I guess it's been long overdue. I've memorized a number of Korean songs my sister listens to (she's a Kpop fangirl). I've watched countless Korean dramas, movies and reality shows. Can you tell that I've been hooked? Haha! Of course, all of them made me curious about the Korean culture. Though it isn't really in my travel priority list, I know time will come that I'm going to set foot in this country. I just never thought it'll be on Spring this year!
| yay! spring! photo by KTO |
Effective 1 March 2015, Korean Embassy has announced some major modifications on their Tourist Visa Requirements. At first, I thought it'll be a drag but after going through the actual process, I realized that it wasn't so bad.
Requirement List last updated - 22 February 2016
Requirements:
- Fully-accomplished Visa Application Form. Just follow all the instructions on page 2 of the Application Form. Put N/A for those that are not applicable.
- 1 piece Passport size colored picture. It should be taken within the last 6 months.
- Original Passport (should be valid for more than 6 months)
- Photocopy of Passport Bio-page (page 2)
- Original & Photocopy of valid visa/s and arrival stamps to OECD member countries for the past 5 years (If applicable, and Korean Visas will not be counted). You may check the list of OECD member countries here.
- Original Certificate of Employment (must include applicant's position, date hired, compensation, office address, HR land line number (cell-phone number is not allowed), HR e-mail address). In our company, it takes at least a week to get a COE. Check on yours, so you will know how much time you'll allot before your desired date of application.
- Original Personal Bank Certificate (must include account type, current balance, account opening date, ADB) I had no problems getting all these accomplished with BPI. They charge Php 100 for bank cert. It will be debited from your account.
- Bank Statement (original or certified true copy of bank statements/passbook for the last 3 months). I requested a certified true copy from BPI too. It costs Php 100 as well.
- Photocopy of ITR (Income Tax Return) or Form 2316. Companies usually release this final week of January through first week of February annually.
- Copy of PRC Card or IBP Card (only if applicable)
| preparations |
- If personally invited by a Korean: Invitation Letter & Photocopy of Invitor’s Passport*
- If invited by Company in Korea: Invitation Letter & Photocopy of Korean Company Business Permit*
Starting July 1, 2015, all visa applicants who have travelled as tourist to Korea at least once within 5 years will be exempt from submitting ITR copy. Processing time will also be reduced to 3 working days. They are still required to apply at Window 1 or 2.
Note: These are the requirements for Filipino employees. If you fall into a different category, please check this link.
Application:
After compiling all the requirements, I'm sure you are excited to go to the embassy and submit all these documents. Now what's next?
After compiling all the requirements, I'm sure you are excited to go to the embassy and submit all these documents. Now what's next?
- You already made it to the Embassy. The first thing you have to do is to get a Guest Pass from the guard at the Entrance. You have to leave an ID in exchange of one and sign in their log book.
- Once you get inside, get a queue number. On the right side, there is a queue towards a desk with officers inspecting documents. That's it! Fall in line to get your number. They will determine which Window you'll be assigned to.
- You just have to wait for your turn on your designated window. Window 2 are for applicants without previous OECD visas and Window 3 for those who had them. I was assigned in Window 2.
- When it's your turn, just give them the documents along with your queue number. They will inspect it and if they're satisfied with it, no questions will be asked. They will immediately give you a claim stub with the date when you can get your passport back.
| the claim stub |
I was like, that's it?! It was easy breezy! I can't believe I'm done in 20 minutes! I entered at 10:05 and was out by 10:25. Daebak!
Application Time: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM only
Processing Time
- 3 working days (for those who have been to OECD member countries within 5 years as tourist)
- 5 working days (for those who have not been to OECD member countries within 5 years)
- 59 days (or less) stay in Korea -- GRATIS (FREE!!!)
- 60 to 90 days stay in Korea -- PHP1,800.00
Releasing:
It'll be the exact same steps as the Application process, #s 1-3. Except for #4, when you get to the window - it's time for you to get your passport back. This time with your visa!
| here's mine! ;) |
Releasing Time: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM only
Embassy Address:
Embassy of the Republic of Korea
122 Upper McKinley Road
McKinley Town Center
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig city 1634
Philippines
How to Go to the Korean Embassy the Easiest Way:
- From EDSA, you can reach the embassy in two ways.
- From Guadalupe MRT Station, look for the jeepney queue going to C5 or FTI. Just tell the driver to drop you at the Korean Embassy or McKinley. You will alight right in front of the embassy.
- From Ayala MRT Station, look for the jeepney terminal with Market-Market route. It is located at the same street as the Ayala-Washington jeepneys. Alight in Market Market and ride another jeep with C5 or FTI signboards, then follow the rest of the instruction above after riding the C5 bound jeep.
- Going back is now easier than before! Taguig City has finally built a stoplight in C5 fronting McKinley Hill/Shell Gas Station and now has pedestrian crossing. No need to walk all the way to the distant overpass just to safely cross the highway, yay! :)
- From the Embassy, just use the pedestrian crossing to go to the other side. Then you can already ride a jeep bound to Market Market (where you can ride the BGC Bus or jeep to Ayala) or a jeep bound to Guadalupe/EDSA.
- Validity starts on the date your visa is released and it's valid for 3 months.
- You can do the application and the claiming of passports for someone else. No authorization letter or anything of that sort is needed. I was the one who submitted and claimed for my brother as well.
- Make sure you have ALL the required information in the documents you will submit. I don't see any reason why they will deny you if you strictly followed their list of requirements.
- My brother has no previous international travel history. It'll be his first time to travel outside the country, but he was approved.
- His bank account hasn't been opened for a long time too. It hasn't been 6 months old even. And yes, he was approved. Don't be put off by the 6 months ADB requirement in the bank cert.
- I've been getting questions if it's okay to use your Payroll Account for the bank cert. My answer is yes! That was what I presented.
- I think, as long as you can prove that you can finance your trip and that you have a stable job here - you will be approved.
- Hwaiting!!! ;)
***
Now excuse me, my Oppa has been waiting for me for quite sometime now... Hahaha! ;)
| Operation: Finding Mr. Destiny ;) |
Seoul and Ji Chul oppa, here I come!!! ♥♥♥
