How to apply for a South Korea Tourist Visa for Filipinos

Like Japan (here’s our guide to applying for a Japan Tourist Visa for Filipinos), Filipinos also need a Travel Visa for South Korea to be allowed entry to the country, so here’s our guide on how to apply for a South Korea Tourist Visa for Filipinos.

The land of Kimchi and KPop, South Korea, has been one of the favorite travel destinations for Filipinos for the past years. Maybe it’s the influx of Koreans here in the Philippines that may have sprung curiosity out of Filipino’s minds to visit South Korea too.

We were actually hesitant to book for South Korea because the available flights when we checked the airline promo was just 3 months after our flight to Japan. If we do the simple Math, Japan + South Korea would equal to disaster for our wallets, but we still booked for the flight.

When we heard that the Consulate of the Republic of Korea is already open in Cebu, we decided to personally submit our requirements directly to the embassy to avoid paying extra fees to a travel agency. At first, we were nervous since this is our first time to apply directly to the embassy, although we already have one OECD country (Japan) visa stamp in our passports. So here it is, sharing you tips and requirements for the first time applicants in applying South Korea Tourist Visa in the Philippines.

Please note that this article only contain the requirements needed for Employees and Businessmen without a Sponsor/Guarantor. If you are looking for other requirements depending on your status(i.e Filipino Married to Korean, Study in Korea), you can directly visit the official website of Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of the Philippines.

South Korea Tourist Visa Requirements for First Time Applicants

> For Filipino Employees

1. Visa Application Form
2. 1 piece Passport size colored picture
3. Original Passport (should be valid for more than 6months)
4. Photocopy of Passport Bio-page (page 2)
5. 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)
6. Original Certificate of Employment (must include applicant’s position, date hired, compensation, office address, HR landline number(cell-phone number is not allowed), HR e-mail address)
7. Original Personal Bank Certificate (must include account type, current balance, account opening date, ADB)
8. Bank Statement (original or certified true copy of bank statements/passbook for the last 3 months)
9. ITR(Income Tax Return) or Form 2316 Copy (should be a Certified True Copy or BIR stamped receipt)
10. Copy of PRC Card or IBP Card (if applicable only)

> For Filipino Businessmen

1. Visa Application Form
2. 1 piece Passport size colored picture
3. Original Passport (should be valid for more than 6months)
4. Photocopy of Passport Bio-page (page 2)
5. 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)
6. Photocopy of Business Registration from SEC or DTI
7. Photocopy of Business Permit or Mayor’s Permit
8. Original Personal Bank Certificate (must include account type, current balance, account opening date, ADB)
9. Bank Statement (original or certified true copy of bank statements/passbook for the last 3 months)
10. Photocopy of ITR (Income Tax Return) or Form 2316 (should be a Certified True Copy or BIR stamped receipt)

Helpful tip 1: Since this application is for ‘no guarantor/sponsor’, then  it would be much better if you could also submit booked plane tickets and accommodation.

Helpful tip 2: If do not have a personal ITR, you can simply write a Letter of Explanation and addressed to the Consulate-General of South Korea.

Helpful tip 3: We’re not sure as to what the minimum amount you should have on your Bank Certificate because the Embassy of South Korea nor any of the travel agencies never disclosed this information. Just make sure your bank account is opened for at least 6 months from the date you applied for a visa.

Helpful tip 4: If you are applying with your baby, photocopy all your documents and attach it to your baby’s documents (Visa Application Form, 1 piece Passport size colored picture, Original Passport, Photocopy of Passport Bio-Page, Original & Photocopy of valid OECD visas & stamps).

If you have all your documents ready and complete, you can directly visit the Consulate of Korea in Cebu.

Address: 12th Floor Chinabank Corporate Center, Lot 2, Samar Loop Cor. Road 5, Cebu Business Park, Mabolo, Cebu City
Contact #s: (Tel) (63-32) 231-1516(-9) / (Fax) (63-32) 231-2950

How many days will it take to process the Tourist Visa in the Philippines?

As for the First Time Applicants, it usually takes 5 working days. For Frequent Travelers, it will only take 3 working days.

How much is the visa processing fee of South Korea Tourist Visa?

If you are staying in South Korea for 59 days or less, visa processing is FREE/GRATIS. If you’ll stay 60 to 90 days in South Korea, it will cost you PHP 1,800.

Last February 2015, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of the Philippines have announced new visa requirements which were implemented last March 2015. So, if you are planning to travel to South Korea, always check the embassy website for new updates.

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