Some time ago, I shared my Korean Visa application experience. I didn’t enlist the help of any agency. I did everything myself. However, it was not really a step-by-step guide so it was not that clear to people who wanted to DIY their applications like I did. So I decided to come up with a step-by-step post similar to the one I had done for US Visa Application back in 2017. Anyhow without further ado, here are the steps:
- The first thing you need to do is download the Korean Visa Application Form. Requirements for normal application and simplified application (credit card promo) are the same except for your ITR and Bank Certificate. These are optional if you are availing of a credit card promo. In their place, you will need to provide a copies of the last 3 months of your credit card statement of account with a photocopy of the front of your credit card.
- Print the application form on A4 paper.
- Fill up the form in block letters (mine was handwritten) — legibly, clearly, and HONESTLY. Sometimes they call to verify the stuff you submit.
A lot of people have questions with regards to filling up the form so I’ve gathered the most common ones. I’m sharing what I wrote on mine since I was able to secure a Multiple Entry Korean Visa. Under Details of Visa Application, if you’re just going to Korea for tourism purposes like I am, you can tick short-term stay less than 90 days and then put C-3-9. C-3-9 stands for Short Term Tourism Visa.
I put Ibis Styles Ambassador Myeongdong under address in Korea because I had planned on booking there. As for contact number, I wrote my own mobile number along with the Philippines country code. After I got issued the visa, I decided to book elsewhere because I didn’t like my friend’s feedback about this hotel lol. It doesn’t really matter what hotel you write down as long as you have one. This is just to show you have a definite plan of where to stay when you go to Korea.
On this part I only enumerated the travels that would fit the spaces — Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, and United States. As for the purpose, I put watch concert for SG and holiday for the rest. I did not provide a copy of my valid US visa, though the passport I submitted had stamps that I was in the US in 2019 and 2020.
For estimated travel costs, I factored in cost of plane tickets, accommodation, and per diem for my daughter and I since the two of us are going. I also said I would be paying for both of us since she is a full-time student. I was the one who filled up my daughter’s form so under her Assistance With This Form segment, I said so.
After filling up the forms, secure the needed documents. If traveling with minor children or children who are students, you will need a PSA-certified birth certificate as proof of relationship between parent and child. Students need to present a photocopy of their school ID and a Certificate of Enrollment.
You don’t need an appointment to go to KVAC (Korean Visa Application Center). Just go anytime from Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm except holidays. If you prefer, you can book an appointment HERE, although they seem fully booked for 2024. I walked in last July 17, 2024 at 11am and was done in less than an hour. KVAC is equipped with printers so if you need anything photocopied or printed out, the service is available for ₱10 per page.
Visa fee is ₱900 per application. Courier fee for your passport to be delivered back to you is ₱300 per passport.
Here’s another frequently asked question: Do you need a cover letter? You need a cover letter if you need to explain something not readily understandable. For example, my credit card. My credit card is in my maiden name but all my other papers including my passport are in my married name. I wrote a cover letter to explain why that is so. I also put in a request or a Multiple Entry visa on my cover letter since there is no way for you to specify you want to apply for ME in the application form. Cover letter samples can easily be searched on Google.
If you don’t want the hassle of having to secure your ITR and Bank Certificate, I suggest taking advantage of the simplified credit card application requirements. The promos will be ongoing until end of December 2024.
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