(Update as of June 2015: This blog post is based on my personal account and circumstances uniquely personal to me based on four (4) separate applications for a tourist visa with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines—all of which have been approved. I have been to South Korea four (4) times since my first visit in 2012 and I now hold a multiple entry visa (in the interest of full disclosure, my passport contains valid visas and arrival stamps to OECD member countries for the last 5 years, which is one of the factors that the Korean Embassy considers for granting visas). The information contained in this post are based on my personal experience and also includes the experience of people I personally know but is not intended to be official, definitive information. All official information and requirements regarding visa requirements can only be found in the Embassy website. If you want official answers to your questions or require further clarification, call the Korean Embassy through telephone number 8569210. If you want my personal opinion and answer based on my experiences with my own visa applications to Korea, then you may post a question in the comments section below or send me an email at editor@sunsetgoddessmanila.com. I am not liable for any visa denials or delays due to sole reliance on the information and experiences published in this post. This post is further subject to all disclaimers contained in the bottom of this post, as well as the general policies of this blog. Thanks!)
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I am going away on holiday with my girlfriends to spend a few days of summer in Seoul! But before we can leave, we had to apply for a visa for tourists at the Korean Embassy in Manila. It was a relatively painless process, as long as you submit complete documents and follow instructions. I’ve also included some tips based on our experience, so you don’t have to mine through the information in the Korean Embassy’s website.
For the usual single-entry visas that allow up to 59 days stay in Korea, there is no visa fee. Certain qualified applicants may also avail of a multiple entry visa, and subject to a fee of P3,600.00.
– You failed to prove the relationship with your inviter.
**Before you ask any question in the comments section below, kindly read through the previous comments first and see if your concern or similar issue has already been addressed.
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Great detailed guide! Thanks for this!
Armed With Style
You’re welcome 🙂
i have no job but my brother will sponsor the trip. i dont have any bank certificate too bec. i have no bank account at all. what documents should i bring to be able to apply for tourist visa? thanks for advance reply….
Hi Jaenne. Thanks for your question. If you’ve already downloaded the visa application form the Korean Embassy website, you will see that there’s an item there asking who will pay for your trip. So just indicate that it will be your brother who will sponsor you. Based on the documentary requirements provided in the Embassy website for housewives, I would think that those requirements will apply to you as well, since you are dependent on your brother just as much as a housewife is dependent on her husband. Therefore, you need to submit your brother’s certificate of employment, bank cert, ITR, and proof your relationship (in your case, I would think the NSO copies of BOTH your birth certificates). For good measure, if I were you, I will also prepare a letter from your brother attesting that he will indeed pay for your trip and if you are employed, it won’t hurt to also prepare your certificate of employment and ITR as well. This is because you basically have to establish to the consul two points: 1) That you have financial capacity to pay for the trip—in your case, by establishing that your brother is employed and CAN afford to pay for your trip, and by establishing your relationship to him (via the birth certificates); and 2)That you have sufficient ties to the Philippines so that you won’t be an illegal worker there—this is easily done by establishing that you’re employed or self-employed (Business registration and ITR). I hope I was able to answer your question. To be sure, please make an inquiry with the Korean embassy, contact details provided above. good luck and hope you’ll be able to enjoy Korea 🙂
thanks for the info, btw just to share one of my fave korean resto in korea and meron na din silang branch dito sa Philippines yoogane
Yup, I love Yoogane! My friends and I have been to the Yoogane branch in Myeongdong and I’ve also tried the Philippine branch in Il Terrazo along Tomas Morato 🙂
Hi, Ask kulang po, naka punta na ako Jeju Island this year nung January po. Plan ko po mag apply ng Visa pa Seoul naman, problima ko po wala po ako trabaho my kunting maliit na business lang po at Dami na po ako lugar napuntahan around Asia kac po fiancee ko is foreigner naka base sa singapore. Valid na po kaya ung marai kanang napuntahang lugar?
