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).
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hello po…ngyon k lng navisit tong site…dami po sna akong tanong…panu po kng d k employed???panu po nkukuha ung ITR?student lng po kc ako…saka ung frend ko may invitation sya sa korean BF nya pero nadeny parin kya d ko lam kng gagana ung invitation letter kng sakaling magrequest ako sa korean friend ko…sana masagot mga tanong ko…thanks^o^
hello po maam,
ask ko long po sana kung may iba pa po bang paraan na maka extend ako ng visa in other way?D6 visa po ako(missionary),anyway di tlga me missionary they just help me to get a visa inorder for me to stay here legally.mag lalapse n po ang visa ko sa may and I want to extend it more for 1yr.may iba po bang paraan pra makakuha ako ng ibang visa para ma ex-tend po ako?Please help me maam betchay.thankyou po en god bless.
Hi Kyi,
You know you’re so lucky cause you have a sponsor that would guarantee you, and that’s why you got your visa easily. And your visa is missionary, sana makajoin ako sayo kasi gusto ko rin makapunta ng Korea. baka pwede mo ako irefer dyan, I teach English to Koreans here in Paranaque. Baka matulungan mo ako. thanks. this is my cp-09212435293.
Hi. Kyi! Ask ko lng pno ka nakakuha ng missionary visa or D-6 visa ganung ang totoo eh d ka missionary. Gusto ko kc mg stay ng legal sa korea kgaya ng gnawa mo bka mbgyan mko ng idea. Dti akong E-9 visa finish contract na kya umuwi ako d2 sa pnas dhl natatakot akong mg TNT. Ble mg 1 yr. nko d2 sa Jan.2 kya nag iisip uli ng paraan kung pno makablik. Pls. reply me as soon as possible. My e-mail lady_pinkish28@yahoo.com or tx me 0927-4515597. Tnx.
hello im ann iniimbitahan ako ng friend ko na mag travel sa korea military sya mayroon ako lahat ng requarments ang itatanong ko lang mag kano ba halaga ng money na kailangan ng laman ng bank mo na dapat nakalagay sa bank statement mo para ma aprove ka ng visa..pls rply po ..thanks GOD BLESS
Hi Bechay!
I’m May. I applied for a ten-day stay in Korea because it was stated in my guarantor’s letter. I want to stay there for 15 days. I also reserved for a 15- day travel ticket. Is it possible to stay in Korea for 15 days though I applied for a ten-day tourist VISA? Thanks a lot.
Hi Ms. Betchay
I hope you are doing great! Im an avid reader of your site & asked some questions before. I am getting married with my korean boyfriend this May & the wedding will be held here in the Philippines. Since my boyfriend is working in Korea he was only allowed a 10 day vacation leave so that we can prepare & have our wedding here. I would like to ask Ms. Betchay if you are aware of the documents we need to prepare & the steps we need to undergo for our civil wedding. Thank you so much. Your help is very much appreciated. Have a lovely day.
Hello ask ko lng po sana.. if pwede po ba mag apply ng visa for south korea without a employment certificate.. wala po kc akong work at nag babantay lang po ako ng cafe ng brother ko. Kya lang po, last month sinara na namin ung cafe ng brother ko. kya wla na po akong work ngayon, gusto po ng airforce boyfriend ko na magpnta ako dun this coming april pero wla po akong employment certificate, hindi ko po alam kung pwede po ba kung wla na pong certificate ng employment..
Sana po matulungan nyo ako at bigyan nyo ako ng advise… kailangan ko na po agad ngayon..thanks po!
Hi Tisay,
Sooooo sorry! I havent been on for such a long time… I just read your post. Yes, that was my first time to apply. So i see you got your visa as well.. How long will you be there for and when will you be going?
hi morena.im leaving on the 18th of april til the 22nd.
hi ms morenabeachbum!!!! im back from korea! flew in last Saturday. how’s your itinerary? when are you leaving? i guess the weather will be much better by then. hope you have a great time in Korea.
To Ms. Cecille,
Were you on a package tour? where did you stay? were you invited by someone? how much pocket money did you bring? did you have any problem in the immigration?-09212435293
you can text me your answer. thanks!
