immediate family members only: their parents, spouse, minor children (applicable for adult children who can prove to be students through documents), and spouse’s parents
• GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS: Persons with a rank higher or equal to Assistant Secretary of the Executive Branch of the Philippine Government, and Brigadier General of the Armed Forces of the Philippines/Philippine National Police (excluding those in acting duties) — along with their immediate family members only: their parents, spouse, minor children (applicable for adult children who can prove to be students through documents), and spouse’s parents
• PROFESSIONAL LICENSE HOLDERS: Those holding a valid PRC license ID (IBP ID for lawyer) with a profession of physician, dentist, lawyer (including judge, prosecutor) , certified public accountant, pharmacist, and veterinarian— along with their immediate family members only: their parents, spouse, minor children (applicable for adult children who can prove to be students through documents), and spouse’s parents. .
• Mastercard Gold Credit Card
• Visa Gold Credit Card
• JCB Gold Credit Card
• UnionPay Gold Credit Card
• Diners Club International
• American Express Cashback Credit Card
• American Express Explorer Credit Card
• Mastercard Titanium, Platinum and World Elite Credit Card
• Visa Platinum Credit Card
• JCB Platinum Credit Card
• UnionPay Diamond Credit Card
• Diners Club Premiere Credit Card
• American Express Platinum Credit Card
• American Express International Dollar Charge Cards (platinum, gold, and green) .
• (OPTIONAL) Letter of Attorney.  This is only if you’re planning to course your application through a travel agency, you will need to sign this Letter of Attorney .

* * * * * *

(Section B)  South Korea Tourist Visa WITH  Any Guarantor/Sponsor

This kind of application is applicable for  students, minors, unemployed persons, husband/wife (if one of you will be supporting the other),   self-employed persons/freelancers  (who can’t provide an ITR and have no strong reason why they can’t submit it) or just about any person who will take on a sponsor. This also applies to anyone who would have a company/agency to sponsor the trip.

For submitting the necessary requirements, simply submit the requirements listed in section (A), numbers #1 to #8.   And when it comes to  (#9)   Proof of income or financial stability , you should ask these documents from your guarantor/sponsor as dependent on their profession or occupation — this could be your mom, dad, brother, sister, friend, boyfriend, girlfriend, relative, etc.

Take note though that there are no guarantees of approval if your guarantor is NOT a family member of yours. In fact, it is said that it’s a lot better to have family sponsoring you.

Moving on, you should also submit the following…

• Sponsor/Guarantee letter.  This is a simple letter written by your sponsor indicating and confirming how he/she will cover the costs of your South Korea trip. .
• If your sponsor is a company in Korea, provide a photocopy of their Korean Company Business Permit .

TIP: If your sponsor is your brother/sister, you must also submit their birth certificate to the embassy.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

• …resident, you must submit an invitation letter and a photocopy of his/her passport or authentication ID
• …national, you must submit an invitation letter and photocopy of his/her passport or ID card.
• …company, you must submit an invitation letter and a photocopy of the Korean company’s business permit. .
• If you are married, submit a photocopy of your NSO Marriage Certificate. .
• Original school certificate.
• Photocopy of your school ID.
• Photocopy of your NSO-issued birth certificate.
• If your parents are your sponsor, provide a photocopy of an NSO-issued marriage certificate.
• If your sponsor is other than your parents, explain your relationship with that person through a cover letter.

(Section C)  South Korea Multiple Entry Tourist Visa

The South Korean Embassy only issues multiple-entry visas under certain conditions. Currently, there are 2 ways to avail this….

FIRST ,  by being a frequent South Korea traveler. Basically, it is said that if you have visited South Korea more than 4 times in the past 2 years OR if you have visited South Korea more than 10 times in total (with at least 1 of the visits done within the past 2 years), then you are suitable for a multiple-entry application.

SECOND ,  it is said that if you show or submit proof that you have OECD visas in the past 5 years, the embassy can automatically just issue you a multiple-entry tourist visa. (Yet to be fully confirmed but there have been cases in which this happens).

NOTE :  If in case you are a Philippine national living or residing in a foreign country and you wish to avail a South Korea tourist visa, kindly inquire with the appropriate South Korean Embassy in the country that you’re living in.

Step 3: Go to KVAC and submit your documents

Starting September 2023, the South Korean Embassy has officially inaugurated the Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC). Going forward, ALL visa applicants must now process their applications through this center either:

• By themselves; or,
• See here for a complete list of these 35 accredited agencies)

It helps to note that visa applications for diplomatic passport holders, official passport holders, and for those who require a visa urgently within 1 to 2 days due to clear humanitarian reasons will be the only ones who are exceptionally accepted at the embassy. Additionally, KVAC is only providing visa processing assistance; hence, the approval or denial of your visa is solely at the discretion of the Embassy of Korea after reviewing your documents.

In my opinion, filing for a visa application by yourself presents absolutely NO issues. In fact, choosing to go through a travel agency primarily ONLY helps if you can’t personally visit KVAC to submit your application. Remember , much like KVAC, travel agencies only facilitate document submission for an additional fee and they have NO influence over the visa application’s decision.

• VISA PROCESSING FEES: A South Korean Visa is FREE of charge as long as you are only going to stay 59 days or less; however, KVAC as well as travel agencies charge for the service that they offer for processing your application. . KVAC currently only charges Php 900 as a service fee (they ONLY accept cash). As for other travel agencies, they typically charge about Php 500 to Php 2,000 as an additional fee on top of the KVAC service fee. (Meanwhile, for stays spanning from 60 to 90 days, the embassy will charge you a fee of about Php 2,000.) .

Take note that the consulate in Cebu still accepts direct applications — you can also course your application through their own accredited travel agencies, the list of which you can find here .

For the complete address details of KVAC and the Cebu Consulate, see below:

KVAC (Korea Visa Application Center) 9F~10F, Brittany Hotel BGC, 6 Mckinley Pkwy, BGC, Taguig, Metro Manila Website: https://www.visaforkorea-mn.com Email: [email protected] Telephone: 02-8248-5440 Operation hours: 09:00AM to 17:30PM (except for Philippine & Korea holidays) . KOREAN CONSULATE IN CEBU 12th Floor Chinabank Corporate Center, Lot 2, Samar Loop Cor. Road 5, Cebu Business Park, Cebu Email Address: [email protected] Contact No.: (63-32) 231-1516(-9)

• CUT OFF TIME FOR VISA APPLICATIONS AT KVAC: 4:00PM
• Please take note that in case you are a group of applicants for a family trip or business trip, one of the applicants may submit ALL of your applications. But if you wish to submit visa applications through a representative (someone who isn’t coming with you on the trip) , you must submit your applications to one of the designated travel agencies mentioned above.

Once you arrive at KVAC, the process usually goes like this:

• Upon arrival, a guard in the lobby will provide you with a queuing number. (Most people will already be here by 8AM to line up, and even though the official opening time is 9AM, KVAC may already start distributing and calling queuing numbers at 8:30AM).
• You can then head to Level 2, a waiting area furnished with chairs and featuring a café station. Your companions can stay here to wait, but only the visa applicants with queuing numbers can proceed to Level 9 when their number is called.
• A staff person will regularly come to Level 2 to call out numbers. When yours is called, proceed to Level 9.
• Another staff person will receive your documents for preliminary checking. Once done, you will be given a new queue number.
• In a separate room, keep an eye out for your queue number once it flashes on the screen with its assigned counter. Once called, proceed to Level 10.
• Take note, any original document that you submit will NOT be returned to you — except for your passport.
• If you like, you can receive your results and passport via courier service for an added fee of Php 300 (within Metro Manila, sent within 3-5 working days) or Php 400 (outside Metro Manila, sent within 5-7 working days).
• If in case you have missing documents, KVAC also has a photocopy and printing service for Php 10 per page (payable by cash only).
• You will be given an Application Receipt with a barcode — keep this because it will be important when claiming your passport and visa application results later.

Step 4: Claim your South Korean visa results

Typically, the processing time for visas is 5 working days , but due to the increased volume of applicants, expect it to go for as long as 10 working days or more .

Rest assured, KVAC will regularly send you the status of your application via SMS.

• If you’re personally going to pick up your visa results and passport, just bring a valid government ID as well as the Application Receipt.
• If someone else will pick up your results on your behalf, the representative needs to present the Application Receipt, a photocopy of your ID, an original copy of the ID of the representative, and a notarized Special Power of Attorney (SPA).
• If you lose the Application Receipt, please secure a Police Report with a notarized Special Power of Attorney (SPA).

Should your application be approved (yay!), make sure that your South Korean visa has your correct name, passport number, etc.

• Wanna track the status of your application online? Go to this page !

2020 UPDATE: The Embassy will NO longer issue a visa label for visa applications processed in the Philippines as of July 1, 2020. If your application is approved, the embassy will notify you by issuing a ‘Visa Grant Notic e’ on the official website . From there, you can print out the visa document by entering your passport number, date of birth, and other relevant information. . The Visa Grant Notice will contain your personal details including name, date of birth, and passport number, as well as other details including visa issuance number, status of stay, period of stay, number of allowed entries, date of issue, validity of visa, and issuing authority. (Simply PRINT the Visa Grant Notice and present it to immigration officers before your flight and after arrival).

What to Do in South Korea…?

Come and check out this list of the top things to do in South Korea which features the best activities and tours to do in places like Seoul, Busan, and more!

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Your passport must be valid for at least six (6) months beyond your intended period of stay.

You can apply as early as two (2) months or 60 days before your planned trip date departure.

There really is NO best travel agency out there when it comes to visa approval because they have NO control whatsoever over that matter. Again, these accredited travel agencies simply  ensure that the documents you are going to give are complete. After which, they just pass it to the embassy who makes the analysis and final decision.

In case you are a group of friends with similar plane ticket dates, or if you are a group going for a family trip or business trip, only 1 (one) from your group of visa applicants may submit ALL of your applications. But if you wish to submit visa applications through a representative (someone who isn’t coming with you on the trip), you must rather submit your applications to one of the designated travel agencies mentioned above.

All tourist visa holders of a single-entry visa are permitted to stay in South Korea for a maximum period of 59 days.

There seems to be NO existing rule for a “break period” when you want to enter South Korea again — however, take note that if you enter the country again too soon, that will raise questions and the immigration might not let you in. Also, take note that you should NOT spend more than 180 days total in a year in South Korea as a tourist.

Please refer to the info I mentioned above under step #4.

The embassy does NOT require applicants to submit “booked” roundtrip flight tickets and hotel(s) before applying for a visa. It might sometimes help to present a flight reservation and you can do this easily with One Way Fly which has a fee that is as low as Php 900~ only.

This is NOT required, but it’s always good practice to prepare it just in case. To see an example cover letter, you can check the letter I submitted for my Korean visa application at this link .

The South Korean Embassy did NOT mention any minimum balance requirement, but some people have been saying that you need to have at least Php 10,000 per day of your stay — you can use this as a standard but of course, it’s always best if you have more. The way I see it, there’s no amount that will guarantee approval. Just ensure that you have complete documents and have enough pocket money to support yourself during your trip.

You can go to this page .

Sorry to hear that. Either way, you can reapply again after 3 months.

» Top South Korea Tours «

N Seoul Tower Tour Marvel at the breathtaking views of Seoul!

Nami Island Tour + stops to Garden of Morning Calm and more!

Booking Essentials

TIP: It’s a good idea to crosscheck the prices with other popular travel insurance providers like World Nomads and HeyMondo (as my reader, you get 5% off)! . However, take note that a travel insurance’s affordability typically means lesser coverage; so please always ensure that you read the fine print in order to decipher which travel insurance company is the right fit for you and your trip!

Looking for more travel tips for South Korea?

Check out my other detailed South Korea travel guides !

As you can see, applying for a South Korea Tourist Visa is fast and easy — you can do it all by yourself! All in all, I hope the process becomes absolutely hassle-free for you with the help of this visa guide.

Let me know how it goes… good luck!

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Great inputs, Aileen! Very informative and it covers everything one needs to know to get a visa and enjoy South Korea!

Hope it helps you!

Hello! There is a newly opened visa center in BGC that already allows walk in. I haven’t tried it yet and i am interested to go there instead of a travel agency…just saw it in the news. Do you have any idea about how it goes there?

Hey Mariae! Yes, there is! I have already updated this guide regarding this new process. Hope this helps!

Hello, we had visited South Korea last December 2019. We are planning to visit again in December 2023. Do we still need to get a new VISA? Thank you

If you were only issued a single-entry visa, then yes you still need to apply for a new visa. (So unless it says multiple-entry on your visa, then you do not need to apply again as long as it’s within the validity period).

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KOREAN VISA REQUIREMENTS & Application Process for Filipinos

The Korean Embassy in Manila has been implementing a lot of changes to their new visa application processes recently. The first major overhaul was the designation of travel agencies, through which applications must be filed. The requirements are still the same, but this time applicants will need to course their application through any of the embassy’s officially designated travel agencies.

The move was in reaction to the growing number of applicants in the Philippines, which has almost doubled in the past couple of years, from 90,000 in 2015 to 160,000 in 2017. To accommodate more applicants, the embassy has tapped travel agencies to receive applications. This means that walk-in hopefuls will no longer be allowed to directly apply for a tourist visa at the embassy in Manila, with some exceptions. Over the past year, more changes have been implemented. From the longer processing time to a new application form.

Note that the Korean Consulate in Cebu is NOT affected by this and will continue to accept direct applications on site. For more information about direct application in Cebu, read: How to Apply for a Korean Visa in Cebu .

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide on how to apply for a South Korean tourist visa via travel agency.

WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?

KOREAN VISA REQUIREMENTS

1. duly accomplished application form.

• The Korean Embassy released a new application form (October 2020). Download here .
• Must be computerized or typed, NOT handwritten.
• The font should be Arial size 12. (New rule. Effective starting November 11, 2019.)
• Must be printed on an A4-size paper.
• For fields that are not applicable to you, leave them blank.

2. 1 Passport photo

• Passport-size, colored, white background
• Must be pasted or glued on the designated area on the page 1 of Application form.

3. Current passport (Original)

• Must be valid for more than 6 months from your target travel date.
• Must have signature. For new 10-year passports, the signature field is on the bottom part of Page 3 (page next to the Bio page). For previous passports, no need to sign because it already has your digital signature on the Bio page itself.
• Must have completely filled out Emergency Contact Page (last page of the passport).

4. Previous passports (Original)

Only if you traveled abroad within the last 5 years. If you did, submit them together with your current passport.

5. Photocopy of the passport bio page

The bio page is the information page of the passport (Page 2). Make sure you have a photocopy of it.

6. Photocopy of all your OECD Visas

Only if you have them. If you don’t, skip this part.

If you have USED visas to any member country of the  Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) except Japan , you will need to submit the ORIGINAL copy and a photocopy of all of them. (Past Korean visas and Japan visas are not counted.)

Having an OECD visa can increase your chances of approval.

Also, according to the embassy, “Frequent travelers who have travelled as tourist to OECD member countries (excluding Japan) within 5 years are exempted from submitting ITR.” I’m just not sure how they define “frequent” so it’s best to ask the agency where you will lodge your application to be safe.

To see all the OECD member countries, visit this website .

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. Tsk tsk tsk.

7. If invited by a Korean

• an Invitation letter
• a copy of the inviter’s passport.

Ignore this part if not applicable to you.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

In addition, you will need to prove that you can support the trip. Here are the additional documents you need to secure according to your employment status.

For Employees

• Certificate of Employment . Must be original; and must have the address of the employer, the landline number and email address of employer’s HR department, applicant’s position, date hired, and compensation. Mobile number is not allowed.
• Original Personal Bank Certificate . Must include account type, current balance, account opening date, ADB.
• Original or certified true copy of bank statements/passbook covering the last 3 months.
• ITR (Income Tax Return, Form 2316), ideally with BIR stamp.
• Copy of PRC Card or IBP Card (If applicable only)

Note: Frequent travelers to OECD member countries (excluding Japan) within 5 years are exempted from submitting ITR. I’m just not sure how they define “frequent” so it’s best to ask the agency where you will lodge your application to be safe.

For Self-Employed

• Photocopy of Business registration form from DTI or SEC. SEC Registration must include pages with the names of stockholders.
• Photocopy of Business permit or Mayor’s permit
• Photocopy of ITR (Income Tax Return) or Form 2316 with corresponding payment receipt from BIR authorized bank and with pages including net income and total revenue.

For Housewives or Househusbands

• Your own or your spouse’s original Bank Certificate . Must include account type, current balance, account opening date, ADB.
• Your own or your spouse’s Bank Statement . Original or certified true copy of bank statements/passbook for the last 3 months.
• If spouse is employed – Spouse’s Original Certificate of Employment. Must be original; and must have the address of the employer, the landline number and email address of employer’s HR department, applicant’s position, date hired, and compensation. Mobile number is not allowed. – Copy of ITR (Income Tax Return) or Form 2316 Copy.
• If spouse is self-employed – Copy of spouse’s Business Registration from SEC or DTI – Copy of spouse’s Business Permit or Mayor’s Permit(Copy) – Photocopy of spouse’s ITR (Income Tax Return) with BIR stamp or Form 2316 with corresponding payment receipt from BIR authorized bank
• Photocopy of NSO Marriage Certificate

For Students

• Original School Certificate
• Photocopy of School ID
• Photocopy of NSO Birth Certificate of applicant
• If parents are employed – Parents’ Original Certificate of Employment. Must be original; and must have the address of the employer, the landline number and email address of employer’s HR department, applicant’s position, date hired, and compensation. Mobile number is not allowed. – Copy of ITR (Income Tax Return) or Form 2316 Copy
• If parents are self-employed – Copy of parents’ Business Registration from SEC or DTI – Copy of parents’ Business Permit or Mayor’s Permit(Copy) – Photocopy of parents’ ITR (Income Tax Return) or Form 2316 with corresponding payment receipt from BIR authorized bank
• Parents’ Original Bank Certificate . Must include account type, current balance, account opening date, ADB.
• Parents’ Bank Statement . Original or certified true copy of bank statements/passbook for the last 3 months.
• Copy of parents’ marriage certificate .

For Retired Senior Citizens

• Copy of Senior Citizen ID

Important Notes

• UPDATE REGARDING THE ITR! (June 2018): The embassy has announced that starting 26 March 2018, first-time travelers who have NOT traveled as tourists to any OECD country within the last 5 years MUST submit the following: – For Employees , ITR. The embassy website no longer mentions that the ITR copy must have BIR Received or BIR Certified True Copy Stamp. But this stamp was required previously. I don’t know if it’s still the case. – For Self-Employed , BIR Form with Corresponding Payment Receipt from a BIR-authorized bank.
• Starting July 1, 2018. The company alphalist is no longer required. However, it may be requested as additional document for some applicants. But if you’re applying before July 1, you will still need to provide it by default.
• Submission of ITR is waived for applicants who have traveled to South Korea more than 2x within the last 4 years and applicants who have traveled at least once to any OECD country within the last 5 years. This is according to Constellation Travels, which is an official embassy-designated travel agency.
• For family applications, you must provide documents that can serve as proof of relationship. Birth certificates and marriage contracts are accepted. A representative can file for the whole family.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A KOREAN VISA

1. check the latest releasing date and processing time..

The first thing you should do is to see if the releasing date is fine with you. The last thing you want is to spend so much time and effort working on the requirements only to realize that you won’t get your visa in time.

Because of the growing volume of applications they receive, the Korean Embassy has extended the processing time. It’s hard to say exactly how long the processing can take because it changes week after week, depending on the number of applications. But it’s usually 24-36 working days .

Update: The Korean Embassy has announced that starting March 2020, the visa processing period will be reduced to 10 to 15 working days .

The Korean Embassy makes regular announcements on their official website .

2. Complete all the requirements.

Make sure you have gathered all the requirements listed above.

The list follows a certain order. The basic requirements first, then photocopy of OECD visas, then the financial/employment documents, and lastly the invitation letter or cover letter if you have it.

You will also be given the list when you enter the embassy, so you can rearrange the docs on the spot.

3. Submit the documents to a designated travel agency.

Now that you have all the required documents, it’s time to find an officially designated travel agency. The embassy accredited 35 agencies where you can lodge your application. If you’re familiar with the Japan Visa application process, it works pretty much the same.

The good news is, many of these travel agencies have branches all around the country, which means it’s easier for applicants in the provinces to apply.

To see the full list of travel agencies, their addresses, and contact details, visit: List of Korean Embassy-Accredited Travel Agencies .

The only applicants that can directly apply at the embassy are spouses and children of Koreans, government employees on official business trip, applicants with humanitarian reasons to travel urgently, and holders of visa issuance number (a separate document issued in Korea).

The visa itself for stays shorter than 59 days remains FREE-OF-CHARGE, but now that the embassy has employed travel agencies, they will surely be collecting a processing fee from applicants. The fee varies from agency to agency, usually between P500 and P1500 . But call your chosen agency to confirm their rates.

4. Wait for the results.

Processing time: 10-15 WORKING DAYS

But according to the travel agencies we consulted, the safest is to apply around 35 WORKING DAYS before your trip because of the unpredictability of processing period. The embassy informs the agency of the projected release date of visa/passports for applications they receive that week and if the agency sees your travel date is beyond that release date, they can refuse your application as it will be too risky. These days, the earlier you can apply, the better.

On top of that, give agencies time to collect, document, sort out, deliver to and pick up the passports from the embassy.

While waiting, you can check the status of your application online.

5. Claim your visa and passport.

Pick up your passport (hopefully with a visa attached) when you are informed by your travel agency. Some agencies can arrange to mail it to you if you prefer, but most will ask you to come back and pick it up from their office.

KOREAN VISA APPLICATION FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How early can i apply for a south korea visa.

You can 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.

So that means, you can apply as early as 3 months (90 days) before your departure date.

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

How long would I be allowed to stay in Korea?

59 days , if you’re granted a regular tourist visa.

You can apply for a longer stay but you must be able to justify that.

Update: Some of our readers have been granted visas that allow them to stay for only 20 days, not 59 days. We’re still trying to determine whether this is true for all new applications moving forward or just some.

Do I need to book flights and hotels before applying?

No. They’re not required. I’ve tried submitting these before, but they removed it from the pile.

Do I really need a travel agency for this?

YES. The Korean Embassy requires tourist visa applications filed starting July 1, 2018, to be coursed through any of their designated travel agencies.

However, if you’re applying at the Korean Consulate in Cebu, you may apply directly on your own. If you’re applying in Cebu, here’s how: Korean Visa Application in Cebu .

Do you recommend any travel agency?

We don’t really recommend any travel agency for now. But we can tell you this: Some of the information you’ll find in this visa guide that’s outside our personal experience was provided by Constellation Travels Inc. . We’re not affiliated with them in any way, but they have been very helpful in filling in the blanks in this guide for the benefit of our readers.

If you find this guide helpful and since you have to course your application through a designated agency anyway, we hope you could bring your business to Constellation Travels.

Here are their details:

Makati Main Office 5F Merry Land Plaza 1157 Chino Roces Avenue San Antonio Village, Makati City Landline: +63 (2) 224-1730 Email: [email protected]

Iloilo Office G/F Door 2, Manfred’s Building, 22 Gen. Luna St. Iloilo City Email: [email protected] Office Line: (033) 514 1066 Mobile No.: 0917 823 8655

How long does the entire visa application take?

24-36 WORKING DAYS , according to the embassy.

But according to the travel agencies we consulted, the safest is to apply AT LEAST 35 WORKING DAYS before your trip. The embassy informs the agency of the projected release date of visa/passports for applications they receive that week and if the agency sees your travel date is beyond that release date, they can refuse your application as it will be too risky. These days, the earlier you can apply, the better.

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.

