This post is perfect for those who want to apply for a Tourist Visa to South Korea from the Philippines. I will share here the steps on how I got my single-entry Visa to South Korea in the simplest way I can.
I was able to travel to Seoul together with my parents in December years ago to experience the winter season. These are the steps that I have done for us to receive a single-entry Visa to “The Land of the Morning Calm.”
Follow these steps and hopefully, your application will also have the same outcome – that is an approved Visa.
Applying for a South Korean Visa in the Philippines is simple, you only need to follow 5 easy steps. What’s difficult is the preparation of the requirements and the waiting time as it would take more than a month before you get to know the result of your application.
Read also: South Korea Itinerary for 5 Days 4 Nights: 5 Best Tourist Spots to Visit
There are different types of visas depending on your specific purpose of visit. It can be for study, business, and tourists. Each type requires different documents for the applicant. This particular post will discuss the steps on how you can get a tourist visa for South Korea.
Table of Contents
5 Steps to Apply for a South Korea Tourist Visa for Filipinos
Step 1: Fill up the Visa Application Form
This is probably the crucial part to have your visa application approved. You can download the latest visa application form at http://overseas.mofa.go.kr/ph-en/brd/m_3283/list.do. Simply go to download tab and select the “Visa Application Form (2020.01.01)” in the list of choices.
The form comes in 3 different formats. I suggest that you choose file2 which is in PDF format. For me, it is a lot easier to fill out as compared to the word and hwp format.
There is a total of 5 pages. Fill up the form completely as accurately as possible and to the best of your knowledge. Leave blank, questions that are not applicable to your current status.
In this part, you have to prepare your personal details as you need them when filling up the given questionnaires in the form.
- Passport information (passport number, place of issue, date of issue, date of expiry)
- Contact information (mobile number, landline, valid email address, emergency contact info)
- Marital Status and Family Details (information about spouse, residential address, and contact number)
- Education (name of the school in college and address)
- Employment details (name of company, job position, office address, and landline)
- Details of Visit (purpose, period of stay, address in Korea, and contact number in Korea)
- List of countries visited in the last 5 years (purpose of visit, and period of stay)
- List of family members traveling to South Korea (name, date of birth, nationality, and relationship)
- Details of sponsor such as the name of the sponsor, date of birth, relationship, address, and contact details (if applicable)
- Funding details (estimated travel cost per person, the person paying for the travel expenses, relationship, contact details.
- Assistance with this form (provide the details if someone fill out the form on your behalf)
- Declaration (state the date of application, and affix your signature)
You can fill out the form using the Adobe acrobat reader DC installed on your personal computer. In my case, I choose to fill out the form using the latter. The reason is simple, it is a lot easier because I am familiar with the app. You can also edit the information without making your application form look like a scratch paper after you wrote the wrong information for a particular questionnaire.
Step 2: Prepare the Korea Visa Requirements
The requirements are listed in the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of the Philippines’ official website. It is the same link I have provided in step 1. http://overseas.mofa.go.kr/ph-en/brd/m_3277/list.do. The requirements vary based on the status of the applicant.
If you will be visiting Korea alone, or as a group, each applicant must produce the requirements stated on the website.
For example, if you are currently employed in the Philippines, you need to submit the documents asked such as the original passport, photocopy of its bio page, original certificate of employment stating your position, date hired, salary, office address, and human resource (HR) landline telephone number and email address. You also need to produce the original bank statement for the last 3 months. If you are a registered professional, you need to submit a copy of your PRC ID.
There is no visa fee if you will visit Korea for less than 59 days. However, you need to pay the designated travel agency for their service to process your application.
Based on experience, the designated travel agency may ask for an additional document before they will start to process your application.
Step 3: Submit the Requirements to Travel Agency and Pay the Fee
Previously, Filipinos can walk into the Korean Embassy to personally process their visa application. However, due to the increase in the number of Filipino tourists applying for visas, the embassy designates numerous travel agencies where applicants can submit their documents starting July 1, 2018.
One of the reasons is to minimize inconvenience on the part of the applicant. The latter do not have to fall in line for hours outside of the embassy while waiting for their turn for a Korean Visa application.
There is a total of 35 travel agencies that are accredited by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines. You can scan the list and check which agency is near your location.
