How to Apply for Korean Tourist Visa for Filipino Employees

Renewing passport and applying for a Korean Tourist Visa are not as hard as you think, its actually easy, fast and FREE!

How to renew your passport

Let's get started with your passport, so before booking a flight, make sure that your passport is not yet expired 6 months before your trip. If it is, immediately schedule an appointment to the DFA near you. You can check their site for schedule and requirements: DFA.

I checked their site for appointment last May and the only available schedule was after a month, so I booked for June. I chose the SM Megamall branch since it is the one nearest to me. I arrived earlier than my appointment time which is 1pm, but I was able to get in because the guard was not very strict and did not even ask me if I have an appointment. There were only few people and I only spent less than an hour inside. The staff were nice and good thing that they have a step by step instructions so it was easy for the applicants to follow. Just a piece of advice, do not wear sleeveless top as there will be a picture taking for your passport photo.

How to apply for a Korean Tourist Visa for Employees

Please note that we only included the requirements for Employees. If you want to check the requirements for other status, you can visit the Korean Embassy website 

1. Application Form - [download]
2. 1 piece of Passport size colored picture
3. Original Passport (should be valid for more than 6 months)
4. Photocopy of Passport Bio-page (page 2)
5. Original Certificate of Employment (must include applicant's position, date hired, compensation, office address, HR landline number(cellphone number is not allowed), HR e-mail address)
6. Original Personal Bank Certificate (must include account type, current balance, account opening date, ADB)
7. Bank Statement (original or certified true copy of bank statements/passbook for the last 3 months)
8. ITR(Income Tax Return or Form 2316 Copy) 

If applicable only:

• Original & Photocopy of valid visa/s and arrival stamps to OECD member countries for past 5 years
• Copy of PRC Card or IBP Card

Gather all your requirements and schedule a visit to the embassy. Upon entering the embassy, you need to sign on their log sheet. Once inside, you will see a staff near the entrance, he/she will be the one to check if your requirements are complete and will give you a number. Wait for your number to be called. When you are called, present the documents to the Consul. He/she will check and receive the documents. You will be given a claim stub containing the date when you need to return to the embassy. No assurance yet that your visa is approved. Just pray and wait for your judgement day! 😄 It took us just about 5 minutes, while our travel time was almost 2 hrs. HAHAHA

Tips:

• Reviewing your co-travellers requirements is very important! ( I almost submitted my co-traveller's Form 2316 Copy)
• Put all your requirements in an envelope.
• Make sure your bank account is opened for at least 6 months from the date you applied for a visa.
• For employees, you can use your payroll account.

Filing of visa: 8:30-11:00 AM (Monday to Friday)
Claiming of visa: 1:30-4:00 PM (Monday to Friday)
Processing Time: 5 days for first time applicants and 3 days for frequent travellers
Processing Fee: Free for 59 days/less stay, Php 1,800 for 60 to 90 days stay

Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of the Philippines

Address : 122 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Town Center, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig city 1634, Philippines

Tel : (63-2) 856-9210, Fax : (63-2) 856-9008  |  Hours of Operation : 08:30~17:00 (Mon-Fri)