Previously , the normal processing period is 7 working days with an option for RUSH PROCESSING which cuts it to 2 days only for a fee. But the embassy recently made an announcement that they are extending the processing period to 30+ working days due to the increasing number of applications they receive.

What is the Visa Issuance Confirmation in the 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.

Should the application form be typewritten/computerized or handwritten?

Computerized, to be safe.

When I applied, handwritten forms were accepted. However, many designated travel agencies now require that the forms be computerized or typewritten.

If the question doesn’t apply to me, should I put N/A or just leave it blank?

Leave it blank, to be safe.

This is another source of confusion. In the past, writing N/A is accepted. However, most official travel agencies require that they be left blank. To be on the safe side, just leave them blank when you apply and ask the agency what to do when you’re there.

As one of our readers suggested, best if you bring a flash drive containing your form so if you need to change or add something, you can easily do so at the agency’s office.

What are OECD visas?

I have oecd visas. does it mean my application will be approved.

Not necessarily. But you have better chances of approval.

I have OECD Visas but they’re e-Visas. Is it accepted?

Yes. Some OECD countries like Australia issue electronic visas. You can print it out and submit.

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.

Some members of our Support Group applied with only P60,000 in their bank accounts and were granted a visa too.

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.

My personal rule is P10,000 per day of stay + airfare + cost of accommodations.

Is group application allowed?

For families and friends traveling together for tourism, you can apply at the same time but your application will be evaluated individually . The list of requirements and procedure above still apply.

I’m applying with family. Does everyone of us need to submit a copy of bank certificate/statements?

Please note that if the sponsoring family member is not an immediate family member (not a parent, sibling, or child), an AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT and PROOF OF RELATIONSHIP are required. For example, if the applicants are:

• GRANDMOTHER + GRANDCHILDREN. You need to provide an Affidavit of Support stating that the grandmother will be shouldering the expenses of the grandchildren. If the grandmother is the father’s mom, submit birth certificates of the grandmother, the father, and the grandchildren.
• UNCLE/AUNT + NIECE/NEPHEW. This is not considered an “immediate” relationship either, so an affidavit of support also needs to be submitted in this case. Plus, birth certificates of the niece/nephew, the aunt/uncle, and the “connecting” parent. For example, if the uncle is the mother’s brother, also provide the mother’s birth certificate in addition to the uncle’s and niece’s/nephew’s.

I have a sponsor, do I still have to submit my own bank documents?

YES. If you have a sponsor, you will have to submit BOTH your sponsor’s and your own financial and employment documents.

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.

Can my boyfriend or girlfriend sponsor my trip?

You can try, but no guarantees. If you want better chances of approval, an immediate family member is best to sponsor you. A parents or sibling is most ideal. You will have to submit proof of relationship, which is hard to establish if you’re not married to your sponsor or not an immediate family member.

Note that even if your trip is sponsored by someone else, you still need to provide your own bank and employment documents on top of your sponsor’s.

Do I need to show up to submit the documents?

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

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

Yes. I did once. They accepted it.

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

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).

I am on paperless billing and I receive my credit card account statement via email. Can I just print it out and submit?

I don’t know for sure.

The latest announcement on the website states that cardholders enrolled in electronic Monthly Billing Statement (eMBS) or electronic Statement of Account (eSOA) can print out a copy.

However, according to a designated travel agency we talked to, printed copy of credit card statement received via email must be authenticated. Better yet, get an original copy of the statement by calling your credit card company and have it delivered to you or to your branch.

I really don’t know what’s the latest rule on this. Sorry.

If I avail of the credit card promo for multiple entry visa, do I still have to submit a Certificate of Employment?

YES. The credit card promo exempts you from submitting the ITR and bank documents only. Proof of employment (Certificate of Employment or business registration) and the rest of the requirements still apply.

My parent owns a credit card that is eligible for a multiple entry visa. I am an extension/supplementary card holder. Can I also apply for a multiple entry visa?

Yes. According to Constellation Travels, you’re also eligible provided that you and your parent will apply at the same time. Submit a copy of her valid/eligible credit card, latest original credit card statement, and a copy of your birth certificate to prove how you’re related.

I am tax-exempt. Do I need to submit an ITR?

You should still have an ITR even if you’re tax-exempt.

Since 2018, workers earning below P250,000 a year (P21,000 a month) are exempted from paying income taxes. But that doesn’t mean it exempts you from having an ITR. If you’re an employee, you can still get a copy of your ITR from your employer even if you’re tax-exempt.

My employer said they can’t provide the company alphalist because it’s confidential. What can I do?

Since July 1, 2018, the company alphalist is no longer required.

It used to be required, but not anymore. However, it may still be requested as additional document for some applicants if the embassy feels the need to confirm your employment status.

Is it possible to pull out my passport during application so I could use it for another trip?

NO. Not anymore.

It used to be possible but the embassy has announced that they have stopped entertaining such requests regardless of the reason. It’s now your responsibility to make sure that you will not need your passport at any point during the application process.

Update: According to one of our readers who called the embassy, it is possible now that the processing times are longer. I haven’t confirmed this though, so call the embassy for a definitive answer.

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

• 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.

Where can I check the status of my visa application?

• On the top menu, click on ENGLISH.
• Click on or hover over the Check Application Status on the left menu. It will reveal options.
• Click Check Application Status & Print .
• Accomplish the form on the next page. On the Type of Applications field, select Diplomatic Office .
• Enter your details and click Search .

If my application is denied, can I apply again?

Yes, but only after 6 months, if it is still the Korean Embassy in Manila that will be processing it.

Some of our readers have found that the Korean Consulate in Cebu accept applications rejected by the Embassy in Manila. There have been success stories of those who were denied in Manila but were approved in Cebu. I’m not sure if it’s a rule or more like an operational loophole, but I’m just sharing that some people have done it. You don’t need to actually go to Cebu. You can also hire a travel agency to do it.

If you choose to do this, just make sure that you’re adding supporting documents or addressing the reasons you were denied in the first place. Don’t re-apply with the exact same set of documents or you’ll also be rejected and face a possibility of penalty. There has to be more.

What does a South Korea visa look like?

What are the contact numbers of the korean embassy in the philippines.

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

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

I have documents A, B, C and D, and I have this much money in my bank account. Will my application be approved or denied?

I don’t know. No one and nothing can guarantee visa approval beforehand. Sometimes, no matter how qualified or prepared you are, your application can still be rejected.

The only person who can answer this question is the visa officer evaluating your application.

If you have more questions, we answered more frequently asked questions here: Korea Visa FAQs

For more information about Korean visa applications, contact or visit the official website of the Korean Embassy in Manila.

Updates Log

• 2020 February 2 – Added link to the Word (Docx) version of the application form.
• 2020 January 6 – Added FAQ 4.30. Updated FAQ 4.22. Inserted section 3.1.
• 2020 January 5 – Replaced the application form. The Korean Embassy released a new application form.
• 2019 November 8 – Added the new rule about font (Arial 12).
• 2019 September 25 – Updated the processing time. The Embassy changed it to at least 25 working days.

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Hi, does this only apply in manila korean consulate? or kasama rin sa cebu? we are planning kasi mag apply via cebu kasi malapit kami sa cebu and using the waived financial docs promo ng BDO/BPI gold card na may multiple entry. Pano na yun?

Hi! recently got my 5-year multiple entry visa (no CC used), just 4x visits to SK in 2 years :) however, by June I will be renewing my passport… is it possible for me to have my visa transferred to the new passport?

Hi Jeric, sa Cebu, you can still apply directly at the consulate. :)

Hi po, im a housewife and plan po namin mag korea sa Oct. With my kids pero hindi po kasama ang husband ko. Need pa po ba ng affidavit of support of spouse? Thank you!

Hi my visa got denied here in Dubai. Plan ko mag jeju na Lang kasi no need visa. Okay Lang ba kahit kaka denied visa ko lang tapos pupunta na Lang ako jeju?

hi sarah i read ur post regarding the denied visa in dubai. Plan to apply for K. visa in dubai as well. why you were denied?

Okay lang ‘yan.

Hi po, paano po magapply ng visa kung ang masponsor yung relative n nkatira sa Korea, student yung pupunta dun

What if I am currently unemployed but still have the finances to support myself on the trip?

Medyo mahihirapan po. They want to be sure of not just the financial capacity but also rootedness in the Philippines.

How about I just graduated med school, so technically I am unemployed since I’m still doing internship but also I am no longer affiliated to any school, only to the hospital hence I am unemployed. Also, I already traveled to s.korea last 2018 when I was still on my last year in med school. Can I still apply for a visa? If so what are the requirements? Is it still the same?

Hi Elle, pwede pa rin naman. You can write an explanation letter that you have just graduated and you’re doing internship. If pwede ka rin humingi ng document from the hospital proving na nag-iintern ka sa kanila, makakatulong din un.

Hi yoshke. Do i need to put sa “previous travels” sa form pag nagdomestic travel sa US kasi nagbakasyon ako sa florida and nagpunti rin ako sa new york or USA lang ilalagay ko.

Hi Hana, dun ba sa 7.7? Kung ako yan, USA na lang ilalagay ko. :)

Paano kung Fresh college graduate ako, pero supportado padin ng parents ko.

Hi. How if isasama ko tatay ko mag travel sa korea pero unemployed sya. Do i need guarantee letter? Thanks

Hi Janzell. By any chance, is your dad a senior citizen or retired?

Hi ask ko if magkano required account ng bank statement?

#12 in our FAQs. https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2017/03/south-korea-visa-filipinos-frequently-asked-questions/

Hi. It is said na those who have visited any country from OECD is exempted from submitting ITR. I already visited SoKor and planning to visit again, would I be already exempted from submitting ITR?

hi ask lang kung pwede yung previous school ID ko, kasi late na ako nakapasok ng school, next year pa daw yung pwedeng mag pa ID

Just to inquire both my parents already senior they want to travel in South Korea financially stable do I need to make a letter of support? Thank you.

[email protected]

Hi Cecille, for seniors, these are the requirements:

1. Application Form 2. 1 piece of Passport size photo 3. Valid passport + photocopy of bio page 4. Original & Photocopy of valid visa/s and arrival stamps to OECD member countries for the past 5 years (If applicable only) 5. Original Personal Bank Certificate (must include account type, current balance, account opening date, ADB) 6. Bank Statement (original or certified true copy of bank statements/passbook for the last 3 months) 7. Copy of Senior citizen’s ID

hi ask ko lng if ung application need ng computerized or okay nmn kung print then susulatan? thanks

Hi Mark, last time I applied, pwede handwritten basta block letters (capital letters).

Ask ko lang po if below 3 months palang ang account is it still possible to apply for visa?

Malamang denied po.

Sir above 3 mos na po yung account ko pero kasi delayed yung sahudan ok lng po ba?

hello po ask ko lang po sa pag kuha ng student visa, paano po kung walang business ang parents ko at walang bank accnt pero meron po akong inviter sa Korea at sponsor po??

Hi, I’ve been in OECD member countries (France and UK) last year. Is it possible that I’ll be given 1 year visa? I’m going this August then 2nd visit is in December.

Hi Antonio. Naku, di namin alam process kapag longer than 59 days. :(

Wala po akong idea sa student visa. Tourist visa lang po alam ko.

pag credit card po ba pwidi mag request ng bank statements?

hi, my employer funding my trip to Korea. What are the requirements needed? Do I need to provide my bank account & certificate of employment although they will shoulder it? thanks a lot your blog was really helpful. I am nervous because I am first time traveller and not have been to any countries abroad. I only travel locally.

You may request copy of your credit card statement of account (SOA) to the credit company where ur a holder.

Hi, i want to apply korean visa, but i stopped working last December 2017, because my korean boyfriend want me to stop work. And i have bank account .may chance pa kayang ma approve ako sa korean visa pag mag aaply ako?

Mahihirapan po, sa tingin ko.

Paano po if student tapos ofw ang parent? Tapos they are not filing ITR. Single mom and wala pong bank account. Possible pa rin po ba?

Find another sponsor, preferably relative, and write a cover letter explaining why that relative is sponsoring you.

hi, i will be applying for korean visa as self-employed. Yung DTI and mayor’s permit ko under my mother’s name for she was the owner and i took over the business last year. will it be acceptable?

I have my BDO credit card, bank statement, and PRC card. also i’ve been to korea last 2016. Thank you in advance.

Hi Heidi. You can put on your application “UNEMPLOYED” kasi hindi nakapangalan yung DTI at Mayor’s permit sayu. Tsaka hingi karin nang Affidavit of Support at marriage Contract at Full pages of ITR with BIR stamp sa mama mo for Verification purposes din provide your own Bank Certificate and Bank statement . Hope it can help.

sorry i want to ask, i have plan to visit in korea with my mom, but the prob is i dont have work now i am ofw before for 7 years and now im for good now. i just came back sept 2019, my mom have on buss like RTW i just want to know if ok lang ba sya ang mag sponsor sakin???

Hi Heidi. I don’t know if it’s a good idea to apply as self-employed if hindi nakapangalan sayo ung business. Maybe some of our readers know…

hi . my sister wants me to go with her in south korea the problem is im jobless no itr, bank account… but she will support and shoulder all the expenses . will i still have the chance to have a visa.

hi Im jobless but my sister wants me to go with her in south korea and she will shoulder all the expenses , i dont have bank account and itr what should i do, its just a 1 week tour. im 50 yrs old . will they grant me a visa

hi . my sister wants me to go with her in south korea the problem is im jobless no itr, bank account… but she will support and shoulder all the expenses . will i still have the chance to have a visa. its just a week tour

Hi can i still try applying for visa even if i dnt have ITR? Or sure denied if without ITR?.. reason for visit i won a raffle prize from paradise city resort and casino (3 nights accomodation and casino playing voucher). Will this help as additional credential?

Hi Rowell, if you can get a letter from the sponsor certifying that you indeed won the trip, that would be helpful.

If you have a reason why you can’t provide an ITR, you can put that in an explanation letter.

–> For Employees, ITR with BIR Received or BIR Certified True Copy Stamp Question: Paano po itong part na to? Kasi pag check ko sa embassy website nila wala naman po nakalagay na dapat may stamp. Kelangan po ba talaga idala pa sa BIR para ipa-certify?? Thank you po sa sasagot ;)

Hi Tin! Yep, inalis na nila sa website yung mention ng stamp. But I’m not sure if kailangan pa rin or hindi kasi yung previous list ay specifically nakasulat dun yun

Hi, paano po para sa mga OFW? BIR Certified Copy po ibibigay?

Di yata covered ng BIR kapag earned abroad. Di ko alam. :(

hi po good day! Ask lang po kung ano ang requirements ng Mother at Sister ko for korean visa? ung mother ko, Housewife sya pero may dollar account po and ung sa sister ko, employed na pero kaka-hire nya lng sa work and wala sya mapoprovide na ITR and Bank Statement but i will be sponsoring their trip po.

Hi. Question lang po. Applicable po ba if 2307 ang Requirements ko instead 2316? I’m Property Specialist “agent” from SMDC. And galing po sa Company ko ang 2307 ko. Possible po kaya na maka kuha ako ng visa? Thank you. God Bless.

Hi Ijin, for your mom, nasa taas yung requirements nung for housewives.

For your sister, she can write a cover letter explaining why she can’t provide ITR and bank statement, although walang guarantee that it will be approved. It’s still up to whoever will process.

They can also submit a notarized Affidavit of Support to show that you will be shouldering their expenses.

Thank you so much for your response! I Hope ma-grant ang visa namin

hi Yoshke Dimen! just got my visa and its approved! thank you so much!!!

Yay! Your mom and your sister too? :)

Hi! I have availed the bpi promo and was granted a 3 years multiple entry which will expire on aug 2019. Since dec 2019 ang end ng promo, i plan to reapply using credit card. Same process rin kaya? Thanks!

Did you still submit bank statements?or only the bank cert and itr are waived when using credit card promo?thank you.

I think same pa rin. Best to call a designated travel agency to be sure.

Hi, I am planning to visit Korea this September with my 4 year old daughter. My husband is working there. But I have my own bank account and could possibly support our stay there for 10 days. Do we still need an invitation letter?

Hi! Yeah, I think it will help your case.

I am travelling with my daughter, do we need to fill up 2 application form?

I think so, yeah.

Hi! My son wanted to apply a visa for south korea. He doesnt have any ITR kasi kaka employ lang nya. He can provide employment certification and bank certification. Is this possible to be granded? Thanks

Yep, just write a cover letter explaining why he can’t provide ITR.

Hi.. i have an invitation for training in korea for 1month under the sponsorship of WHO, do I still need bank statements? Do you have any idea how much is needed ..my only accnt is my payroll accnt from where I work..tnx

Hi Jill, no idea. My knowledge is limited to personal experience, which covers tourist visa only.

Pano po kaya kung employee naman ako but walang ITR? But I have bank statement. Can I still apply for a visa? Thank you. :)

Just write a letter explaining why you can’t provide an ITR.

Hi! Wanna ask po, what if 6 mos na yung bank acct ko? Possible naman pong ma grant? :) thank youuuu

I think so. Basta nothing fishy sa transaction history.

hi, til when po validity magamit un Bank certicate & Statement of account from the date issue na pwedeng mag apply ng visa? Thanks po

Hi Magnolia, I don’t know for sure. Pero ako, ang rule ko sa sarili ko ay 1 month.

Hi. A Committee invited my theater team to perform in Korea this coming August . I was wondering if you know what type of visa we should apply for and what the requirements for this trip are. Thank you very much!

Hi Jong, naku, I dunno. Best to call the embassy or any of the accredited agencies to be sure.

Hi Ill be applying as a student in korea. Do you by chance know the process for this?

Hi Jay, we have no idea re student visa. :(

Best to contact any of their accredited agencies: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2018/05/korean-visa-travel-agencies/

Hi po pano pag ang kasama ko lang po isa sa parents ko but im still a minor po and were planning to go there for maybe a week only ano mga kailangan requirements? kaso yung dad isn’t working here sa ibang bansa po? may kailangan po bang letter from my mom that is allowing me to travel po kasama dad ko?

Same lang din. If kasama mo dad mo and he’s not working here, he needs equivalent of ITR nung bansang un.

Hi! As stated on Student’s requirements, they need to submit parent’s Company Alphalist (Form 1604 CF with BIR received stamp), what if kasama naman po kaming parents nya going to Korea, does she needs to submit this requirement?

Hi Rowena, I haven’t done applying na sabay with family so hindi ko alam. Pero feeling ko kailangan pa rin kasi individually yata inaassess ang application. Pero di ko rin sure talaga.

Hi I have submitted all the requirements, however, umalis ako sa job , as in resigned on the process of application. Maapektuhan ba yun? I have travelled to Korea 2x na rin naman but usually single entry. thanks

do they really call the employers?

hello, i would like to ask if there would be a problem kung mg,apply ako ng visa sa pinas? im currently in canada and dito din ako ng.work. i am planning to go home sa pinas and dyan na lang din mg.apply ng visa. thanks

Yep, pwede. Just bring the equivalent ng documents na required.

Hi, i would like to ask lang. me and my siblings kasi want to travel sa seoul, been there last may but single entry lang, and i have my requirements namn pede ko b i sponsor ung minor siblings ko? And ung isa kasing kapatid ko mas matanda sya sakin pero disabled sya can i sponsor him too? Or need niya tlga ng requirements? Thanks po

Hi Blue, kahit i-sponsor mo sila, need pa rin nila nung docs nila. Ia-add lang yung docs mo as sponsor, pero kailangan pa rin ng kanila.

For the ITR requirement— since I traveled to Korea once before in 2015, I no longer need to submit it right? Or should it be 2 times to visit Korea or any OTHER OECD contry?

Hi Kat, according to one official agency we talked to, the UPDATED POLICY is this: it’s waived only for those who have traveled to South Korea more than 2x within the last 4 years and applicants who have traveled at least once to any OECD country within the last 5 years.

In summary, if Korea = 2x dapat. other OECD = kahit 1 time lang.

If once ka pa lang nag-Korea and never other OECD, in my understanding, you will still need to submit ITR.

Question lang, are there specifications/ requirements for the passport photo? Thank you.

Hi Avy, passport-size, colored, white background, business/professional yung suot (with collar pag men)

Ung account ko po is bdo kabayan savings.hindi po ba magtataka pag nakita a banking history na more than 70k ung once na dumating sa acc kc ngppdala tatay ko po ?at ung sahod ko dto sa pinas eh hndi naman gnun kalaki?

If once lang dumating, magtataka sila.

I am currently employed in a start-up company and we don’t have an HR, our finance head yung nagbibigay ng ITR/CoE namin. My question is, is it okay to put our finance head’s name & signature in my CoE since dapat HR Manager yun nakalagay?

Yep! Pwede mo ipaexplain sa same COE na ung Finance Head din ung naghahandle ng HR matters kasi start-up.

Hi. Would like to ask if ok to submit just the copy of ITR because that’s what our company only provides. Does it needs to be Certified true copy? I’ve just went to BIR on our RD but they don’t just stamp Certified true copy without the “transmittal letter” as proof that our company filed. Or ss a written letter will suffice why it is only a copy of the ITR? Thanks!

Hi Zel, I discussed this in the post above. The embassy website no longer mentions that the ITR copy must have BIR Received or BIR Certified True Copy Stamp. But this stamp was required previously. I don’t know if it’s still the case.

Hi plan po nmin magtour ng family ko,yng isang daughter ko po ay student pa ang isa po ay graduated na 2 yrs ago pero unemployed po sya..ano po kaya application form yng dapat nya i-fill out at bale yng husband ko lang ang magiging principal sponsor nmin…magrant kay kmi ng visa?thanks

Hi Ems, naku di ko alam pag unemployed. :(

Hi po ask ko lang regarding the release of Visa. Pwede po ba iba ang kukuha during the releasing day? Pero ako po yong mag aapply pero iba lang kukuha. Thanks po.

Hi Ronley, I think with most agencies pwede naman, pero padala ka ng authorization letter and copy of ID.

Message…I do not have any bank account, I can apply

It will be hard to get approved without a bank account.

Hi! just wanted to ask yung isang kasama namin is currently working in australia. And she wanted to join us in our trip to korea this december. However, this december pa siya uuwi and will travel from ph to korea. Any advice on how we can apply for her visa here in ph?

Mag-apply sa kahit alin sa designated travel agencies. Di naman kailangang personal mag-apply. Kahit isend lang ang documents, basta complete and satisfactory.

kelangan po ba tlga parent’s passport and bank statements etc. What if sister ko mag susuport sakin and ung parents ko walang passport?

and i’m currently a student.

Ang alam ko pwede naman. I-explain mo na lang sa cover letter. Pero to be sure, call the agency na lang kung saan ka apply.

Hi po! Kelangan ba na original copy ang i-attach ko na bank cert & bank statement para sa mother and sister ko? Ako kasi ang maagsponsor sa trip namin.

Hi Jenah, okay lang photocopy ang bank cert and statement for your mother and sister. Important original copy is yung attachment for your application.

Hi Jenah, ang alam ko, oo. Pero di kasi ako familiar kapag group application. Pero get na lang original copies for all to be sure.

Hi po! hindi na ba available ang promo yung sa BPI pag kumuha sa agency.

Kaloka. Ambibo-bibo ng question & answer portion mo. Luvet!

Anyway, makikisawsaw na rin ako:

1. Usually walang company IDs pag freelance, what document(s) do we need to show sa immigration?

2. I’ve read above that it’s possible for a travelling companion (friend, not relative) to provide an affidavit of support for you. Would you know where to download that form? I saw one but it’s for a parent-child affodavit.

Thanks in advance and more power to you!