My advice for you is to visit their respective website to be familiar with their location, processing fee, and processing time. You may also call their office, to inquire about your concerns like their office hours and updated details.
When you are done choosing the agency, submit all your documents to them to avoid delays. Afterward, pay the processing fee.
Step 4: Wait for the Release Date of your Visa
During our application, the release of visa takes about 30 to 40 days after submitting all of our documents. The number of days may vary. There is nothing we can do about it so we just wait.
Usually, the single-entry visa will lapse 3 months from the issue date. I would suggest that you apply for your tourist visa 2 to 3 months prior to your scheduled travel date.
Also, make sure that you will not travel outside of the Philippines on the duration of your application, as the travel agency will keep your passport during these dates.
While waiting, you can start making a travel itinerary based on your planned number of days to stay in South Korea.
Step 5: Collect your Passport with the attached Korean Visa
Hopefully, this will be the case. After the processing of your visa, the travel agency will inform you through SMS / text if your passport is filed and or released from the embassy.
You can follow up with the agency to know if your passport is ready for collection based on their given tentative date.
How to Fill Out South Korea Visa Application Form for Filipinos
In this part, I will teach you how to use the adobe acrobat reader to fill out the form. Aside from that, I will also share with you my actual application form so you will have an idea of what information you will need to type in in the respective questionnaires.
Step 1: Open the visa application form file using adobe acrobat reader
Locate the file on your personal computer and open it using the adobe acrobat reader.
At the upper right side of the form choose “Enable Editing,” then select “OK” in the dialog box.
Step 2: Select Fill and Sign
At the right-hand panel of the adobe reader, you will see different actions such as export pdf, create pdf, and comments. Select “Fill & Sign” to be able to edit the application form.
Step 3: Start filling out your Korean Visa Application Form
At the upper portion of the form you can select the characters needed to type in in the given questionnaire. You can add text, X mark, check mark, and dots.
Sample South Korea Visa Application form Completely Filled Out
This is my filled-out Korea Visa application form. I just alter the details to protect my personal information. Nonetheless, this is still how I filled out the form that got visa approval from the screening immigration official in South Korea. Thanks to them!
For questions that are not applicable to you, just leave them blank. Just like what I did.
Page 1 is the part where you need to fill out your personal details. Take note of the format of the date as it is different from the usual Month-date-year format in the Philippines.
Page 2 is where you need to type in your Passport information, contact information, marital status, family details, and educational background.
On page 3, you need to input the information about your employment, details of the visit to South Korea, your date of entry, and the number of days stay. Your hotel or board and lodging address and your contact information while in South Korea. For the contact number, I input the telephone number of the hotel.
For example, in question number 7.4, since we stayed in Hotel Kuretakaso in Insadong, I input their address and telephone numbers in the given space.
If you have visited Korea previously in the last 5 years. Indicate your purpose of visit and your period of stay. You also have to tell the details of your out-of-the-country travel in the last 5 years.
You have to declare on page 4 if you have a family member staying or living in Korea. If you will travel with your family, you also need to declare their names. Details of the person inviting you to Korea (if there is any).
Declare in the funding details your estimated travel cost in US dollars. Type in the information of the person who will shoulder your travel expenses.
Is there someone who assists you in filling out the form? Indicate it in the Assistance with this form portion.
On page 5, type in your date of application, and your full name, and affix your signature.
How to View the Visa Requirements for South Korea
As I have mentioned earlier, Korea asked applicants for different requirements depending on their current status. You can view the requirements at http://overseas.mofa.go.kr/ph-en/brd/m_3277/list.do.
Go to Visa Requirements under the “Consular / Visa Service”
South Korea Accredited Travel Agency List in the Philippines
Due to the influx of visa applications from Filipinos, the Embassy of Korea in the Philippines designates a travel agency, to help them expedite the screening process of the applicants. Here they are:
Agency Name: Budget Travel and Tours Inc.
Address: Suite 3, Metropolitan Tower, Mabini Street, Malate Manila
Contact Number: 02-523-8120
Agency Name: Getaway Tours International Inc.
Address: 576 San Andres Street near corner Adriatico St. Malate, Manila
Contact Number: 02-524-2202 / 02-524-2252
Agency Name: Horizon Travel & Tours, Inc.
Address: 490 Potenciana Mansion Sta Monica Street, Ermita Manila
Contact Number: 02-521-2586
Agency Name: International Journeys Inc.
