We went to South Korea last year, before this COVID happened, and I am glad we were able to push through that travel despite the problems we encountered before the trip. Let me share to you what I know about getting a tourist visa for a South Korea trip.
Note: Visa is not required when only traveling to Jeju island, but is required when going outside Jeju island (Seoul, Busan etc)
First, set a date on when you are going to Korea. Okay lang naman na bumili ka na ng ticket kahit wala ka pang visa lalo na if may seat sale. Risk lang talaga na if ever rejected ang application mo, bye-bye ka sa perang pinambili mo ng ticket. But you really need to have a target date para alam mo ang palugit mo sa pag-process ng visa requirements mo. Bakit? Dahil sobrang tagal na ng waiting time sa pagkuha ng visa. Dati, umaabot lang ng 7 days pinakamatagal na ‘yon tapos may result ka na. But now, may mga pagkakataon na aabutin pa ng 30 days bago ma-release ang passport mo. So para maiwasan ang sakuna (hindi umabot ang passport mo sa trip mo), count ahead. You can check sa announcement page ng embassy ang allotted time nila weekly (every Monday ang refresh). Ini-indicate nila doon kung ilang days ang waiting time para sa week na ‘yon.
Second, prepare the necessary requirements. Please check this link for the list. There are certain requirements na may expiration kagaya ng Certificate of Employment at Bank Certificate na 1 month lang ang validity. So please be mindful of it.
Third, find an accredited travel agency and submit the requirements to them. Unlike before na puwedeng ikaw mismo ang magpapasa sa embassy, hindi na po puwede ‘yon ngayon. Kailangan nang dumaan sa travel agency at sila na ang bahalang magpasa ng papers mo. They would also check your papers, kung tama ba ang pinasa mo o may mali ba sa application form mo. Walang bayad ang pag-apply sa visa before, pero dahil nga dadaan na sa travel agency, meron silang sisingilin na fee. Nasa 700-1200 ang fees depende sa kung anong klase ng visa ang ia-apply mo. I am not sure if they are accepting rushed visa application right now.
You can submit your requirements 2-3 months before the flight since 3 months naman ang validity ng visa. The earlier, the better, kasi may instances na kapag maraming applicants at nakita ng agency na sobrang lapit na ng flight mo, baka hindi nila tanggapin ang papers mo kasi risky na hindi na nga aabot ang release ng visa mo sa alis mo.
Fourth, wait for the result. You can check it online using your passport number. Your travel agency will also send you a message once your passport has been released. But if you are eager to see the result, you can check it online.
Fifth, claim your passport. You will need to show the receipt and an ID. If someone will claim your passport on your behalf, you will need to write an authorization letter plus your ID.
OTHER THINGS YOU MAY WANT TO KNOW
- Again, for the requirements, visit the official site: REQUIREMENTS
- If you have something to explain (a missing requirement etc), you can write a letter addressed to the consul and submit it along with your requirements. I did this for my ITR kasi walang stamp ang ITR ko.
- Many asked me before about the show money. Hindi ‘to accurate BUT it would be okay to have at least 150-200 USD per day PLUS excess money. Kadalasang reason kung bakit nare-reject ang visa application ay dahil sa show money. Hindi rin naman nila sinasabi ang dapat laman. Having 70,000 php on your account for a 5-day stay in Korea would suffice. That’s for a single person only. If you would sponsor someone, you need to double that amount. Kailangan mo lang talagang ipakita na may budget ka for this trip at hindi ka mag-TNT don haha
- Nobody can guarantee your visa approval. All you can do is to make sure that you are sending complete requirements and that you have sufficient amount in your bank. Saka dapat may work ka sa Pilipinas para maipakita mo na babalik ka pa rin dito.
- Submit your requirements 2-3 months before your flight. No joke, sobrang hassle ng nangyari sa amin. Halos walang tumanggap na travel agency sa amin dahil fully loaded na sila (since 120 applicants per day lang ang naipapasa nila sa embassy so there’s a waiting list). Hindi nila kami tinanggap kasi hindi na kami aabot sa cut off. Hindi aabot sa flight namin ang releasing ng passport dahil lagpas 30 days ang waiting time at maraming nakapilang application forms sa kanila. Good thing we found RAKSO TRAVEL AND TOURS. They accepted our forms pero pumirma kami ng waiver na just in case hindi umabot ang releasing ng passport sa needed date namin, hindi na nila sagot iyon. That was the risk we took and we are glad we took it. Lumabas visa namin A DAY BEFORE OUR FLIGHT. Lesson learned: the earlier, the better.
- May slip na iiipit sa passport mo if and only if your application is rejected. Naka-indicate doon kung bakit rejected.
- Walang refund sa ibinayad kapag reject.
- Need lang ng birth certificate if sponsored ka or may i-sponsor-an ka.
- Kailangan bang marami ng tatak ang passport bago ma-approve sa Korean visa? Hindi naman. May kilala ako na first travel abroad niya ay South Korea. Pero mas mapapalakas ang chance mo na ma-approve kung may iba ka pang napuntahang bansa. I only have two trips outside the country before our SK trip—Hong Kong and Japan.
I guess that’s it. Kung may questions kayo or naguguluhan kayo, just leave a comment below 😊
Abbycakes 