Korean Visa: Application Process and Getting Approved (March 2017)

If you are also interested on my story on how I got approved the first time I applied, kindly click HERE.

As of March 2015, the Korean Embassy updated their visa requirements for Filipino travelers, you can see the complete list here. 

I'm writing another guide to aid you in applying for a Korean Visa and the first one I wrote is outdated already. I finally got the multiple visa *YES!!!* last November 2016 and I think what I did with this new application form (which is btw a little confusing) is somehow correct haha! I just guessed some answers, you'll see what I'm talking about below.



Days before my application, I downloaded the form in the site, I was stunned when I saw the 5 pages that came out from the printer! It was a shock because the previous one only has ONE PAGE! Hahaha! Oh, here's the link where you can download the updated form.

Get your pen & papers ready (or better yet, print the form already), let's get started!

I. APPLICATION FORM

PAGE 1:

Most of the questions written above are self-explanatory, LOL!

1.1 Family Name & Given Name: (I no longer included my middle name because it's not asked).

1.2 한자성명 漢字姓名: N/A

1.3 Sex: Put a check on what gender you are, of course I checked the FEMALE box.

1.4 Date of Birth: Make sure to follow the (YYYY/MM/DD) format.

1.5 Nationality: Filipino

1.6 Country of Birth: Philippines

1.7 National Identity Number: N/A

1.8 Have you ever used any other names to enter or depart Korea? I checked NO. 

1.9 Are you a citizen of more than one country ? I checked NO. 

Leave this one blank, don't put NOT APPLICABLE or N/A also.

PAGE 2:

Now this is where I got confused, the sentence: "(Section 2 is only for those who possess confirmation of visa issuance issued by the Immigration Office of the Republic of Korea)", had me thinking if I have to fill this one out or not, I asked the guards at the embassy and they told me to leave it blank as well. 

3.1 Passport Type: I checked REGULAR

3.2 Passport No., 3.3 Country of Passport, 3.4 Place of Issue, 3.5 Date of Issue, 3.6 Date of Expiry: Answers can all be found on your own passport.

3.7 Do you have any other valid passport ? I checked NO, and left N/A marks on 3.7.b

4.1 Address in Your Home Country: ______, Pasay City

4.2 Current Residential Address *Write if it is different from the above address: I wrote "SAME AS HOME COUNTRY ADDRESS".

4.3 Cell Phone No.: +632...

4.4 Telephone No. +63926...

4.5 E-mail: beaprisa@gmail.com

4.6 Emergency Contact Information

4.6.a: Full Name in English: Last Name, First Name of my sister

4.6.b: Country of residence: Philippines

4.6.c: Telephone No.: +632....

4.6.d: Relationship to you: Sister

5.1 Current Marital Status: I checked NEVER MARRIED

5.2a-f: I wrote N/A on all of them

PAGE 3:

6.1 What is the highest degree or level of education you have completed ? I checked BACHELOR'S DEGREE

6.2 Name of School: I wrote the name of the school where I graduated from college.

6.3 Location of School(city/province/country): Manila City, Metro Manila, Philippines

7.1 What are your current personal circumstances ? I checked SELF EMPLOYED

7.2 Employment Details

7.2.a Name of Company/Institute/School: I wrote the company where I usually get projects. They also gave me a Certificate of Employment (COE) which is also a requirement in getting a Korean Visa.

7.2.b Your Position/Course: Freelance Production Staff

7.2.c Address of Company/Institute/School: _______, Makati City

7.2.d Telephone No: +632...

8.1 Do you have anyone sponsoring you for the visa ? I checked NO.

8.2a-e: I wrote N/A on all of these questions

9.1 Purpose of Visit to Korea: I checked TOURISM/TRANSIT & OTHER. The details for me checking OTHER is: TO WATCH BIGBANG CONCERT. (That is for the Final MADE in Seoul Concert or Bigbang's 0 to 10 Concert or the Final 0 to 10. Basically anything Final Final Final Concert of Bigbang by YG HAHAHA!).

9.2 Intended Period of Stay: I wrote 4 DAYS, but I'm thinking of extending for one more day, my scheduled work got cancelled so I think I should stay for another day, sayang ang visa, hahaha!

