Buhay sa Korea

If you have a US or Japanese visa then a copy of one of those can help- it will do as a substitute of one of the required documents and will also (supposedly) speed up processing.

Hi! Thanks for the very useful info. I’d appreciate it a lot if you could answer some questions for me. Should the invitation be notarized in Korea or here in the Philippines? I’m scheduled to go on the 11th of Sept. Your quickest reply is most appreciated. Thank you so much.

hi im a filipino whose married in a us army and i wanna invite my sister just to visit korea what documents that she need and what documents i have to give her and did she need itr but she don’t have a job can u pls help me

can u pls help me what documents i need..asap..thanks..

hi,
i have a u.s military boyfriend station in korea he wants me to visit him in korea & we want to get married in korea. what we need to do? can you please help me…and please can you give me sample of invitation letter

^^ wrote you an email but it came back…

hi,i have a sister in japan,and im staying here in S.korea,with my american husband,i just wanna ask if there’s a possible that we can go visit my sister in japan? and are we allow to aply the tourist visa for japan from here in korea? what do think they need the requirements from us? which is my husband is american? please i need your advice..thanks for your kind consideration.

hi,

what is the posible reason why lots of filipino has been interogate in korean immigration though they already got korean visa thats been aproved by the korean embassy here in the.
in my case the name of the person who processed my papers has been maked to my korean visa.
is it necessary to bring her along with me?
what if she cannot travel for some reason? ex.illness,
my entry will be on nov.22 please i need urgent advise.

PLEASE REPLY TO MY EMAIL ADD.
THANKS!

Hello,I have a us bf there in korea his a English Teacher,and he want me to visit him
but I don’t know what kind of document do I need pls.help me.and let me know what do I need so that I can preapare it asap.Thanks and have a good day……

i have a u.s military boyfriend station in korea he wants me to visit him in korea & we want to get married in korea. what we need to do? can you please help me…and please can you give me sample of invitation letter..what kind of visa i need to get?but i think were planning to get a tourist visa.what is the requirements? thank you..pls. help us..

kindly please reply in my email address:
davidrence03@yahoo.com

hi! I’m a Filipina, i just want to ask if i do need a visa if i will stay in korea for only 15 days. Actually i already applied for a korean visa but for no reason i got denied. I completed all the requirements they needed even an invitation letter from my fiancee who’s happened to be a US ARMY. He expected me to pent new yer him but too bad i got denied. He asked his friend who worked in an embassy for about 9 years and told him that i don’t need a visa. Actually most of his friend told that and i also saw in one of the website here thjat i really don’t need a visa. I’m really confused. Please help me. PLease! Hope you can help me asap. Thanks a lot!

I saw an article which stating that i don’t need a visa if i will stay in KOrea for only 15days. Most of my fiancee friend told him that i really don’t need it. Please help me ‘coz i’m really confused. Please. Thanks a lot!

hi dear!

i just got my visa few hours ago and unfortunately it was denied..same with other filipinos my docs are complete and true and still it was denied.i have a first cousin whose working in navy in US do you think she can help me (legal dept per se)

dear sir/madaam,

i have a bf a france bf,he wants me to visit him in france,what we need to do?and please can you give me a sample of invitation letter or sponsored letter?wht kind of visa i need to get?my bf is the one to pay all of my xpenses,help me pls…

thanks,il wait your reply..

Sir/ Madam,

I’m planning for visit to Korea this coming vacation…..i’m still a student.I just wanna ask,what documents do i need to get a tourist visa?Please help me.I will be waiting for your response Sir/ Madam.
Thank you.

I’m planning for visit to Korea this coming vacation…..i’m still a student.I just wanna ask,what documents do i need to get a tourist visa?Please help me.I will be waiting for your response Sir/ Madam.

