HOW TO APPLY: Korean Visa [Philippine Passport - Freelancer]

Notes: 
- If you're applying via travel agency, no need to read this. HAHAHA!
- This March 2015, the Embassy announced new requirements in applying for a Korean Visa, please visit this site.

*I posted an updated blog about Korean Visa Application, please click HERE, this is one talks about the March 2015 requirements as well as the updated application form.* 

BIGBANG. KOREAN SKINCARE. BLOCK B. KOREAN FOOD. Just a few reasons why I wanted to go to South Korea, but it's not that easy because as a Philippine Passport holder, it requires me to present a Korean Visa every visit. I'm no expert when it comes to this matter, but I'd just like to share my experience when I applied for a South Korean visa on my own. 



I submitted my papers a month before my departure, prior to that I asked (or bugged haha) my friends who traveled to Korea already, like Gem, who has an amazing blog about THIS. 

FIRST step is you have to download the application form in the embassy's website. 

The requirements are all listed in the website, DO NOT submit any item that's not indicated in the list. As a freelancer, I submitted all the requirements under the category EMPLOYEES. 

>insert the image of requirements<

I. APPLICATION FORM
PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! Read the instructions listed on page 2 of the form first before filling it up. Make sure you won't leave any blank space unless stated. Just write down N/A (Not Applicable).

The form must not have any erasures and make sure all the information you'll write there are FACTS. 

>insert the image of sample application form<

Lastly, print the form in A4 paper.

II. 1 Piece of Passport Size Colored Picture
Have your picture taken against WHITE background and wear something with collar. I did not smile when I got mine taken.

III. Original Passport
The latest one and must be valid within six months. If your latest passport does not have any stamps better prepare your previous one in case the embassy asks for it.

IV. Photocopy of Passport Bio (Page 2)
I scanned mine and printed it. B&W or colored. It does not matter, as long as the details are clearly seen.

V. Original & Photocopy of Valid Visas and Arrival Stamps to OECD Member Countries for The Past 5 Years
This is only optional and Korean Visa does not count. This is nice to have since you'll get the embassy's decision after three (3) working days (compared to the normal process which is usually 5 working days). Unfortunately, I don't have this requirement that's why I waited for five days. HA HA HA. OTL


VI. Original Certificate of Employment (COE)
You can request your COE to your HR. Please remind them that they should include the following:
- Date of issue of the COE (the more recent, the better)
- Date of Hire (technically my first project with the company since I'm a freelancer)
- Job Position
- Monthly Salary (i listed my average salary per month since I don't have a fixed salary)
- Travel Dates (or dates you are on leave)
- Contact Number/s and address of the company
- Lastly, have them addressed it to:
Embassy of The Republic of Korea
122 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Town Center,
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, Philippines

Make sure that the contact number written is working because if the Embassy can't contact your company you might have a problem with your visa approval. EOTTOKE!!! WE DO NOT WANT THAT!

VII.Original Personal Bank Certificate
Request a bank certificate in the branch where you opened your account. Your bank certificate should state the date you opened your account (preferably at least 6 months), account type, and the total amount of savings in your account and/or the 6 months average balance (ADB).

I paid Php100 as processing fee to Chinabank and I got mine the day after. When I was researching, I was really wondering how much savings is needed in order for my visa to be approved. There is no definite answer, hahaha. But during that time, I had Php 60,000 in my account I was travelling to South Korea for 11 days. 

And just like the COE, bank certificate must also include the day it was issued, must be addressed to the Embassy and it has to be recent.

VIII. Bank Statement
I applied last 2014, and I will apply again on February 2016. I will update this part after that, but the Embassy requires the original or certified true copy of the bank statement/passbook for the last 3 months.

VIII. Photocopy of the Income Tax Return (ITR) or Form 2316
In my case I'm keeping all of these papers but for employees you can request this one from your HR or accounting department. Just submit a photocopy, no need to give the Embassy the original copy, it has no bearing at all. Make sure that this includes your personal TIN number.

OTHER TIPS:
A. In filling up the application form:
- Purpose of Entry: I wrote down "Tour/Vacation 
- Address in Korea & Phone in Korea: I wrote down the address of Rio Guesthouse >insert link< as well as their number. If you still don't have a booking for your accommodation, write down "undecided", but I can't guarantee you that this will work since I haven't tried it yet. LOL. Please don't write N/A in this item or worse leave it blank.
- Who will pay for the expense for your stay?: I wrote down "myself".
- Accompanying Family / Guarantor or Reference in Korea: I place N/A on all columns and rows to be safe. hehehe ;)

B. Make sure to have a photocopy or scanned copies of the documents that you will submit to the Embassy, especially the original documents.

C. Before submitting papers, double check if you've filled up all the items in the form. Make sure to leave no blank spaces.

D. Submit in order based on the requirements given.

E. All documents must be issued within 3 months on the date of application.

F. Submission of Application is from 9:00AM-11:00AM only (Monday-Friday)

G. Releasing Time is from 2:00PM-4:00PM only (Monday-Friday)

H. Tourist Visa Application for Filipinos is FREE (For 59 days or less stay in South Korea). If you apply on your own it is FREE, but if it's via Travel Agency, the agency will charge you a processing fee. The amount of fee mostly starts at Php1,500.

I. Give the Embassy what is stated in the requirements, nothing more, nothing less. Unless they asked for it. Like in my case, the Embassy called me a day before I will receive the decision and they asked me to bring a copy of my College Diploma to complete the requirements. YOU CAN WON'T IMAGINE HOW NERVOUS I WAS WHEN I GOT THE CALL. 

2:00PM The day after the call, I went back to the Embassy hoping I will get approved. The officer from Window 2 called me and I gave her my College Diploma, she asked me if I'm willing to wait til 5:00PM for the decision or I'll go back the next day. Of course, I told her that I AM WILLING TO WAIT. While waiting for the verdict, I witnessed two or three disappointed applicants because they got denied. It was 5:00PM and the crowd in the Embassy got thinner and finally my name was called...

OH MY GOD! I was so happy! Super Happy! I can't contain my excitement inside the embassy. I kept on saying 감사합니다 to all of the employees. So Crazy!

-뿅 :D