Then you can show proof of your business. Otherwise, you can state that it will be your fiance who will be paying for your trip and show proof of his employment or business. The application form has a question on which countries you’ve visited for the last 5 years. But this is on top of your employment/proof of income. So I don’t think listing down all the places you’ve been is enough. As I’ve said in the above replies to comments (and in my post), it’s important that you show means of income, business or employment—as proof that you will go back to the Philippines. Hope this helps! Good luck 🙂
my bank cert.din naman po ako kac provide po ng fiance ko ang financial ko and sya din po ang sponsor sa akin sa lahat ng trip namin. Member din naman po ako ng Barley ung networking business, pwede ko po ba ipasa ung business Cert.nila na member ako at kailangan ko din po bang magpagawa ng letter sa fiance ko na sya ang mag finance ng trip namin? I need your advice. Salamat po
Hi Orchid Beng! please see reply above. Thanks 🙂
So kailangan po gumawa ng letter ung fiance ko na sya mag provide sa lahat? Sorry po kung makulit ako. Nakuha kna po ung Cert.ng membership ko sa Networking Business kanina. So ang and2 po sa akin Bank Cert. Business Cert. Land title naka pangalan po sa akin at ung Letter ng Fiance. Pwede na po kaya na mga documents un? Plano ko po ipapasa sa Monday. Maraming salamat. Ingat po.
Please see my reply to a similar question above. if if will be your fiance who will pay, then he has to submit the documentary requirements—as if he is the one applying for the visa. If you have business certificate, then I think you will be required to submit a DTI registration. Anyway, just try. Good luck!
My husband is now working (for 7 years already) in Korea (Gyeonggi-do). His visa is E-9.. where in he is not allowed to invite me for a visit… Would this give any problem if i’ll apply for a tourist visa? The details about him will show tha at present he is there working… Could I write his nameas my guarantor or reference in korea? Im planning to travel this july 2014… if i’ll apply for visa on june is the time frame ok?
Whether or not he can be “guarantor” in Korea (or the person that you will indicate who will invite you) I guess will depend on his visa status, i.e., the type of the visa that he currently holds. I am not familiar with the E-9 visa and so I suggest, as per the last sentence on my post: For more information, you may call the Korean Embassy’s Visa Section and inquire with their Filipino staff at (632)-8569210.
In my experience, for a purely tourist visa, even if I have Korean friends who can literally invite me to go to Korea, I prefer to simply just apply for a tourist visa, without indicating that I was invited. Less paper work, less hassle. However, in your case, they will probably have a record of your husband being in Korea and it will be better for you to disclose it off the bat. However, you should confirm if him holding an E-9 visa will really prevent him from inviting you. If the answer is he cannot invite you, then just apply for a simple tourist visa (without any invitation). Then, if asked by the consul, then disclose that you will also visit your husband. Just be prepared to provide documentation that you are gainfully employed here in the Philippines and you will come back here, even if your husband is in Korea. Hope this helps. Good luck!
Hi! I’d like to ask if thwy’re strict about approving visas for medical professionals like nurses and physical therapists? We have the same case na consultant and I am planning to present my 1701 form. Thanks!
I would like to ask po if ko maging sponsor si boyfriend he is in Korea 2 months ago and he got stantioned there as a US Army and wala din po ako work but i have bank account pero kakaopened ko lang po. Pwd po kaya ung case ko? I hope to hear u soon po.
Hi Geneva. You will find a question in the APPLICATION FORM asking who will pay for the expenses of your stay. Indicate the name of your boyfriend, and as I have advised in the comments section above, you may be asked to submit documentation of your boyfriend to prove his financial capacity, such as his bank records, certificate of employment, etc. (Please refer to my answer to Jaenne in the comments above.) I assume your boyfriend is not Korean so therefore, you cannot be considered to have a Korean “inviter”/reference or guarantor in Korea. Since he is still your boyfriend and you guys are not yet married, the requirements for Filipinos married to military personnel
will likewise not apply to you.