Hi , I’m planning to visit Korea by July. Is it hard or difficult to get a tourist visa to Korea??? I also has an US Army Friend. What about the show money how much do I need to in my account??? Hope to hear fro you… Thanks!

hi shedz! oo… kahit 8 days o 3 days ka lang sa korea, kailangan natin kumuha ng visa… noong huli kong uwi, may nakasabay akong turistang pinoy papasok ng korea… 3 days lang sila pero kailangan pa rin ng visa… good luck ha!

hi
Anyone could help me? I am a 21 y.o filipina, i have a canadian bf who is working in korea as ESL for more than 4 years now. We both agreed that I will visit him on july 1st for it has the lowest flight rate in PAL as ived checked online. I have already theapplication form and also he provide me money to put on my bank account and also have sent me the invitation notarized by canadian embassy in korea and he will sent the rest of the documents needed by next week. This is not my first time to travel outside the country i have been to KL. MY concern now I wanted to ask you guys to please help me. AM i goin ot have a problem with this? coz what i ahve read on the comments ahead it scares me i am so excited to see my bf. please help me

anyone please help me….

Hi!
I have a Korean fiance and he’s here in the Philippines right now. We are planning to go to Korea and stay there for more than a year. (I’m also going to look for a job there). I would like to ask about the kind of visa that I need to get. Actually it’s more of a question of whether I can go to Korea and stay there for more than a year…Please help me. thanks

hi!christian greetings!!!i have a us army bf and he wants me to visit him in his post since he cant travel till october to see me.i am about to go for the visa application but i have the fear that i might be denied by the korean embassy.i have reserve my two-way ticket july 14 and be back august 04 of this year.i’ve got his invitation and affidavit of support from him notarized by the Us government, bank statement for proof of sufficient fund, passport , ITR, but the certificate of employment i have with me is my contract in Singapore since im workingthere as a DH then i got a vaction of 2 months thats why we planned that i will be the one to go there in korea.Do you think this its good to show or not anymore?i’ve travelled already to other part of asia but not korea yet.pls say something about my situation if i have a chance to get a visa or not.hope you can help me or even just an advice.As soon as possible.

i wonder if they will question my certificate of employment in singapore while i apply here in philippines to go korea?but anyway u r right i wont know if i can get visa or not without trying my luck.just wish me luck for it.my bf is really expecting to see me this coming month and probably spend time with me even just a short while.im just croosing my fingers for it.we’ve been doing our best so hope the korean embassy wont just dump our effort.thanks for the advise.god bless…..

betchay please help…. my fiance wants me to get a visa to go to korea asap to tie the knot… he’s a korean guy living in busan… i wonder… would it be easier for HIM to get a fiance visa to live in the philippines?
and does an invitation make a big difference? thanks…

@ Eden >> if you come here as a tourist and find a job, you’ll have to go back to the philippines to get a working visa… korea is not like singapore where you get a working permit on a tourist visa… and one thing more, jobs here are limited for foreigners… most pinoys here work in factories… there are some professionals here too but they have prior working arrangements before coming here… as for teaching english, we’re not allowed to teach here (legally)…

gud day…me and my boyfriend(japanese) decided to meet in korea to celebrate his birthday jaz for 3 days….is it possible?tnx

@laurence — > there’s no other procedure to go to korea as a tourist… you have to show the embassy your complete documents as they would not accept your application if you don’t have all your documents… if you’re working, you’ll have to show them your ITR, bank certificate and employment certificate or if a student, then the parent’s ITR, bank certificate and school registration… a notarized invitation letter from the korean might be helpful but is optional… another option is to join a tour group…

@jonalyn –> it’s possible to meet in korea and just stay for three days BUT you’ll still need to get a visa (if you’re a filipino)… why not just meet in singapore?