1. Humihingi ako sa clients ko ng sort of Certificate of Employment/Engagement. Tapos nakalagay dun ano ung arrangement ko with them. :D

2. Usually merong templates ang mga lawyers. Pero if mas gusto mo mabilis, pwedeng ikaw na magtype. We have another here pero for relatives. Edit mo na lang: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2019/03/sample-invitation-letter-immigration-sample-visiting-relatives-friends-affidavit-support-guarantee/

Regarding #1 answer mo, may formal template ba ang COE? :) For freelancers.. :)

Hi! I’m self-employed. May sarili akong negosyo. Complete requirements naman nsubmit ko. Bank account is good. Pero denied ang visa application saying i’m not qualified. Pwede ba yun malaman kung bakit? Dahil wala ako makita reason para sabihin na hindi ako qualified.

baka po may questionable transactions sa bank statement nyo po

pwedeng magtanong kung ilang years nb ang business mo at ung bank account mo pls reply

Hi Billy, impossible po for me to know kung ano ang reason. It could be any of so many factors. Di rin enough na complete ang requirements, dapat satisfactory sa kanila yung documents.

Hi ask ko lang for homebased/virtual assistant na katukad ko na walang itr for the past few years, possible bang maaprove? Can you give some Tips in what tl do and paano maapprove kapag self employed na wala namang mapoprovide na itr or business permit? Thanks

Hi Grace, see #13 and #14 of our FAQs: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2017/03/south-korea-visa-filipinos-frequently-asked-questions/

Hello may friend po ako na US citizen and also a senior she wants me to go to korea all expenses paid to accompany her. Its there a possible na maapprove ang visa ko.?

Hi Jackid, it’s impossible po for me to give an opinion ng super konti lang yung info na alam ko po about your case. Depende po kasi yan sa napakaraming factors.

I traveled to Israel last year. Do I need to submit the original arrival slip (since they dont stamp your passport)? Or will a photocopy of the said slip suffice?

Hi Mara! Not sure. You can post this on our support group. Baka some members know for sure: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thepoortraveler/

Hi po, ask lang po regarding sa Form 2316. Nasabi po ninyo na sa website nila hindi na naka-indicate na need na ng may BIR stamped po tama? Kasi po namomroblema kami ng boyfriend ko dahil yung Form 2316 nya walang stamped by BIR though yung sakin meron. Need your advice po kung ano pwedeng alternative way para may chance mas maaprove si BF kahit walang stamp yung Form 2316 nya. Magaapply na kasi kami ng visa this coming August 20. Thanks po.

Hi Kay, yep, wala na sa Korean embassy website yung “stamped” requirement. But you can make sure by calling yung agency kung saan kayo mag-aapply. You can find the list of accredited agencies with contact numbers here: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2018/05/korean-visa-travel-agencies/

Hi Ms. Yoshke Dimen,

Tinawagan ko na po yung pag-aapplyan namin na agency. Okay nga daw po wala ng stamp ng BIR kapag galing from HR yung Form 2316. Thanks for your help po. :)

Hi Po. What about for Nanny/Yaya? Ano po requirements? Kami po magsponsor sa kanya. Actually, yun Yaya if first cousin ng asawa ko ka-apilyedo lang din namin. Thanks.

Hi Mei, most likely you will serve as her sponsor, so you’d probably need an Affidavit of Support and a cover letter. Best to ask na lang the travel agency kung saan kayo mag-aapply for the other possible requirements.

Thanks for the response Yoshke. One more question, actually parang natanong ko na to in one of your blogs. May cousin kasi kami na gustong sumabay, she can provide bank cert and statement which I can assure have enough amount to fund her travel. However, pagdating sa COE kasi yung monthly salary is just about 15k which also will appear in the ITR. May chance po bang ma-approve visa nya? May mga small businesses kasi sya but not registered like pautang kaya may enough savings sya.

Hi Mei, if may savings naman sya and stable yung job or matagal na sya dun, I think okay pa rin ang chances na maapprove. Yung job kasi, hindi lang proof of financial capacity but also proof na may reason sya to return to PH.

Hi Yoshke, I just want to ask regarding sa bank account ko. inopen ko sya last 2017 pero hindi ko sya hinuhulugan until June 2018. I started depositing money last July pero nagwiwithdraw din ako using the same debit card meaning – in and out yung pera sa account ko pero continuous naman yung monthly deposit ko nababawasan nga lang. We are planning to apply January of next year. what do you think will happen? Thanks so much!

Hi John! kamusta pag kuha mo visa?

Hi John, okay lang naman yung bank account mo based on yung dinescribe mo na activities. Nothing fishy naman. Assuming may maayos na laman sya ha. :)

hi im a student applying for a visa but im not going with my parents but my mothers officemate is it still possible that my mom could support me even though she is not coming with me?? or do i need my own bank account??

Thank you in advance!!!

as a tourist po ba kyu or studying in korea?

hi po, i have online business(im lazada merchant),my online shop is NOT YET registered in DTI or BIR, since online nga lang po sya,like other online shop, , but i can prove po that i can finance po my vacation in korea for 6 days , im having a payout of 6 digits every 2 weeks , for the last 7 months and i can prove that or show my lazada statement of account every 2 weeks, and my bank details where they deposit my payout/money, i just want to know po if this is reasonal enough to get a visa, if not ,what should i do po ,? hope you can help me , btw im 23 years old ,so old enough to travel alone i guess,

Hi Ilhoon, yes, pwede yan. Just write a cover letter explaining your situation and why you can’t provide an ITR, but you also need to provide more proof of income. Show them your invoices and lazada statements.

Of course, walang guarantee. Parating risky kapag hindi full-time employee or hindi pa registered ang business.

But I highly encourage you to register your business na and pay taxes para mas madali na next time mag-apply ka ng visa sa any embassy.

and additional na din po ,wala po akong itr, your reply po is highly appreciated

Hi, ask ko lang, required ba na may credit card ang mga nag-aaply ng visa? Im dont have a credit card but im employed and with savings account in BDO. thanks

hi mam lyn, add ko lang po sa comment kay sir yoshke, promotional lang po ang credit card.. i think till the end of the year lang cya… mas maganda po kase kung credit card kasi po may chance na mag multiple po ang visa nyo.. pero ndi nman po required..

Wala naman po sa list of requirements ang credit card, unless multiple ang aapplyan.

hi sir ilhoon.. just make an explanation letter why you dont have an itr..

ask ko lng po employed po ako pero ang bank account ko po ay transaction sa new business ko employed po ang inapply ko kc nga 3 months pa lng ung business ko may chance kaya ako magka visa ty

Depende kung anong klaseng transactions un. If bigla-biglang may nadagdag na malaking amount sa account mo, the embassy might find it fishy.

Hi! ask ko lang po, employed po aq pero 3 months pa lang but I have enough money sa savings account q for show money. Am I eligible?

Pwede naman yan basta complete pa rin ung documents. If wala kang ITR, explain mo lang bakit sa cover letter.

My sister in Australia is the one who support me financially and she sent me money tru my bank account po. As a student po, kanino po ba kailangn na bank statement and bank certificate? Nag hehesitate po kasi ako kung bank account ko or bank account ng kapatid ko ang ipapasa ko pag mag aapply ako ng korean visa thank you po sa sasagot! Godbless

Sa sister mo. You might also need to prove your relationship with your sister, usually birth certificate nya, pwede na.

hello po! I just want to ask if mababa or mataas ang chances that i will be granted a visa using my mom’s and mine’s dollar joint account? do i need a letter stating that my mom is allowing me to use the joint account, or hindi na? i also have my own bank account pero nasa 13k lang laman niya. i have an ITR pero 0 yung nakaindicate kasi i opened my BIR early, months before i actually got work (2017 ako nag-apply, 2018 ako nagkaroon ng kita). do i have to make a cover letter to explain?

Hi Kai, to clarify, your joint account is an “OR” account? Not an “AND” account?

If “or”, definitely no need na for a letter. I used a joint account with my mom when I applied din dati. Di naman ako nagkaproblem, pero it’s an “or” account so i can withdraw from it anytime, without permission from the other party.

Regarding ITR, pwede mo i-explain sa cover letter. Pero walang guarantee na maapprove kasi parehong hindi ideal yung account and ITR mo.

What if hindi nalang ako magpasa ng ITR but I’ll pass other BIR payment proof s/a 1701q and 2551M? Pwede po kaya yun?

Hi Kai, no idea. Best to contact a designated travel agency.

Hi! pano po if na-approve ung Japan Visa ko pero di pa po ako nakakapunta, tas mgapply din po ako ng korean Visa? Two weeks po ung interval ng travel ko between Japan and Korea since mahirap mag-leave pero since 2 weeks lang, I’m planning na kumuha na din ng visa. Considered na po ba aq na nasa category ng with OECD? Can I use the same bank statement para sa two visa applications? Thanks

the OECD visa has to be used para i-honor ng Korean embassy.

Regarding bank statement, kuha ka na lang ng 2 copies sa bank kasi di yan ibabalik ng embassy pag sinubmit.

hi there! just to confirm, if i have been to an OECD country (let’s say, Japan) in the past year, i’m exempted from submitting my ITR, right? actually, yung (expired) visa is nasa current passport ko na ipapasa sa kanila.

i’m just being paranoid ig, haha. since this will be my first time applying for a SoKor visa.

Hi Sele, yep, if you’ve been to Japan in the past 5 years (meaning you have a used visa), no need to submit ITR.

Hello, planning to apply this september, wala ring BIR stamp ang ITR ko because online nag file ang employer ko. Pero nag email ako sa korean Embassy they said kng walang stamp need dw ng copy of email confimation from BIR. Is it okay ba gumawa ng explanation letter and mag provide ng supporting docs. Like my company’s transmittal letter and Alpha list? And factor rin po ba na ma deny ako because Im a nurse? Maraming kakilala ko na deny are nurses.

Hi Carmel, yes, pwede kang mag-submit ng supporting docs. And yes, okay gumawa ng explanation letter para malinaw sa kanila.

Regarding being a nurse, hmmm, first time ko narinig yun, so I’m not sure if nagmamatter. Pero baka hindi naman. Nasa strength pa rin yan ng documents mo.

Hi! plan ko po mag travel sa sokor nxt year,I’m an OFW at mag for good na sa Pinas nxt yr, wala po akong Itr. Do you have any idea para ma aprrove ang visa kapag mag apply ako? or any other documents na needed?

Hi Ai, if may tax document ka dun sa bansa kung saan ka nagwork, pwede yun. If wala, naku, di ko na alam. Contact na lang an official agency.

Hi! We’re planning to apply for a family visa next year. Yung mother ko is a housewife, may business siya na mga paupahan pero not registered. So dun siya sa category na housewives, pero yung father ko is a retired senior citizen na. Pwede bang istate na lang namin na we, me and my sister, will sponsor her trip or no need to state na since we’ll travel as family? Thanks. :)

Hi April, best to explain it in a letter para malinaw.

Hi good day ask ko planning to apply korean visa kasi yung pamangkin ko isang US citizen ikakasal sa isang korean national sa korea..paano po wala akong trabaho or meron man na hindi maka provide og ITR og bank account? Pwede po bang yung pamangkin ko lang ang mag sponsor sa akin or yung korea?at saan mamakuha ang OECD? THANKS

If wala pong work, medyo mahihirapan kahit na may sponsor. Pwede pa ring i-try pero best na magpatulong na lang sa designated travel agency kasi mas alam nila ang gagawin sa ganyang cases na very specific ang purpose.

Yung OECD ay organisasyon ng mga bansa. Ang hinahanap nila ay stamp or visa mula sa mga bansa na member. Optional lang naman yun, kung meron lang.

Hello, please I need a work visa to south Korea, can you help me get it?

No po. We have no idea about work visa. Best to consult a travel agency.

I just want to ask me my husband and my 2 kids (2yo and 5 yo) will be traveling in dec. Enough na ba ang 3500 usd or 4000 usd for 7 days trip? and need b na ung illalagay mo sa application form is ung amount mo sa adb? or bast mas malaki ung nsa statement ok lang?

and also, since both of us are employed and from same company, kelangan pa ba tig isang coe, bank cert/statement and itr ilalagay naming sa mga bata?

regarding sa itr, yung mga friends ko they applied with only the itr provided by our hr with no stamp and approved naman sila.

Hi Ana, sa akin enough na enough na yan. But that depends entirely on your travel style and spending habit. And yes, ideally, mas malaki dapat yung ADB kaysa sa budget nyo.

Regarding kung tig-iisa ung docs, I haven’t tried applying as a family so di ko alam. But I think kelangan ng copy for each applicant. Tawag ka na lang sa travel agency kung saan ka mag-aapply.

Got my korean visa approved a few days ago. This will be my second travel outside the country. First was my Taiwan trip last yr. Indicated $1000 in the application form, present a bit more than Php 100000, complied will all the requirements as stated.

Congrats, Chi!

Hi, ano po ang mga requirements sa pagkuha ng working visa kasi po Yung asawa ng tita ko na kakilala nya nangangailangan po ng worker so kami po ang nirecommend ng tito po namen

Hi Claire, wala po kaming alam sa working visa. Best to consult a travel agency po.

Hi, can anyone send me a sample cover letter as a support document explaining I’m a fresh grad and unemployed? I also can’t give my school credentials yet kasi naka hold pa sa school. I’ll be travelling with my family, my parents will support the trip. Booked our tickets in Oct already!

Any updates po for this? :(

Same case. Any updates?

Any updates? Currently unemployed din but also reviewing for a state board exam. My parents will be sponsoring my trip.

Just wanted to ask if possible po ba na ma grant ako ng visa because me and my mom are planning to apply for one this month. My mom will be sponsoring me. I am a fresh graduate (graduated last March 2018) and still unemployed because I am planning to pursue a master’s degree this second semester. The problem is that we’re planning to go to Korea at the end of October but the enrollment for the second semester starts around the same time din po, last week of Oct. Do you think po ba na makakakuha ako ng visa if I send a letter explaining why I can’t present a school certificate and school I.D? Thank you so much. Looking forward for your reply.

Hi Jill, pwede mo naman i-explain na kaka-graduate mo lang and magma-masters ka. Submit a letter na lang and proof na grumaduate ka recently for good measure.

Hi, question regarding the new rule for ITR submission

As stated on your blog.

“For Self-Employed, BIR Form with Corresponding Payment Receipt from a BIR-authorized bank.”

I am a freelancer, I registered as a single-proprietior this January 2018 and will get my first ITR January 2019. No specific form is indicated on your post, can I submit any form (ex. Percentage/Quarterly IncomeTax)?

Thank you. Your reply is greatly appreciated.

Hi mmm, it’s ITR. But if you can’t provide that, you can write a letter explaining that you’ll get your first ITR in January but in its place, you’re submitting the quarterly income tax instead. That’s what I did the first time I applied.

Hello. Please help kasi first time out of the country ko yung korea. I initially declared na 10 days lang ako and now that i have my tourist visa, it means I’m allowed to stay for 59 days max, right? So my concern is, would they question me if I extend my stay? It’s my first time and I want to make the most out of the trip so after further planning and after the approval, I’d like to stay for 40 days na. I have funds to finance the trip naman but I’m wondering if they’ll ask me why I put 10 days sa application if in fact I will stay there for 40 days? Your answer will help me a lot as I’m an inexperienced traveler.. hehe.. thaank you!!

Hi Mia, yes, you’re allowed to stay for up to 59 days.

Usually hindi naman kailangang kung ano yung dineclare mo na number of days, yun lang talaga yung stay mo. Kasi ako rin, lumalagpas naman ako. Kaya lang, di ko alam kapag ganyan kalaki yung difference. Medyo malayo na kasi yung 10 days sa 40 days. So hindi ko sure. Baka yung immigration officer, di mapansin, pero baka maging issue yan next time mag-apply ka ulit ng visa. Again, nagse-speculate lang ako kasi di ko alam. haha

hello po. this december matatapos contract ko dto sa Saudi and i’m going to Exit na po. and plan ko sana mag tour muna sa sokor before mag process sa next work po. I don’t have an ITR kasi exempted po ang OFW jan and i don’t have any coe din po kasi tapos na contract ko, so wat i do po para ma approved visa ko. my enough savings naman po ako intended for my travel lang po.

Hi Janenne, you can try writing a letter explaining your situation. Mahirap din yan though kasi baka isipin nila na magwowork ka sa Korea.

Mas okay talaga if meron ka nang next work before ka mag-apply ng visa. Di kailangan na nagstart ka na sa next work mo. Kahit contract or job offer man lang sa next work mo, basta mapakita na may work na naghihintay sayo.

What if I get invited by a relative from the Philippines? What are the requirements to specify him/her as my sponsor/guarantor? Thanks!

Hi Claire, not sure pero ang alam ko, dadagdagan mo lang ng Guarantee Letter (or Affidavit of Support) and proof of relationship.

Pero hindi magbabago yung mga requirements from you. You will still need to submit your own ITR, COE, etc.

Hi! Ask ko lng may Plan kmi mag Tour ng family ko next year my Mother(walang work) my sister(ka-start plng s work) my Daughter(student) ako nmn hndi ndin ngwowork pero nag online business ako like selling yung mga binebake ko. At support ako ng Bf ko (pinoy) n nsa middle east. Nag travel ndin kmi ng Hongkong nung 2017at nagtravel kmi ng Japan last April 2018 Sponsored ng Bf ko lhat. Kc nung ng apply kmi ng Japan Visa nagpadala lng xa ng Letter of Guarantee and His Bank Statement. Xa yung nging Sponsor nmin. Tpos gusto nmin isama yung wife ng Brother ko first tym nya mag travel. May chance kaya kmi? Thanks

Hi Azil, may chance pa rin naman. Pero best to consult any of the designated agencies para ma-guide nila kayo kung anu-ano dapat isubmit.

Hi, good day..do I required for a ITR for tourist visa since I am a retired AFP officer and no work at all. All I wanted is to try vacation in S Korea with my own first. Next town around I’ll bring with me my whole family. Thank you.

Hi sir, wala po kaming idea kapag retired na hindi senior citizen. :(

Hello :) ask ko lang po sana if possible ba maapproved yong visa if my invitation naman from Korea kasi may competition do’n. But unepmloyed po ako and ssponsor lang po sana ng friend ko ang pagpunta ko do’n. Ano po gagawin? Please reply

Kapag unemployed, mahirap ma-approve kasi need ng COE and ITR etc. You can create an explanation letter pero walang guarantee na maaapprove

Hi! We are planning to travel South Korea with my fiance. What if student pa lang ako ngayon pero yung fiance ko has travelled to OECD country (greencard holder sya sa US) and he will be sponsoring our trip for 5days sa South Korea for our Anniversary. Ano po ang mga kailangan namin icomply? May chance po ba na ma-grant yung visa ko? Hoping for your response. Thank you :)

If student ka, nag-aapply pa rin sayo yung requirements for students listed above. Your fiance having traveled to OECD country will have no effect to your application. You will still be treated as a first-time non-OECD applicant.

Not sure about the requirements kapag hindi immediate family ang sponsor. But I guess the sponsor will have to provide everything required from parents plus an affidavit of support and proof of relationship.

Hi Good Day! I just want to ask, if ever hindi maka provide ng ITR pwede na po ba yung VAT Certification? I am a government employee job order lang ako hindi kasi pwede sa amin ang ITR kasi for Regular employees lang daw,

Thank you, have a nice day!

You can write a letter explaining why you can’t provide an ITR and say also that instead of the ITR, you are submitting a Certification of Creditable Tax Withheld at Source Form instead.

Walang guarantee kasi strict talaga Korean Embassy now pero may mga kilala akong ganyan ang ginawa and naapprove naman.

Pwede ba i sub ang Vat certification sa ITR? I am a goverment employee at job order lang ako hindi pwede ang ITR sa amin instead Vat Certification (Tax withholding form 2307) ang binigay

Thank you so much.

You can write a letter explaining why you can’t provide an ITR and say also that instead of the ITR, you are submitting the other form instead.

Hi po panu po pag ofw ka..need p din ba ng bank dito at matagal n ba dpat ung bank accounts

Yep. If may bank account ka dito sa Pilipinas, pwede rin yun.

Hello nadedeny din po ba pag ofw?

Yes po, pag hindi nameet ung requirements.

Just want to ask, yung kasama ko mali yung spelling ng name nya sa ITR, plan po namin gagawa nlng sya ng explanation letter, ksi mejo di nya pa mq kukuha kng bagong ITR nya na correct spelling ng name ya, possible ba ma ddeny sya?

You can try na magpagawa ng letter from yung HR ng company saying na may mistake. Baka tanggapin yung letter. I mean, better than nothing.

Hi! I’m planning to go to SoKor with my brother. Problem is I only have an online job, employer is based in Japan so I can’t submit an ITR or COE. However, I can present proof of payment via PayPal. Oh, The whole trip will be shouldered by my brother too and he’s a US citizen. Am I still qualified to apply for a visa?

Would you be able to get any letter from your employer in Japan stating what you do for them and the type of arrangement you have with them? That would help your case a lot.

You can also write a letter explaining why you don’t have an ITR and instead you will be submitting other proof of income like Paypal invoices. Of course, there’s no guarantee of approval.

For future visa applications, you might also want to get an ITR na rin.

Hello! I’ll be travelling with my brother and his wife this coming November. Tanong ko lang po sana if dun sa section na “Are you travelling to Korea with any family member?, do I need to write the name of my sister-in-law? Mdyo confuse po kasi ako dun sa stement nla na “Definition of a Family Member – your spouse, father, mother, children, brothers and sisters”.

As far as I know, nope.

Hi. If I apply for a Korean visa using the BDO/BPI promo with no definite travel date yet and got approved, is there a period which I should already use my visa and if i don’t travel within said period will my visa be forfeited? Thanks.

Hi, should a 50k bank statement be sufficient for a 4 day trip given that i have an OECD Visa and travelled to an OECD country (also non-OECD countries) in the past 5 years? Im employed and can give the other requirements but im just nervous with regards to my bank statement. Thanks.

Hi Gel, no idea about how much yung sufficient. 3 years ago, I would have said yes, ok na yan. But the Korean EMbassy has been really strict these days so it’s hard to tell.

Hello Yoshke!

My dad will be sponsoring our trip to Korea. I am currently employed. Will they also look for his bank statements and ITR since he will be the one to pay for this trip?

Hi Rina, Yep! :)

Hello. My classmate and I will go to SoKor this coming November. Our flight’s booked already. We’re both students, but ako, I have work. So she’ll be applying for a visa as a student while ako, as an employee. I just asked our HR department today and they said that they can’t provide yet my ITR kasi January pa ang releasing ng company. I got hired last May 2018 by the way and this is my first job. What are the chances that I will get approved if mag p-provide nalang daw ang HR department namin ng explanation letter about my ITR? I told them that my trip will be this coming November kaya I need to process my visa requirements already. I am really hoping for an advice from you. I’ve been reading this blog since January. Thanks and more power!

Hi Lah, you have 2 options.

1. Continue applying as an employee. Pwede naman yung explanation letter from HR. Provide na lang din other proof of income/employment like payslips to make up for the lack of ITR.

2. Apply as a student but you will need to submit your parents’ financial and employment docs.

If confident ka naman sa financial docs mo (bank cert/statement), okay naman yung Option 1. Pero if stronger yung docs ng parents mo kaysa sayo, mas okay yung Option 2. :)

Thanks for the reply! :) I want to consider the option 2 but my mom is actually a self-employed but we don’t have any stores/stalls related with her businesses. She’s like a middleman sa field niya (direct selling) and she’s been there for like a decade na and I would say she really has stable savings. My worry is that if I apply for a student visa, baka di ma-approve kasi wala kaming mai-pprovide na business permit from the mayor’s office, ITR or even certificate of employment. Will an explanation letter suffice?

