UPDATE: You might want to read this simpler entry for the REQUIREMENTS IN APPLYING FOR A TOURIST VISA (C-3) TO KOREA.
If you’re a Filipino and you want to go to Korea, the first thing that you must do is to acquire a visa… and it isn’t easy!
More than a decade ago, visas are not required for Pinoys. They can come and go as much as they wanted but things changed in 1994 when the Philippine government requested to the Korean government to require visas for Filipinos travelling to their country. That’s what I learned from watching “Magandang Gabi Bayan” three or four years ago.
Let me talk about the individual tourist visa. I had applied for a tourist visa almost three years ago but I was turned down for some reason. I wasn’t disheartened but my hubby (then fiance) was… I remember reading an article where DOLE secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas said that it’s harder to get a Korean tourist visa than to get a US visa. It’s probably true…
Unlike a US visa application, there is no interview conducted when applying for a Korean tourist visa. They also don’t require additional documents like land titles or car registration, and the likes. What you will need to provide them are… (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.
You have to go to the embassy really early! They open at 9AM but you have to line up outside before they let you in. Where do you have to go? The Korean Embassy is located at Pacific Star Building at the corners of Gil Puyat Ave. and Makati Ave. Right in front of a gas station, you can’t miss it!
When I applied for my tourist visa, I was there as early as 7AM and the line was already long… After arriving at the place, just follow the queue outside. At around 10 minutes before 9AM, the guard will let people in. You have to get a Visitor’s Pass by providing an ID. It doesn’t have to be a fancy ID, the one issued by the postal office will do. You’ll have to ride the elevator and get off on the 18th floor. There will be another line before entering the main office. The guard (who’s really friendly and nice) will ask you if it’s your first time to apply for a visa (in general) or not. If it is then he will give you a number for Window 3. If not, then you’ll be provided a number for Window 4. You’ll have to sit down and wait until it is your turn. The Korean lady on Window 3 is Ms. Park Ok (at least, the last time I was there)…
When your number is shown on the LCD display, you’ll have to go to Window 3 and present your documents. Like I told you, there’s no need for an interview. If your documents are complete, she’ll staple them and give you a claim stub for your passport. If you have submitted an incomplete set of documents, she’ll ask you to come back and complete your documents. If you’re planning to stay in Korea for more than 59 days, you’ll have to pay 1,500 pesos as visa fee. A stay of less than 59 days is free. Paying doesn’t guarantee an approval.
Application usually ends at 12PM. If your number is not called at that time, you’ll have to come back another day and fall in line, and get another number! Hehe…
Waiting time is usually 7 days. To claim your passport, you’ll have to come in the afternoon of the designated date in your claim stub. Again, you’ll have to queue outside and wait for the embassy to open. I really hate waiting because it makes me all nervous and excited!
If you get a visa, congratulations! If not, then try again later… after 6 months!
My mother applied for a tourist visa two weeks ago and got hers last Tuesday. She’s been here last year for our wedding and it just took her three days to get her visa. We sent her a notarized invitation last year but not for this year. She has a US resident visa so that probably helped her. Anyway, she’s planning to come here on the 7th of August via Asiana Airlines (whose unionized pilots are currently on strike) from the Clark International Airport. The airport is a 15-minute drive from our residence in Angeles City (we live about 200 meters from the gates of Clark).
{ 1167 comments… read them below or add one }
i am a filipino, first time to go to south korea. my two-way airfare will be sponsored by a friend. i am travelling as a tourist but will also witness the conduct of business that my friend is engaged to in korea. i learned from this site that i need a notarized invitation letter. can you send me a sample? date of entry will be sept 26, 2006. please help.
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, i’m a Filipino and i’m looking for a possibility of working in Korea as an English teacher… if you know any english academy looking for a part time/full time filipino teacher …i would appreciate if you could notify me…thank you..It’s my first time to view your website..and it’s helpful..
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 erwin! the invitation should come from your korean host… he can get it from a lawyer… it’s called “cho-cheong-chang” in korean…
if you haven’t been outside the country, it would be quite difficult to get a visa so all the necessary documents should be fulfilled…
but if you have been to a country where you need a visa to visit (e.g., japan, US, etc.) then it’s easier to get a korean visa…
good luck!