9.3 Intended Date of Entry: 2016/03/04 (Again I followed the YYYY/MM/DD format even if it's not stated.)

9.4 Address in Korea(including hotels): I wrote Running Man Hostel's address. This is where we'll stay for the upcoming March Winter trip :) I'm not sure if you can still write UNDECIDED on this part. 

9.5 Contact No. in Korea: I wrote Running Man Hostel's contact number.

PAGE 4:

9.6 Have you travelled to Korea in the last 5 years ? I checked YES. As of 03/2017 it's 5 times, purpose of visit: Vacation / Tour.

9.7 Have you travelled outside your country of residence, excluding to Korea, in the last 5 years ? I checked YES. And I provided all the details in the space given below. For example: THAILAND - VACATION - 2015/09/04-2015/09/10. If you went to the same country for the past 5 years, make sure to separate it per row, if the space given is not enough, attach another paper and complete your answers there.

9.8 Are you travelling to Korea with any family member ? I checked NO, and wrote N/A across the first row.

10.1 Estimated travel costs(in US dollars): I wrote 750USD. (Since I'm only staying there for 4 days, that includes the concert ticket for 3 days already. Make sure that what you write here can be supported by your Bank Statement & Bank Certificate.

10.2 Who will pay for your travel-related expenses ?

10.2.a Name of Person/Company(Institute): I put my name (Last Name, First Name)

10.2.b Relationship to you: I wrote MYSELF.

10.2.c Type of Support: FINANCIAL SUPPORT 

10.2.d Contact No.: +63926...

11.1 Did you receive assistance in completing this form? I checked NO and wrote down N/A across all rows.

Another confusing part because of the sentence: "Those who possess confirmation of visa issuance must only complete section 1,2, and 12 of this form". But again, kuya guard helped me and told me to place the date and sign the papers just above or right next to the date.

That's it, we're done with the application form! The next requirement will almost be the same as the previous one.

II. 1 PIECE OF PASSPORT SIZE COLORED PICTURE

In the application form, the specific size is given which is 35mm X 45mm, make sure to have your photo taken against a white or off-white background. I had mine in white just to be safe. Wear a top with collar or put a blazer and NO SMILING PLEASE :)

III. Original Passport (should be valid for more than 6months)

Check the validity of your passport before applying for a visa. 

IV. Photocopy of Passport Bio-page (page 2)

V. 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)

I don't have any OECD visa that's why I waited for five working days before I got my Korean Visa. Perks of having this one is that the processing of your Korean Visa will be cut down to three working days. This also does not guarantee your approval so make sure to submit all required papers.

VI. Original Certificate of Employment

You can request this from your HR. Make sure to inform him/her that you need the following details:

- applicant's position 

- date hired

- compensation

- office address

- HR landline number(cell-phone number is not allowed)

- HR e-mail address

VII. Original Personal Bank Certificate

You ask your bank for this and in my case, Chinabank charged PHP100 processing fee, I requested mine in the morning and got it after 30 minutes. The bank certificate must include the following:

-account type

-current balance

-account opening date 

-ADB

For this trip, I only have PHP 53,000 in my bank account.

VIII. Bank Statement

Chinabank no longer charged me for this, they just photocopied the front page and the last 3 months activity in my passbook, signed it and it's done! :)

IX. ITR(Income Tax Return) or Form 2316 Copy

I submitted a photocopy of my ITR which is form 1701 and I also attached a photocopy of my form 2307.

X. Copy of PRC Card or IBP Card (If applicable only)

I submitted all these papers last October 2016 and I finally got my KOREAN MULTIPLE VISA! I tried applying for 3 times (I think) until I finally got mine. 

Last tip, arrange all your documents in order of the requirements listed, submit only what is asked, I was no longer asked for my College Diploma this time, I just brought it with me though just in case they asked for it.

Visa application is FREE of charge if you're staying for less than 60 days. You can submit your application from 8:30AM - 11:00am only then releasing time 1:30PM - 5:00PM (Monday-Friday, except for PH & KR holidays). 

Just a reminder, I'm not fully knowledgeable when it comes to Visa related questions, I just want to share my experience with you guys :) 

That's it, good luck on your visa application! If you have any questions or just want to share your experience, feel free to drop those down in the comment section below. 

KOREAN EMBASSY ADDRESS:

122 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Town Center, 

Fort Bonifacio, Taguig city 1634, Philippines

-뿅 :D