Also, I would like to ask which is better sana. I have 2 bank accounts kasi. The first one was opened way before when I was a child and it was opened by my parents and the other one naman was opened 4 years ago when I entered college. All my recent savings for the past few months nasa second bank account ko but hindi pa siya umaabot ng 60K. My mom said what if gamitin ko nalang yung first bank account ko which may stable savings (more than 100K) but the thing is walang masyadong hulog dun for the past 3 months. This month ko pa lang sana siya huhulugan. I will transfer some of my savings from my second bank account going there sa first account. Is that a safe move or good idea? If ever, yun nalang kasi ang ippresent ko for bank cert/statement. I am really looking forward for your advice cause we are about to submit our requirements this coming October. Thank you so much!

Hi lah! We are on the same situation. Kamusta application mo? Whay docs did u submit? TIA :)

About your mom’s business, mahirap nga yun if wala syang documents. Better to apply na nga lang as an employee.

Regarding bank accounts, naku, don’t transfer anything. It may look suspicious. What I suggest is to submit BOTH your bank accounts. Pwede naman yun. Explain na lang sa cover letter na you have 2 bank accounts.

Thanks for your response regarding the cover letter, Yoshke! :) Also, ask ko lang din po if okay ba na sabihin sa cover letter ko na I am also a student and that I am working at the same time? Would that be okay or baka maging cause pa siya ng problem? Hoping for your reply. Thank you!

Pwede naman yun. Pero I think generally, if strong naman ung supporting documents mo sa either, mas okay kung pili ka na lang para hindi complicated.

I see. Sorry, what cover letter po? Hehe!

You can submit a letter when you need to explain something about your application.

Hello! Thank you for your diligence and patience with answering the questions. However, I’d just like to ask if it’s okay that my HR officer didn’t put my salary in my Certificate of Employment? I had specified that it’s for visa application purposes, but it slipped my mind to list the required information. Will I have to ask for another certificate or will this suffice? Other than that, the information is complete.

Thank you very much!

Hi Pat, if you can get another one na merong salary, better yun kasi required detail yun. If hindi mo na talaga kaya kumuha, pwede ka rin magsubmit ng payslips in addition pero mas okay if may salary sa COE talaga.

Sharing some information that might help those who are going to apply for Korean Visa.

My husband and I applied last Sept. 24, 2018 with Reli – Dusit. They only accept typewritten or computerized answers dun sa application forms. Leave the items that are irrelevant to you BLANK. Do not put N/A. If ever you need to reprint, the agents there can help you, so save your application form in a thumb drive in case you need to reprint. They charge P5/page. We already got our visas and i was surprised that we were granted a 5 year multiple entry visa!

Hi Charisse, thanks for sharing! Very helpful. We’ve added your tips to the FAQs above.

You’re welcome. I always read your travel blogs, they’re very helpful! Thanks so much for sharing your experiences. God bless you!

I’m currently employed in my mom’s company but she’s willing to sponsor my trip with my friends naman since i don’t have enough funds to sponsor my trip on my own. Possible ba yon? What requirements should i submit? Thank you so much!

You will need to submit both your sponsor’s and your own financial and employment docs.

Hi. I’m currently employed right now sa office ng mother ko for almost a year. Mag-apply ako for a visa cause i’m planning to go with my friends. Since wala laman masaydo bank account ko since i had to pay for something recently and hindi naman po mataas ang salary ko, would it be okay if i submit my financial documents and yung sa mom ko? She’s willing naman daw kasi to shoulder my expenses for the entire trip. Stable naman po ang work niya and maayos ang sweldo niya. May chance po ba ako ma-approve for a visa? What do you suggest na gawin ko po? Thank you so much!

Hi Andrea, pwede pa rin naman. You will still have to submit your own bank account though kahit na sponsored yung trip mo ni mama mo. :)

Hi yashke ! Memo Mahabad eto ha, so bear with me . Mine was kinda different from the rest. I was supposed to submit my application thru reli ‘s mega, I came late , and the agency , as always seems to be very busy with super long queue and waiting time . And then , nadaanan ko c travel pros , while nag pa papicture ako , na caught ng eye ko yung poster nila ng Korea and japan visa app. So pag google ko, yey ! Accredited pala Sila for Korea visa din , nag doubt p ako coz walang pila s kanila. But if s reli , it will take me 2 hrs min, give and take … so bahala na , nag inquire ako s kanila . Pang second ako s line, in 2-5 mins I’m done hehe. My dilemma comes next ….. sept 25 ako nag submit around 6pm,and the agent told me na, by sept 27 pa mkakarating s korean embassy yung application ko. Sept.27 (thurs) , around 9-10am , a landline number was calling me na wala s directory ko, pag ganyan hndi ko agad sinasagot coz bka mag offer lng Kung anu anu hehe…. imsomiac p naman ako , and late magising . But that day , nasagot ko sya . And lo and behold…. “ Good morning mam, this is *** , from Korean embassy, are you *** ? Omaygad , natararanta ako …. jusko lord , tinawagan ako ng consul ! As in sa akin nag CI , Nevertheless, I answered all her queries truthfully and confidently . Note : I applied as an employee, although hndi ako active s company, coz tamad n ako, sori , I’m 45 na…. i worked hard for the past 25yrs na and time for me to relax .., Yung pinaka highlighting question nya was if where I am right now , I answered home. Then she asked, if I have work, why am I at the house at this time and day of the week. .? . told her , I don’t go to work anymore although I am still employed with payroll and allowances . And why is that ? told her my hubby and his fam owns the company, .. sounds rude and arrogant , right ? Jusko lord , pati ako ako nagulat sa sagot ko… pacencia na s mga readers coz yun kasi lumabas s taklesa kang bibig, nasa Huli talaga pag sisisi….and so the waiting game starts. Nag research ako , if Meron same nag experience ko na ako Mismo applicant ang tatawagan, but so far, wala ako ma sight… so lalo ako kinabahan , and feelin ko lalo n hndi mka ka sleep…. nag status check ako nag Thursday night, waley pa… then sb ko nga insomiac and restless na ako s sobrang kaba , grabe, every hour nag checheck ako… bet 11 pm to 12 midnight of that same day (thurs sept 27) , yey ! Approved !!! Dunno if na swetihan ko or hndi ako pinabayaan ng mga guardian angels ko and or Nakuha s Dasal. But one thing is for sure talaga… Just be truthful and submit all requirements talaga and it will be as easy as 1, 2, , 3. Good luck to everyone !

Hi Yey! Ka-aliw yung pagkwento mo, haha. Congrats! :)

hello good morning senior citizen at retired na po ako my sister buy me ticket para mg tour ng 6 days sa koria , maka kuha kya ako ng visa 21 months ago ng travel din ako ng asian cruise 4 na country ano mga requirements, na maka tour na rin ako ng USA .canada my pg asa ba ako maka kuha at saan.

Hi po! If okay naman ung requirements, pwede naman pa rin. Nakalista na po sa taas ang requirements for retired seniors.

Good Day. Meron po kaming invitation letter from my husband’s employer na nsa Korea. Kakastop ko lang po magwork last Dec 2017. Ang existing account ko po ay 3. Ung remittance nga asawa ko hnd ko sure kng pwede kc po E-9 visa holder sya. Ung 1 po last year lang naopen pero below 100k kapag ngdeposit kmi dun bka maging suspicious transaction. Another na pede ko gamitin is ung Joint Account namin ni mother ko since ako po nagmamanage ng business nia. Maapprove po ba un? Alin po ang d best gamitin para maapprove.

Hi Meshies, naku, di ko alam. Di kasi ako familiar sa e-9 visa and kung ano implications nya. Based on experience, okay lang naman ang bank account.

If nakapili ka na ng travel agency kung saan ka mag-aapply, best to contact them directly kasi for sure mas alam nila kung alin ung pinaka-ok.

Hi, need papa ng travel agency kapag family application, or khit ako nalang representative tia

Lahat ng applications for a tourist visa have to be coursed through a travel agency.

Hi!! I will be travelling with my boyfriend’s family, i’m currently unemployed since I passed the local board exam(Physical Therapy) last feb 2018. Then starting this november, mag stastart na din another state board review ko for US. My father who is currently overseas will be the one sponsoring my trip. I already have copies of his bank certs and statements, ids and COE (although photocopy lang since he brought the original copy with him). I also have my supplementary credit card, Atm account and passbook saving kaso around 10k lang yung laman nun. My question is do i need to submit documents din ba like my bank accounts or SOA? What other documents can I provide besides the one that I listed above? Our travel date is near na, nov 29 na and I’m afraid baka di ma accept application ko :( btw, i also travelled before to singapore (5days) hongkong (3days).

Hi Aica, generally, based on experience of a friend na kasabay ko nag-apply dati, kahit na sponsored, they will still ask for your own financial docs. If hindi mo kaya ibigay, pede ka gawa ng explanation letter pero malaki chance na madeny kung wala talaga.

Hi po ask ko lang po last 2016 galing po ako Japan, then 2017 na approbahan din ako ng visa sa south korea, balak ko po sana mag apply ulit ng visa sa South Korea this coming 2019 ma approbahan po kaya ako ng multiple visa? tapos yung gagamitin ko na account inopen ko lang sya last January 2018?

Hi Aileen, generally, you can be granted a multiple entry visa if: you’ve been to Korea at least 4 times in the past 2 years or 10 times total, or you have an eligible BDO/BPI credit card (listed above).

There are cases when applicants are granted a multiple entry visa even if hindi frequent traveler to Korea or walang BDO/BPI premium card. BUT these cases are very rare.

If you’ve only been to Korea just once before and you don’t have an eligible credit card, best to apply for a single-entry visa para less yung risk na ma-deny.

Hello! I had an idea which i did in my japan application which got apparoved. Ilalagay ko lang 4 days stay kahit 8 days stay tlaga just to lessen the budget for the trip when applying so pasok tlaga sa bank account ko ung budget (we’re planning to apply with 100k in bank account) do you think it’s okay? Hahaha. Para lang makalusot. Thanks! Di naman cguro magmatter kng gano ka matagal magStay tutal 59 day stay naman sya once approved ka. What do you think? :)

Hi Jessica, that could work since flight itinerary is not required. But it’s going to be a problem if they suddenly decide to ask for it.

What we did at the japan application din is we provided a flight itenerary which conclude a four day stay. pero totoo, 8 day stay kami. Naapprove naman sya. I’m just scared sa korean visa, since sila mas mahgpt sa japan now :( Thank you for your inisight! ♥

Ask ko lang dn sana kayo for your opinion. I am a self employed interior designer. So nagregster nako ng business ko. Complete permits which i use for japan and korea visa. My mom recently resigned from her previous office a year ago. So i took her under my wing and employed her. Ngayon aapply sya visa but im the one issuing all requirements. And she will have no itr pa since mag1 yr plang sya sakin and ippsa namin is cover letter with her 2017 itr. Tngn nyo po ba okay ung gagawin nmn?may chance naman sya to have approval? Thank you!

Hi Jessica, di ko sure. There’s always that chance na hindi nila paniwalaan yung employment nung mom mo. But if I were in your shoes, I would still try. Just make sure na you explain what your mom does for you in the letter. :)

Thank you so much! ♥ Yes i will still try. Worse comes to worst, magJapan nalang cguro , mas madali maapprove don :( Thank you so much!

Hi Yoshke. It’s me again. I have question regarding the sa pag fill up ng VISA application form. I am really confused. Dapat ba leave it blank lang para dun sa mga questions na not applicable or put N/A or NOT APPLICABLE? I am indeed confused. :( I am reading a lot of forums/blogs tapos sabi nila DON’T LEAVE ANY INFO IRRELEVANT TO YOU BLANK. Help! :( Thank you.

Hi Iah, it’s confusing kasi the rule has changed. Dati kasi, oks lang na isulat N/A. But now, they mandated the agencies na dapat blank if hindi applicable. :)

hi sir, I’m OFW here in saudi arabia, my question is do the salary matter if it’s not that high? and for the bank do they accept the bank here in saudi arabia? i have no account in Philippines, but i can ask Bank statement in my Bank here in abroad. thankyou :)

Ang important is if it makes sense for them yung salary mo and laman ng bank account kapag tiningnan with your length of stay and itinerary.

Not sure about banks abroad now. Best to contact na lang po a designated travel agency kasi mas alam nila.

im a phil passport holder however im working in SG. Is personal appearance required in processing for Korean visa? I have no issues on the requirements just asking if processing will be in Manila thru the different travel agency or can it be done here in SG. Thanks

Hi John, personal appearance is not required. But u must course it through a designated agency.

If Korea has an embassy in SG, you can apply there too, but I just don’t know what the process is.

Hi! my daughter would like to watch a k pop concert in 2020. She wants me to come with her. I wonder what are aur chance of getting our visas approved. She has been working for 2 1/2 yrs as an IT software engineer. I have been separated from my husband and unemployed. In the past we have been to S. Korea using a transit visa . We( me, son and daughter) were able to get a US dependents id (me and my son only) below 7 yrs old is not allowed to have an id yet also an id for the Us base Commissary. Their father works for the US army.. Do you think it will help to write a cover letter regarding that trip & affix the tickets we had then. I don’t have those passports(2000) anymore i wonder if DFA got it. Does DFA have the list our past travels or does S. Korea have that list. I am just wondering if it can help us get our visa approved. I messaged you din sa post mo on Japan Visa I am thinking kung hindi matuloy ang travel namin 3 doon this 2019 what are the chances na ma approve pag kami lang ng daughter ko to S. Korea naman in 2020. .Thank you again.

I don’t know whether or not the US dependent ID would help or whether or not the DFA has a list of your past travels.

But if your daughter has enough funds, stable employment, and satisfactory papers, she can sponsor you and there’s a good chance the application will be approved.

Thank you. very much! Last year when i travelled to HK with my my godmother(but i call her aunt) we are not blood related,There were many questions sa immigration here and in Hk. When the IO asked me if i have travelled outside the country,I mentioned the trip w. my children in 2000 in Sk ,He asked for the year and month of that trip at sino mga kasama ko and checked on the computer After a while okay na, That;s why i asked you baka you have any idea.

Hi! How are applicants given MULTIPLE ENTRY visas? Do we need to specify it in our application? Or like the US Embassy,they will be the one who will determine if they will give single or multiple entry visas even without the request? Thank you very much.

Hi Dane, to be honest hindi ko alam. Di ko pa rin kasi na-try. Ang alam ko lang is may BDO/BPI promo.

May mga online sources na nagsasabi na those who have been to Korea 4 times the past 2 years or 10 times total (most recent in the past 2 years) can apply for multiple kahit walang BDO/BPI premium credit card. Pero di ko sure kung paano gagawin yun or kung totoo yun.

Hi Yoshke! Ask ko lang, once nakakuha nako bank cert/statement, pwede ko naba kaya agad withdrawhin ung money from the bank? or will they look into it pa? thank you so much!

Hi Georgie, kung konti-konti lang, pwede. Pero if malaki iwiwithdraw mo, wag muna. Wait na lang na ma-issue-han ka ng visa. The Korean Embassy is very diligent. Minsan tumatawag talaga sila. Minsan humihingi sila ng additional docs.

Hi Yoshke! Wow, good to know. Thank you so much!

No problem!

Hi Yoshke, my partner applied for a korean visa with the following situation: 1. He was just hired this March 2018 and his employer cannot provide him his ITR. He included in his application a cover letter explaining why he failed to submit an ITR. 2. His bank account is just new, opened on May 2018 but he applied for a Bank Certificate and Bank Statement when his bank account is more than 6 months already. 3. His employer deposits the salaries of their working amounting to thousands of pesos but were also being withdrawn the same day. He is assigned as a site engineer by the way. 4. Attached to his cover letter is the Project Assignment from his employer but his name was affixed by an “Engr.” eventhough he is not licensed that is why the consulate asked for his PRC ID. 5. Since he is not yet licensed, he submitted another explanation letter that he is not yet licensed that is why he failed to submit a photocopy of his PRC license.

Is there a chance that his application be approved considering that he submitted the complete document?

Thanks in advance.

Hi H! Naku, mahirap for me magbigay ng opinion sa ganyang case and especially na wala akong idea sa details ng application. And if nasubmit naman na yung application, there really is nothing you can do about it but wait. :)

Thanks Yoshke. Sana ma-approve din sya. Just got approved today. Tomorrow is his scheduled date ng release ng visa application nya.

He got denied. The reason is: “Your purpose of entry has not been explained in detail.” even though we had the same purpose of travel in our applications. Sad. :(

Did your boyfriend also submit full requirements? Like yung itr lang kulang niya? I wonder bakit na deny siya :(

Aaaw. Sayang! :(

Hi, ask ko po..meron ako business at nakapangalan saken permits etc and my husband is the one who provide all the capital to start my laundry business when he is in abroad. My husband is no longer working abroad and want to apply for korea for maybe 4 days only. Can he state in his application as self-emplyed and I will make cert of employment as my husband is the managing owner?would that help his application?thanks..please reply naman po…hehehe

Hi Carla, di ko alam if same case kung married, pero in general if hindi sa kanya nakapangalan, di sya self-employed. If iissue-han mo sya ng COE, mas Employee sya.

Hi sir Yoshke im planning to visit korea and stay for 5 – 7 days meron po ako business d2 sa pinas computer shop meron dti and mayors permit meron na rin akong bank account matagal na. Kailangan ko pa ba ng ITR?

yes po. If wala, best to explain bakit wala.

You said in the important notes section:

“Submission of ITR is waived for applicants who have traveled to South Korea more than 2x within the last 4 years”

Question: Does traveling to Jeju twice count as a visit to South Korea? I have a friend who traveled to Jeju (MNL – HKG – CJU, then CJU – HKG – MNL) without stepping foot on the mainland.

Hi Al, not sure if counted ang Jeju. Baka ung binibilang nila ay yung number of visas, di ko knows. Contact na lang the agency where you want to apply.

Pero yung “MNL – HKG – CJU then CJU – HKG – MNL,” counted as one lang yan if ever. Unless twice nya ginawa.

we will travel po as a company, mga 6 kmi, tpos ung company ang magsponsor, tpos makkapgprovide po ang boss na affidavit of support for our travel as what we did also last year for japan, di na po ako ng submit ng bank cert/bank statement. approved namn and ive been to japan twice already this year(both with sponsor).

this next month for our travel to korea, as what i read from above na need po talaga ng bank cert/statement kahit may sponsor.

in my case, okay lng po ba wlang bank cert?

ung reason po kse, i need to go to province pa to get that documet, and other than that hindi rn po sya gaano kataas ung lamn

Hi Joseph, yung experience ng teammate ko na sponsored by a company (kasabay ko sya mag-apply), hinanapan pa rin talaga sya ng bank certificate. This was in 2016, direct to embassy pa noon. Best to call na lang a designated agency for advice kasi baka mas alam nila. :D

Hello po! I have issue po regarding with my COE is it okay po if my COE is signed by my boss electronically kasi po he is out of country? thank you!

Hi Mia, when I first applied, yung COE ko was digitally signed din kasi Singapore-based yung company, wala namang naging problem. Ewan ko lang ngayon if pwede pa rin.

Hello po sir Yoshke… Meron po akong trip to Paris via Asiana Airlines tapos may layover po sa Incheon Airport for 8 hrs.. Pwede po ba ako makalabas ng airport during that time? Or kelangan ko po mag apply ng visa?

Tapos pagbalik ko ng pinas layover ulit sa incheon..

Salamats po…

Hi Allan! Yung last na alam ko, hindi kasama ang Schengen visa sa mga allowed to exit without transit visa. Pero double check mo na rin sa embassy. You can call or check their website kung meron silang info.

Me and my friend are planning to visit Korea this August 2019. My friend is working in Japan tho. Do you have any idea on how to apply for Korean Visa from Japan for OFW?

Thank you po! :)

Hello Melissa!

Punta lang sya sa Korean Embassy sa Japan.

Ang alam ko need lang is yung visa application form, picture saka yung residence card. Mabilis lang yung process nila pero very strict sila sa time dun, 9am to 11am lang ang application. pag 11:01 di na nila tatanggapin. Sinamahan ko kasi yung pinsan ko mag apply tapos lumagpas lang ng minuto hindi na talaga tinanggap.

Kung sa Tokyo sya nasa may Minato-ku yung Embassy. For clarification, patawagin mo na lang sa Embassy yung friend mo :)

Hi Melissa, naku di ko po alam paano if sa Japan mag-apply ng Korean visa. :(

Hi SIr, Im planning to apply korean visa with my son 1 year old. Meron po ako bdo visa gold credit card at bank account po na nkapangalan sa anak ko. nid pa po ba ng bank cert para skin?Thanks. God bless

Hi Feewee, di po ako ganun ka-familiar sa policy pag multiple kasi di ko pa natry. :( Pero you can contact the agency na lang since required naman na idaan sa agency.

Hello. I would like to go to South Korea. Havent traveled to any country yet. Can this be a reason for a denial of visa ? Thank you

It can be, but it still depends on many other factors. There are those who don’t have international travel history but because they have stable job and more than sufficient funds, their application is approved.

Sana po makatulong. Need mo pa rin 3 months bank statement at bank certificate on your own. Nag apply kasi ako nun direct pa sa korea embassy need nila yung 3 months original credit card statement mo at yung original c. card titingnan lang naman di ko nga kasama asawa ko sa kanya kasi yung BPI gold credit card. Since sa mga agency na baka pwedeng photo copy na lang. Tapos yung sa anak mo birth certificate nya lang at marriage contract nyo. Na approved yung asawa ko 3 years multiple entry. Pero naka note sa visa nya. BPI

Sir, Yoshke Dimen. Salamat sa blog nyo. Everytime plan ko mag travel dito ako nagpupunta para mag ka idea. Salamat ulit sir.

Salamat din po sa pagbisita, Janet! :)

Hi po good day!

First time traveler outside the country with my cousin (she is an Irish citizen). Regarding with the application form, ano po ba input ko sa kung sino kasama ko. Do I write with cousin? Or mas better alone na lang? Baka may follow up requirements sa cousin ko kahit taga Europa sya.

Please help.

Hi Joselly, better na ideclare mo na lang yung totoo. Di ko lang alam if may additional docs pag ganun, parang wala naman pero ewan ko rin.

Hello, I would just like to ask a few questions regarding Korean Visa application. 1. How do I apply for my whole family (myself, my spouse, 2 kids aged 16 and 11)? 2. Are bank documents required if you have been to any of the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries for the past 5 years? 3. My wife and I are both employed, do we need to provide both our COE and bank documents? 4. How do I indicate in the application form that both of us will be funding the trip on our own?

Hi Raffy, I haven’t tried family application myself so I’m not familiar with the details. Best to contact the travel agency where you plan to lodge your application para sure. :D

Hi I just want to ask because my sister will be sponsoring my Korea trip on Feb 2019 however her company sent her abroad already and won’t be able to get her COE from the employer here in PH. I asked her if possible to authorize someone to get the COE but their HR says that only my sister can get the COE in person here in Pinas. What should I do? Can I provide a cover letter explaining the situation?

I asked her if possible to authorize someone to get the COE but their HR says that only my sister can get the COE in person here in Pinas. — It will be safer to convince the HR of your sister’s company to provide a COE than to convince the embassy to grant you a visa without the COE.

Hello, good evening po. I’m applying for a visa for me, my husband and 2-year old son. Filled out application form and PSA birth certificate lang po ba ang kailangan para sa anak namin? Thanks very much

Hello Sir Yoshke, ask ko lang po when is the best date to apply for our korean visa if may booked flight na kami on 23 May 2019. Thank you.

April or March. :)

hello good afternoon.meron ba agency pa korea sa davao.? and magkano ba ang show money?

Hi Hyerin, yep, meron sa Davao. Rakso Travel. You’ll find the address here: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2018/05/korean-visa-travel-agencies/

Good day mam!! I am planning po to visit Korea next year po sana. And i-memeet po ako ng tita ko na resident na po dun. Pwede po ba mag stay dun ng 3-4 months gnun po?

Hi Yuri, any particular reason bakit ganun katagal yung stay mo dun?

Usually, mahirap maapprove ang ganyan unless may valid, justifiable reason. Read #2 here: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2018/08/visa-denied-reasons/

Hi po! Pano po pag OFW both parents ko but I have a bank account naman po pero invite po kasi ako ng ninang ko na nakapag asawa ng koreano. Pwede po bang yong bank acc. ko nalang po gamitin? Senior high School Graduate this coming April 2019 then april din po sana want kona magapply visa.

Hi Kim, I think it’s still best to submit your parents’ docs kasi they might need more than yung bank account mo kasi student ka pa lang.

Ako from manila to Seoul, magkikita kami doon ng anak at manugang ko galing ng US, mga 3-5 days lang tapos sabay din kaming uuwi ng Manila, ano po ang pwede kong gawin sa mga documents ko? facebook account po ang gamit ko …pwede po imessage sa messenger. Salamat po..

Same pa rin po ang process as indicated above.

Hello, Yoshke! Freelancer po ako and I am a registered taxpayer BUT wala pa akong ITR kasi nung October 2018 lang ako nakapag register and also, my client who is based in the USA will sign naman sa COE. My questions are:

1. Okay lang ba na ang PERCENTAGE TAX (2551Q for 4th quarter) lang ang e attach ko?

2. Since I am a Freelancer, I am registered as ‘Self-Employed Professional’ sa BIR, okay lang ba ang ilagay ko EMPLOYED under “Employment” sa Application Form? ang gagawin ko kasi na COE (on behalf of my client – he will only sign) is “Remote Worker”. baka kasi ma e compare nila ang employment/taxpayer type ko sa BIR at sa COE.

3. Okay lang ba na EMAILED COE at HINDE ORIG. ang ma i present ko?

Thank you in advance! GOD BLESS!

Hi Maria, it’s best to ask the designated agency kung saan ka apply kasi mas alam nila kasi minsan iba-iba rin sila ng leniency.

Hi super thank you for this! Ang problem ko lang is instead of 2316, I have form 2307 and 1701 (Annual ITR for Self Employed) I’m contractual kasi so I’m working with a company pero my BIR forms says I’m self employed. Do I have to follow the Employed requirements and file as Employed or the Self Employed requirements and file as Self Employed? My company is willing to give COE naman to me.

Hi, i have a question regarding sa OECD. I’ve been to Japan and Australia. I understand that they will need an original copy and photocopies of the OECD visas but I’m wondering about the AU one, since online lang nila iniissue yung granted visa, will printing a colored version of the granted AU visa be considered original copy na and then I’ll just make a photocopy of that one na lang. I don’t have stamps din since they don’t stamp passports na in AU.

Hi Jacq, you can use a printed version of the e-visa as proof.

Hi, Magiging unemployed ako this comming April 2019 and will be getting maried on Oct2019. We are Planning to have our honeymoon in korea on Oct2019 also. maapproved kaya ako for korean visa?

Pwede pa rin naman yata, basta prove mo lang na kakakasal mo lang and submit mo na lang din documents ni husband.

Pero mas malaki talaga chances pag employed.

Hi. I would be going to South Korea this coming Feb. for 5 days and will be going back again on last week of April to the first week of May. I don’t have BPI or BDO Credit Cards only Citibank. Do I need to re-apply for Korean Visa again after I used my Feb. Korean Visa or is it possible to apply for Multiple Entry Visa? Just an added info. I’ve been to South Korea once (Last Year). I hope you can read and answer my question. Thanks in advance and God bless!

Hi Jonavie, yes, unless you’re eligible for multiple, you will most likely to be granted a single entry visa so you will have to apply again after that.

My friend and I plans to travel on May 2018 and I plan to apply for Visa on April. However, I have a conflict employment… I resigned last April 2018 and started a new work last June. The company is like a branch from US and started last May so we don’t have an HR dept yet.

– We don’t have a company ATM and my salary is deposited semi-monthly on my Bdo payroll account from my previous company. Can you advise what should I do here for may bank statements and bank certificate?

– How do we create a cover letter? Do we compile every explanation on a page or should be separate?

Hoping for your answers. Thank you! :)

Naku di ko alam pag ganyang situation. Ang worry ko is, kasi dahil mukhang new yung company and di pa naka-settle ng maayos yung PH office, baka pagdudahan nila yung company. Registered business naman sila? You can explain it in a letter and then attach other proof? Wala pa silang HR pero can they provide COE?

Ideally 1 page lang yung letter para di tamarin magbasa yung mag-a-assess.

Hi, thanks for the feedback. Registered sila, may few requirements pa inaayos dito sa PH. Makakapag-provide din sila ng COE. Yung Admin/Supervisor/HR namin dito ang pipirma, pwede naman yun diba?

Hi Gracee, sa experience ko, tinanggap naman nila yung COE coming from my boss nung freelancer pa ako. Wala rin kasi silang HR that time. I think okay lang, pero di ko sure kasi baka mas naghigpit na sila. Pero sa experience ko, tinanggap, naapprove naman.

Apply Seoul visa mga 15 Wala pa ang result pero my OECD visa sa US sa Cagayan De Oro po ako

Nagcheck na po kayo ng status online?

Hi! I was granted a multiple entry visa valid for 5 years and wanted to bring my family to Korea soon. I’m the breadwinner of my family. My mom is a housewife and my stepfather is currently unemployed. My siblings are both still in high school. I can provide the embassy lots of documents (bank certificates with high YTD ADBs, mutual fund/UITF/stock certificates, vehicle OR/CR, land title, etc.) that can prove that I can finance this trip. May chance kaya na ma-approve sila? Thanks! :)

Hi JS, yep! Basta sabay-sabay yung application nyo dapat and you can prove na you can support them all and okay naman yung employment mo, ok pa rin chances nun.

Hi! Good evening! My company/ employer will be sponsoring our korean tour this month, as our bonus. However, i still have some clarifications. 1. I don’t have sufficient amount in the bank right now, or a letter from my employer will suffice and guarantee, since it’s a company sponsored? 2. I applied korean visa dated 2014 but i was denied then, and I already lost the “slip paper” from korean embassy stating rejection. Do you think, korean embassy will still look for that piece of paper when re-applying korean visa again after 5 years? Thank you very much

1. They will still look for your own bank documents even if it’s company sponsored. Happened to my teammate before.

2. Di ko po ito alam. :(

Hi… im applying for korean visa.. but the problem is i dont have an ITR because right after i graduated march 2014 i worked in our own business (my parents business),and they didnt add me on the list of their employees.. just only this year 2019 of january they add me as one of their employees. If i provide COE, what should i put on the date hired? the date were i started working in the year 2014 or this january 2019 were im being registered under my parents business Also for ITR, dont have it pa.

Hi Claire, that’s a tricky situation either way. I don’t know which is better or worse though.

If you declare that you just started working in January, you will appear to be not as rooted in PH. But there might still be a chance if you have a good travel history and ok funds in your bank account.

If you decide to declare that you have been hired by your parents’ business since 2014, question: what proof will you submit? How will you explain why you don’t have an ITR?

Hi, ask ko lang about ITR 2316, need po ba ng BIR Stamp or ok na po if I include the alphalist when submitting the documents?

Hi JM, not anymore. If employee ka, di na required ang BIR Stamp or Alphalist. :)

I’m planning to avail this year for SoKor but

1. I have no ITR and COE since I do freelance job (and yes no ITR since I haven’t settled to get one yet for 2018) 2. Gold card holder, can I present my SOAs and bank certs/statements instead? 3. Travelled to Japan last 2018, UK visa 2009. Other Asean Countries with no visa for the past 6 years 4. Planning to apply for Australian Visa as well, would you recommend to get a AU visa first or Korean Visa?

Hi Carlo, if you’re holding a valid participating Gold card, you don’t need to submit bank certificates or ITR. (According to Constellation Travels, at least.)

Re Australia, doesn’t matter which goes first. You can apply at the same time since AU application is completely done online.

I am a freelancer and do not have ITR. Just like for Japan can I send letter saying why I cannot provide ITR

Yes, you can submit an explanation letter, but it’s best to also provide other proof of income to make up for the lack of ITR.

No guarantees, though.

Hi, thanks for your detailed article. Question, any tip you can give for a Online job employee? I actually stopped paying tax when I stopped working in a corporate office. If mag submit ako ng ITR form and it will reflect there that I am no longer paying tax and ma cross check nila sa aking bank account that I am receiving monthly more than the amount na hindi excempted sa tax. What will happen?

Hi Dee, kelan ka umalis ng corporate?

Hi, can we use online print-out for bank statement? Same with online SOA for credit card? I’m a holder of gold master card.

Can i ask if pwede ka ma approve if bago kapa lang sa work? Like one month palang po? I recently resigned kasi on my past work, took a break for 5 months, and recently started working again.

Thanks in advance!

Pwede pa rin naman, may chance pa rin naman yun. May ITR ka naman from your previous job di ba? Explain mo na lang sa letter bakit iba ung company sa ITR mo and yung current company mo. :)

Hi Yoshke… my family and i will be travelling to Seoul in a few months… my parents are both retired from work, senior citizens.. they only have a joint account… pwede kaya nila gamitin yon? in presenting their bank cert and bank statement? sponsoring themselves kumbaga… if not naman… if, through my account na lang, sponsoring them for the travel, do they still need to show their bank cert/bank statement? Thank you..

Hi Izel, if may sufficient funds naman yung joint account nila, pwede nilang gamitin yun.

Yung experience ng friend ko, when I joined a friend na mag-apply, hinihingi pa rin nila yung personal bank docs kahit sponsored yung trip. Pero baka nagbago na now.

Hi there Yoshke,

Ask ko lng sana if pano yung situation ko. I will be applying this march sa korea pero yung tanong ko lng is married ako from last yr pero wala pa akong ID na married ako. Lahat ng Id ko as of now is still single kahit yung passport. pwede ko ba ilagay sa application form ko na single ako, kahit na married ako using my single ID’s? Thank you

Hi Angel, ang alam ko, you just need to submit a copy of your marriage cert. Lagay ka na rin ng explanation letter to be sure.

Hi po! ask ko lang po, kasi gragraduate po ako this June ng college and plan po namin pumunta this June din po, need ko pa po ba ng school certificate (kasi di rin po ako sure kung bibigyan pa po ako) or gagawa nalang po ako ng letter of explanation? kasama ko po ung nanay ko and siya po ung magfifinance ng trip po namin, Thank you po :)

Yep, kuha ka ng school certificate to be sure.

Thanks for all the info on your blog. I usually use your blog for tips when travelling.

I was granted a 10-year multiple entry visa to SoKor last month. It was my first time to visit Korea and planned it to coincide with my birthday so I was ecstatic after I claimed my visa. Great blog!

Yayyyy! Congratsss! Enjoy Korea!

hi po, tanong ko lang po mag aapply kame nang anak ko nang tourist visa 2 yrs old po anak ko ano po requirement sa bata?? tanong ko din po asawa ko nasa korea nag tatrabaho gusto nya po pupunta kame dun kami sa bat…paano po ba yan hindi pa po kame kasal?

Hi Janien, unfortunately, di ko alam dapat gawin pag sa case mo kasi outside my experience po. Contact na lang po a designated travel agency.

Hi! My lola will be travelling with me and she’ll be sponsoring the trip. She’s already tax-free since she’s a senior citizen. Do we still need to submit an ITR? Since i’m a student, do I need to submit my parents’ bank certificate and ITR still? Also, for the section in the form saying “Details of sponsor”, is that referring to my lola, or is it not applicable to me because that section is for those with korean resident sponsors? Thank you so much!

Hi Paula, according to the agency we talked to, as much as possible, immediate family member yung best na mag-sponsor, which means, if ok naman ang docs ng parents, mas okay na sila ung ideclare na sponsors. Di ko lang sure if sa situation mo, better kung yung lola dahil sya yung kasama mo.

I don’t know din if needed pa ung docs ng parents if lola yung sponsor. Hopefully yung ibang readers na naka-experience would be able to answer this.

Hi! I am a student graduating this May 2019. However, I don’t have plans on applying for a job yet since I will be taking a board exam on the last week of October. Gusto ka sana mag concentrate in studying to pass my board exam. So sa months na june to october is unemployed po ako. I am planning to have my SK trip on November since this will also be my graduation gift and I choose this month para makapag focus ako ng study sa board exam ko. My parents will support my trip but wala silang bank account. I personally have 2 savings account sa 2 banks. Btw, my mom is employed and my dad is running our business. Will there be any chance of getting approved? :(

Naku, hindi ko alam kapag ganyan. :(

Hi po, paano naman po if ganito yung case:

Incoming freshmen po sana ako sa college kaso nag-stop po ako ng studies kasi may immigration visa case kaming on-going sa US. Di naman po ako employed and no longer a student. Balak ko po kasi mag travel ng korea this october with my cousins lang po but my mom will be financing my trip (and complete naman po yung mga papers niya). May chance naman po na ma-approve yung visa ko???

I’m soooo nervous kasi sobrang gusto kong pumunta :(

hello what about po sa ofw, ok lang po ba ang bank statement is from here sa abroad? thank you :)

Hi Bernard, ang alam ko po ay okay lang yun.

HI. applied Korean visa on March 7 2019. 5 pax kami. 3 already approved. 2 kasama ako, status is application received. Any idea if status “application received the same to denied status”

Thank you. Have a good day!

Hello Bren,

I have the same status as “application received”. Would you mind sharing if your Visa was approved?

If yes, how long does it take for that to reflect online from the time they have received the application?

Thanks, Trish

Hello! I just wanna ask, me, my mom and her best friend are planning to go to Korea, I’m still a student and my parents are self-employed. I want us to spare the time of submitting banks statements and the likes, so can the best friend of my mom act as a sponsor for us? She’s a permanent resident of Japan.

tldr: Can a friend sponsor our travel in Korea given that she will also be travelling with us.

Hi, may I know how your visa application turned out? Halos same tayo ng situation, fresh grad ako ang still unemployed, tapos ang mom ko naman ang permanent resident ng Japan. Thank you.

Hi Moe, ang alam ko, they can BUT chances of approval are much lower than if your mom is to submit her own documents. I took care of an application of a sponsored friend before and even though sponsored sya, the embassy still requested that she submit her bank documents.

Hi! ask ko lang po paano po kayang mangyayari, ininvite kami sa korea to lead a worship bilang music ministry sa church namin the problem is wala kaming lahat bank cert ng mga parents lahat sila self employed. yung sponsor lang ang meron. ok lang po ba yon? salamat po ]

Hi! Di ko po alam. Sa experience po ng team namin, kahit sponsored, hinihingan pa rin ng bank cert.

Hi! My first application was approved and this is my second time applying for korean visa, how long will be the process if considered i have an OECD visa (korean visa) is it 3days or 5days?

Usually, 3 days sa embassy but agencies usually add more days for their own logistics.

Hi! I have an ITR however it has no BIR received or BIR stamp since our head office is in manila and it was filed in BIR manila then the company cannot also provide an alphalist since it is confidential. I have a PRC ID and COE. Is there a chance of me getting an approval?

I cannot certify my ITR with BIR received or BIR stamp here in BIR Cebu since my ITR is filed in BIR manila. Thank you

Hello, I was wondering if it’s possible to go on a tourist trip to Seoul even if you’re unemployed but your parents will pay for your expenses? If it’s possible, then which list of additional requirements do I follow?

Hi VL, di ko po alam kapag unemployed. :(

Hi. I am a freelancer. Though I have consistent and long term contract, i think they would still consider it as part time. So I applied for credit card listed for exemptions in bank requirements and itr.

If I receive my credit card which is among the list for multiple entry visa, do i still need to submit job certificate?

Yes. Required pa rin ang Certificate of Employment.

Is it okay if my coe is as homebased freelancer?

Yep. When I first applied, my COE was as a home-based freelancer. :)

Hello! I have a question :)

Yung COE is pwede bang i-type lang ng head ko? Home-based freelancer din pala ako :) or is it a legal document talaga?

Thank you!!

Pwedeng yung head mo gumawa. Basta important na andun yung mga details tapos may signature and contact number nya.

Hi, me and my 2 daughters who are current studying are applying for visa as a family. Re: Bank certificate and bank statements, do I need to submit 3 original or pwede ng photocopy yung dalawa?

One original copy will do. Dala ka na lang din ng photocopy to be safe. :)

Hi! Our family is planning for a vacation this july. And we’re kind of stressed re: sa visa application. Paano if one of us works as a job order worker? Accepted pa rin po ba yung COE kahit walang employee-employer relationship? Thank you!

Hi Ace, I think pwede pa rin. But best to consult a travel agency.

Can bpi supplementary card holders avail of their promo? Need pa rin po ba yung itr and bank statements for it?

According to the travel agents we talked to, supplementary/extension card holders can avail of the promo provided that the primary card holder is applying at the same time.

Hi po! Pwede po mag tanong. It’s about the supporting documents po specifically OECD Visa. Meron po akong granted Tourist Visa po sa Australia, pero I didnt push through with my travel due to personal reasons. Will I still be able to include it as my OECD supporting document?

Please help me po. You may reply with this comment or mas okay po sana sa email ko po at [email protected] . MARAMING SALAMAT PO SA MAKAKTULONG PO. Urgent lng po talaga kasi mag aaply sana ako next month dito sa Cebu.

Hi, USED Visa po dapat. Hindi po credit pag hindi used.

Hi Ksha, ay, di ko po alam kapag unused. :(

just want to ask, yung certificate of employment po ng employer ko is electronic copy since yung lang talaga yung binibigay nila. Wala rin pong email address ng HR (I have read na it is needed), pero may letterhead naman po ng company and adress and phone number. Need ko pa bang magrequest for another na mas detailed and kasama ung email address ng HR? All details aside from that are in the document. Planning to apply within the week and yung CoE na lang ung hinihintay kong document.

Hi Isay, baka pwede ka magrequest from HR na meron nung details na need nila, para better ung chances. :)

Hi What if po kaka-retire lang ng father ko then wala pong work mother ko, bank documents na lang po ba kailangan kong iready dun sa part ng parnets’ documents?(student pa po ako)

Question lng po. Nag request po ako ng bank cert/statement and COE nung March. but until now hindi pa po ako nakakapag submit ng requirements dahil may hinihintay pa po akong document. Valid pa po ba sila if mag submit ako this May? Thank you!

Hi Jan, kuha na lang po kayo ng bago kasi May na po ngayon.

Hi! Ask ko lang kung halimbawa naapproved yung visa ko then may plan ako magresign bago magtravel, okay lang ba yun? halimbawa, June 8 ang alis ko then June 02 effective yung resignation ko. Thanks

Hi. First time traveler abroad. I wanted to go on tour to Korea via a travel agency. But I am hesitant that my visa application will be denied. I am currently employed 9 months with my current employer. But I am already working for almost 3 years now. the past 2 years is from hospital. As for my funds I got like 60k only but I have credit card under Metrobank. Would it still be possible for my Visa application to be approved? and can I use this VISA to Turkey since, it is part of OECD countries? and how much is the money i need in applying for the Turkish visa also. Thank you

1. Hard for me to say ano ang chances of approval. Pero may naaapprove naman na 60k ang funds.

2. No, Korean visas CANNOT be used to visit Turkey.

Hi, is it necessary to submit passport together with old one?

Not necessary po but mas maagi na -submit with the new one lalo na’t may mga stamps ang old passport.

and I have Metrobank credit card – supplementary nga lang ng card ng motherko., would it still be okay to add that as supporting funds aside sa personal bank account?

Hi good day, government employee po ako under DepEd, tanong ko lang wala bang ibang option kung wala talagang Landline ang Admin namin? and my other question, I will be be travelling with my sister and shes a student, kelangan po ba talaga yung bank certificate ng parent? ako naman mag shoulder ng travel nya.

Looking forward sa advice nyo po. Thank you and God bless

Hi Boe, naku, di ko po alam for sure. Ang alam ko po, pwede nyo po iexplain na wala talagang landline and pwede rin na sister yung mag-sponsor. If may napili na po kayong designated travel agency, sila na lang po ung i-ask nyo para sure.

Hi sir! I would like to ask about what to use, student or employee? I am taking kasi doctoral studies while teaching in a university. I have credit card na BDO. I also have ITR, opened bank account last 2 years ago, travelled most of the ASEAN countries. This is my first time to apply for a visa. Thank you sir.

Hi Daniel, if i were in your shoes, I’d declare employee. :)

Hi. If invited by a Korean, do i need to provide the additional requirements? I have all the 7 listed requirements. And also nkatravel na din ako sa Japan last March lang but just a single entry visa.

Invitation letter and passport copy po ng nag invite ang additional. Since nagkapag-travel kana sa Japan, pwede ka ng hindi ang lagay ng ITR/2316 sa application mo.

Hi ask ko lng, ok lng b na di ko isubmit ung old passport ko kung sa current namn is andun n lahat ng travel stamps ko na napuntahan for the last 3 years? Though i still have a valod visa on my old passport. Plano ko ko kasi ung current n lang since madami naman travel history dun. Thanks

hi! First time to apply for a Korean Visa, pero I recently had one OECD Visa, and a Gold BPI Debit Card. However, yung funds ko nasa passbook, not at the Gold Card kasi it was meant for settlement lang naman ng mga investments. Pwede na po ba kaya magapply ng multiple agad? Or risky kaya better if single-entry muna? Thank you :)

Hi, I am tax exempted but I have the copy of my Form 2316, do I still need to write an explanation letter about being tax exempted? and as for the Bank, I open my personal account 6 months ago (almost 7), is there a possibilities that it would get me denied even though I am a regular employee and has been working for a year already?

Hi, our family is planning for a trip for 5 days. Each one of us has bank statements but the balances aren’t that big (10k to 30k). Pero 2 of us has BPI supplementary and BDO credit cards, so as a sponsor, can we submit credit card statements in lieu of bank statements? Thank you.

Hi CJ, I don’t know for sure so it’s still best to consult the travel agency where you will be lodging your application. But I think they will still ask for your bank docs. You can submit the credit card statements on top of but not in lieu of. Just my opinion, though.

Good day po… meron po ba dito na asawa ng isang EPS (yung dun po nagwowork sa korea ang asawa as factory worker) na na approved ang visa… ano po ginawa nyo…sinabi nyo po na ang totoo na dun nag wowork ang asawa nyo or hindi ko po dapat sabihi …salamat po…

Good day po! Ask ko lang may manlilibre po samen papuntang korea bale pinsan po xia ng step father ko from US.posible po ba na maaproved kami?

Hi Alissa, possible naman pero mahirap lang talaga yan kasi sobrang layo na ng relationship mo sa sponsor mo.

Hi! Just want to ask for a friend of mine. Bale she is a professional job order/ contractual sa local govt. So wla po siyang ITR,. Ano po kayang best na gawin?. Can she apply for itr po sa bir or just write a letter explaining why she dont have itr. Hope for your response. Thanks in advance..:)

Hi Raqs, she can write an explanation letter and submit other proof of employment (copy of her contract, etc.). No guarantees though.

Hi! I’m a student applying for Korean Visa and my parents’ business which is a canteen doesn’t have an ITR and Mayor’s Permit. What should I put in my cover letter?

Hi Nicole, not sure, but it may be hard to prove employment of your parents to the embassy without the documents. Do you have other relatives who can sponsor you?

If sister po mag-sponsor, hindi na po need ng parents financial docs?