Address: Unit 2 Third Floor Altra Center 1663 Jorge Bocobo Street Malate, Manila
Contact Number: 02-4000-550
Agency Name: Las Palmas Tours and Travel Agency, Inc.
Address: G/F Unit b2 Imperial Bayfront Tower, 1642 A. Mabini St. Malate, Manila
Contact Number: 02-711-7069
Agency Name: Pan Pacific Travel Corporation
Address: 353 E.T. Yuchengco Street Binondo, Manila
Contact Number: 02-243-6666
Agency Name: Pan Pacific Travel Corporation Ermita Branch
Address: G/F Pacific Place Apartelle Suites 539 Arquiza St. Ermita, Manila
Contact Number: 02-523-1990 / 02-526-6427
Agency Name: Reli Tours and Travel Company Lucky China Town Binondo
Address:
Contact Number: 242-0640
Agency Name: Uni-Orient Travel Inc.
Address: 447 Juan Luna Street, Binondo, Manila
Contact Number: 02-243-3888
Agency Name: Adventure International
Address: G/F 3rd and 4th Floor Eurovilla 2, Rufino Street Legaspi Village Makati City
Contact Number: 02-884-9400
Agency Name: Ark Travel Express Inc.
Address: 146 Alfaro Place, L.P Leviste Street Salcedo Village, Makati City
Contact Number: 02-816-6416
Agency Name: Blue Horizons Travel and Tours Inc.
Address: 23 Floor Pacific Star Building Makati Avenue corner Sen Gil Puyat Makati City
Contact Number: 02-988-5000
Agency Name: Casto Travel Philippines Inc.
Address: 2/Flr Tuscan Building, 114 VA Rufino Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City
Contact Number: 02-810-0079
Agency Name: City Travel & Tours Corporation
Address: LG8 Cityland 10 Tower 1, H.V Dela Costa Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City
Telephone Number: 02-812-9111
Agency Name: Constellation Travels, Inc.
Address: 5th Floor, Merry Land Plaza 1157 Chino Roces Avenue San Antonio Village, Makati City
Contact Number: 02-224-1730
Agency Name: First United Travel Inc.
Address: Garden Level Corinthian Plaza Paso de Roxas, Makati City
Contact Number: 02-818-7181 / 02-819-3919
Agency Name: First United Travel Inc.
Address: Garden Level Corinthian Plaza Paso de Roxas, Makati City
Contact Number: 02-818-7181 / 02-819-3919
Agency Name: Hankookceb Corp. Makati Branch
Address: Unit 201 Buma Building Metropolitan Ave., San Antonio Makati City
Contact Number: 02-776-0253
Agency Name: JTB Asia Pacific Phil. Corp. Makati Branch
Address: Unit G3-315B, 3/F Glorietta 3, Ayala Center Makati City
Contact Number Mobile: 0988-8422118
Agency Name: Las Palmas Tours and Travel Agency, Inc. Makati Branch
Address: UGI1 Alfaro Place 146 LP Leviste Street Salcedo Village, Makati City
Contact Number: 02-840-1363 to 65
Agency Name: Marsman Drysdale Travel Inc.
Address: 19th Floor Robinsons Summit Center Ayala Avenue, Makati City
Contact Number: 02-887-0000
Agency Name: North Star International Travel Inc.
Address: 19F Trident Tower 312 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City
Contact Number: 02-485-7272
Agency Name: Rajah Travel Corporation
Address: 3/F 331 Building, 331 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City
Contact Number: 02-894-0886
Agency Name: Rakso Air Travel and Tours Inc.
Address: 3F Rico Building #112, Aguirre Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City
Contact Number: 02-651-9000
Agency Name: Reli Tours and Travel Company
Address: 3rd Floor Dusit Hotel Corner EDSA Pasay Road Makati City
Contact Number: 02-894-1214
Agency Name: Pan Pacific Travel Corporation Makati Branch
Address: Unit LG-1 Herrera Tower Condominium #98 V.A. Rufino Street corner Valero St. Salcedo Village
Contact Number: 02-810-8551 to 56
Agency Name: Sharp Travel Service (Phils.)
Address: Suite 504 Alexander House Bldg. Amorsolo Street, Legaspi Village Makati City
Contact Number: 02-817-0071 ~ 4
Agency Name: Swire Travel Phils, Inc.