Hi Miss Betchay please tell me naman if required po ba if i have no employment certificate because i was just working on my brother’s internet cafe, and its already 3months we close the cafe. So i have no work po. Pwede po bang mag apply ako ng visa without a employment certificate? But i have bank certificate po and notarized letter po na nanggagaling po dun sa job ng boyfriend po kasi isa po syang military airforce. I really wish po na makakuha ako ng visa to visit him and we are going to back here in the philippines this coming june together kasi we need to talk about our wedding here in the philippines with my family. I really cant wait to see my boyfriend again. please help me po! thanks po..
hi april! i can’t really answer you… the best thing for you to do is to just go ahead with your application and tell them that you’re not working if they ask you for an employment certificate…
april,sana makatulong ito s u.. last oct 2008, i applied 4 a tourist visa because i was invited by a former student who now works as an engineer in korea. i was able to complete all the requirements (memtioned by betchay) and my bank statement was over $2k, i also work in a very good & famous company here in the phils. 4tunately, i was granted a 59 day visa. I resigned frm my work as a teacher here hoping i can find a better job in korea. but un4tunately, they do not accept non native speakers of english. We went back to the phils on Dec 2008 to celebrate Christmas here. again, i applied 4 a tourist visa, again presenting my bank account of the same amount, but since i resigned from my work, i dont have any itr and certificate of employment, so the korean lady asked me to complete the requirements first.. i was able to complete it, but by this time i just got a certificate of employment from a cousin ( a small business). after 7 days of waiting, i went back to the embassy only to find out that i was denied this time… I was confident all those time that i will be granted since that is my supposedly second time to visit korea… but i was wronged..so i have to wait 4 another 6 months….
hello pls i need help para mawala na inisip ko sa isip ko plss nag apply ako ng tourist visa today my friend invite me to go to korean then 3 months ang nakalagay sa application at invitation letter ko then nung tinatanong ako sa window 3 nasabi ko 59 days lang eh and balak ko sana 3 months mag stay sa korea na tense lang kasi ako kaya nasabi ko yung 59 days kasi first time ko lang mag applyy ng ganito..ask ko lang kung ano ba yung nasabi ko sa window 3 yun naba ang magiging visa ko hindi ba sa application at invitation letter and pag babasihan…pls pls pls help me rply po..thanks GOD BLESS
yung kakilala q e 3 mos nakalagay pero 59 days lng nagrant s kanya, enwei pd k naman mag extend dun kung gusto m.. magbabayad k lang
Tisay: OMG! I’m leaving on the 18th as well! Taking the red eye to S.Korea arriving at 5:30am there. I’ll be there ’til the 26th! Where will you be staying? Do you have an itinerary yet?
Cecille: Welcome back! How was it? What was the weather like?
Kwento! I’m leaving on the 18th… coming back on the 26th.
hi ms morenabeachbum! thanks…..it was really fun. the weather was good but im sure it’ll be much better by the time you’re there. i wanted to stay a little longer pa sana but i had an appointment last March 28 which was eventually rescheduled today. Sayang! I would have stayed for one week more. i had much of a rest with a little of shopping and park hopping. I had much of fresh fish from the Jagalchi Fish Market though. I went to some computer markets too. You wouldnt believe but it’s only now that i’m realizing that i’m back to the real world. Anyways, i would like to mention i didnt have any problems with the Immigration. No questions at all. I must admit i was also a bit nervous because of the stories i read on here. Thank God….everything went smoothly. Well, you must be really excited now. Have a safe trip! Have fun!
ANN, ngapala, 59 days lang ang pagbabasehan nila kc more than 59 days e dapat me babayadan k s embassy as visa fee…kung wala e 59 days lang yun..mag extend k n lng pag andun k n.
Hi Samantha, do you know the process of applying for visa extension? I got a 15 day visa… I want to extend it up to 3 months… They say it’s possible, but I don’t know how.. Thanks po!
here’s my email add pala, cool_jr_0609@yahoo.com
Thanks po!
Hiya Cecille!
So, was it a bit cold still? I’m really crossing my fingers to get good weather while I’m there
You sound like you had heaps of fun! I’m definitely excited for my trip… and I’m glad to hear you didn’t have any problems at the immigration. I’m hoping for the same. Kinda scary…the things I’ve read on here. Oh well, guess we’ll just have to wait and see once I get there. *fingers crossed* I still don’t have an itinerary…LOL I think I’m going to just wing it the whole time. I do know that I’ll be hitting the clubs up in Itaewon with my friends. That should be fun. 
Oh and yes, definitely going to Myeongdong (probably spelled that wrong). How was communication by the way? Major language barrier or tolerable? 