@barbie –> your korean student can get the notarized invitation letter from ANY law office… it’s called 초청장 or “cho-cheong-jang”… i don’t know how much money you’ll need to show but the more the better… why not join a tourist group? anyway, let me just remind you that we, as filipinos, are not allowed to teach english in korea… it’s illegal though not impossible… it’s a risk and i don’t recommend it (or if you’re gonna do it, don’t tell others that you’re there on a tourist visa, specially pinoys)

hello, I just wanna iinquire and I need an answer.. my sister got an invitation from his bf’s father for travel or tourist, we dont know what to do or to complete the requirements but we dont know the requirements to be submitted in korean embassy here in philippines..pls help us to know.. thank you very much

Hello, a korean family is hiring me as a private home tutor (English) They will help me with my plane ticket and everything. It is my first time to go out of the country. What are the documents that I need to prepare? I don’t have bank accounts for the show money so do I have to make one? They want me to stay there for one year. Is it possible? What kind of visa should I get? I don’t know where to start and what to do.. Please help me.

@ roz - if you’ll be coming here as a tourist, you’ll need the papers mentioned in the post and previous comments… but as a tourist, you can only stay for up to 3 months then you’ll have to go back to the philippines and apply for a visa again… IT’S ILLEGAL to teach privately in Korea, you’ll need to get a special permit to do that… even native english speakers who come here as ESL teachers are not allowed to teach privately… if you’re a philippine passport holder, you can’t come here with the E-2 visa (the visa for english teachers)… so you’ll have to take the risk or just wait for a better opportunity to come…

hi betchay,

I appreciate your time & effort catering various problems sent to you.

I also need your advice regarding my tourist visa application to Korea since this is my first time. And one of the required documents are present employment certificate & ITR… It really bothers me now because I don’t have these two documents since I resigned from my broadcasting work last 2004 & not presently working.

Another thing is, could I right the name of my contact person from the school in the application form though his name is not stated in the invitation?(but he’s the one who sent me the invitation addressed from the school)

I would really appreciate your immediate response fro this.

Thank you,

Emily

@ Emily - thanks for visiting… I’m a little bit confused. Did the school send you the invitation? Is it an English language school in Korea? I think if you’re not currently working, then that would explain why you wouldn’t be able to show them an employment certificate. Just tell them that you’re not working. When you submit your papers, they will check them first and if they’re not satisfied, they will just ask you to come back. It’s a hassle but I guess that’s the only way to know.

@Nina Ivy - You don’t need to show extra documents to the embassy. They will only receive the ones that they require. If you’ve been working for only seven months, then that’s fine as long as you can show them proof of your employment. There really is no guarantee how to get a visa to Korea. If your aunt’s boss is willing to help, then why not? Accept all the assistance that you can get ;).

im planning to visit korea but the problem is i dont know how much do i spend to get the visa and how much is the show money…my bf is working there but its not legal, my aunt will sponsor me…this is my first time to travel overseas i dont know how was it but i do have my passport…kindly tell me what to do???i dont know how to process it…suggestion is mucg appreciated…pls send it to my email…God bless

Hello Betchay!

I was referred to your blog by fellow POEA forumers and I’m happy to read your posts as it give me info on your experiences there in Korea.

I need your sdvice. My situation’s this: I’m hired directly by a Canadian employer who’s going to establish an international school there in Seoul. So, i’ll be needing a work visa right? I’ll be teaching social studies there and the Korean University (where the IS will be located) informed me to apply for a C4 visa since it’s the fastest visa to process (usually 5 days).

I went to the Korean Consular Office and the woman behind Window 3 (i don’t know if she’s the ms. park you referred to earlier) at first vehemenly shook her head and said “NO C4 VISA for FILIPINO English teachers. got a little peeved but i still pasted a smile and informed her that i’m not teaching English in Korea then she said i still need to submit a CCVI, ITR and personal bank certificate.

I asked my Canadian & Korean employers to secure the CCVI for me there and the Canadian told me to apply the C4 even without the CCVI. Mr. Park (her business partner) said that it’ll take 4 weeks to process the CCVI. The original time table for the teachers to be in Korea is until the 25th of this month because the inservice training will start on the 27th. It appears that i’m the only Filipino teacher in the team, the others are flying out as tourists between the 27th-30th.