So basically, you will just need to show that your boyfriend has the financial capacity to sponsor your trip. Make sure he sends letter of support as well (addressed to the Embassy, signifying that he will indeed sponsor you). Aside from that, I would think that you will also need to submit your own documents showing your own financial capacity and economic ties here in the Philippines. Bank statements would be good. Maybe also school IDs or transcript/ graduation documents, showing that while you don’t have work at the moment, you’re qualified to find and hold a job here. The fact that you are unemployed may not be such a good point for you, so you really have to show documentary proof that your boyfriend is willing and (financially) able to sponsor your trip (plus the fact that you will really come back to the Philippines after your vacation). Good luck and let us know here how it goes!
I mean if pwd ko maging sponsor si boyfriend *
Hi Judy! Thank you for this informative post as I am about to apply for a Korean visa this month. I’m curious, would it be wise for me to book a hotel accommodation in advance, before applying for a visa? It worries me that, if every my visa won’t be approved (which, hopefully, won’t be the case for me), I might not be able to fully refund my hotel booking. I am aware that I have to indicate where I will be staying on the visa application form. I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this concern. Thank you!
Hi ella! In my experience, we’ve always already had a hotel booking upon submission of the application. In any case, you have two options. Either to indicate in the application form that your hotel booking is still to be determined, or you can just book in a hotel/guesthouse that has refundable options in the worst case scenario that your application gets denied. But usually they really approve visa applications as long as you show you’re employed here, which you are! 🙂 Good luck! Update me! 🙂
Hi! I am working as consultant. Just this January i transferred to a company and for regularization. I am going to apply for korean visa this feb. my previous company gave me a copy of bir form 2307. Is it ok to submit this form instead of form 2316? Thank you.
Yes, I would think so. The basis is the previous year’s tax return.
Is it okay to put in visa that the reason is to meet the parents of my boyfriend? he’s been working here since 2011 and we’ve been workmates for one year. Now we have plan to get married but I should meet his family first. Should I put that on my application? Do you think its okay that he’ll be my invitor in case I attached invitation letter? Can I put him as someone who will help me in financial matters? We plan to go together in Korea next month
Yes I think that’s a good reason as any.
Hello I would just like to ask for your opinion. I got my Bank Cert from BPI. For the ADB it is stated as ADB/YTD. I read some posts online that ADB should be for the past 6 months. how true is this based on your experience? thanks! 🙂
When I was applying for my visa, ADB was not yet a requirement. Sometimes the embassy can be lax or strict depending on certain travel or political conditions in Korea (they became not so strict when there was the MERS scare in Korea before I noticed) so if you want official answers to your questions or require further clarification, better call the Korean Embassy through telephone number 8569210.
Hello po. Ex-korean po ako..at kakauwi ko lang ng pinas last april.. pano po ba sa case ko..kc unemployed ako now at wala ako ITR. Then kakaopen ko lang ng bank account..hndi po ba magkakaron ng prob pag kumuha ako ng visa.. gusto ko kc magtour nxt month ivvisit ko sana friend ko kc magccelebrate ng bday nia..
I don’t understand your question. You used to be a Korean but not anymore?
In your form 1701, do you think kailangang malaki yong tax na nakalagay na “binayaran”?
As long as you can prove you have gainful employment. We don’t know what is the minimum that the consul is looking for. But as pointed out in the post, I know of some people who were asked to submit further documentation like payslips.
Hi Sunset Goddess! Me and my workmates have already booked our plane tickets and hotel accomodation for 5 days last April. Our trip will be on September this year. Kasama sa itinerary namin is to go from Seoul to Jeju Island. I was wondering if kelangan ba na multiple entry yung type ng visa if we will go from Seoul to Jeju then back to Seoul again? As far as I know, for first time traveler kase to Korea is single entry lang yung magagrant. Please enlighten if you have an idea. Thanks!