Hope to hear from you soon!
hello morenabeachbum! my god we’re on the same flight too! PAL right? My friend will take care of us when we get there so its all up to him. ill be staying at ibis myeongdong hotel. been reading all the reviews and so far.. its all great. well hope its a smart move. how bout you where will you be staying?
hi ms morenabeachbum! kinda hard to communicate with Koreans but i can say i survived..hehehe. Temperature has been hitting 10′s lately during the day. it will surely get better though…flowers were starting to bloom when i left.
Tisay: Awwww no I’ll be on KoreanAir. I’ll be staying in different areas. First 3-4 days I’ll be in Gyeonggi-do, Suwon (about an hour away from Seoul…i think) then the rest of the time I’ll be in Seoul. Will be staying at different friend’s places
so no hotel for me. 
Cecille: Haha, really? My friends have been teaching me basic Korean…hopefully I can put them to good use.
10′s during the day??? OMG! I hope it warms up a little when I get there… geez! 
Wow, flowers blooming…pretty!!! 
Ms. betchay..
Where can i get the application form? (typewritten)
Please need the answer po…
hi!nice to meet you.i jst want to ask u kung pwede ba hndi nakanotarized ung wedding invitation letter na ippdla, ung form na gwa lng ng mister ko with his signature on it?
Hi Lisa,
I saw your post and thought I can help you out a bit. You can get the application form at the Korean Embassy when you go there. You just have to fill it out manually.
Thanks Ms. morenabeachbum..
One more thing p po.. And this is my situation, i’ve been working in a korean school for almost 2years and im planning to go to Korea In june. I think i can complete the requirements that they required but the only probelm is the bank Acct. i just opened my acct. last friday and my parents is willing to support and deposit money in my bank to be sufficient maybe at about 150k but they’ll not depodit that in one transaction.. do you think its posible to me to get
Thanks Ms. morenabeachbum..
One more thing p po.. And this is my situation, i’ve been working in a korean school for almost 2years and im planning to go to Korea In june. I think i can complete the requirements that they required but the only problem is the bank Acct. i just opened my acct. last friday and my parents is willing to support and deposit money in my bank to be sufficient maybe at about 150k but they’ll not deposit that in one transaction.. do you think its possible for me to get tourist visa although i just opened my acct..?
Even the person who invited me to go to korea is willing to support and deposit money..
i just want to ask were you approved to have a tourist visa to korea? coz we have the same situation.. im hoping for your reply. tnx
I really need help poh.. thanks…
hi morena.. good for you that you have a lot friends in korea. less gastos.hehehe
Lisa: Hey, I really don’t think it’ll be a problem (you just recently opening a bank account) I mean, it’s not like the bank statement will include the dates you deposited and stuff. It’ll basically just say that you have this much money in your account as of whatever day you ask for the bank statement.
Tisay: Yeah, most definitely
Less gastos really. Yay! LOL
Ms. morena…
Thanks a lot.. now i have the confidence to go to the embassy.. but of course i still need prayers… and i hope to all the people who’s reading this site will help me to pray.. need to meet my fiance.. he really misses me so much.. and i do so..
Thanks!!!!! i’ll update you maam i if i got or not..kkk
hi miss betchay nag apply ako ng visa for visiting for my friend and nakuha ko yung passport ko walang visa pero nakalagay dun KOREAN EMBASSY MANILA APPLICATION RECEIVED nag tanong ako sa pulis na andun sabi ibig sabihin nun denied daw ako hindi ko na naitanong sa window kasi nabigla ako complete ako lahat ng requarments then na denied parin ang gusto ko lang malaman is that really denied or else kasi naguguluhan ako kasi kung denied bakit hindi nakalagay na denied…pls miss betchay rply thanks..GOD BLESS
hi ann! unfortunately denied nga… wait ka ng six months before you could apply again… kahit kumpleto papers mo nagde-deny sila… ako nga na-deny eh
yung APPLICATION RECEIVED with the date eh reference nila kung kailan ka uli pwede mag-apply ng visa… ganun talaga
No problemo Lisa! Goodluck! Keep those fingers crossed!
tanong lo po sana at least magkano po yung money na kailangan para sa bank certification. kukuha po sana ako ng tourist visa.
Tnt po ako sa korea for 1 year balak ko pong umuwi by next month…makakabalik po ba ako ng korea kung pakakasalan ako ng bf kung american sa pinas next month?or pwede nya nlang me iinvite ng anak ko ng invitation visa?Hope na masagot nyo po yung question ko….
