My Korean Visa Application Approved — Here are 5 Steps for Filipinos

I processed my first South Korea visa application at the Korean Embassy in Manila, and my second application at the Korean Consulate in Cebu. Now, Filipinos have more options to apply for a Korean visa:

• Apply at any of the accredited South Korea travel agencies
• Schedule a Korean visa online appointment for Cebu applicants
• Walk-in or schedule a reservation at the Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC) in Manila

Let me share with you the simple steps to apply for a Korean visa for Filipinos.

Steps to apply for a Korean visa for Filipinos

Step 1: Gather your Korean visa requirements

The South Korea visa requirements vary depending on your type of visa. Check the Korean Embassy in Manila or Korean Consulate in Cebu to know your Korean visa requirements. I applied for a Korean visa for employees.

Korean visa requirements for employees:

• Application Form (this is the revised Korean visa application form updated on 7 Feb 2022)
• 1 piece Passport size colored photo (to be pasted on the form)
• Original Philippine 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. Korean Visas will not be counted)
• Original Certificate of Employment (including applicant’s position, date hired, compensation, address, office landline number, HR e-mail address)
• Original Personal Bank Certificate (including account name, account type, account number, account opening date, current balance, Average Daily Balance for 6 months)
• Bank Statement (original or certified true copy of bank statements/passbook for the last 3 months)
• Photocopy of ITR (Income Tax Return) or Form 2316

If personally invited by a Korean

• Invitation Letter in Korean language
• Photocopy of invitor’s Passport or ID

If invited by a company in Korea

• Invitation Letter in Korean language
• Photocopy of Korean Company Business Permit

*Authentication is not required if invited by a Korean or a company in Korea

[NEWS]: In Jan 2024, under the Simplification of the Visa Application, the Korean Embassy and Korean Consulate in Cebu announced that some qualified applicants like PRC license holders, government officials, elected officials, and specific credit card holders together with their family members are exempted from submitting an Income Tax Return (ITR), bank certificates, and bank statements.

Step 2: Fill out the Korean visa application form

Print out the new Korean visa application form in an A4 size bond paper.

Tips in filling out your Korean visa application form:

1. Write your information carefully. Avoid erasures at all costs. Do note that you should write in BLOCK LETTERS, meaning ALL CAPS. Put N/A for fields that are not applicable to you.
2. If your handwriting sucks, you can download the .docx format of the Korean visa application form. Type all the information and print it. It’s neat and will save you more time than writing.

Important fields to need to take note of

1.7 국가신분증번호 National Identity No. 

Put N/A because Filipinos don’t have this yet, unless you already have your national ID.

2.2 체류자격 Status of Stay

Write C-3-9 TOURIST if you are applying for a Korean tourist visa.

8.9. 동반입국 가족 유무 기재 Are you traveling to Korea with any family member?

Family Members only include your spouse, father, mother, children, brothers, and sisters. Your de facto partners, boyfriend or girlfriend, and friends are NOT family members, so don’t put them on the list even though you’re traveling with them.

10.2 경비지불자 Who will pay for your travel-related expenses?

a) 성명/회사(단체)명 Name of Person/Company(Institute)

If you are funding your travel, write your name. If not, provide the name of the person/s or institution funding your trip.

b) 관계 Relationship to you

Self or your relationship to the person/s or institution funding you.

c) 지원내용 Type of Support

If you are paying for yourself, write “FINANCIAL SUPPORT” or  write which part of your trip will be funded (eg. FLIGHTS, HOTELS, TOURS, etc.).

Here’s a sample Korean visa application form completely filled out for your reference:

Tip: Under the 8.4 Address in Korea section, you can pick any hotel on Klook or Agoda and use the hotel’s address and contact information. If you really intend to stay in that hotel, make sure that it has a free cancellation policy so you won’t be charged if your Korean visa gets denied or if you change your mind later on. You may check out Lotte Hotel Seoul which was what I used in my Korean visa application.

Step 3: Submit your Korean visa requirements

Put all your documents in a secure envelope or folder and submit them to any of the accredited travel agencies in the Philippines, Korean Consulate in Cebu on your scheduled Korean visa online appointment date, or to the Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC) in Manila for walk-in applicants.

Tips:

• If you lack some documents like Income Tax Return (ITR), be sure to create a cover letter explaining why you failed to submit one. You may refer to my Korean visa without ITR guide and Korean visa for self-employed Filipinos.
• May also attach some supporting documents to prove your capacity to fund your travel such as credit card statements and properties you own.
• Follow my tips on how to increase your chances of visa approval.

South Korea visa fees 2024

• 59 days (or less) stay in Korea — GRATIS or FREE
• 60 to 90 days stay in Korea — ₱2,000

Notes:

• If you’re applying via the Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC), there is a service fee of ₱900 (cash only) on top of the South Korea visa fees.
• Starting 1 July 2024, a Privacy Consent Form must be signed and completed for Korean visa applications processed at the KVAC.
• If you’re applying via an accredited travel agency, handling fees could vary. For instance, RELI Tours & Travel charges ₱2,400 to process your South Korea visa application inclusive of ₱1,500 handling fee and ₱900 visa fee.

Step 4: Wait for your South Korea visa

After submitting all your Korean visa requirements, you just have to wait for it.

South Korea visa processing time 2024

The Korean Embassy in Manila announced that the South Korea visa processing period for short term visit (C-3) takes up to 12 working days. However, it could take more days, depending on your circumstance or the number of applications. For reference, I got my Korean visa in Cebu after 10 working days.

Tip: You can already apply for your South Korea tourist visa at least two months (60 days) before your intended travel date.

Step 5: Check your Korean visa online and claim your Philippine passport

You just have to trust and wait for the verdict. You can check your Korean visa status online. KVAC or your travel agency will contact you via SMS when your Philippine passport (with or without a South Korea visa) will be ready for pick up.

If, unfortunately, you get denied, you can re-apply only after three (3) months.

All the best in your Korean visa application. Let us know how it goes by connecting with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

^{Disclaimer: Although I was granted a single-entry South Korea visa, this doesn’t mean that I’m already a Korean visa expert. I still encourage you to ask the Korean Embassy in the Philippines or the Korean Consulate in Cebu for your specific questions and concerns.}