Jeju Island is part of Korea, so you will not need another visa to enter Seoul. In fact, travel to Jeju is visa-free! Please refer to this for more information: https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/TRV/TV_ENG_2_1.jsp
Hi! Just a question, are you the one who filled up your 1701? Or you declared x amount sa BIR?
Thank you!
I don’t understand your question, as the answer is both. I filled up my 1701 through my accountant, who does the computations based on the income I’ve earned for the relevant year. And of course the amount I’ve earned is what I declare to the BIR. Email me if you have other questions you want to cover. Thanks!
Hi, would you know if the embassy accepts bank certificate without ADB? Apparently, my bank doesn’t indicate ADB even if it’s requested for visa application. I just called the branch and insisted that they only put account type, opening date and balance.
On paper, the embassy requires ADB. But you can just submit whatever bank certificate you have. Once the consul checks it, and doesn’t require you to submit one with ADB, then it means it’s acceptable. Otherwise, you can explain that that’s the only type of certificate your bank issue. Good luck!
Hi! Me and my cousin are planning to visit Korea on March 2017. We actually already booked a ticket since we took a promo ticket and since the visa is only valid only within 3mos, we were planning to apply around January 2017.
However, I am unemployed, with my father retired (no job) and my housewife mom (no job) and both of them are senior citizens already (but not that old). They have the ability to finance me, but I’m worried since both of them are unemployed, this might become a huge drawback. I don’t even have much money in my account either. I do have brothers working overseas though. I was just so thrilled of the cheap tickets and since many of my friends are visiting. When I looked up the requirements, it got me worried.
What do you think can I do and which documents should I pass?
I think since you’re unemployed, your best bet is to show that you have enough money in your bank account not only to finance your trip BUT ALSO that it’s enough for you to return to the Philippines. Otherwise, you’re not giving the consul sufficient proof that you have economic ties to the Philippines. You can also show that your family (through your brothers?) will sponsor your trip but that means you will have to submit documentary requirements showing their income and bank accounts. Good luck!
Hello everone! I just would like to share my experience on applying for Korean visa. And maybe, this can help you one way or the other.
As I go through the categories for list of requirements posted in the official website of Korean govt, I found out that, my presrnt status is not included. I am a retired government employee and not working anymore since 2015. There is this category for “Retired Senior Citizen”, but am yet to reach that age (I was only 45 yrs old when i decided to retire). So i chose “For Employees”. I submitted all the requirements needed EXCEPT for ITR (e kc nga, waley ako work). So when I submitted my docs to the consul she asked for my ITR. I replied “i don’t have one” Consul – “You don’t have work”? Me – “I don’t. I’m a retired military personnel”. She took a yellow post it note and wrote something (maybe “no work” or “retired military”). Then gave me a small paper with dates when I should return to get my passport back.
Our short conversation gave me a nega feeling already as I leave the premise….i even asked the guard outside if a person with no job but with a “handsome” bank accounts can still be DENIED a visa? He said depende sa consul, mam.
As I waited for my bfast to be served at a nearby resto, i googled about “….denied Korean visa” that led me to a blogger fm Cebu. He has work and bank account but was still denued. The reason stated was “no strong economic ties with host country”, which has led me to conclude that I can also be denied bec of same reason! (Wala ako work!). Realizing this, I was feeling down the whole day.
As i read through the comments, I came accross SGM’s blog and gave me the courage to email her (She seems nice and encourages to send her email……,…Well SHE IS nice!) my concerns. And so I did. She was patient with answering my inquiries. Naka 5 kaming palitan ng emails.
This afternoon when I claimed my passport, i was smiling the WHOLE time as I walked to Banapple to finally eat my lunch. Till i got home I WAS REALLY SMILING (my headphones stuck to my ears as i listen to Bruno Mars songs). When i got into my room, i started dancing! To 3 Bruno Mars songs non-stopped!!! OA?? Di nmn po, i was really happy lang po talaga. ????
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