NOTE: Due to COVID-19 Pandemic, there may be some changes on the VISA processing. Please refer to Korean Embassy to the Philippines website for updated details.

There you go. Starting July 1, 2018, South Korean Embassy will partially close it's doors for walk-in applicants and now open designated travel agencies to process visa application for those who wish to visit the beautiful country of South Korea.

With over 350,000 visa walk-in applicants from 2015 to 2017, it's a welcome change for those visa applicants to stay away from the tiring long queue. However, the embassy will allow walk-in applicants for spouses and children of Koreans, government employees with business trip and with humanitarian reason to expedite the visa process.

Here are the Designated Travel Agencies with their contact numbers:

Visit the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines' website for more information.

NOTE: Due to COVID-19 Pandemic, there may be some changes on the VISA processing. Please refer to Korean Embassy to the Philippines website for updated details.

South Korea is the dream destination for most of Korean pop culture fans in the Philippines. The Korean invasion in the Philippines particularly the K-pop, K-drama, Kimchi, Bbimbap, the pisturesque places and endless cosmetic products that only South Korea can offer. 

As a Filipino citizen with Philippine passport, we are required to secure a Korean visa in order to visit South Korea (but Jeju Island trip doesn't require a visa). This guide aims to help you secure a Korean visa and experience the best Korean culture on your next vacation.

Please take note that South Korea offers different types of visa. This guide is focusing only for tourist visa application. For more information about the other types of visa that South Korea offers, refer to the South Korea embassy website.

Embassy of Republic of Korea in the Republic of the Philippines 

For Employees

1. Application Form
2. 1 piece of Passport size colored picture (Please attach on the application form)
3. Original Passport (should be valid for more than 6 months)
4. Photocopy of Passport Bio-page
5. Original & Photocopy of valid visa/s and arrival stamps to OECD member countries for the past 5 years (If applicable only)
6. Original Certificate of Employment (must include applicant's position, date hired, compensation, office address, HR landline number(cell-phone number is not allowed), HR e-mail address)
7. Original Personal Bank Certificate (must include account type, current balance, account opening date, ADB)
8. Bank Statement (original or certified true copy of bank statements/passbook for the last 3 months)
9. ITR(Income Tax Return) or Form 2316 Copy and Company Alphalist (Form 1604 CF with BIR received stamp / please highlight your name)
10. Copy of PRC Card or IBP Card (If applicable only)

* If personally invited by Korean
**Invitation Letter
**Photocopy of invitor's Passport or Identification Card (authentication not required)

* If invited by Company in Korea
**Invitation Letter
**Photocopy of Korean Company Business Permit (authentication not required)

* Frequent travellers who have travelled as tourist to OECD member countries within 5 years are exempted from submitting ITR.

You are required to do a walk-in process for your South Korean visa. The South Korea embassy are accepting applicants between 8:30AM to 11:00AM, Monday to Friday only (excluding Philippine holidays). It is a first come, first serve basis and expect a long line of applicants. 

The security guard on duty will check all of your requirements and will ask you to jot down your name on their logbook. They will give you a number that will be called by the designated window.

The staff on the window will check again your documents and when they are satisfied, they will hand you a slip indicating the date of release of your visa (if granted).

Starting July 1, 2018, Korean Embassy will no longer accept walk-in applicants but only for special cases. See the updates here.

STEP 3: Fast forward to the release date, claim your visa results at the South Korea embassy.  

The releasing of visa is available only from 1:30PM to 4:00PM, Mondays to Fridays.

The guard on duty will give you a number that will be called by the designated window.  

Multiple-entry visas are not given automatically but if you are a frequent South Korean visa applicant or visitor, chances are you will be given a multiple visa. But again, it is a case-to-case basis.

BDO Credit Card holders will be granted a multiple-visa without submitting ITR and it is available until December 31, 2019. Read here for details.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions:

- Where is the South Korean Embassy office?

• The South Korean Embassy is located at the following addresses:
• Manila Office: 122 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Town Center,
  Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City
  Telephone: (63) 02 856-9210
• Cebu Office: 12th Floor Chinabank Corporate Center, Lot 2,
  Samar Loop Cor. Road 5,
  Cebu Business Park, Cebu
  Telephone: (63) 32 231-1516 to 19

• The South Korean visa is free of charge for visitors planning to stay for 59 days and below. For visitors wants to stay for 60 to 90 days, the fee is PHP 1,800.00