How to get Korean Visa for Pinoy Tourist

At first, getting a Korean visa isn't that hard but this year I realized that a simple mistake in your application form for example could ruin your dream of stepping to the K-Pop land. Unlike applying for a US visa, there is no interview conducted when applying for a Korean tourist visa.That is why it is important to submit all necessary documents and avoid submission of false or misleading documents (e.g. wrong TIN number in Income Tax Return, no office number in the certificate of employment, etc.) I'm telling you, the consul are very strict so please complete your documents properly. In my experience, I think having a US visa is an advantage. The consul didn't ask anything for me. And I got the Korean visa after 3 days instead of one week. Still, I submitted all necessary documents. So, Goodluck!

VISA REQUIREMENTS

FOR EMPLOYEES
- Employment Certificate (original)
- Personal Bank Certificate (original)
- Individual Income Tax Return (photocopy)
- ACR and ICR (for foreign nationals who are resident in the Philippines)
If personally invited to Korea: Original Invitation Letter and passport copy of the Korean invitor
If invited by a company in Korea: Original Invitation Letter and photocopy of the Korean Company Business Permit

FOR BUSINESSMEN
- Business Registration from SEC or Registration from DTI and Mayor’s Permit (photocopy)
- Personal Bank Certificate (original)
- Individual Income Tax Return (photocopy)
- ACR and ICR (for foreign nationals who are resident in the Philippines)
If personally invited to Korea: Original Invitation Letter and passport copy of the Korean invitor
If invited by a company in Korea: Original Invitation Letter and photocopy of the Korean Company Business Permit

FOR STUDENTS WHO WILL TOUR KOREA
- School certificate (original)
- Photocopy of School ID
- Birth certificate (photocopy)
- Copy of parent’s passport first page
- Parents bank certificate (original)
- Parents Employment certificate (original)
- Parents Income Tax Return (photocopy)

FOR STUDENTS WHO WILL STUDY IN KOREA
- Admission Letter from the University in Korea (original)
- Copy of Last School Record, e.g. Diploma and Transcript of Records
- Copy of Birth Certificate
- Employment Certificate (if employed)
- Bank Certificate (if the student doesn’t have full scholarship)

FOR SEAMAN/SEAFARERS
- Original Letter of Guarantee from the shipping company in the Philippines
- Copy of the Guarantee letter from Korea
- Copy of Korean Company Business Permit
- Copy of Seaman’s passport and seaman’s booklet
- Copy of E-receipt (from POEA)
- Copy of Employment Contract
- Copy of Medical Result

FOR SEAMAN’S WIFE (TO JOIN HUSBAND IN KOREA)
- Copy of Marriage Certificate
- Copy of Husband’s Passport (first page)
- Copy of Husband’s Employment Contract
- Guarantee Letter from the Philippine Agent
- Copy of Guarantee Letter from the Korean Agent
- Personal Bank Certificate (original)

FOR RELIGIOUS WORKERS/MISSIONARIES
- Philippine Church Registration from Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) (copy)
- Member’s Certification from the Church (original)
- Personal bank certificate (original)
- The Korean Church registration form (photocopy)
- Invitation letter notarized in Korea
- Invitor’s ID photocopy
- If employee, submit employment certificate and ITR

FOR HOUSEWIFE
- Husband’s Employment Certificate or Business Permit (SEC or DTI and Mayor’s Permit)
- Husband’s Copy of ITR
- Personal or Husband’s Bank Certificate
- NSO Marriage Contract (copy)
- Original and copy of US, New Zealand, Korea, Japan, Australia and Canada visa (if there is)

FOR PARENTS OF A FILIPINO NATIONAL MARRIED TO KOREAN
- Korean marriage history certificate issued within the last 3 months (original)
- Korean’s passport photocopy
- daughter’s passport photocopy
- daughter’s NSO marriage certificate
- Invitation letter from the Korean national

FOR KOREAN’S SISTER/BROTHER-IN-LAW
- Birth certificate of the applicant
- Korean marriage history certificate (issued within 3 months)
- Korean’s passport photocopy (first page)
- Married Filipino’s passport photocopy (first page)
- Married Filipino’s NSO Marriage certificate
- Invitation Letter from the Korean national
If applicant is employed, submit Employment Certificate, Bank certificate and ITR

FOR SPOUSE OF A U.S. MILITARY PERSONNEL STATIONED IN KOREA
- Invitation Letter notarized in Korea (original)
- Photocopy of Invitor’s Military ID and/or passport photocopy of first page
- Photocopy of Military Order
- NSO Marriage Certificate (photocopy)
- USFK Form 166
- CFO Certificate

FOR CHILD/PARENTS WHOSE MOTHER/DAUGHTER IS MARRIED TO A U.S. MILITARY PERSONNEL STATIONED IN KOREA
- Birth certificate (photocopy)
- Invitation Letter notarized in Korea (original)
- Invitor’s passport photocopy of first page
- Photocopy of Invitor’s Military ID and Military Order
- Mother’s passport photocopy
- Mother’s visa page photocopy
- NSO Marriage Certificate (photocopy)

FOR FILIPINO MARRIED TO FOREIGNER WHO IS WORKING IN KOREA
- Invitation letter from Husband’s company in Korea (original)
- Copy of husband’s passport
- Copy of husband’s alien registration card
- Copy of husband’s contract or certificate of employment
- Copy of marriage certificate