Hi Kyi,
You know you’re so lucky cause you have a sponsor that would guarantee you, and that’s why you got your visa easily. And your visa is missionary, sana makajoin ako sayo kasi gusto ko rin makapunta ng Korea. baka pwede mo ako irefer dyan, I teach English to Koreans here in Paranaque. Baka matulungan mo ako. thanks. this is my cp-09212435293.
Ms. Lisa and Ms. Tekla..
With regards to bank certificates, may i advise you ipakita niyo yung pinakamataas na mamapapalagay niyo sa certificate. Mas maganda nga kung 2 to 3 certificates ma isama niyo sa requirements just to show that you have the money to spend for your trip. Good luck sainyo!
hello… when applying for a (C3)tourist visa for Korea…will i need to have a confirmed ticket from Philippines to Korea? is it a requirement?
@Len – it’s advisable NOT to get a ticket before you apply for a visa…
thanks ate Betchay…this is my 2nd application…was there last year and now we’re planning to get married na. my certificate of employment is from my employer in China and my ITR is more of like a declaration lang na i’m paying my taxes here coz i’m paying my taxes in China as well.
Te..in his invitation letter he stated that he wants to marry me and that’s why he is asking the embassy to grant me the visa again..
do you think I have a good chance of acquiring the C3 visa again?
more power to you…
Hello Ms. Betchay..
I read what happened to Ms. ann and i got so nervous about it..coz she’s complete with all her requirements but still she got denied.. if so, what’s their real basis in granting visa?!! so nervous pohhh..
please reply…
Miss Ann..
I read what happened to ur application,, you completed your requirements and everything..and im sorry for what happened. ask ko lang if why do you think they denied you if you have all the reqs…? Is it ok if i can get your number? or ill give my number if u want need q tlga info.. just let me know po then ill post my number.. i wanna know all the requiremnts that u passed to them.. please need help poh..
hello everyone, just wanna ask if its better to process your visa personally or by agency? nasa province ako and its more difficult if im gonna do it myself..thanks!
hi belay! you can use an agency… it would be the same since if you’ll be coming from the province you’ll also have to spend money and time
arapocJ20@yahoo.com
Hi ms.betchay..how are you again?
Ms. betchay, I have an ITR but has no payment record of taxes so far.I’m currently working in a new company which has no working permit yet ,the reason why they can’t pay our taxes. Would it affect the application of my visa? It’s my pleasure to receive an answer from you.Thanks a lot.
Hello po. I’d like to ask how I can get a tourist visa to South Korea? Single entry lang po. I’m still a student, and I’ll just go there to visit my friends. Please email info @ kiksmariano@gmail.com. Thanks. God bless.
Kikas last blog post..oh the agony!
hello po! ano po b difference ng b2 visa sa c3 visa… b2 visa po kc ung nirequest ng naginvite skin pra makapunta sa korea. she is a us citezen and a us army base in korea… sna po msagot nyo un question ko… salamat po!
hi maam betchay, i need some ask question to you. kc po may balak akong pumnta ng south korea nxtmnt… tama bang hindi muna ako kumuha ng plane ticket bago makakuha ako ng visa? kc good for 5days lng po akong mag stay dun…
may nabasa po same situation namin,ginawa nya buy sya ng ticket after amonth at punta sya ng korea.sinabi nya po 4x na din sya pabalikbalik w/in two years sa immigration officer at inadmit po sya.pwede po kaya ganun na lng din gawin ko.
hello miss betchay.4x na po kami pabalik balik ng korea w/ a c-3 visa.ng pang 5 po try ko po ulit mag apply ng visa pero nadenied,nagpalipas po ako 1 year apply ulit pero nadeny na naman.nabasa ko po sa laws ng korea na pag w/in 2 years eh 4x ng nakapunta sa korea eh free na po sa visa,pwede po ba ako pumunta ng korea buy ng ticket kasi may nabasa po ako same situation namin .after a month pumunta sya ng korea at naadmit po sya.pwede po kaya ganun din ang gawin ko.
hi ate betch. im not sure if u still remember me. i wasnt able to answer u. im so sorry. i was just out of coverage. hehehe. i just want to ask how an invitation letter looks like. i mean, should the content be personal n addressed to me or formal and addressed to the consulate? thank you
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