With so many awesome food and great tourist destinations, South Korea is definitely a must-see for the avid tourist.
If you are looking forward to visiting the country, you will be surprised to learn that getting a Korean visa is actually free. Yes, you read that right – it’s completely free and if you comply with all the requirements, the entire process could even be relatively quick and easy.
Required Documents
To begin with, these are the documents you woul need to submit:
- Duly accomplished application form
- Passport (must still be valid for at least 6 months)
- Photocopy of the passport Bio page (Page 2)
- 1 passport size colored photo
- If invited by a Korean: an Invitation letter and a copy of the inviter’s passport. (Ignore if not applicable.)
Proof of Financial Capability
Next, you need to prove that you can afford your trip.
If you are an employee, you will need to submit:
- Certificate of Employment (Must be original; and must have the contact number and address of employer, and date of issue)
- Original Personal Bank Certificate (NOT bank statement)
- Photocopy of ITR (Income Tax Return) or Form 2316
Self-employed individuals, on the other hand, would have to submit these documents:
- Photocopy of Business registration form from DTI or SEC
- Photocopy of Business permit or Mayor’s permit
- Photocopy of ITR
- Original Personal Bank Certificate
Housewives who are visiting the country need the following:
- Husband’s Original Bank Certificate
- Husband’s Original Certificate of Employment
- Photocopy of husband’s ITR
- Photocopy of NSO Marriage Certificate
Lastly, students should have these documents:
- Parents’ Original Bank Certificate
- Parents’ Original Certificate of Employment or Photocopy of parents’ SEC/DTI Permit and Mayor’s Permit (whichever is applicable).
- Photocopy of ITR of parents
- Photocopy of NSO Birth Certificate of applicant
- Photocopy of School ID
- Original School Certificate
In case you have an existing visa of any member country of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), you have to submit the original copy and a photocopy.
READ ALSO: HOW TO APPLY FOR A JAPAN TOURIST VISA | REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES
Visit the Korean Embassy
Now that you have all the requirements prepared, go to the Korean embassy. Register with the guard station and leave your ID. After that, present your documents at the assigned personnel by the door and you’ll get a number if your requirements are complete.
Wait for your turn. Take note that there are different windows for applicants with and without OECD visas. After the staff checks your requirements, they will give you a date of release for your tourist visa.
As mentioned above, tourist visas are free but only if you are staying in the country for 59 days or less. If you’ll be there for 60 to 90 days, however, you will have to pay a fee of P1,350.
Should you have further questions, here’s the address and contact number of the Korean Embassy:
122 Upper McKinley Road
McKinley Town Center
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City
1634 Philippines
Contact number : (63-2) 856-9210