FOR SHORT TERM EMPLOYMENT VISA (IN SHIPYARD/SHIPBUILDING)
- Guarantee letter/invitation letter from Korea
- Shipbuilding contract between the buyer and the seller
- Dispatch letter from company
- Copy of employment contract

FOR APPLICANTS WHO HAVE A CONFIRMATION OF VISA ISSUANCE (CCVI) FROM THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE IN KOREA:
- Filled application form
- confirmation of visa issuance number
- 1 passport sized picture
- 2,250 pesos visa fee
- Employment contract (for E6 and F1 visa applicant or domestic helpers)

Effective: 2011 April 01

To attract more tourists from South East Asian countries, the Ministry of Justice in Korea has simplified the Korean tourist visa requirements and has started issuing double entry visa and extended multiple entry visa category and validity from 1 year to 3 years.

Basic requirements are as follows:
- Application form
- Passport sized photo
- Original passport (6 months valid)
- Copy of passport first page

Short-term Visas (C-3) for Tourists: SINGLE ENTRY
- For short term visitors to Korea
- Visa Requirements:
–Employment Certificate or Business Registration issued by SEC or DTI.
–Personal Bank Certificate
–Individual ITR or Form 2316 Copy (the previous year).

Notes:

- In case the applicant cannot submit one of the above mentioned requirements, he/she can submit additional documents such as Land Titles, vehicle registration, Country Club or Golf Membership , and Pension Certificates

- For an applicant who has travelled or has valid visa to any one of the OECD member countries within the last 5years, applicants are only required to submit the requirements number ⑴ & OECD countries visa copy and arrival stamps

- If applicants are students, applicants are required to submit their School Certificate, Birth Certificate and Parents’ Documents (1,2,3).

- In case of incentive tours supported by a company that is listed in the Philippine stock exchange market, applicants can submit only the guarantee letter from the company.

DOUBLE VISA
- For visitors who plan to visit Korea 2 times within 6 months
- Visa Requirements: Same requirements with single entry visa
- Issuance Details: Status (C-3), Validity (6 months), Entry (Double)

SHORT TERM MULTIPLE ENTRY VISA

- Qualified Applicants

1. Applicants who have obtained a permanent residency in any OECD member countries (except Korea) or people who visited OECD member countries more than 2 times within the last 4 years, or people who visited Korea more than 4 times within the last 2 years.
- Required document: Original and photocopy of visiting records in the applicants’ passports (visa and arrival stamps)
- OECD member countries

2. Group Tour Guides who has traveled to Korea more than once for the last 2 years.

3. Philippine Government Officials
- Required document: Employment Certificate

4. High Rank Officials/employees of International Airline Companies to Korea

5. Applicants who earn more than $10,000 annually or has Platinum international credit card
- Required document: Official documents proving the financial status of the applicant and original and photocopy of platinum card

6. Applicants who are invited for contract and consultation by Korean public agencies in connection to resources and energy development
- Required document: Employment certificate, related contracts or guarantee letter from invitors

7. Applicants who are invited by the Korean Government to attend international forums, international conferences, international conventions.
- Employment certificate, Invitation letter

8. Executive or high ranking staff of a company that is listed in the  Philippine Stock Exchange market
- Business Permit or Employment Certificate, Individual ITR

9. Reporters, PD, journalists, news editors, etc. people who works in major company for more than one year
- Required document: Identification card and Employment certificate(the period of employment should be indicated), ITR

10. Professionals: i.e. lawyers, doctors, accountants, professors (PRC or IBP card holders)
- Required document:  Employment Certificate, PRC ID copy or IBP copy

11. Popular celebrities, artists/athletes/writers who can be searched or viewed in Philippine major media websites
- Required document: A membership card or an ID, Media records or Records of concerned activity

12. Retired workers aged 55 years above who are receiving pensions of more than P20,000 monthly
- Required document: Any supporting document which proves he/she is a Pension receiver

13. People who obtained a two year college degree or bachelor’s degree, master’s and doctorate degree from Universities in Korea
- Required document: College diploma from Korea

14.  Spouse, minor aged children and parents’ in law of a Korean national
- Required document: Korean couples marriage contract and Korean Marriage History

15. Spouse, children, parents and parents in law of multiple visa holders
- Multiple visa copy and proof of relationship documents, i.e, birth certificate, marriage certificate

VISA FEES
- 59 days or less stay in Korea – FREE
- More than 59 days stay in Korea
—- Single entry PHP 1,500
—- Double visa PHP 3,000
—- Multiple entry PHP 4,000

APPLICANTS COULD BE ASKED TO SUBMIT ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS AS PER CONSUL’S EVALUATION. ALL VISA APPLICATIONS ARE SUBJECT FOR APPROVAL.

The Korean Embassy in the Philippines is located at:

Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines
122 Upper McKinley Road
McKinley Town Center
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City 1634

And their contact numbers:

Phone number: 02-856-9210
Fax number: 02-856-9024
Extension numbers:
260 – for passport
240 – for family registration and other related documents
220 – Visa 1
230 – Visa 2
302 – Visa 3 (Filipino)

Office hours for visa application: 9AM to 11AM ONLY

Release of passport: 2PM to 4PM

Korean Embassy website: http://embassy_philippines.mofat.go.kr 

Call the consular office at 856-9210 (Local no.302)