I’m afraid of the next email that i’ll receive from my employers. if they ask me to apply for a visit visa, that’ll be the end of my dream to work abroad. I mean as the other people who posted their experiences with the tourist visa denial, i’m positive that i’ll join the numbers (huhuhuhu!). I’m not being pessimistic but i’m dealing with real facts. I only lack the CCVI, i have my ITR and personal bank account (although i wonder why they want it while i’m applying for a C4 work visa). Do i really need proof of funds as a temporary worker? I’ve already withdrawn a hefty amount from my bank account to buy my travel things and already exchanged some of them to US dollars. Will that affect my chances for visa approval?

What are my other options? If i go on with a visit visa, i don’t have sufficient funds and properties as show money. Then you said it’ll take six months before i reapply if i get denied. i need help… thanks!

HI Shey! You don’t really have much choice. The CCVI is really a requirement for the C-4 visa. As long as you have the CCVI, it wouldn’t really matter how much money you have in the bank. If you can’t get that, then you’ll have to take a chance and apply for the C-3 visa. As for the show money, it’s just a matter of luck sometimes. I know someone who didn’t have much money in her bank and got a tourist visa. It’s a risk, but you don’t really have a lot of choices… oh well, maybe you can just join a tour group.

somebody invited me to visit korea as a tourist but as you said it is only possible for a tourist to stay for three months. but i want to stay longer that that.so somebody told me that it is easier to go to korea as a student. i mean a filipino who wants to study korean language there. is it possible? how many months can i stay?what do i need to do? and if i go there as a tourist can i renew my stay there?

@Jaja >> wait for my answer Tuesday night, i’ll go to the Philippine Embassy in the afternoon (to get my new passport) and I’ll ask them the procedure regarding your concern

Dear Betchay,

HI! I have an American fiance’ who works in korea as a teacher. And he wants me to visit him there on December and he wants us to get married there on the same month. What are the documents I need to be able to get a visa since I’m still a student? And how long does it take to process it? And can we can get married there, if so, what are the necessary documents i need to present? My fiance’ will be the one who will shoulder all my expenses. Can you help me regarding this matter? Thank you and more power!

can i stay longer than 3 months as a tourist in korea? if not how can i extend my stay? please answer..thaks..

@elsha >> congratulations! there is no reason why your visa would be denied… just go to the embassy and apply for a visa…

@stacey >> you could try to apply for a student visa so you could stay here longer… tourist visa is only up to 90 days… after that, you’ll have to go back to the philippines and reapply again… that’s what one of my friends’ aunt did… she just travel back and forth on a tourist visa, but unfortunately she got denied the 5th time she applied…

Hi betchay,

My friend referred this blog to me and I’m quite happy to read so many articles related to Korea.

My friend and i wishes to go to korea next year just to attend Jang Dong Gun’s B’day Party for his fans. To see Korea is only our second reason.

Just like to ask if it would be hard for ask to get a Tourist Visa if we are not employed? Would Bank Certifications stating our deposits on several banks a big help? How much savings deposit do I need to show them? Do you think it’s better to ask the help of a travel agency than to apply personally for a tourist visa?

Please advise me what would I do coz we really want to go to Korea next year.

sorry, my comments is addressed to Elsha, not to Betchay

I have read some of the comments posted in yr blog, and u have given useful advice. I am currently teaching in China with an African passpost. I have being saving to apply for the tourist visa come this December, i should be able to have above $5,000 in my account is that enough to show them at the embassy. I have being working on my saving to build up, i think i should be able to get a bank statement showing i have funds here in China. I am equally hope my school over here will give me a certificate of employment and the tax certificate cus they deduct 300 yuan every month as my tax. My question is, if i present my letter of employment to the embassy from my school, wouldn’t the embassy think i want to go to Korea for a teaching job? I just want to go for a visit, PERIOD. You talk about group visitation, how can i join a group here in China? Your response will be most welcome.

Cheers

dear betchay, i have a husband who is working in korea for one year and seven months already. he is inviting me to spend the holidays with him in korea, but he did not send me a notarized invitation letter,i got information that invitation letter is not necessary anymore. we only got married last january 2007, so my ITR still bears my maiden name, do u think the consular office will accept the same? i have the necessary documents already, but i’m afraid that i would be denied.

sorry, what i mean is, do u think a tourist visa will be granted in my favor. tnx again!

