How to apply for a Korean Visa here in Manila

It's going to be a year from now since I last set foot inside the Korean Embassy. I am a QC resident so getting to the embassy in Taguig was a long travel. But since my brother and I needed a visa for a trip then, we braved the roads towards the south area.

My Kuya, my younger brother and I were invited to partake in Jeonju's International Film Festival, so we made sure to apply for our respective visa's right away. My boyfriend who's been to South Korea several times now (for work purposes), was able to help me compile all of our visa requirements. 

Now, the Korean Embassy has standard requirements. You will find a complete list below:

1) Application form duly filled in and signed. The form can be obtained on this link.
2) One passport sized colored picture
3) Original passport and a copy of the first page (not less than 6 months valid)
4) Photocopy and original of previous and valid visas to U.S., Canada, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, or Korea.

 

Also note that there will be other required documents that may be asked of you by the consulars. And this will solely depend on your occupation and purpose of visit to Korea. So in my case, I would fall under the BUSINESSMEN category, applying for a Tourist or Visitor's Visa.

Now, being part of a corporation required me to show the following documents to the Korean consular:

1) Visa application forms
2) Official invitation letters from Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF) including our references, and a copy of JIFF's Business License
3) Business Registration from S.E.C.
4) Mayor's Permit
5) Passport and Passport Photo's
6) Income tax Return

Now, A WORD OF ADVICE. It's best that you've accomplished and gathered all of the important documents before passing these to the consulars, as this will help you avoid the hassles of going back and forth the embassy. I've actually witnessed a few applicants who lacked the necessary documents, so the consulars requested that they just return with the missing papers on their next visit.

Application Procedures

Ok, so when you're done compiling your papers, you may then file your application at the Consular Office from 9-11am only, Monday to Friday. So be sure to come in at an earlier time (we were already in line by 7am). And since the embassy serves on a first come, first serve basis, no appointments are necessary. And upon entering, first time travelers like me, were advised to pass our requirements on either Windows 1 or 2. We were also given a queue number.


Since only one representative was required (the actual applicant need not be present when applying for a visa, just as long as the required documents are passed and completed), I was the one who faced the consular. We talked for a bit, and then she asked for all of our papers, which was then followed by a few reminders. The lady gave me a piece of paper that indicated my return date to the embassy. In our case, we were asked to come back after less than a week. Now, if you're a first time traveler to Korea, it is advised that you personally claim your visa, especially if the Consul requires an impromptu interview with you before releasing both your visa and passport.

Anyway, as for visa application fees, we weren't charged for any since we were only staying for a few days. So if you hold a Philippine Passport, here are the following fees:

59 days (or less) stay in Korea -- GRATIS
60 to 90 days stay in Korea -- PHP1,350.00

More than 90 days stay in Korea (not applicable for tourist visa)
Single Entry -- PHP2,250.00
Multiple Entry -- PHP3,600.00

But if you hold an American Passport, then you'll be required to pay the PHP2,025.00 fee. As for Foreign nationals in the Philippines (those applying for a tourist visa), a PHP1,350.00 will be charged accordingly. 

Anyway, hope this helps in one of your future trips to the Korean Embassy, and of course, to South Korea. Until then... here's a photo of our visas! =)


Explore & Be Free! 
Mai

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62 comments

  1. ang mura naman ng ticket.... thanks for this info. kaso baka unahin ko muna ang pinas bago ang iba hhehehe

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  2. thank you ng malaki at marami :) 

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  3. tama.. i agree sa word of advice mo dapat pag pupunta ka sa embassy dala mo na ang lahat ng kailangan mahirap ang pabalik-balik gastos sa pamasahe.
    tanung.,,, anu yung GRATIS?

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  4. Nice info sis, a great help to those applying for visa

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  5. hey Axl! As I emailed you earlier, Gratis means Free of Charge or Complimentary. =)

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  6. Thank you Josie! Hope that I will be able to reach those who may have future queries about this certain visa. =)

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  7. well documented...
    but i think, KOREA is quite a boring place to explore maybe just a visit will do.
    i wonder why most KOREANS wish to stay in our country?

    anyways, useful post for those who are interested.

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  8. Hi Marri! Well, I for one enjoyed my stay in South Korea. Although I stayed in Jeonju at the time. I actually enjoyed my trip more since the weather was cool, and the people were friendly. =) As for your other observation.. well, the number of Koreans in our country certainly grew in number. I'm sure they love our country, as much as we do, as it's definitely more fun in the Philippines! =D

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  9. Thanks for this sis! Although I have no plans of going to South Korea any time soon, this will be really helpful if *hopefully* something comes up.. :)

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  10. You're welcome Sumi! =) I'm sure something will come up for you for this certain travel. South Korea is very beautiful, even if I've only been to Jeonju. =)

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  11. Wohoooo, just dropping by to say "happy trip Mhai.". ^_^

    I might also go there in God's time. :)
    Have a blessed holy week....

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  12. this is really helpful for the first timers traveling to Korea. thanks for the info. :)

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  13. Hey Robi! I spent my trip in Korea last year pa.. Thanks still!

