November 2, 2017 – My friend claimed our passports at the Embassy of Korea and I couldn’t be happier when I saw our Visas! And just earlier today (Nov 6, 2017), I picked up my sister and my friend’s passports and they got issued Visas, too! We are going to Oppaland this month and getting our Visas just made me even more excited. To be honest, it wasn’t as nerve-racking as before, maybe because it was no longer our first time (we got issued single-entry Japanese Visas last year – here’s a link on how to apply for it – https://travelsofawallflower.wordpress.com/2017/10/04/how-to-apply-for-a-japan-tourist-visa/ ) I didn’t feel jumpy or anything, I was just eager to know the result.
Now, if you ask me how applying for Japan Visa is different from applying for a Korean Visa, I’d have to say they’re pretty much the same, there are just a few differences. For one, Japan Visa requires you to pay the agency a processing fee while a Korean Visa is free as long as you will stay for less than 59 days. You will be filing for it in the Embassy, although you may still opt to seek assistance from a travel agency. (I’d suggest you file for it yourself though because it’s easier than you may think 😉).
With regards to requirements, you may include as many supporting documents as you can provide to ensure your Japan Visa approval. You may include your flight and hotel booking confirmation, explanation letters for certain documents you cannot provide and even photos especially if you have a guarantor of if you are visiting a friend or relative. For Korean Visa however, ONLY REQUIRED documents should be submitted. Even if you include your flight/hotel booking, the inspector will still exclude them from your files before stapling them and issuing a number. So the only way you can ensure that your application will be approved is by submitting complete requirements and by proving that you are financially capable (thus the CoE, ITR and Bank Certificate and Statement).
The following are the requirements (these documents must be filed/stapled in the following order):
For Employees:
Tourist/Business Visa Requirements for Employees
1. Application Form
2. 1 piece of Passport size colored picture (Please attach on the application form)
3. Original Passport (should be valid for more than 6months)
4. Photocopy of Passport Bio-page (page 2)
5. Original & Photocopy of valid visa/s and arrival stamps to OECD member countries for the past 5 years (If applicable only)
6. Original Certificate of Employment
(must include applicant’s position, date hired, compensation, office address, HR landline number(cell-phone number is not allowed), HR e-mail address)
7. Original Personal Bank Certificate
(must include account type, current balance, account opening date, ADB)
8. Bank Statement
(original or certified true copy of bank statements/passbook for the last 3 months)
9. ITR(Income Tax Return) or Form 2316 Copy
10. Copy of PRC Card or IBP Card (If applicable only)
* If personally invited by Korean
. Invitation Letter
. Photocopy of invitor’s Passport or Identification Card
(authentication not required)
* If invited by Company in Korea
. Invitation Letter
. Photocopy of Korean Company Business Permit
(authentication not required)
* Frequent travellers who have travelled as tourist to OECD member countries within 5 years are exempted from submitting ITR.
Once you complete the above, go to the Embassy of Korea located at 122 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Town Center, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig city 1634, Philippines as early as 8 in the morning. The embassy begins accepting applications at 8:30 AM and is open until 11 AM. There are circumstances however, when the embassy will follow an earlier cutoff time because of the number of people applying, so see to it that you arrive early.
The first line is for inspection of documents where you will be issued a number. Windows 1 and 2 are for first-timers and 4 and 5 for applicants with used/valid OECD Visas (ex. Japan). The entire process was relatively faster than when we filed our application for Japan Visa. We came early and we stayed there for less than an hour. The claim stub will show the date on which you will claim the passport/s – processing is 3 working days for applicants with valid/used OECD Visas and 5 working days for first-timers. Claiming of passports is between 1:30 PM and 4 PM and again, the process is delightfully quick. 🙂
Now, I can’t be the one to guarantee, but if you’re planning on applying for a Korean Visa and you’re scared because it’s your first time, don’t be. 😉 It will be my friend’s first time, too but she got issued a Visa. You just need to make sure you have all the requirements – submit ones that are acceptable in case one of the required documents are not available. As long as you can prove you are capable of financing your trip, I don’t see any reason why you would get denied a Visa. If it helps, each of our show money (bank balance) is above Php 55xxx.
I hope this guide helps you loads! ❤️🇰🇷
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Travels of a Wallflower 