Hi! i’m planning to visit korea but i dont have an invitation. But i have russian visa, is this can help to granted my visa for korea if ever? Your response will be apprecited.

PS. please kindly email your answer

thank you
Ruby

Hi betchay!

i have been planning to travel in Korea for the longest time now.. and it so happens that i met a lot of Korean friends
here in the Philippines.
Now that they’re back in Korea, they’re inviting me to come
there for a vacation and stay in their house.
I think it is really great because i dont have to worry
about hotel fees or food.hehe. Only plane ticket and my
allowance.

I am planning to get a tourist visa and i think
i will just stay for like 1 week there.
I will be taking an NCLEX exam soon, and
i just thought of taking it in Korea.
What visa should i apply to if im going to take
the NCLEX there?

And if ever my application of visa is approved,
how soon should i leave for Korea?
do i need to fly off there immediately
or i can go there anytime as long as
my visa is approved?

annyeong…i really want to go in korea for work.. i have my filipino friend there and his korean boy friend…i just want to ask if do i need to complete all the requirements such as (1) bank certificate stating your savings, (2) certificate of employment showing your salary and position, (3) latest ITR (income tax return), (4) your passport and a copy, plus the (5) visa application form and (6) 2×2 pictures and if you have been invited, (7) a notarized invitation letter. so that i can have a visa?? how much would i pay all in all?? please help me!!! as soon as possible!!! thanks..

hi!

i just need to know what kind of visa should i apply for korea if i will only be attending a seminar there for 4 days. where can i secure a visa application form? is it available on the net? please reply through my email add. thanks.

secondly, is the invitation to attend the seminar sufficient or do i still need to notarize it? the seminar, by the way, is sponsored by a national organization here in the philippines.

hello,
do i need to have a certain amount in my account to get a korean tourist visa like 50,000.00?? i really have no idea…
i really need an answer…
thank you so much!!!
God Bless You….

oh and this is my email ad:
bluesoul_c2@ayhoo.com

thanks a lot^^

Hi..A Korean friend of mine invited me to visit her this coming December… She promised me to cover the expenses but after reading your posts, I think it would be difficult for me…Could you tell me exactly what are the requirements needed in going there? I plan to stay for only a month….Do you think it would be very difficult for me to get a tourist visa since I’ve never been abroad….Thank you so much…..Your reply is highly appreciated…..

@life >> are you coming to korea as a tourist? then you should apply for the C3 visa… the C4 visa is for temporary employment (for artists, lecturers, entertainers, athletes) and you’ll need a certificate of recognition of visa issuance for that… i think it would be better to have your korean friend ask which visa would suit you best

@Jan >> the Korean Embassy in Nigeria may require documents different from the embassy in the Philippines… you can get the invitation letter at any Korean law office… it’s not expensive (my husband was able to afford it!) and it’s according to the standard format…

hi betchay,

i am interested to have a tourist visa in korea. how much would be the bank’s savings account needed? is there any minimum savings account? how much would it be? i need to visit my bf in s.korea… please reply to me soon. thanks!