Address: 6th Floor Country Spacel Bldg. Sen Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City
Contact Number: 02-817-1082
Agency Name: The Baron Travel Corporation
Address: 3F PCCI Corporate Center 118 L.P. Leviste Street Salcedo Village, Makati City
Contact Number: 02-817-4926
Agency Name: Travelservices, Inc.
Address: 2F Trinity Insurance Center 7504 Bagtikan Street, San Antonio, Makati City
Contact Number: 02-706-8600
Agency Name: Uni-Orient Travel Inc. Makati Branch
Address: Unit 101, Ground Floor, Windsor Tower, 163 Legaspi Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City
Contact Number: 02-818-9585
Agency Name: First United Travel Inc. Cebu Branch
Address: Unit 118, The QC Pavillon Gorordo Avenue, Cebu City
Contact Number: 032-266-8816 / 032-266-1841
Agency Name: Grand Hope Travel, Inc.
Address: Lower Ground Level, SM City – NRA, Cebu City
Contact Number: 032-234-0764
Agency Name: Hankookceb Corp.
Address: Trans Asia Building Room 301 corner MJ Cuenco Ave, Osmena Boulevard, Cebu City
Contact Number: 032-238-2595 / 070-4645-7283
Agency Name: Pan Pacific Travel Corporation Cebu Branch
Address: Diplomat Hotel Suite No. 6, 90 F. Ramos Street Cebu City
Contact Number: 032-254-0343 / 45/47/49
Agency Name: Travelservices, Inc. Cebu Branch
Address: 4F, Metrobank Plaza Building, Osmena Boulevard, Cebu City
Contact Number: 032-253-5808 / 032-255-7374
Agency Name: Uni-Orient Travel Inc. Cebu Branch
Address: 2nd Floor, Capitol Square, N. Escario Street, Cebu City
Contact Number: 032-253-1868
Agency Name: Aboex Travel and Tours
Address: Unit 14 Upper Ground Globe Tower Plaza 1 Pioneer Street corner Madison Street Mandaluyong
Contact Number: 077-722-2141 / 02-246-1518
Agency Name: Reli Tours and Travel Company SM Mandaluyong Branch
Address: SM Mandaluyong
Contact Number: 893-7259 / 894-1213 / 894-1214
Agency Name: Travel Pros
Address: 5F SM Megamall Bldg B EDSA Mandaluyong City
Contact Number: 6340265 / 6340266
Agency Name: Budget Travel and Tours Inc. Alabang Branch
Address: Unit 4018 3/F Alabang Town Center, Muntinlupa City
Contact Number: 02-850-5505/56/59/63
Agency Name: Come On Phils Gold & Travel Agency Inc.
Address: U-PXA 03A Hobbies of Asia 8, Diosdado Macapagal, Pasay City
Contact Number: 02-810-1959
Agency Name: Hanatour Manila Inc.
Address: 2/F Damon Building, Macapagal Avenue, 1011 Pasay, Metro Manila
Contact Number: 02-403-3993
Agency Name: Island Resort Club Tour Services, Inc.
Address: Unit 109-P, G/F Five Ecom Center, Pacific Drive, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City
Contact Number: 02-708-9999
Agency Name: JTB Asia Pacific Phil. Corp. Mall of Asia Branch
Address: G/F 107 Entertainment Mall, New South Wing SM Mall of Asia, MOA Complex, Pasay City
Contact Number: 02-994-8954 / Mobile: 0949-9940249
Agency Name: City Travel & Tours Corporation Pampanga Branch
Address: Unit 201, 2F Diamond Spring Hotel Building. Mc Arthur Highway, Balibago Angeles City
Telephone Number: 045-322-37670 / 45-405-0317
Agency Name: Las Palmas Tours and Travel Agency, Inc. Pampanga Branch
Address: Unit 2 1010 Alley Building, Consunji Street Brgy. Sto Rosario, City of San Fernando, Pampanga
Contact Number: 045-435-1177 / 045-435-1977
Agency Name: Constellation Travels, Inc. IloIlo Branch
Address: G/F Door 2, Manfred’s Building, 22 Gen. Luna Street Iloilo City
Contact Number: 033-514-1066
Agency Name: First United Travel Inc. Bulacan Branch
Address: 2/F, Abary Square Bldg. 1773 Ano Street corner F. Vergel De Dios Street Poblacion, Baliuag Bulacan
Contact Number: 044-892-0746 / 044-766-1939
Agency Name: H.I.S. (Philippines) Travel Corp
Address: 2/F Serendra Bonifacio High Street Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City
Contact Number: 02-915-0351 / 02-822-4496
Agency Name: H.I.S. (Philippines) Travel Corp For Corporate and Sub-Agents
Address: 14F Picadilly Star Building, 4th Avenue corner 27th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Contact Number: 02-718-5002 / 02-718-50028
Agency Name: JTB Asia Pacific Phil. Corp.