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
hi..i have a us military bf stationed in korea..and he wants me to visit him there nxt month…and he want me to stay there till december..coz when on january…we plan to get married here in philippines..what are the documents needed.. my bf was the one who gonna take the risk for my expenses.. help me pls..since i really scheduled my trip goin there next month..its my first time of my trip..
can u pls help me what documents i need..asap..thanks..
hi, im working before in korea im entertainer then im done with my contract can i visit a again ther in korea ? i want to visit all my friends there.. tell me if its hard for me to come back there again..pls, tell me what i need to do? ASAP…
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
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…
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
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.
im hopin for you response immediately if possible.. thanks!
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!
Hi! I’m just curious…how much in the min. savings in one’s account for him to go to Korea as a tourist? I’m planning to go there and visit my students. please get back to me…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……
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..
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 rence! i think i sent you an email before but it bounced back… if your boyfriend works at the US bases, they have a legal office wherein he can ask about the necessary papers you need to get married in korea…
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!
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 spent new yer him but too bad i got denied. 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 Jaja! That is so unfortunate but Filipinos do need a visa to Korea. The first time I applied, I also got denied. My papers were complete and I also had an invitation from my husband.
I think you’ll just have to try again after six months. (this is really unreasonable but that’s their rule) Or you can get married in the Philippines.
I really don’t know how I can help you. If your boyfriend is working for the US Army, he could ask their legal department.
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)
sir /maa”m,
i have some problem,i have a france bf,he wants me to visit him in france,wht we need to do?and please can you give me a sample of invitation letter,wht kind of visa i need to get?my bf one who gonna takes the risk of my expenses,help me plss,this s my first time…thanks.
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..
hi, i am a filipino and i will go to korea just to take the nclex exam what are the requirements? thank you
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.
Hello,
I am planning to have a vacation/travel tour to S.Korea for 4 to 6 days only. And it’s my first time to go to other country, and i know it would be difficult for me to acquire a korean tourist visa. Is there any ways/things that i can do to make my application approve? please help me coz i really want to see the beauty of Korea.
thanks,
weng
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 have a long time boyfriend from Busan,and now were planning to get married there.I’ve been to Korea before but it was about 8 years ago.I have been to Africa with him because he’s working there.Now we want to settle down.I’m not working .I’m just a plain housewife.What documents is needed for me to go to Korea?Please advice me.Thank you.
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!! I’m planning to go to korea for a vacation…maximum of 8 days stay…do i still need to get a visa? what are the requirements…send reply to my email…tnx!!:)
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!
help em with mine too…
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
my bf will provide me the rountrip ticket. we plan to that i will visit him from july 1st to august 25th this year. What else do i need for the visa application? ?How many percent are my chance to get the visa approved?
anyone please help me….
please send it to my email…. please…
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 jocelyn! the only visa you can get, if you’re not yet married is the C3 visa or the tourist visa… that’s good for a maximum of three months, so you’ll have to go back home every months… you cannot work legally with that visa, so don’t tell others that your visa is C3
… if you have a C3 visa and you’re able to find a job (as long as it’s not teaching english since it’s illegal for filipinos), you’ll have to go back to the philippines to process your papers for the appropriate visa… anyway, good luck to you… the surest way for you to come here is to get married… but don’t get married just so you can come here… get married because you’re ready… trust me, it isn’t easy being a daughter-in-law in korea…
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.
hi lyn! i think you have sufficient documents… you won’t really know if you’ll get a visa unless you try… it takes about a week to get a C3 visa so better go there and apply… good luck!
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…..
i wonder if i can obtain a work visa even though i dont have any job arrangements yet? I plan to go there and then apply for a job when i arrive there. Would it be possible? Or should I get a tourist visa first and then apply for a job, and then apply for a work permit before my tourist visa expires? I really wanted to go to Korea. please give me some advice. Thanks!!!
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…
hi roselle! there is no fiance visa to korea… you’ll have to get a tourist visa to come here… the invitation might be helpful, it’s not expensive anyway… just ask him to go to any lawyer’s office to get the invitation… if you get denied, then ask him to go to the philippines to get married… if you get denied a visa, you’ll have to wait for six months before you can apply again…
@ 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)…