hi ms. betchay,
I don’t know if you still remember me but we already met at Dunkin Donuts together with your new born baby last year. I’ve been religiously visiting your site and I always see a lot of comments about Filipinos who want to visit Korea. I would like to share my experiences and I think it might help a lot of people. I have a Korean boyfriend who I met here in the Philippines. With my first C-3 visa application, I submitted my Annual Income Tax Return, Certificate of Employment, Bank Certificate, Application Form with attached picture, and a Letter of Invitation that wasn’t even notarized but I attached a faxed copy of my invitor’s (my boyfriend) passport. I asked my sister who just recently visited Japan at that time to apply together with me so she also furnished them with the same requirements. We had a little more than 300,000 in our joint savings deposit at that time. After submitting all the documents, we were given a release form. We were given an interview form to fill up that day and we were told that the consul will be interviewing us. When we were called for the interview, the consul mainly asked about our jobs at the present (I was really nervous as I wasn’t even a regular employee at that time) and my relationship with the invitor and what is his employment. We were given 15 days but I had to ask the consul to give us 30 days. Applying for a visa together with my sister greatly helped me in getting a visa.
My second time to apply for a visa was much easier and I didn’t have any interview. I just submitted the same requirements to Window 4 plus a copy of my korean Visa and got the visa in 5 days.
The third time, I submitted the same requirements as I mentioned but I was given an Interview form to fill up. The questions were; about my job at present, company profile, travels abroad, about my family and their jobs, etc.
The fourth and last time I applied for a visa was last Sept. 24, 2007. Their rules changed and it became more difficult to acquire a visa. For those who visited Korea only once will still be regarded as first-time applicants and will sumbit at window 3 and for those who have 2 or more visas issued after 2005 will be regarded as frequent visitor and will be using window 4. I submitted the same requirements and was given a relase form last 27th. To my surprise, I was told I was denied by the woman on window 3. I demanded to talk with the consul who is responsible for my denial to know the reasons why I was denied. The consul gave the following reasons why Filipinos get denied a lot and it’s as follows; 1. Fake Employment Certificate, ITR, and Bank Certificate ( the one that was issued in Recto or bearing false company names) 2. The applicant should be working at the time of application - (for people who applies for 30-59 days) no company would allow their employee to be out of work for a month or two 3. Purpose of work - if they think that the purpose of visit is possible employment then they would readily deny them. Since I didn’t fall in those categories, the consul listened to my plea and finally gave me visa for 59 days.
My tip for you guys is to please never even try to submit fake documents, try to shorten your desired lenght of stay, and make sure that you are currenly working, and by no means should you give them a doubt that you will be working there. If it’s possible try to apply a visa with a family member. And be confident in the interview and show the consul that you are very sincere and truthful in all the things you say.
Ms. betchay, I heard that if I visited there 5 times I don’t need a visa anymore. I heard it form the Immigration there. I would like to know if you also know about this.
I’ll be visiting visiting there again two weeks later. Thanks and Good day!

Dear Ate Betchay,

I and my American fiance’ will be getting married on December 26 of this year. Perhaps afetr my graduation he will invite me to visit Korea because he is working there as an English Teacher. Is there a possibility that I will be given a visa and if so, what are the requuiements?

Thanks and more power!

Jing

hi,betchay.i need ur answer to my question.im living in korea.and i want to invite my brother.im a filipino married to a korean,not yet a citizen.the problem is,i don’t know exactly what’s the first step to do and how.pls.i do need ur advice.i would be happy to see ur response…melchie

any advice would be appreciated.thanks in advance.

hi ms betchay, i am from manila philippines my grandfather fought at korean war under PEFTOK they say he belongs to the greatest 10BCT how can i get records that he really fought way back then, he’s name is ALFREDO DELFIN…thanks & God bless…

@melchie - same procedure as above, please read na lang… ask your husband to provide an invitation letter

@allein - i think it’s better to ask the officials in the philippines? my father was also a soldier and his records are in camp aguinaldo, afaik

@jocelyn - if you’re married to a korean, your visa should be F-2-1 (temporary resident through marriage)… if you’re not married yet, you can apply for a C-3 or tourist visa

@Emma - hi! long time no talk… yup, it’s true… exempted ka na sa visa next time, pero same length of time pa rin na max of 3 months stay… kailan ang kasal?

hi. just want to know, what will be the requirements for F-2-1 (temporary resident through marriage)… will this be easier? is there a possibility that you will be denied of a this kind of visa? thanks

Dear Ate Betchay,

I and my American fiance’ will be getting married on December 26 of this year. Perhaps afetr my graduation he will invite me to visit Korea because he is working there as an English Teacher. Is there a possibility that I will be given a visa and if so, what are the requuiements?

Thanks and more power!

Jing

anybody who wants to help me i will appreciate it very much..