Address: 18th Flr. RCBC Savings Bank Corporate Cntr., 26th St., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Contact Number: 02-894-5528
Agency Name: Travel Pros SM Aura Branch
Address: Basement 1 SM Aura Premiere Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Contact Number: 556-3007
Agency Name: Travel Pros Market Market Branch
Address: Basement Flight Center 3rd Floor 367A-D Market Market Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Contact Number: 889-7296 / 889-7396
Agency Name: JTB Asia Pacific Phil. Corp. Quezon City Branch
Address: 4th Floor Japan Town Retail 2 Level 4, Ayala Mall (Vertis North), Quezon City
Contact Number 02-932-5600 / Mobile: 0999-2245669
Agency Name: Travel Pros SM Fairview Branch
Address: Lower Ground Floor SM City Fairview Quirino Highway Greater Lagro Novaliches Quezon City
Contact Number: 939-6023 / 938-8742
Agency Name: Travel Pros SM North EDSA Branch
Address: Unit 107 Ground Floor The Block SM North ESDA Brgy. Bagong Pag-asa, Quezon City
Contact Number: 332-9678 / 921-9279
Agency Name: KP Joeun Consultancy Inc.
Address: Retail 9, Goldland Millenia Tower J., Escriva Drive Ortigas Center Pasig City
Contact Number: 02-854-5514 / 02-4511282 / 02-998-6639
Agency Name: MNK Travel & Tours Corp.
Address: 802 One Corp. Center, Julia Vargas Cor., Meralco Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Contact Number: 02-687-4443
Agency Name: Party-On Travel and Tour Community Inc.
Address: Unit C2 17th Flr. Strata 100 Bldg. F. Ortigas Jr. Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Contact Number: 02-470-2000
Agency Name: Uni-Orient Travel Inc. Pasig Branch
Address: Unit 2006 East Tektite Tower, Philippine Stock Exchange Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Contact Number: 02-705-2222
Agency Name: Reli Tours and Travel Company SM Southmall Las Pinas Branch
Address: SM Southmall Las Pinas
Contact Number: 800-4948 to 50
Agency Name: Travel Pros Tiaong Branch
Address: 31 A-Square Town Center Dona Tating Poblacion 1, Tiaong Quezon
Contact Number: 042-652-2268
Agency Name: Travelservices, Inc. Laguna Branch
Address: 2nd Flr. J. Alcasid Business Center, Crossing Brgy. 1, Calamba City
Contact Number: 049-508-2513 / 049-508-2268
Subic Olongapo Travel Agency
Agency Name: First United Travel Inc. Subic Satellite Office
Address: Bldg. 896 Rizal Highway Corner Manila Avenue, Subic Bay Freeport Zone
Contact Number: 047-251-4134
How much is the Korean Visa Application Fee
The cost of getting a tourist visa for South Korea is Free of charge. However, you have to pay a processing fee between 500 pesos to 1000 pesos to the travel agencies that process your application.
Conclusion about South Korea Visa application for Filipinos
First of all, I am happy that a lot of Filipinos are interested to visit South Korea, mainly because the country is breathtaking. You will know what I mean when your aircraft is about to land at Incheon airport.
Now, that you know the steps to apply for a South Korean visa, begin the planning now. Consider the visa processing lead time as you prepare the requirements. I mentioned earlier that it would take a month before you will know if your visa application is granted.
Know the seasons in SK to determine the type of clothing that you need to prepare. Keep in mind also the tourist attractions that you want to visit. Know the estimated number of days to cover all of them. Most important of all is the budget. How much money would you need to set aside to make your trip to South Korea memorable. I hope this helps you guys!!!
