How to Get a South Korean Tourist Visa

How to Get a South Korean Tourist Visa

We have "hallyu" need to know here.
by WindowSeat.ph | November 09, 2019

With the growing number of Filipinos wanting to visit South Korea, the Korean Embassy had implemented a few changes to the visa application process.

Here’s a brief guide on the new process on how to apply for a South Korean tourist visa.

Fill up the South Korea Visa Application form.

Accomplish your South Korea Visa Application which you can download here. Remember to write in CAPITAL LETTERS and put N/A on items that do not apply to you.

Prepare the required documents.

Original Philippine PassportIt must be valid for more than 6 months from your target travel date.
Passport PhotoApplicants must attach an ID Photo on the designated area on the visa application form. The said photo must be passport-sized [35x45mm], colored, and with a white background.
Photocopy of Passport Bio Page

The bio page is the information page of the passport located on the second page.
Original and Photocopy of OECD VisasIf you have visited any OECD [Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development] countries in the past 5 years, you must include the original copy and a photocopy of these visas.Do note that past Korean visas will not be accepted. The same goes for Japan Visas due to some cases of applicants submitting fake ones.
Proof of Income / Financial StabilityFor employed individuals:
– Original bank certificate
– Original bank statements or passbook from the last 3 months
– Original Certificate of Employment
– Photocopy of ITR (Form 2316)For self-employed individuals:
– Original bank certificate
– (For business owners) Photocopies of Business Registration issued by the DTI/SEC, company ITR, and Business Permit or Mayor’s Permit
– (For freelancers) Photocopy of ITR Form 2316 and payment receipts from a BIR-authorized bank, and proof of work done
– Cover letter for students:
– Original school certificate
– Photocopy of School ID
– Photocopy of NSO Birth Certificate
– Parents’ Original Bank Certificate
– Parents’ Bank Statement
– Copy of parents’ marriage certificate
– Parents’ Original Certificate of Employment and Copy of Income Tax Return [if parents are employed] – Copy of parents’ Business Registration from SEC or DTI, Business Permit or Mayor’s Permit, and Copy of Income Tax Return [if parents are self-employed]

Simplified visa requirements for specific individuals

As of February 1, 2024, there are new simplified requirements for eligible individuals. The following are exempted from submitting financial documents during their visa application:

Elected Politicians

Including Members of the Senate, Members of the Congress, Governors, Provincial Board Members, and Mayors (City or Municipality)
Extended to Immediate Family Members

Requirement: Certificate of Employment

Exemption: Submission of ITR, Bank certificates, and Bank statements

Government Officials

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

Extended to immediate family members

Requirement: Certificate of Employment and copy of PRC license ID or IBP ID

Exemption: Submission of ITR, Bank certificates, and Bank statements

BDO Credit Card Holders

BDO Gold or BDO Elite Credit Card Holders: Gold Mastercard, Gold Visa, Gold Unionpay, World Elite Mastercard, Titanium Mastercard, Platinum Mastercard, Visa Platinum, JCB Platinum, American Express Platinum, Diners Club Premiere
Extended to immediate family members

BPI Credit Card Holders

BPI Gold or Elite Credit Card Holders: Gold rewards, Platinum rewards, Amore Platinum Cashback, Signature Card

RCBC Credit Card Holders

RCBC Gold or Elite Card Holders: Mastercard Gold, Visa Flex Gold, JCB Gold, Black Mastercard, Diamond Mastercard, YGC Rewards Plus Platinum, Hexagon Privilege, Visa Platinum, JCB Platinum, UnionPay Diamond, Visa Infinite, World Mastercard and variants (RCBC Hexagon Priority, RCBC Balesin World, RCBC The City Club World)

Metrobank Credit Card Holders

Metrobank Credit Card Holders: World Mastercard, Femme Signature Visa card, Travel Platinum Visa card, Platinum Mastercard, and Dollar Mastercard

Requirement: Certificate of employment (original), copy of credit card(front only with complete information), and latest three months credit card account Monthly Billing Statements(copy)

Exemption: Submission of ITR, Bank Certificates, and Bank statements

Submit your application to the Korea Visa Application Center

Beginning August 29, 2023, all visa applications are submitted to the Korea Visa Application Center at 9F~10F, Brittany Hotel BGC, 6 McKinley Pkwy, Taguig City, Metro Manila.

Mailing services

Starting May 1, 2024, KVAC announced it will begin receiving tourist visa applications sent via mail, with W Express as its official courier. Applications sent via the mentioned courier will only be accepted.

The mailing service fee costs PHP1,000, plus the PHP900 KVAC service fee.

Find more details here.

Wait for application results.

The estimated processing time for a Korean tourist visa is five working days.

Though the process may encounter a few problems along the way, applicants are suggested to apply as early as three months before their planned trips.

While waiting for the results of your application, check out which places you should visit and what kinds of pasalubongs you should get for your family and friends!

Any questions or inquiries not covered in this article? You can visit the official site of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea.