Important Updates:
May-19: Starting June 1, Embassy announces resumption of Korea tourist visa
June-21: Stricter enforcement of old passports and photocopies of entry stamps
August-30: Only 10 slots daily are given to us designated travel agents. We may not be able to receive your documents as we are experiencing a backlog. Our next available submission date would be September 13 onwards.
September-1: Starting September 3, negative pre-departure COVID-19 test results are no longer required. However, PCR tests are still required to be taken within the day or next day of arrival.
September-13: The Embassy requires an Online Appointment, exclusive for applicants and Accredited Travel Agents, before going to the site. Walk-in applicants are no longer accepted starting September 15.
September-30: RT-PCR test upon arrival is no longer required effective October 1, 2022.
NOTE:
In lieu of the abolition of accreditation of agents, we are suspending our Korea visa assistance services until further notice.
We apologize and hope for your understanding with these developments.
Quick Facts:
Application Procedure:
Apply in person (walk-in at the Korean Embassy) or
Apply through any travel agency
Please be informed that once the application through the designated travel agencies resumes, walk-in applications will no longer be accepted.
Visa applicants must observe proper conduct and decorum during the visa application process.
Application Time:
Monday to Friday (except holidays) from 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Processing Period:
Minimum 5 working days
Processing period may be extended beyond 5 working days and a daily visa application limit may be set depending on the volume of visa applications received. Please allocate up to one month for visa processing time because of slot limitations.
Visa Fee:
Gratis: if applied directly at the embassy, 59 days below
Through International Journeys: PHP 1,000
COVID - Entry Information
Online Vaccination Registration is required via Q-CODE
Document Requirements
*Note that some information in this guide are based on our visa processing experience prior to 2020. We will continually update this document as soon as new information becomes available.
All applicants are required to submit the following documents:
Make sure you are using this updated 2020 version. We already made this PDF file fillable for your convenience :)
Form must be type-written and hand-signed
Form must be printed on A4 size paper
Kindly fill-in all information. All areas that have no answer or is not applicable, please put "N/A" in the space. The embassy will not accept forms with blanks.
Erasures and correction tapes are not allowed
Make sure that all contact details are active
2. One (1) piece of Passport size colored picture with white background
3. Original Passport valid for at least 6 months
4. Photocopy of Passport Bio-page
5. Original Old Passport (if available and up to one only) that have stamps to OECD countries for the last 5 years
Photocopy all the used visas and the entry immigration stamps in both the new and old passports
All copies must be in A4 size paper
6. If traveling as family, Original PSA documents proving relationship is required
7. Authorization Letter
Form must be type-written and hand-signed
FOR EMPLOYEES
8. Original Certificate of Employment
Including applicant's position, date hired, compensation, office address, company header, HR landline number, and e-mail address
9. Original Bank Certificate
Indicating the account type, balance, account opening date, Average Daily Balance
10. Original or Certified True Copy of Bank Statement for the last 3 months
11. Income Tax Return (photocopy) or Form 2316
12. Photocopy of PRC Card or IBP Card, if applicable
FOR BUSINESSMEN
8. Photocopy of Business Registration from SEC or DTI
9. Photocopy of Business Permit or Mayor's Permit
10. Income Tax Return (photocopy) or Form 2316
11. Original Bank Certificate
Indicating the account type, balance, account opening date, Average Daily Balance
12. Original or Certified True Copy of Bank Statement for the last 3 months
FOR SELF-EMPLOYED/FREELANCERS
8. Cover Letter
Declaring the reason why you want to visit South Korea
Explain current career situation
Kindly address it to The Embassy of Korea in the Philippines
9. Notarized Affidavit of Non-Filing of ITR, if ITR not available
10. Letter of Explanation of No ITR and COE, if ITR and/or COE not available
Kindly address it to The Embassy of Korea in the Philippines
11. Compilation Pictures of Proof of Source of Income
12. Original Bank Certificate
Indicating the account type, balance, account opening date, Average Daily Balance
13. Original or Certified True Copy of Bank Statement for the last 3 months
14. Photocopy of PRC Card or IBP Card, if applicable
FOR STUDENTS
8. Original School Certificate from the Registrar's Office
9. Photocopy of School ID
10. Original PSA Birth Certificate
11. Notarized Affidavit of Support, if not traveling together with parent/s
12. Parent's Financial Documents as an Employee or Businessman (see above)
13. Parent's Original PSA Marriage Certificate
14. If parents already have a valid visa, attach photocopy of parents' valid visa
15. If not traveling with parents, attach photocopy of parents' passport or valid government ID
FOR HOUSEWIVES
8. Photocopy of Marriage Contract; if not available, submit an affidavit
9. Financial Documents of Spouse as an Employee or Businessman (see above)
10. Notarized Affidavit of Support, if not applying together with spouse
FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
8. Photocopy of Senior Citizen ID
9. Original Bank Certificate
Indicating the account type, balance, account opening date, Average Daily Balance
10. Original or Certified True Copy of Bank Statement for the last 3 months
FOR INVITEES
Invited by Korean Resident
8. Invitation Letter
9. Copy of Inviter's Passport or ID Card
Invited by a Company in Korea
8. Invitation Letter
9. Copy of Korean Company Business Permit (authentication not required)
Where To Submit?
Visa Receiving Office
International Journeys Visa Office
Z Square Mall, 886 Banawe Street, Quezon City, Philippines
Contact Numbers:
Visa Officer - Keildy: 09176225254
FB Messenger: m.me/ijtravel
How much is the Korea Visa processing fee?
Gratis: if applied directly at the embassy, 59 days below
PHP 1,000: through International Journeys
How do I pay for my visa application?
Pay in our office or deposit to any of the following:
Account Name: International Journeys Inc. BDO: 00290-004-8598 Security Bank: 0686-0288-09001
Send copy of deposit slip to visa@ijourneys.com.ph for us to verify your payment.
How do I claim my passport?
You can pick-up your passport in our office or have it sent back via courier or any real-time delivery service. Check with our Visa Officer if your passport is ready for pick-up.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What if I lost my old passport?
If you lost your passport and you cannot submit a photocopy of arrival stamps, you may write a Letter of Explanation addressed to the consul stating the reason why you cannot submit the old passport.
Address all letters to: Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines
122 Upper McKinley Rd, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, 1634 Metro Manila
I don’t have an ITR, I haven’t visited any OECD countries?
You can submit a notarized affidavit of non-filing of ITR or Income Tax Return.
How much money should I have in my bank?
There is no official answer regarding this. Simply speaking you need to have more than enough money to pay for your trip. We generally recommend having at least PHP 60,000 in your bank if you are traveling for 5 days to South Korea. Your ITR and Bank Statements should be able to support this amount in your bank.
How do I submit my application?
Submit personally or send it via courier.
How soon should I apply for South Korea visa?
Single-entry visa is valid only 3 months from the date of issue. We encourage you to apply within 3 months before your trip.
Can I appeal if my visa is denied?
The Korean Embassy does not accept appeal for refused visa.
When can I re-apply if my visa is denied?
You may re-apply after 3 months from the date of denial.
Can I use digitally signed documents?
This is on a case-to-case basis. We had situations where a digital signature was accepted and there are instances where it was returned. For simplicity please make sure all documents to be submitted are hand-signed.
Important reminders before you submit your application
Attach a letter of explanation for documents that cannot be submitted
Family should apply at the same time and provide proof of relationship: These must be original PSA documents.
Apply for visa prior to purchasing your airline tickets and travel services since visa issuance is subject for approval of the consul in charge.
Applying through a designated travel agent does not guarantee the issuance of visa.
Inform your HR Officer/Contractor/Bank that someone will call or email from the Korean Embassy to validate the documents you provided.
Useful Links & Downloadable Forms
2020 Korean Visa Application Form
Korean Embassy in the Philippines Official Announcements
International Journeys summarized the above Korean visa application guide and no part may be copied or reproduced without prior written consent.
Visa Conditions:
Visa approval is not guaranteed and is still under the final discretion of the consul.
Processing time indicated is based on average application time. It is not guaranteed and may be delayed if additional documents are required by the embassy.
Do not purchase your tickets before your visas are issued and approved. International Journeys will not be liable for any unused travel products in the case of visa denial or if the release of visa has been delayed.
International Journeys will not accept visa application with departure date scheduled within 3 weeks from the date of submission.
Any request for early release and pulling out/cancellation of application is not permitted once the documents are submitted to the Korean Embassy.