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  14. You're welcome Rachelle! Have you been to Korea? =)

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  15. Thanks for sharing this te Mai..very helpful..how I wish I could apply visa soon and travel to Korea.. ;)

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  16. tis' very helpful to everyone who wants to travel in korea!! at least they know whats the options now good job! xx

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  17. This is such important info for world travelers. Thanks for sharing!

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  18. wow to the fees, gratis lang! @Marri, I think it's to learn English? ahihi. Would love to see the Yognduam Rock in Jeju!

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  19. Gusto ko din mapunta dyan,. :)) libre nyo ko hehe

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  20. unsugarcoatedreviewsApril 4, 2012 at 4:45 PM

    this is very informative. thank you for listing down all the requirements and fees. very helpful indeed.

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  21. i've always wanted to go to korea but i haven't convinced my life's higher authorities yet.
    we are taiwan bound for vacation but this post is very informative =)

    hope you'll have a fruitful holy week =)

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  22. my destination this year is Singapore, but hopefully i can go to Korea next year! 

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  23. I should bookmark this page because I need to get a via for Korea soon. I just passed the TOPIk exam and I'll be working in Korea soon. Thanks for this post.

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  24. getting a visa es really a hassle.i have been to a lot of visa application and it very frustrating if you were denied or missing documents. So to make sure i don't miss something ,i bring all the big folder with me containing all my docs and paper works so when the consul ask for something ,i easily hand it .

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  25. Awesome! This is really informative. Thanks for sharing. =)

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  26. Try to plan your travel during May or on the last quarter of the year, so that you'll get to experience the very cool weather. =)

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  27. Thanks Tauyanm. =) 

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  28. Glad to help, Debra. =)

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  29. Ah, good insight Chan! The school rates may be cheaper here, compared to their country. And must I say that I had to google the Yognduam Rock? hehe.. the rock formation is actually remarkable!

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  30. Libre ka saan, pagpuntang Korean Embassy or yung para sa application fee? =)

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  31. You're welcome! Glad to help. =) Please help me share it to other people. =)

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  32. hehe.. I'm assuming that you're talking about your parents? =P And wow, taiwan! Please share your travel story soon.. Would want to explore Taiwan too.. =)

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  33. Cool! What month are flying to SIN? I'm sure it's going to be hot there for the next couple of months.

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  34. Congrats Shirgie! You're going to work as what? My niece actually works in Jeonju. She's a college teacher now. =)

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  35. I hear you, TaTess. This is actually the first visa application that I was approved of. I've tried countless times for a US Visa, but was still rejected. =(

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  36. You're welcome! Glad to help. =) Please help me share it to other people. =)

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  37. Thanks for this information. This is a big help to others who are planning to visit South Korea. 

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  38. You're welcome. =) Please share this post to those who may need it. =)

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  39. Bookmarked this page for future reference! :)

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  40. I agree, you have to make it sure that everything would be complete para swabe ang application. Swerte mo naman at may invitation ka sa Korea!

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  41. Very informative post! Thanks for sharing!

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  42. Thanks Jeff! =)

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  43. Hello friend! Ittour niyo ba ako ni Shawi sa Vigan?? =) ANyhow, oo nga, was super blessed to get invited for this event. My kuya's indie film kasi was invited to show sa Jeonju International Film Festival. Have you watched Third World Happy, featuring Sam Milby? =)

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  44. Thanks Rojae! =)

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  45. wow.. it was you who posted about getting US visa right? (I hope my memory serves me right!) now this... great postssss!

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  46. Thanks for sharing these. I'll have my documents ready just in case we win a round-trip tickets to Korea. ^_^

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  47. Hi Gemma! I think that's me. =) Thank you for remembering. At least for this specific post, I finally got approved of a visa..hehe!

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  48. Good luck with those roundtrip tickets! Hehehe. =)

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  49. travelona ShoestringApril 6, 2012 at 9:48 AM

    I'll bookmark this just in case my neurosurgeon allow me to travel soon! This is is a neat tip! Please swing by my pagetoo!

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  50. Thank You! =) Hope your neuro approves of your future travel!

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  51. timely post. we're planning to visit south korea next year. sana mabigyan din. 

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  52. I'm sure you'll get your visa. Just make sure that you give them all the requirements that they seek. =)

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  53. Super handy since I plan to go to  Korea soon :)

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  54. Cool! I'm sure you'll get approved, as they're nice to transact with naman. =) 

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  55. Thanks!!! Baka busy si Shawi kasi di pa siya nagreply back. =) And yung indie film baka magkaron ng DVD soon, grab a copy ah! =P

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  56. my visa got denied and I was hoping to re-apply again after a month. According to the paper attached, I can do it earlier than 6 months if I have a different purpose of entry. My original purpose was to simply sightsee. If I secure an invitation from an academy in Korea stating that I am invited to an event, would that qualify as a different purpose of entry?

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  57. Hi Mia! I'm sure that would be a valid reason and a different purpose of entry. We were actually invited to a Film Fest in Jeonju and were given actual invites that were mailed to our home address (original copies). =)

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  58. I agree, you have to make it sure that everything would be complete para swabe ang application. Swerte mo naman at may invitation ka sa Korea!

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