Hi, Me and my brother are applying for Korean Visa on January 2020. I am going to apply in Qatar since i am working here, while my brother shall apply in the Philippines. I am going to write his name on the application form that I am travelling to Korea with my brother and vice-versa on his case too. My question is, do we still required to submit our Birth Certificate as well even though I am not going to sponsor him on our trip in S. Korea?

Many Thanks in advance.

Hi Yuehan, unfortunately, I don’t know the answer to your question. :(

Hi! Just want to ask for my friend na kasama ko sana papuntang South Korea next year. Is it ok kung and aunty niya (sister ng mom niya) i declared niya na mag iisponsor sa trip niya? For big chances of approve korean visa sana, kasi wala pa syang 1 year sa work and mag oopen pa lang din ng savings account this month of june which is kaya nya naman maka-ipon to finance his trip.

Hi. My sister and I applied for korean visa as family application. Sister ko lang ang nag provide ng bank docs. She got approved kanina lang tapos yung skn wala pa update. Malaki ba chances na approved din ako? Thanks in advance.

Hi Wil, ang alam ko pwede naman ang aunt basta maprove ung relationship and may proof na sya ung magsusupport.

Hey Yoshke!

Was wondering if you could help. I’m currently planning to go to South Korea this September but I’m confused at to how I should proceed with my visa application. Because I’m currently taking a year off from uni this year, therefore, I cannot pass a “school certificate”. My mother (who will be my sponsor) has permits from her business and her own bank accounts and certs. I also have a good enough bank account (50k-60k) if ever I need to supply them myself.

If I were to write a cover letter, how do you suggest I should go about it? Providing them a copy of my return ticket be sufficient?

Hope you could help! Means a lot!

Hi Rosie, I’m not sure of what to do in your case. If I were in your shoes, though, I’d probably state that I’m taking a year off from school and explain why. But yes, I’ll also include the return ticket even though it’s not a requirement, just to show the will to return. That’s just me. Whether or not they will submit the ticket is up to the agency though. Have you decided which agency to lodge your application at? You might want to contact them directly and ask for their advice too. I’m sure they have more insights.

Hi Good day ! naimbitahan po kasi ako umattend sa isang International Forum for University students sa Korea this coming July 10. so mgaaply po ko ng Visa for student.. Bali Ang kulang ko nlng po ngaunsa requirements is bank statement ng father ko po. Bali ganito po kasi un nagnyari,, since both nsa abroad ung parents ko po, ngprocess po sila ng SPA doon para makakuha po ko dito sa Pilipinas ng bank cert and bank stament ng father ko po. But the problem now is hndi naindicate ng father ko ung bank statement dun sa pinagawa nyang SPA kaya hndi din ako nakakuha ng bank statement, only bank cert ung nirelease ng banko. Bali ngaun ngpprocess po ulit si father ko po ng SPA dun and it will takes another week bago yun makarting d2 sa Piliinas. So pagganun hindi na po ko makaabot sa date ng forum, eh nakapgbook na din po ko ng flight. If that’s the case pwede po kaya ko mgfile nlng ng cover letter explaining kung ano ung nagyari and mgprovide nlng po ng proof of income ng parents ko po like their payslips..iccconsider po ba nila yun?

Hi JNN, di po ako makapagbigay ng advice sa inyo kasi di ko po alam kapag ganyang case. :S

Hi Yoshke! My mom and I plan to travel to Korea this December. She’s a housewife, while I’m employed and has a stable income. She and my dad are no longer in good terms although he still provides financially from time to time. Haha sorry our family is complicated lol. Anyway, that’s why she is able to save and even got her own BDO credit card. Do you think I could sponsor her even though she technically has her own money? Thus, she doesn’t need to submit my dad’s business documents anymore but only her BDO credit card. Thank you!

Hi Jes, as far as I know pwede naman na child ung magsponsor ng parent. I asked din kasi a travel agent about it and un ang sabi nila. Basta parent-child, madali naman kasi ma-prove. Di ko pa naconfirm though. Malalaman ko yan by experience soon kasi mag-apply din ako for me and my nanay.

what if yung sponsor ay walang maprovide na COE and ITR, but may work po sy and may active na Passbook. May chance po ma approve? Ok lng ba na mgpasa nalng ng explanation letter stating kung bakit hndi sya makapgprovide?

You can try naman pero mas mahihirapan talaga maapprove kapag ganyan na sponsored pero kulang ung docs nung sponsor.

Thank you, Yoshke! :)

Thanks din po!

My husband has a BDO gold credit card. We are travelling as a family (with my 2yr old son and brother who is a student). Do we need to submit bank statements?

hello po.. galing na kmi ng korea last may, nag apply kami as a family kaso di namin naisama si baby because of inevitable circumstances. Gusto sana nmin bumlik for autumn season. i have BDO gold cc pero not grnted a multiple visa, inisip ko baka kasi nag apply kami as a family kaya di nbigyan. plano ko sana mag apply ako solo para may chnce for multiple visa. then si husband and baby sabay nalang. ok lng kaya yon? and kung ikuha ko sya ng supplementary card ok lng ba yon gamitin for chances na maapprove sila. thanks po

Magapply ako this August 1,

The thing is Ive been to Taipei last Nov 2018, so it will be an edge naman since I have traveled na once?

I have 2 bank accounts, parehas savings. yung isa payroll so regularly napapasukan ng money but nawawalan ng balance din or laman pero regular yung transactions. will it be okay na ipakita pa din kahit walang laman now?

The other one is a time-locked account here at my workplace. regular na nalalagyan ng money, 2016 nagstart yung acct, nasa 30k na yung laman nitoo. no trans ng withdrawal or anything. mas safe na ipakita ito ito diba? though baka hindi normal na bank certificate and statement yung maprovide ko since technically its not associated with any bank. they will just give me the summary and transaction history nung account. cover letter na lang ba isusubmit ko to explain this?

Hi Freya, you can submit naman all 3 accounts (2 bank accounts + yung sa workplace mo) tapos explain mo na lang ung sa workplace mo.

Thank you! :) I’ll just do a cover letter then. I do hope the visa would be granted since 3 days lang naman plan ko. Ive read from other blogs na mas concerned yung consulate on the maturity and activeness of the account rather than the actual balance.

They take maturity, activity and actual balance — all of them — into consideration. :D

Hello! Planning to apply for a visa this October. I’m currently employed and I’ve been with the company since June 2018 so my ITR statement is much lower than my actual earnings since June-January 2018 lang yung na-cover niya. Will that be an issue kaya? Should I write a cover letter explaining that or gets na naman nila yun since may COE naman that would state na June 2018 ako nahire?

Also, I’m currently enrolled in graduate school so I’m wondering if pwede rin mag-submit ng enrollment certificate for additional proof na babalik talaga ako ng Pinas. Pwede ba yun or useless lang siya?

Thank you! :)

Makakatulong ung enrolment certificate to prove na babalik ka. :)

And yep, you can submit an explanation letter. Makakatulong din un sa ITR situation mo and to explain na you’re also in graduate school.

Sorry, June-December* 2018

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, I 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

Follow up to this, I got my visa for the second time (first was march of this year). What I did with my dilemma is I submitted my ITR from 2018 + COE from the prev branch that I was working in + Independent Contractor Contract + Explanation letter.

Hope this could help anyone with situation.

Can we choose the date/time of interview at the Korean embassy? My sister and brother-in-law wants to travel with us but lives in a remote island so they would like the interview date to be close to the actual trip so that they need not make two trips to Manila – one for the interview and another for the actual flight to South Korea.

What interview are you referring to?

As far as I know, there is no interview.

Hello Poor Travelers,

I am Anj. I am frequent traveler to South Korea. I already have a multiple visa entry to South Korea. Overall, I went to South Korea 5 times plus my flight this November, so that’s 6x. My first flight was October 2017.

I would just like to ask if it’s okay to renew (or apply) for a multiple visa while my visa is still valid? It will expire on October 2020. Thank you.

Hi Anj, ay, i don’t know if that’s possible sa Korea. Ang alam ko ay yung sa Schengen States, may rule talaga sila na no 2 valid visas at the same time, so need ipa-invalidate ung isa if mag-aapply ng new one. Pero di ko alam if same ng policy ang Korea.

Hello ask ko lng po. Need po ba both parents, mother & father ung may cert of employment? Kasi nkaleave ung mommy ko ngayon. Di daw sya mkakuha. Is it oky if father lng may cert of employment?

Hello Poor Travelers, want to ask sana pano po pag i have two bank accounts(bpi and Pnb) pero wala pa sia 3 months old. Pero same is may laman good for 8 days sa korea. The thing is i have an account sa bdo pero pinaclose ko kasi nahihirapan ako mag deposit kasi po laging pila. Kaya i decided to open new accounts sa other banks. Can i have a letter of explaination about this? Or malaki possibility na i will be denied? Im a Deped teacher then i have an invitation letter coming from my relatives sa south korea. Appreciate your answers. Thank you for your help

Aww sad to hear po about your friend. So mas maganda po if d ko nlang ipass ung Invitation letter? Ung sa akin naman po is 2 bank accounts. Halos 2 months old sia. But to have an evidence na nagkaroon tlga ako bank account na matagal na sa bdo. Okay lang b na idikiit ko sa cover letter ko mga letters o records ko from BDO?Naisip ko , how about magpasponsor ako? Ayun nga lang d ko sia immediate family but very financially stable account nila. Kumpleto na rin po ako ITR, Appointment Letter from Civil Service Commission testifying I’m a permanent teacher, Employment Letter at iba pa po. Pinagprapray ko po tlga matuloy. Kasi po greatest goal po nmen at nakapag book na din po flight and hotel. Appreciate your help po Sir. Thanks a lot po.

I wish alam ko ung dapat i-advise sa’yo pero di rin ako confident sa mga nasa isip ko regarding your case. Ang alam ko lang, pag sponsor, ideally immediate family member.

I think it’s best to consult the travel agency where you plan to lodge the application. :(

Hi Marie Antonette,

Naku, mukhang mahirap yan. Same ng nangyari sa isang friend ko. Lumipat sya ng bank so pina-close nya ung account and nag-open ng bago. So 1 month pa lang open ang bank account nya nung nag-apply. Hindi tinanggap ng embassy. Nag-ask sila ng other bank accounts, eh isa lang ung sa friend ko. Binigyan sya ng option to proceed pero may risk of denial talaga or iwithdraw na lang ang application. Nag-withdraw na lang ung friend ko kasi malabo raw talaga.

This was at the time na wala pa sa picture ang mga agencies. So di ko alam ngayon.

The invitation letter wouldn’t help much. If anything, mas lalong magiging strict sayo ang embassy kasi may kakilala ka dun.

Hello Yoshke,

Preparing all docs needed for Korea Tourist Visa. I have downloaded one form which is Letter of Guarantee sa heading nya. Does it apply to us Filipino applicants na mag ssponsor/guarantor ako sa member ng family ko since my father is unemployed/retired OFW and my sister who is a student? Do I need to fill up that form as a guarantor/sponsor? We are not sponsored by anyone in Korea. So plain tourist lang talaga as a family. Will they allow me to sponsor 2 members of the family at the same time? Or would you recommend my other sister or mother who are both OFW’s but will apply their visas abroad that’s why we opted that I will sponsor 2 other family members. I have enough show money for the both of them. Thanks!

I don’t know. I haven’t applied for a Korean visa na sponsored or na magsponsor ng someone else.

Pero dati, nakapagtanong ako sa designated agency pero tungkol sa kapag hindi immediate family. Need daw ng Affidavit of Support. Pero di ko natanong kung needed pa ng Affidavit kapag immediate family.

I recommend consulting a designated travel agency para diretso na. Try Constellation Travels. :)

Hello people~

It will be my 5th time to apply for a South Korean tourist visa. My 1st 4 visits were done within 2 years (November 2017 – April 2019). So does that mean I can get a multiple entry visa?

Another question: I recently changed jobs kasi, I used to be a Contractual worker sa isang government agency sa Bicutan. Then last June 2019, I started my new job as a Permanent government employee sa BIR QC. The thing is, mas mababa kasi ang basic salary ko sa permanent job compared dun sa contractual job. Kailangan ko pa kaya magsubmit ng letter stating my job transition? Or okay na COE nalang from BIR ang ipakita?

Thanks sa makakasagot~

ALSO NOTE LANG SA IBANG MAGAAPPLY: I’ve applied 4x for a Korean visa and approved na less than 60k lang ang laman ng bank account ko. My last application, my bank only had 22k in it.

Hi Beebee, I don’t know for sure.

According to a travel agency that I consulted, dati pa raw yang “4 visits in 2 years” na eligibility sa multiple. Di na daw sya nag-apply ngayon. Mas erratic and unpredictable daw ngayon. Di ko sure yan, nashare ko lang ung sabe saken.

Good afteenoon po! Mam I want to travel to South Korea on October 2019 ( Autumn). I’m currently working here in Saudi Arabia. My problem is, I want to try to apply for korean tourist visa here in Saudi but I don’t know if its easy. Saan po ba mas madali mag-apply po, dito saudi or sa pinas na lang po? Uuwi po ako sa Pinas by October. Wala din po kasi ako ITR, wala naman po kasi tax dito saudi. So, ano po ba ang mas maganda kong gawin? Thank you so much!

Ay di ko po alam kung alin ung mas madali kasi wala po ako point of comparison. Sa Pilipinas ko pa lang po kasi na-try. :(

Hi. I just want to ask if you have heard about the embassy’s issue with system generated COEs? I recently submitted my requirements to Rakso Air Travel and Tours Inc. but they told me that the COE has to have an indication that it is system generated so it won’t look like I forged the document. The agent gave me the choice if I want to try submitting the one I have but declined because I don’t want to take the risk. Please let me know your thoughts/advice on this.

Hi Angela, haven’t heard of it. You mean that the embassy prefers system-generated COEs?

I never submitted a system-generated COE to the Korean Embassy. The COEs I submitted were always manually prepared by my IS or client.

Hi! I was wondering if you can help me in filling up my form..I’m not sure where I should put my middle name? Or hindi na ba siya required ilagay? Thank you

Hi again Yoshke!

I’m a bit confused if I’ll pass the requirements of being employee or self employed. Because I’ll present my bank account where I used for my online business (I only have one account) and I will present my employee requirements. Hindi ba parang fishy sa consul yun?

PS. I got rejected three times last year ng korean embassy :((((

Hi Den, ano po bang employee status nyo now? Full time employee pero may online business on the side?

Yes, exactly! Full time employee and may online business as my sideline. Inaasikaso ko pa kasi mayor’s permit and BIR, but DTI registered na :)

If I were in your shoes, I would apply as an employee and declare that I also have an online business. Then, I will also submit an Explanation Letter and proof of income from my online business.

When you were denied before, what employment status did you declare?

Employed rin ako dati, same company.. Pero under agency kasi ako, nagkacater ung company ko ng nurses and doctors sa iba’t ibang sites. (I’m a nurse). Nung unang beses ako nadenied: nagbigay ako ng explanation letter na bakit dalawa COE at ITR ko (kasi nagend na ung contract ng dati kong agency sa company na kinicater nila, tapos nagpaabsorb kami sa bagong agency). That was March 2018.

2nd time na nadenied ako: Hindi ako nakapagpasa ng original COE kasi soooooobrang tagal ng processing ng COE namin wala na akong time. 3rd time: triny ko sa Cebu right after nadenied ako sa Manila, mga after two days lang. All complete requirements except walang tatak ng BIR ung ITR ko. (Both November 2018)

So it will be easier if I’ll pass my DTI registration and proof of income from my online business?

When did you register your business? If bago pa lang, parang malabo pa rin sya itake ng embassy seriously.

Hi! I hope this helps anyone who is under the same situation as me.

I applied for a Korean Visa last December and travelling solo. Although I’m a student, ako magssponsor sa sarili kong trip using my savings/allowances. My parents weren’t in a good financial position kasi kakadebut lang ng kapatid ko so they’re basically nganga that time lol. What I did was I submitted my own bank certificate and statement along with a cover letter explaining why my parents can’t sponsor me for this trip. Sinama ko din school certificate ko para ma-ensure sila na babalik ako ng PH. I already had my flight and accommodation details din with my application kasi yung laman lang ng bank account ko that time was around 30K BUT my account was very active (specifically 13 pages inabot ng bank statement ko lol). Yung ADB din nung account ko was around 10K lang that time. I just submitted my parents’ marriage certificate and COE.

And yes, my application was approved! I stayed in Korea for a week and it’s literally the best week I’ve had. And super rush pa nya since naapprove visa ko merely hours before my flight sobrang nakakaloka. Pero now di na pwede super rush since they’re discontinuing daw yung express application from Sept. 9. And now i’m excited to come back for the second time next week with the same conditions as i had the first time around. For those who is in the same situation as I’m in just make sure to explain everything on your cover letter as in everything BUT dont make it too long. I explained everything in one page lang.

Wow! Thanks so much for sharing! For sure maraming matutulungan.

And glad you had an awesome time in Korea!

Medyo stressed po ako since it’s about a month and a half na lang til my flight and I haven’t secured a visa yet. Ready na sana lahat ng documents ko when I saw my ITR (2316) didn’t have the signature sa #58 – this is the one at the very bottom for the present employer to sign.

(Note though, na merong signature si present employer sa #56. Bakit di nila pinirmahan both!!! Kaloka).

Anyway. I contacted our HR and since large corporation kami, it took them several days to answer. Huhu. Sabi nung isa – “Since you were a new hire last 2018, you are classified under nonsubstituted employees, and #58 has no signature. Per payroll team, that is still valid for any legal purpose.”

Sabi nung isa (yes, magkahiwalay pa sila sumagot LOL) – “We can only stamp a Certified True Copy, and we will send this to your department.” Ang problema, faint na nga yung certification stamp, dun pa sya sa may #59 (employee’s signature) pumirma ng certification signature. So parang nag-overlap yung signatures naming dalawa.

HAAAAY. Sorry Yoshke, sayo ako nagdrama. Hahahaha. Wala na rin kasi akong pag-asa at this point. Tatanggapin ba to ng agency/embassy? Should I just use the uncertified version (walang ugly stamp and signature, at least) then just go for a cover letter? I’m not sure what to do at this point.

Hoping you can share any insight.

Best, Athena

Hi Athena, if I were in your shoes, since may flights na, i-gora ko pa rin. Submit whatever you have then write an explanation letter and hope for the best.

Kung ako lang yan ha.

Hi! Just wanted to share that Reli Tours in Megamall has been relocated to (outer) Ground Floor Building A, the street area between Building A and Building B! :)

Hi, my brother’s son will be joining us in the trip and he’s just 2 years old as of now. Should I use the same application form po ba or may separate form for children? and also for the reqs, should I need to photocopy the reqs from the parent and attach to the application of the child? Thanks

Hi, What is the minimum age for Visa Application? I have a 5-month-old baby and she will be 9 months old by the time we apply for Korean Visa.

Please enlighten us.

Hello po, ask ko lang po kung meron na po kayo na experience na nag punta muna nang SG tapos pagbalik saka kumuha nang korean visa na na approve po? Natatakot po kasi ako sa friend ko. Kasi hindi na siya nakapag file nang visa ngayon kasi nextweek na po ang alis niya, eh 10-15 working days po pala ang pagkuha nang visa. Salamat po sa makakasagot.

I’m traveling with my family, but can apply as an individual?

Hello! I’ll be travelling with my family to korea this december. I visited korea last april but i was only given a single entry visa. I was a student then, and already graduated last june. Do I check unemployed in the visa form? If so, how can i explain that im a fresh graduate and my dad who will be travelling with me will support the trip? Do you think i’ll be given a visa again? Thanks so much!

Hi LJ, you can submit a cover letter to explain that you’re a fresh grad.

Hello! What if form 2307 is provided but not 2316 due to a non-contractual job? The acctg only provides the 2316 to regular, permanent employees. Will that suffice along with an explanation letter. I have worked in the same organization since 2017. Additional docs included are my payslip and employment and salary details.

Hello Yoshke, tanong ko lang kung ang Cebu is kasama sa new Visa application processing time?

Hi Maria, nope. According to some members of our support group and a travel agency in Cebu, di affected ang Cebu consulate.

10 days lang ang processing time sa cebu consulate but the problem is, yung mga travel agency dun, 20 applications per day lang daw pwede nila masubmit. so nakapila pa yung samin sa oct.15 pa isusubmit ng agency,huhu. if only we can afford to go to cebu just to submit personally but we can’t due to our jobs. so sad naman na nililimit ng korea mga tourists/visitors nila :(

Hi, for new passport (10 years) if wala siyang signature, will it not be valid? will it be grounds para ma denied ang visa?

Di ko po alam if makaka-affect. Pero ang nakasulat po sa passport, “Not valid unless signed.”

Good morning. Just have some concern regarding sa application ng Korean Visa. Me and my 2 friends will travel sa SoKor on February 2020. Our first application was done last November 2018 but only 2 of us was approved. My friend tried to appeal since okay naman ang bank statement nya (100k) and matagal na nyang ginagamit but, that time when we applied he was not yet a regular employee (3 months) sa new job nya. We’re planning to go back in SoKor next year together with my 2 friends again and this time ay regular employee na siya and the bank statement he will going to use ay payroll account since every month may transaction doon unlike sa previous account nya na bihira lang magkadeposit and big amount pa minsan kung malagyan. Is there a possibility na ma approve na siya now or madeny again second time?

This not our first travel together. We travelled on some asian countries (6) before we apply for Korean Visa.

Thank you and sorry for the long explanation. I hope you can help me.

It’s very difficult for me to say if maaapprove or madedeny this time around. That rests solely on the visa officer. My only advice is, if he has been denied before, make sure that he will not be submitting the same documents. So yes, okay yung ibang account na may regular transaction ang isubmit this time around.

There is always a possibility na madeny, especially pag na-deny na before. Pero since nag-iba na ang situation ng friend mo from yung nung last application, I think it’s worth a shot.

He was denied when he appealed to Consul last November 2018 so we are trying a second application now and hoping that it will be approved this time

I have got the Invitation letter for business Trip. But where can i found the Word fli of Application form? I am only getting pdfs.

You can find it here: https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/ph-en/brd/m_3283/view.do?seq=724702

Hi! For the “Countries you’ve been to in the last 5 years” part of the visa application, should we put ALL the countries we’ve been to in the last 5 years? We have more than 5 countries kasi so it won’t fit the given space. Are we supposed to add a separate sheet for it ba?

Hi Pat, ang ginagawa ko first five lang tapos separate sheet na ang iba.

Hi Yoshke, can you share the template of this separate page? Thanks! :)

Hello po! Tatanong lang po kasi nagtuturo po ako sa isang maliit na Foreign Language School pero hindi po ako professional teacher. Bibihira ang estudyante sa amin kaya wala masyadong income ang school at sahod na natatanggap. Pupunta po ako ng Korea at mananatili roon ng isang buwan para mag-training. Naisip ko pong magpa-sponsor na lang sa magulang ko. Matatanggap po kaya iyon?

Hi Doms, pwede po naman na isponsor ng parents pero they might still need to see your own financial and employment documents and they will take those into consideration pa rin. Also, hindi ko po alam if covered pa rin yang purpose of travel nyo ng tourist visa. Check nyo po with the embassy kung ano ung best visa type for you.

Question lng po: First time ko kumuha ng Visa for SOKOR pero may mga travel na ako international free visa counties like (Hongkong-Macau, Thailand), then 6 years na regular employed. meron na rin ako bank Certificate & bank statement ang laman ng personal bank account ko is around 60-65K for 6 days. nasubmit ko ko na din lahat ng requirements na kelangan sa agency.. copy ng ITR from employer and then COE. Actually, magtravel kami kasama ko yun family ng sister ko. sama sama kami.

