Land of the Morning Calm – “South Korea”

Every Kdrama and Kpop fan dreams of going to South Korea to visit and see the home of oppas. It may look easy as getting a ticket and fly but oooopps you might need to get a visa first. This might be a dreadful experience to some people (including me). Gathering all the requirements needed, lining up to submit the documents in the embassy and hopefully waiting for the application result is a torture. So, I wanted to share how I got my tourist visa and some information that might be helpful for those who want to get a SoKor visa.

To give you an overview, I am not a frequent traveler outside the country. Before South Korea, I once travelled to Hong Kong. Hence it is my first time travelling to a country where visa is needed. I applied 3 times for a South Korean visa; I got denied the first time while on the second and third time, I got approved.

I was employed during the first time I applied for C3-1 or a tourist visa. I was on the verge of resigning on my job and I was planning to stay on South Korea for 2 months since my sister is currently living in their. The embassy requested for an approved LOA or Leave of Absence from the company I worked with, which is a problem because the company won’t allow 2 months of LOA. Hence, there’s no way I can provide an LOA to the embassy. I tried to reason out by writing an explanation letter that since I’ll be resigning,
there’s no need for an approval from my employer. Result day came and my visa was denied. The embassy will not provide the specific reason why a visa will be denied and they will not discuss it either. The reason provided by the embassy was “you failed to prove the purpose of entry to Korea”. So yeah it was actually quite a messy application. I was a bit sad knowing the result but gotta try and try.

After confirming from the officer that it’s possible to re-apply, (Note: this is for Cebu Korean embassy) I gathered my requirements and re-applied. This time my period of stay was only 7 days and I also got an approved LOA from my employer. I also increased my savings on the bank for higher chance of approval. Let’s say my savings was 50,000 pesos more. The embassy doesn’t demand specific amount of money; as long as it is proportionate with the length of your stay, it should be fine. What I think the minimum money you might need is 50,000 pesos including airfare and all other expenses for 7 days (it’s even too much 😁) My Korean Brother-in- Law wrote a sponsorship letter to back me up as well. Result day came and I got an approved South Korean visa! Yaayy!

For the third time I applied, it’s for a 60-90 days tourist visa. I had resigned on my job so I was in the unemployed category. I did not provide my COE and ITR to the embassy but I wrote an explanation letter why I can’t provide it. I saved all the money that can be saved and deposited it on the bank so the embassy can see I got enough money during my stay in SoKor. My Korean Brother-in-Law still wrote a sponsorship letter stating I will be staying in their home and help my sister. My sister was about to give birth so it much likely increased my chance of approval. 

Some tips for you:

• Complete all the requirements needed before going to the embassy. If you have questions, call them directly or send an email. They respond to emails  but it’s best to call.
• For first time applicants, Income Tax Return form is needed and it should have a stamp from BIR or you can go to BIR and get a “certified true copy” stamp on your ITR. The embassy will not accept ITR without the stamp.
• Be early as possible. Guards are very strict with gate time. Visa application is from 9 to 11 am weekdays. Getting the result is from 2 to 4 pm on your scheduled date. Even if it is 1 minute passed the cut off time, let’s say it is 11:01, guards won’t allow you to enter the embassy anymore. You’ll be advised to come back the next day if you are late.
• In getting the result, don’t forget to bring the form that the embassy provided you for the releasing of your passport. The guards will check it before entering the embassy.
• File all the documents in order. If it is not in order, the officer will return the documents and will let you arrange it before they will accept your application. In this case, you might need to get back in the queue and ask another number from the guard. Then wait for your number again.
• Dress well. Casual is enough.
• If there is something wrong with your document, don’t hesitate to ask the officer so the next time you’ll come back, all documents are ready.
• Fill up the application form neatly. Avoid too many erasures.
• If you miss one document and there is no way you can provide it to the embassy, try to make an explanation letter. Just explain properly or specifically the reason why you can’t provide the document. They provide consideration but it might affect the chance of your approval.
• Passport sized ID should be from shoulder to the head. (Can’t explain it haha). The first time I passed the passport sized ID, they did not accept it because it was from my chest to the head when it is supposed to be from shoulder to head. They want a clear picture of your face and neck area. (If you get what I mean haha)
• For South Korea Consulate in Cebu, you can re-apply anytime if ever your application got rejected. So, there’s a reason not to give up. Just try and try!
• Bring 2 ID when going to the embassy. You will need it in the building reception area and on the  embassy.
• Photography is not allowed inside the embassy. Cell Phones should be surrendered first at the guard and they will cover the cameras of your phone with a sticker. You can still use your phone inside the embassy.
• Getting help from agency will provide the same result but if you’re a busy person then agency is the better option.
• The embassy will get all the original and photocopies of your requirements.
• Either if the visa was approved or not, on the releasing day, they will only return your passport so if you want to re-apply then you need to gather all the documents again.
• Don’t be sad if your visa was denied just charge it to experience and try again.

I hope this was helpful and feel free to comment 👍😁