Ano po yung question nyo?

Ask ko lng if possible kaya na maapprove yun visa ko? Thanks!

Possible pa rin naman po basta walang fishy dun sa bank transactions.

Although maliit yung 65K for 6 days, may chance pa rin naman yun maapprove. Mas malaki lang ung chance syempre if mas ok yung finances.

Hello! Thanks for the comprehensive article, very helpful! I am traveling with my sister to Korea next year. She is 18 years old and still a senior high student by that time.

My worry is, I already have a multiple-entry Korean visa, thus, I cannot apply together with her as family. As her sponsor and companion for the trip, what do I need to submit to prove my financial capacity (We will also submit our birth certificate to prove the relationship, including my track record of entry to Korea).

Do you recommend that she should have her own bank account, or will our parent’s employment and financial documents suffice, including my own? I also plan to submit a cover letter explaining the situation, as well as supplemental proof that she will really return here. Thanks in advance!

Hi JK, as far as I know, pwede na ung employment and financial docs ng parents pag student. Di need ng personal bank account for that. :)

You can call a designated agency to confirm din.

Hi! Good day. Question lang po.

My family and I decided to spend Christmas Holidays in South Korea. Will be applying na for Korean Visas on November 13, 2019 in Cebu, and we already bought our tickets to SK because of impulsiveness.

I’ll be traveling (21, and unemployed) with my 2 minor sisters, 3 aunts, and 1 cousin. My mom is dead and my father works abroad. My first aunt is a freelancer, which means she doesn’t have an ITR. My 2nd aunt has travelled to more than 5 OECD countries in the last five years, and my third aunt is a BDO and BPI Gold card holder.

my 2nd, and 3rd aunt will be sponsoring our flights and entire stay in South Korea. What are our chances of approval if my first aunt is a freelancer and is unable to submit the complete requirements? Will our applications be evaluated individually or as a family? Thanks.

I’ll try to answer your questions adequately.

What are our chances of approval if my first aunt is a freelancer and is unable to submit the complete requirements? — Yung ginagawa ng ibang walang ITR ay nagsusubmit ng explanation letter + other proof of income (registration document, etc.)

Will our applications be evaluated individually or as a family? — As far as I know, even if you apply as a family, you will be evaluated individually. Merong mga cases na family or group application pero di lahat approved.

Do I still have to provide our dad’s certificate of employment and his bank statement abroad even though he isn’t the one sponsoring our trip? — Ang alam ko po, mas ok if magsubmit ka pa rin nung employment certificate and bank statements ng parents mo. In addition, kailangan ng Affidavit of Support from your tita kasi di considered immediate family ang tita. Call mo na lang din ung agency kung saan ka mag-apply para sure.

Do I still have to provide our dad’s certificate of employment and his bank statement abroad even though he isn’t the one sponsoring our trip?

Hi! I’m traveling to South Korea with my famliy (me, husband, 2 kids – 5yrs and 8yrs old). We were granted 5 years, multiple entry visas since March 2019. Finally, we plan to travel this December 14-19, 2019. I would like to bring my children’s nannies. My son has autism and my daughter is only 5 years old and we would really need the help of the nannies with us. We already brought our nannies to HK and Singapore and they have stamps in their passports. My questions are:

1. Can we bring 2 nannies? 2. Is it advisable for me to sponsor 1 nanny and my husband to sponsor the other? 3. What other documents will i submit for them? 4. Can i inform the agency if we can have express/expedite processing given the dates?

1. Yes, I don’t see why not. As long as you can show that you can support them financially.

2. Yes, I think it’s possible.

3. You can submit a notarized Affidavit of Support, stating that you are their employer and why you need them on the trip. You can also write a letter of explanation.

4. I think they have cancelled the express option.

I would still suggest that you call the designated agency where you plan to apply, in case I missed something.

Hello po, my question po ako regarding sa new rules ng korean embassy in filling the new application form.

I applied pala via Constellation Travel dito Iloilo. Now my concern is, last time I applied way back 2016 lahat po ng questions na not applicable for me sa form nilagyan ko ng N/A and thankfully approved naman po. (but not sure kung merong impact pag my N/A or wala)

Now po diba my new rules na dapat Arial 12 format? I followed din naman yun but this time di ko na nilagyan ng N/A yung mga questions na not applicable sa akin and just leave it blank na lang as adviced by constellation. But I’m confused cause when I called the Korean embassy they told me to just put N/A.

Do you think it will affect my application?

Thank you po

I don’t know if may changes na, but the agencies that I consulted about that — Reli, Constellation — both say to leave fields blank pag hindi applicable.

Pwede nyo po iexplain in detail yung 3 ways para visa free entry? Yung first po, halimbawa from Phil to Korea, pagdating doon, may proof dapat na may flight ako going to a third country. Lets say Taiwan, tama po ba?

Hi Jeck, di ko pa po nababasa or nakakapag-research about sa visa-free 3 ways.

Sige po Sir, I will wait for your blog entry about it. Kasi sobrang tagal ng waiting time para sa visa processing ng Korea. Thanks Sir for your reply.

Hi Yoshke Dimen,

approved na visa namin yesterday lng :) tuloy na tuloy na kami next month. thank God lahat kami na approved.

Yayyyy! Congrats!

Buti ka pa. Kami hindi natuloy yung pagbalik namin kasi di na aabot ung visa sa travel date namin.

Thank you…nakakakaba talaga kase dami ko nabasa about sa mga na denied sa embassy sa manila.. pwede na kami mag start bumili ng mga kelangan lalo na’t winter sa korea ng December.

Bili ka lang ng for 1 day. Mas mura ang winter items if sa Korea ka bili kaysa dito sa Pinas. :)

Really, nice idea..meron nman ako pang isang pang winter pwede dun n lng ako bibili.

Thank you so much :)

hello everyone i have a something to say and i need to get answer i`m Egyptian my wife is Korean now we married 1 year and 8 months i had problem with immigration so they pushed me to leave korea last march now we in egypt together my wife left korea when she was pregnant in first 3 months after we came to egypt i submitted for marriage visa but embassy rejected it now we have a baby i`m really worry if they denied it again i forgot something before we leaved Korea immigration told me i can`t enter Korea during one year

now we we have baby can i back now or still can not embassy here very bad and won`t to help any idea???????????

Hi! Unfortunately, I am not familiar with the policy for Egyptian nationals so I don’t know how I could help you. :S

hi question lang po, may unused korean visa ako last november 2018, di ako natuloy for some personal matter, tpos ngaun mag aapply ka ulit ng visa, may need ba ko isubmit na explanation letter as to why hindi ko sya nagamit? thanks

Hi Ella, di ko alam for sure kasi di ko pa naranasan.

Sa FB Support Group namin, may nagsasabi na hindi need ng explanation. Meron ding nagsasabi na kailangan daw. Meron din daw additional fee. Pero di ko sure.

I suggest gawa ka na lang ng explanation letter para sure tapos when you go to the agency to submit, ask mo sila if needed ba yun kasi mas alam nila for sure. If needed pa, at least may dala ka na.

jut got my visa yesterday…nag submt ako ng application last oct. 21 pa……sa sobrang excited ng barkada, maaga palang nag reresearch na kami ng tenerary at application process kaya nalaman namin agad na sobrang tagal na pala ng releasing ngayon unlike dati…….

Great thing you applied early! Congrats!!! Enjoy Korea!

Check out our Seoul Travel Guide here, too: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2017/01/korea-travel-guide-seoul-itinerary/

HI sir, regarding credit card holder promo.. Is it okay to provide certified true copy of 3 months credit card statement na lang plus credit card certificate from the bank?

Hi Yoshke, my family (mom, two younger siblings) to Korea in spring 2020 for tourism. Our flights are booked. Been to Korea thrice for the last five years and for this family trip, I will be the sponsor. My mom is a housewife, my youngest sibling is employed but the other sibling is unemployed and currently lives with me. He was an OFW back in 2014-2015 but returned to the Philippines for good and due to our family set up (dad passed in 2015, I had a medical condition in 2016) she handled the household affairs and was unemployed until she lived with me early this year and started a home-based online business in October. Since she is also bent on starting her own business in our hometown (buy and sell), she will apply for business permit in January. I am planning to file our visa In February.

1. What do you suggest the best thing we do, since I will sponsor the trip, is it better to declare her unemployment in the application? She is in her early 30’s.

2. Or since she will apply for business permit in January, is it better to declare she is self-employed? She will also open a new bank account in January dedicated to this business. Should we submit a bank cert/statement from this account? Will the embassy accept it?

3. Or will her new online business suffice plus a letter of explanation narrating her current circumstances as stated above? She also has a dedicated bank account for her online business but the amount is less than 10,000.

4. Will her financial status negatively affect her application even if I will sponsor the trip?

5. What is her best option to increase her chances of visa approval? How can she convince the consul that we will only travel for tourism as a family.

6. I am financially capable to bear all the expenses, has stable employment (12 years and counting, frequent traveler). Does this send a message to the consul that our only purpose is tourism? Will it increase our chances for visa approval?

7. Should I also submit a cover letter for the family?

That’s a lot of questions but thank you very much for your advice :)

I’ll try to answer your questions to the best of my knowledge, but I would still encourage you to get in touch with the designated agency where you plan to lodge your application.

1. Since by the time you apply she would already have a registered business, she can use that. In my opinion, it’s better to have a new source of income than none at all. That said, they will definitely notice that the business is new so it’s best to be forthcoming about it by explaining why in a cover letter. The things you shared in your comment seem to be valid reasons.

2. Does she have an older bank account, even a personal account? They may be forgiving about a new business, but I’m not sure how considerate they can be if the bank account is ALSO newly opened.

3. Our teammate tried applying for a visa na sponsored din, but she was still asked to submit her own bank certificate/statements regardless.

4. Yes. Embassies tend to be stricter with sponsored applicants. More reason for them to scrutinize her finances.

5. To be honest, I don’t know what else. But if I were in your position, I would take a personal approach and explain why your sister had to stop working for a couple of years and that you just want to thank her by spending time together. That’s what I would do, but that’s just me.

6. The thing about Korea is that even if the applicant is sponsored, they still look at their own personal financial and employment status regardless. That’s why kahit na family application, it’s not unheard of na may isa na denied tapos approved yung iba.

7. Yes, that will help.

Hi! Thank you for all the information! I am planning to apply for a tourist visa sometime next year. I want to take my mom with me. She’s a senior citizen and a housewife, no bank accounts or anything. Just some cash savings in her drawer. Lol.

I can submit all the requirements, I think. I’m just wondering how I can let the embassy know that I can cover for my mom’s trip expenses. Do you happen to know how I can go about with it? I would really love to see South Korea with her. Thanks!

Hi Jemibee,

I was supposed to go to Korea with my senior citizen mom last month. Di lang natuloy kasi di aabot yung visa. But according to the travel agency we consulted, if ako yung sasagot, need ko: – Proof of relationship — kahit birth certificate lang ay okay na – Bank certificate AND statements — to prove that I can financially support both of us. Dapat sufficient yung laman and walang fishy transactions – COE/ITR — to prove may work ako and may source of income talaga ako – Cover letter explaining that I will be sponsoring the trip. Since immediate family, di naman daw need ng Affidavit of Support.

Makakatulong din if magsubmit mom mo ng copy ng senior citizen ID.

Best to call pa rin the designated travel agency where you plan to lodge your application para mas ma-guide ka nila. Ihe-help ka naman nila basta sa kanila mo ifa-file. :)

when we download the form, kapag itype natin automatic naka arial size 12 na ba yun?

Hi Sen, pwede namang ichange yung font and size when filling out the form digitally. What program/app do you use when filling out?

I use pdf. kaya lang in order to edit, kelangan mag purchase haha

the font being used now is very different ba from the font before? kasi i just downloaded the form sa website ng embassy, so im not sure if it was already in arial 12 or not.

if ever the font i submitted was in, say, times new roman, ibabalik ba nila application ko?

Hi Sen, I think they’re referring to font when you type your answers. Just the answers. You don’t need to change the font of the questions. The actual form, as is pa rin siya kasi wala naman silang newly released na form.

I was referring to my answers font. i downloaded the form from the embassy website, and just type. i dont know if the font when i typed my answers ay naka arial 9 na. kasi sa pdf, i couldnt check or edit font. when i tried doing it, may bayad kasi.

what if my answers hindi naka arial 9, magkakaproblema kaya at ibalik nila sakin to retype? 8 kasi kami mag apply, lahat ng form nafill out na kasi when we found out thru your site regarding sa font. yung ibang kasama namin bumalik na sa province, so if we have to retype everything, they wont be here to sign it. this is so stressful. the korean embassy website kasi walang sinabi regarding sa font size. only that it should be printed on A4 paper.

The update on font size was cascaded to designated travel agencies, which was then shared with us.

I get that the file type you’re using is PDF, but what program are you using to open and type on it? Acrobat Reader?

Anyway, if it’s easier, there is a Word version of the application form available on the Korean embassy’s website. We also have a copy here: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Visa-Application-Form.docx

And it should be Arial 12.

Hi! I have the same question regarding font size. Meron kasi akong mahahabang sagot like address, name of school, so nagaadjust na sya mismo sa format ng visa application kapag word. Ok lang ba yun? And if pdf edit naman, lampas lampas na sya. Eh sabi bawal daw lampas sa space yung mga sagot. Nag-aapply pa kaya ito for 2023? Worried lang kasi first time ko sya and na-abolished na yung accreditation ng mga travel agency. Thank you!

Hi, I’m planning to go to Korea with my friends next year. I have been to Korea last April with my parents, but was only approved a single-entry visa. I’m 23 and I work as a freelancer, so no ITR to present. When I applied for a visa for the April trip, I had many stamps from my Southeast Asian trips, a letter of explanation why i don’t have an ITR and an Affidavit of Support from my Dad since he’s with me naman during the trip. However next year, it’s going to be just me and my friends and I still don’t have an ITR to present. Can I still ask for an Affidavit of Support from my Dad even if he’s not coming with me sa trip??

If you’re declaring that your dad will be shouldering the expenses, yes, you can submit Affidavit of Support.

Hi, i have BDO Gold, but i don’t have a statement of accounts since my card is almost new and didn’t have transactions yet. Latest original credit card account statement and photocopy of the credit card should be submitted during visa application. any thoughts on this?

Diba pwedeng mag enter ng Korea visa-free kapag may OECD Visa ka and then confirmed flight to that country within the next 30 days? What if I just get a ticket with a 24-hr free cancellation? Kasi di na aabot yung visa ko for the flight and I have the OECD visas naman. Do you think this will work?

Di po ako aware sa ganyan. :S

Sorry nakikicomment lang, I dunno how to add a new comment. I would like to clarify on the OECD visa kasi po it was mentioned that persons who have travelled as TOURISTs in OECD countries are exempt from submitting an ITR. Is the exemption limited only to tourists po and not those who have previously worked there? My boyfriend used to work in Italy and came home sa Pinas last 2016.

Thank you so much for your help!

Di ko po sure, pero ang assumption ko doon ay for non-work lang yun nag-aapply. I could be wrong.

Hello po, Happy Holidays…

Magtatanong po sana ako… What if college student ako pero I’m working as part time.. May pera na din sa bank kasi nag stop ako before para magtrabaho full time… Should I submit requirements for the ’employed’ or kasali na ‘student’ kasi ako lang magfifinace sa self ko…

Also, my mom is a Korean fan pero unemployed siya, housewife lang. She’s here in Cebu, boarding with me. I want her to accompany me in my Korea trip. Is it okay if yung i-papasa na requirements for her sponsor is mine? or kailangan Certifcate of Employment and ITR of my dad? Kasi ako rin naman magsposponsor sa kaniya eh. Also for her, does she need to submit some economic ties here in the country?

Also, sa bank statement ng mom ko po… Dun siya nagkukuha ng pera para pambili ng grocery etc. pang daily life namin dito sa Pinas.. And it turned out na hindi malaki yung pera niya don sa bank account niya kasi hindi siya nag-iipon. Ma de-deny po ba siya sa ganyan because of the small amount of money in her bank, kahit na ako yung mag fifinace sa kanya during the duration of our trip?

Last one po, super pasensya na talaga… I’m just very confused at the moment… We don’t have a travel history.. Is it okay lang na first time namin yung South Korea as our international trip or kailangan talaga pumunta muna sa mga visa-free countries?

Thank you so much po, sana masagot po itong mga katanungan ang I’m very sorry if super mahaba yung tanong ko.. I can’t find the answers on the internet kasi plus hindi pa ako pumunta ng travel agency kasi baka nakakaintimidate sila hahahaha… God bless :)

Hi Ralph, no worries, I feel you!

Isa-isahin natin ha. Pero bago yun, medyo complicated yung case mo so I still suggest consulting a designated agency kasi mas alam nila gagawin. Anyway, try ko pa rin sagutin yung questions mo as far as I know.

1. Should I submit requirements for the ’employed’ or kasali na ‘student’ kasi ako lang magfifinace sa self ko…? — In my opinion, both. Normally, sasabihin ko ay choose one lang para hindi ma-complicate. But since you will be sponsoring your mom, you need to prove that you have a source of income. But it might help na idisclose na student ka pa kasi ties pa rin yun dito sa Pinas.

2. Ma de-deny po ba siya sa ganyan because of the small amount of money in her bank, kahit na ako yung mag fifinace sa kanya during the duration of our trip? — Pwedeng maging basis ng refusal ung maliit na amount sa bank. Hindi naman nawawala yung ganung possibility. Marami ring applicants ang malaki ang laman ng account, nadedeny pa rin. They look at the full picture kasi.

3. Is it okay lang na first time namin yung South Korea as our international trip or kailangan talaga pumunta muna sa mga visa-free countries? — May mga first time na mag-abroad na naaapprove naman. Pero feeling ko, honestly, given everything you mentioned, the safer way to go is build travel history first. Pareho tayo ng sitwasyon. Pangarap ko sa nanay ko makapunta kami sa Korea dati pa pero hanggang ngayon di ko pa sya nadadala dun. hahaha. Inuna ko muna ung mga visa-free like HK, Macau and Singapore. Tapos nag-Japan na kami. This year, medyo malakas na ang loob ko na mag-apply sa Korea.

hello mam ask ko po sna kng nid k p mg punta s oecd contry,,kse galing n po ako ngtour s malaysia at 2 mhigit ako s dubai,,eh na denied po kse ako ngaun s visa for korea

at singapore po pla,,tapos po eh ung bangko k eh kakaopen lng kse galing po ako s dubai,,pero may laman nmn n 500k,,anu kya reason ng denied k po

Most likely po ung bank account nyo kasi kung bago pa lang, red flag un sa paningin nila.

Hi! Heads-up, the Embassy released a new application form (Jan 2020)

http://overseas.mofa.go.kr/ph-en/brd/m_3275/view.do?seq=760835&srchFr=&srchTo=&srchWord=&srchTp=&multi_itm_seq=0&itm_seq_1=0&itm_seq_2=0&company_cd=&company_nm=&page=1

Thanks for letting us know! Ayan, pinalitan na namin. :D

Hello po, me and my friend will travel to SoKor this coming March, i will apply a visa here abroad and she will apply po sa atin sa pinas, my question is she will only have around 30k sa payroll account nya before mag apply ng visa, her ticket and hotel po, ako na ang mag shoulder, means makakapag pasa sya ng requirements together with the confirmed 2-way ticket and hotel booking. We will stay there 5days po, how many percent of chances po kaya na ma approve ang visa nya since around 30k lang ang magiging bank balance nya? Thanks po.

Hi Clyrrah,

Pasensya na po pero mahirap po for me to say kung ilang percent ang chances because it depends on a whole lot of factors, hindi lang ung laman ng bank account.

Hi. Anyone who experienced entering Jeju Island after a denied korean visa? My korea visa was denied last Jan.6,2020 and plan B is going to Jeju on Jan.19,2020. I called the Korea Embassy in Manila and they said it doesn’t matter kung may korea visa denied stamp since Jeju is visa-free. My worry is on Jeju Immigration. Kung may maeencounter ba akong problem or worst is di nila ako payagan mag enter ng Jeju because of denied visa although dapat wala siyang bearing since visa-free ang Jeju. Any same experience encountered or any advice? Thank you.

Helllo there, thank you for the updated Korean visa requirements. Confirm ko lang if hindi na talaga sila nag aallow ng borrowing ng passport if you have a travel before the intended travel to Korea? I called the embassy just this end of December 2019 and sabi inaallow na nila since matagal yung processing. Please advise, naconfuse ako. Thank you.

If sabi nung embassy na ina-allow nila, baka binago na nila ang policy. Di lang siguro nila na-cascade to agencies. Kasi yung last message nila ay di na pwede pero that was before humaba yung processing time. So baka pwede na nga now.

if my credit cardis newly issued about 2mos can i use it as a requirement?

Hi, I was granted a single entry visa to korea and will expire on March 26, 2020. I intend to travel February of 2020 but due to unavoidable circumstances at work I rebooked my ticket May 22, 2020. If I apply again for another visa, is there a guarantee to be approved? When can I apply again? Is it possible to apply earlier than expiration of my visa since the processing is longer so that it can be released before my flight?

Hi sir! Tanong ko po if yung ITR na magagamit ko po is yung sa dati kung employer kasi dito po sa bagong pinagtatrabahuan ko April 2020 ko pa dw po makukuha. Eh April po yung target date namin for KR. may chamce po ba na ma dedeny ako?

OK lang po yan. Para di sila magtaka, sulat ka lang po ng Cover/Explanation Letter stating that you have moved to another company and that your ITR from your current company is yet to be released, so you will be submitting the ITR from your previous employer instead.

Hello! Thank you for this very comprehensive article! By any chance, would you know if a Travel Authority is required for government employees? Thanks in advance!

Hello po. I just want to ask if it’s ok to course the application through a non-accredited travel agency? My Japan visa was processed by them and I find their service quite satisfactory. They are offering Korean Visa processing so I’m quite enticed to try it as well. Will it be okay? Would appreciate your insights. Thank you in advance. :)

If they’re offering Korean visa assistance, pwede pa rin naman. Ganun yung ginagawa ng mga applicants sa mga places na walang designated agencies.

But these non-designated agencies are most likely still going to course the application through another agency na accredited.

Thank you for the response. Your blog is amazing! Keep it up. :)

No prob! Good luck with your application!

Hello! Ano meaning nila ng valid Philippine Passport? What if walang sign sa page 3 at sa Emergency na portion reason na kaya yun for denial?

I am working kasi sa family business since last year and wala akong ITR that time, ung ITR ko naman for this year ay sa April pa marerelease. Paano ba ang gagawin pag ganun? Ung experience ko kasi nung nag-apply ako ng Japan Visa last year, pinagawa nila ako ng letter of explanation. Then naapproved naman ako. Ganun din po ba sa SoKor Visa?

Yep, gawa ka na lang ng Explanation Letter tapos submit other proof of income na alternative. If you have payslips, invoices, etc. :)

im a dual citizen with a phil and british passport, if i want to go to korea and use my british passport, do i still need to get a visa?

Hi. Dapat po ba na ifollow yung days na nakalagay sa application form? Pano po kapag 5 days ang iniligay sa form then biglang nag decide to stay for 7 days?

Pwede naman po yun, basta within the validity period and allowed length of stay.

Hi, magaaply po sana kmi ng family ko for korean visa. dun po ba sa estimated tavel cost, do i need to put the total for the whole family? o ung budget ng bwat isa sa invidual application, kasi may kasama kming dalwang bata. thank you very much.

Pwede nyo naman pong isulat na “(amount)/per person”. I-indicate na per person para malinaw.

Hi, Have you heard of cases reapplying for visa wherein they have unused visa due to cancelled trips? we do have a scheduled trip this end of February and already has approved visa but due to the ongoing corona virus outbreak, we are contemplating to cancel and reschedule it by the end of this year. Was hoping though that the embassy would give extension giving the current situation. XD

Hi Princess,

Sa FB Support Group namin, merong members na hindi nila nagamit yung visa nila.

Di naman daw sya issue. Nabigyan pa rin sila ulit ng visa. Pwede ka apply ulit after. May nagsasabi na hindi need ng explanation letter. Meron ding nagsasabi na kailangan daw ng letter to explain bakit di nagamit.

Hi. I’m planning to travel po sa Korea on May 2020 with my niece without her parents and I will be the one to shoulder all the expenses. Other than DSWD at Affidavit of Support, May iba pa po bang requirements like letter of explanation etc.?

Hi I would like to share my experience in applying Korean visa in Cebu, this might help somebody.

It was on 2017 when me and my sister applied for the visa, this was our conditions at that time:

1) we have no travel history (so it was our first ever attempt at travelling outside the country) 2) My sister didn’t have a job, but she was reviewing for the upcoming Accountancy Board Exam 3) Hence she has no source of income, but she had an old BDO account with little money from her former freelance work

I myself had no problem with everything because I have a job and steady cashflow

so this is what we did for my sister:

1) we had our parents sponsor her, so most documents came from them 2) my mother is a housewife, my father an OFW (seafarer) 3) we requested my fathers’ Certificate of Employment from his agency in Manila. In less than a week it was delivered to us. 4) my father has no ITR. so my sister went to BIR and ask for Certification stating my father doesnt have to pay taxes (more of this below) 5) went to the bank and asked for Bank certificate and statement for my parents Joint account (my parents has many accounts separately, but we asked for the one which had most funds) 6) we made an explanation letter about my mother being a housewife and that my parents will support my sisters’ travel

so aside from the common requirements these are what we submitted for my sister:

1. COE of my father 2. Certification from BIR (OFW) 3. Certification from the center that she was reviewing for Board exam at that time 4. my sisters Bank Statement and certificate (even if it had very little money) 5. My parents Joint account Certificate and statement 6. Explanation letter

Now about the Certification from BIR. My sister went to BIR and asked for the requirements. She accomplished each of those and submitted it to BIR. I forgot if they released the certificate same day or if we waited for a few days. I also forgot what are the requirements, but I was sure they asked for my fathers Employment Contract (this is different from the COE from the agency). When my father departs to his job abroad, the agency will deliver a copy of his contract to my mother.

So if your father is an OFW/Seafarer, try to keep his contract. :)

And yeah we both got approved

Hi, just want to ask po. If 4 days lang in the country yung stated sa application dapat po ba exactly 4 days lang or I can stay longer?

I can see you updated the blog in 2020. Is there any new update in the meantime?

hello! i’m planning to apply for a korean visa. i was previously granted a single entry visa as a student. i am employed now, however, my savings account isn’t that impressive yet (30k ish balance) because i haven’t been working that long. my mom is willing to financially support the trip as a belated graduation gift, and we will most likely be traveling together as well (she already has a multiple entry visa) so i was wondering what documents i need to submit? do i submit both of our documents like coe, bank cert and statement? and do i still need an affidavit of support?

Hi Anj! Not sure if may changes na now kasi we haven’t applied since nagpandemic, pero usually kapag may sponsor, hinihingi naman pareho ung docs ng sponsor and ng applicant. Mas OK if kasama mo mom mo pag-travel. :)

Hi, I am asking anyone who’s had experience with refusal of visa due to failing to provide enough reason of stay. My cousin and I are supposed to be traveling this October 14-20 to South Korea with our whole family. We applied later than them due to personal circumstances, but our whole family was accepted. We got news today that we got denied due to the reason of failing to provide enough reason of stay even though we had the same itinerary and trip duration as everyone in the family. This is both our 2nd time to go to SorKor and we’re well-traveled (gone to Europe many times, US, North America, and Asia).

Is there a way we can request for this to be reviewed again and maybe we can send documents such as plane ticket to check?

Really hoping anyone answers me :(

Hi! I will be traveling with my mom who already has a multiple entry visa, so I will be applying alone. Do I need to provide a letter explaining why I am applying alone when I wrote in my form that I will be traveling with my mom, and birth certificate to prove our relationship?

Hi! im planning to go to korea march next year with my husband & some of my friends. In visa application, i can join my husband in my application as a family member with his own duly accomplished application form. Problem is he doesnt have any bank account but he is employed. Enough na kaya ITR & COE when it comes to financial support docs? though he has his own money nman. Ok lng kaya na shared kami sa bank account ko? What to do? Thanks

Joint accounts are accepted naman, lalo if married naman.

Hi Yosh, thanks for the reply. But im wondering, ung bank account that we will use is under my maiden name, we have no joint bank accounts since we got married just 2 years ago. Do you have any idea kung ilalagay nlang sa application nya that i will shoulder his expenses as a sponsor or we have to explain pa why he doesnt have any bank account even if he is employed? He will be paying for our plane tickets & accommodation anyway. Thank you so much!

Hello, are APEC card holders exempted from applying for a korean visa?

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South korean visa: list of travel agencies accredited by the embassy.

How and where to apply for a South Korea Visa in the Philippines? Who are the accredited travel agencies that are dsignated to accept Korean visa application?

South korea visa application designated travel agencies accredited by the embassy.

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SOUTH KOREA TRAVEL TIPS AND ESSENTIALS

• If you have limited time (let's say 3 days and 2 nights only) and you want to maximize you time in Seoul, I highly recommend that you take the early morning flight from Manila and late night flight from Seoul. This will allow you to have full days on your first and last days in Seoul. Please see my recommended Seoul, South Korea Sample Itineraries to help you plan your trip.
• When booking for a hotel in Seoul, you may consider areas such as Myeong-dong and Jongno . These places are best for this itineraries. CLICK HERE TO SEARCH FOR HOTELS AND HOSTELS IN SEOUL.
• To save on travel expenses, I highly suggest that you join group tours - especially for trips outside Seoul such as Nami Island and Petit France , Everland , and DMZ Tour .
• Use a Discover Seoul Pass to enjoy discounted rates, and an all-access tour to the top destinations, shrines, palaces, temples, and tourist spots in Seoul. You may read my review on the Discover Seoul Pass - HERE . It can also be used as T-Money Card that you can top up and use when taking the trains and buses in Seoul.
• To help you plan your trip, check out my post SEOUL BUDGET TRAVEL GUIDE with an ₱8,000 Pesos DIY Itinerary for suggestions and recommendations on top things to do in Seoul, tourist spots, and attractions. It also includes information on visa requirements and process, transportation, suggested tours, sample itineraries, and more.

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Korean Embassy in PH issues guidelines for tourist visa application

Going to South Korea to watch a K-pop concert or visit filming sites of Korean dramas?

On May 23, the Korean Embassy in the Philippines announced the guidelines for those who will apply for a tourist visa (C-3-9), which will start on June 1.

Earlier, the embassy said it will resume the issuance of all types of visa including tourist visas.

Here are the guidelines issued by the Korean Embassy in the Philippines in the application of a tourist visa:

1. Application opening date : June 1, 2022

- Application time : Mon-Fri (Except holidays) 8:30 - 11:00 a.m.

2. Processing period : 5 working days

※ Processing period may be extended or daily application limit may be set if there are too many applicants. Please refer to future announcements.

3. Application method : Application through agency Individual walk-in application are both possible until application through designated travel agencies resume.

※ Application through designated travel agencies will resume soon. Once it resumes, walk-in application will no longer be accepted. Please refer to future announcements.

4. Application Requirements : Visa application form, passport, passport copy, passport sized picture, visa application fee(if applicable only), proof of financial and professional documents

For employees

https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/ph-en/brd/m_3277/view.do?seq=684566&page=1

For businessmen

https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/ph-en/brd/m_3277/view.do?seq=684567&page=1

For students

https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/ph-en/brd/m_3277/view.do?seq=684574&page=1

For religious workers

https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/ph-en/brd/m_3277/view.do?seq=684575&page=2

For housewives

https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/ph-en/brd/m_3277/view.do?seq=684576&page=2

5. Precautions

- Submitted requirements will not be returned. Visa application may be approved or denied after verification and screening of the submitted requirements.

- Please keep order and refrain from any illegal or offensive action during visa application process.

Download the application form at https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/ph-en/brd/m_3283/view.do?seq=745066&page=1 .

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e-Visa Application via the Visa Portal

Visa application via korean diplomatic missions abroad, confirmation of visa issuance application via the visa portal.

• Confirmation of Visa Issuance Application via Korean Immigration

1. Application Process

Select “Application” >> “E-Visa(Individual)” on the Visa Portal (www.visa.go.kr)

2. Applicant

Application must be submitted by a foreigner or the sponsor on behalf of the foreigner

3. Applicable Status of Stay (as of Dec.8.2014)

• Professor (E-1), Researcher (E-3), Technical Instructor/Technician (E-4), and Professional (E-5) Visa for the applicant and Dependent Family (F-3) Visa for his/her accompanying family members.
• Foreign Notional of Special Ability (E-7) visa for the applicant and Dependent Family (F-3) Visa for his/her accompanying family members. - Qualification : the applicant must be an expert in advanced science and technology and have an official employment recommendation letter (a.k.a. GOLD CARD)
• Short-term General (C-3-1) Visa for a prospective investor invited by a promotion agency of the Immigrant Investor Scheme for Public Business and his/her accompanying family members
• Short-term Group Tourist (C-3-2) Visa for Chinese group tourists who can apply for their Visa through a designated travel agency
• Short-term Medical Tourist (C-3-3) or Recuperation & Treatment (G-1-10) Visa for foreign patients and their caregivers who are invited by an ‘outstanding medical facilitator’ designated as e-Visa agency.

- Qualifications : A foreigner who has entered Korea 3 times or more with a Short-term (C-3) Visa since the implementation of the fingerprint confirmation system for foreigner on Jan. 1, 2012, and who has no history of illegal stay or criminal cases

※ Please refer to the Visa Navigator for more details.

4. Required Documents

• Visa Application Form (electronic form on the Visa Portal)
• Scanned image files of passport pages
• Digital Photograph (in natural color, size: 3.5cm x 4.5cm)
• Fee (credit card for e-Payment)

- Please refer to the guide on required documents for each type of visa on the Visa Navigator or to the Visa Information on the website of a respective diplomatic office.

5. Procedure

Application by the applicant

• 1. Applicant - Completion of Application Form (Visa portal)
• 2. Applicant - e-Payment (Visa portal)
• 3. Applicant - Submission of Application (Visa portal)
• 4. sponsor (corporation/individual) - Confirmation Invitation (Visa portal)
• 5. Visa official - Reception & Review
• 6. sponsor, Applicant - Confirmation of Results (Visa portal)
• 7. sponsor, Applicant - Printing & Sending confirmation of E-Visa Issuance (Visa portal)
• 8. Applicant - Arrival in Korea

Application by the sponsor (inviter)

• 1. sponsor - Login (Visa portal)
• 2. sponsor - completion of Application Form (Visa portal)
• 3. sponsor - e-Payment (Visa portal)
• 4. Visa official - Reception & Review
• 5. sponsor - Confirmation of Results (Visa portal)
• 6. sponsor, Applicant - Printing & Sending confirmation of E-Visa Issuance (Visa portal)
• 7. Applicants - Arrival in Korea (Visa portal)

1. Application process

Select “Application" >> "Confirmation of Visa Issuance” on Visa Portal (www.visa.go.kr)

Application must be filed by the inviter (sponsor)

3. Applicable status of stay (as of Dec.8.2014)

• Professor (E-1), Foreign Language Instructor (E-2), Researcher (E-3), Technical Instructor/Technician (E-4) Professional (E-5) for the applicant and Dependent Family (F-3) Visa for his/her accompanying family members.
• Foreign National of Special Ability (E-7) Visa for the applicant and Dependent Family (F-3) Visa for his/her accompanying family members. - Qualification : the applicant must have an occupation under category 1 (executives) or 2 (professionals or related) of the Standard Classification of Occupation announced by the National Statistical Office
• Short-term Medical Tourist (C-3-3) or Recuperation & Treatment (G-1-10) Visa for foreign patients and their caregivers who are invited by an ‘outstanding medical facilitator’
• Business Visitor (C-3-6) visa for an invitee of a VIP corporation
• Student (D-2) and Korean Language Trainee (D-4-1) visa
• Non-professional(E-9) and Maritime Crew (E-10) visa

※ Please refer to the Visa Navigator for more detail.

• Application form for Confirmation of Visa Issuance (electronic form on the Visa Portal)

- Please refer to the guide on required documents for each type of Visa on the Visa Navigator, or to the Visa information on the board of the respective website of the Diplomatic Office.

• 2. sponsor - Completion of Application Form (Visa portal)
• 3. Visa official - Reception & Review
• 4. sponsor - Confirmation of Results (Visa portal)
• 5. sponsor, Applicant - Download Visa application Form (Visa portal)
• 6. sponsor - Submission of Visa Application & Payment
• 7. Visa Consul - Visa issuance (Diplomatic Office)

6. Check the Result of Your Confirmation of Visa Issuance Application

You can check the result of your application – through “Application Status” via the Visa Portal, ARS (02-2650-6363), text message or e-mail address you gave us.

7. Visa Application

• The sponsor (inviter) must download Visa application form (for the applicant) from “Application Status” on the Visa Portal, and send it to the applicant via email, or inform him/her of the number and expiry date of the confirmation of visa issuance.
• The applicant must receive Visa application form for the confirmation of visa issuance or its number (expiry date) from the sponsor in Korea in order to apply for his/her visa at the Korean Embassy or Consulate General.

Confirmation of Visa issuance is valid for 3 months, and is effective for visa issuance just for once. For any other inquiries, please contact the Immigration Contact center (+1345 without an area code or +82+1345 if you are calling from abroad).

1. Location of Application

Korean Embassy or Consulate in the applicant’s country (or area) of residence.

Application must be submitted by a foreigner or a visa agency on behalf of the foreigner

• A single-entry or multiple-entry visa for eligible applicants of Diplomat(A-1), Government Official(A-2) Visa
• A single-entry visa (with 90 days of duration of stay or less), for eligible applicants of - Short-term News Coverage (C-1), Short-term General (C-3) and Short-term Employee (C-4)
• A multiple-entry visa (with 90 days of duration of stay or less) for eligible applicants of Short-term News Coverage (C-1) and Short-term General (C-3) Visa who are citizens of countries that have multiple-entry visa agreements with Korea.
• Visas issued at the discretion of the head of a Korean diplomatic mission abroad, such as single-entry visa (with 90 days of duration of stay or less) for eligible applicants of Korean Arts and Culture (D-1) Visa who are planning to engage in cultural arts activities upon invitation of the Korea Foundation or from Korean Culture and Arts Committee

※ Please refer to the Visa Navigator for more details

• Visa Application Form (application form No.17, or please click the ‘Application’ menu on the Visa Portal >> Fill out the electronic form)
• Photo (natural color, 3.5cm x 4.5cm)

- You can pay the fee in the currency of your own country only if you receive permission from the head of the Korean diplomatic mission in your country.

The required documents mentioned on the Visa Navigator are of the minimum requirements. Depending on the circumstances of one’s country, the head of the Korean diplomatic mission may request/exempt additional documents for further evaluation. Therefore, in the case that required documents on the Visa Navigator do not match with those of the diplomatic mission, please follow the instructions and requirements provided by the respective diplomatic mission.

• 1. Applicant - Submission of Application
• 2. Visa Consul - Reception & Review (Diplomatic Office)
• 3. Visa Consul - Visa Issuance (Diplomatic Office)
• 4. Applicant - Arrival in Korea

※ For any other inquiries, please contact the consular affair Korean diplomatic missions in your country of residence.

Confirmation of Visa Issuance Application via Korean Immigration Offices

Korean Immigration Office that has jurisdiction over the area of inviter’s residence

2. Applicants

Application must be submitted by a foreigner or the sponsor/agency (E-9, E-10) on behalf of the foreigner

• Long-term Korean Arts and Culture (D-1), Student (D-2), Industrial trainee (D-3), General trainee (D-4), Long-term News Coverage (D-5), Religious Worker (D-6), Intra-company Transferee (D-7), Corporate/Foreign investor (D-8), International Trade (D-9), Professor (E-1), Foreign Language Instructor (E-2), Researcher (E-3), Technical Instructor/Technician (E-4), Professional (E-5), Artists/Athlete (E-6), Foreign National of Special Ability (E-7), Non-professional (E-9), Maritime Crew (E-10), Family Visitor (F-1), Dependent Family (F-3), Miscellaneous (G-1), and Work and Visit (H-2) Visa for eligible applicants
• Long-term Visa for citizens of countries with no formal diplomatic relations with Korea, or just specific countries (i.e. Cuba, Syria, and Macedonia) designated by the Korean government.
• Other people recognized by the Minister of Justice as needed
• Confirmation of Visa Issuance Application Form (Form No.21)
• Photocopy of passport pages
• Photograph (in natural color, size: 3.5cm x 4.5cm)

- The required documents mentioned on the Visa Navigator are of the minimum requirements. The head of the immigration office may request/exempt additional documents for further evaluation.

• The employment certificate and a copy of the representative’s ID, and a letter of attorney are required if the representative applies on behalf of the applicant. (Representative’s application may be restricted when further evaluation is required)

5. Procedures

• 1. sponsor - Completion of Application Form
• 2. Visa official - Reception & Review (Jurisdiction office)
• 3. sponsor, Applicant - Sending Confirmation No
• 4. Application - Submission (Diplomatic Office)
• 5. Visa Consul - Visa Issuance (Diplomatic Office)
• 6. Applicant - Arrival in Korea

6. Notification of evaluation results

7. Visa Issuance

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Building#1, Government Complex-Gwacheon, 47, Gwanmun-ro, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea ( Immigration Contact Center : +82-1345 )

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Visa requirements

Visiting Qatar made easy

Visitors from all around the world can enter Qatar either by obtaining visa on arrival, or by filling out simple online applications, depending on the passport they carry.

This webpage  is designed to keep you up-to-date on the visa policies that are relevant to you, and the process you need to follow to apply for a visa, if necessary.

Visa-free entry

Nationals of eligible countries do not require any prior visa arrangements and can obtain a visa waiver upon arrival to Qatar, by presenting a valid passport with a minimum validity of three months and a confirmed onward or return ticket. 

For nationals of the countries/regions listed below, the waiver will be valid for 30 days from the date of issuance and entitle its holder to spend up to 30 days in Qatar.

Andorra, Australia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, Georgia, Guyana, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Macao, Macedonia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Russia, Rwanda, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Suriname, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan Vatican city and Venezuela.

For nationals of the countries/regions listed below, the waiver will be valid for 180 days from the date of issuance and entitle its holder to spend up to 90 days in Qatar during either a single trip or on multiple trips.

Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine. 

Qatar-Oman Joint Tourist Visa (Visa on Arrival)

This visa is issued upon arrival and is valid for 30 days for the State of Qatar and the Sultanate of Oman. It allows for multiple entry to both countries and is extendable for an additional 30 days for a fee. Citizens of the following countries are eligible for the joint visa:

Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City

Visa on arrival – mandated hotel requirement

The Ministry of Interior Qatar currently requires nationals of the countries / regions listed below to hold registration booked through   Discover Qatar website   prior to travelling to Qatar.

India, Iran, Pakistan, Thailand.

Tourist visas

The Qatar tourist visa is available to nationals of all countries, except GCC citizens, but citizens of over 101 countries are eligible for a free visa on arrival (see Visa-free entry above). Travellers of select nationalities will require to pay a fee to obtain a visa on arrival or apply for a tourist visa prior to travel. Visas can be applied for on the  Hayya platform for a cost of QAR 100. 

Afghanistan, Åland Islands, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Angola, Anguilla, Antarctica, Aruba, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and  Saba, Botswana, Bouvet Island, British Indian Ocean Territory, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Comoros, Congo, Congo (the Democratic Republic  of Congo), Cook Islands, Côte d'Ivoire, Curaçao, Djibouti, Dominica, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Faroe Islands (the), Fiji, French Guiana, French Polynesia, French Southern Territories, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guernsey, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Heard Island and McDonald  Islands, Holy See (the), Honduras, Iran, Iraq, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Jersey, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea (Democratic People's  Republic of Korea), Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Macao, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Micronesia (Federated States  of), Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Pitcairn, Puerto Rico, Réunion, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Helena, Ascension and  Tristan da Cunha, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin (French part), Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Vincent and the  Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sint Maarten (Dutch part), Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Georgia and the South  Sandwich Islands, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Taiwan (Province of China), Tajikistan, Tanzania, United Republic of  Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tokelau, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Uganda, United States Minor Outlying Islands, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Virgin Islands (British), Virgin Islands (U.S.), Wallis and Futuna, Western Sahara, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Applying for a visa using the Hayya platform

Thanks to a host of visa facilitation measures, Qatar is now the most open country in the Middle East. Visitors from all around the world can now enter Qatar either by obtaining visa on arrival, or by filling out simple online applications, depending on the passport they carry.

This webpage is designed to keep you up-to-date on the visa policies that are relevant to you, and the process you need to follow to apply for a visa, if necessary.

Hayya card validity extended until 2024

Are you a Hayya Card holder living outside the State of Qatar? We’ve got news! 

The validity of the Hayya Card has been extended and will now allow Hayya Card holders to enter the State of Qatar until February, 2024.

Travel requirements: 

- Proof of a confirmed hotel reservation or accommodation with family or friends approved through the Hayya portal

- Passport valid for no less than three months upon arrival in the State of Qatar 

- Valid health insurance during the period of stay in the country. We recommend all travellers visiting the State of Qatar to have a valid health insurance policy covering Qatar's medical facilities. Those who don’t already have an insurance policy are welcome to purchase one on arrival in the State of Qatar. For more information on travel insurance, click  here .

- Return tickets

All Hayya card holders visiting Qatar will have access to the following:

- The 'Hayya with Me' feature' allowing Hayya Card holders to invite up to three family members or friends

- A multiple-entry permit 

- No fees will apply

Qatar Transit Visa

Qatar Airways passengers transiting in Hamad International Airport for a minimum of 5 hours are eligible to apply for the Qatar Transit Visa. It is free of charge, valid for up to 96 hours (four days) and open to passengers of all nationalities**.

For more information about Qatar Transit tours, please click  here .

Visa Exemptions

Nationals of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates) do not require a visa to enter Qatar.

Mandatory health insurance

We recommend all travellers visiting the State of Qatar to have a valid health insurance policy covering Qatar's medical facilities. Those who don’t already have an insurance policy are welcome to purchase one on arrival in the State of Qatar. For more information on travel insurance, click  here .

* Service fees only apply. ** All visas are approved and issued at the sole discretion of Qatar's Ministry of Interior.

Disclaimer: All visa rules and policies for international visitors are subject to change without notice and are approved and issued at the sole discretion of Qatar's Ministry of Interior.

Get expert help to book a dream Qatar trip

Need some help planning your next Qatar holiday or business trip? With Qatar Concierge, our dedicated travel team is here to help you book flights, plus guide you on the best hotels, restaurants, attractions and more. Call  0161 527 4409  and they’ll be happy to help. Please note that this service is not for visa queries, please visit our  Visa page  for more information.

Things to know before travelling

Want to travel visa-free? Check if you qualify here.

Getting here

Planning your trip to Qatar? Check how to get here.

Travel tips

Make the most of your visit with our handy travel guide.

Getting around

From a dhow boat to our world-class metro, here’s how to easily explore Qatar.

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