How To Apply for Korean Tourist Visa in the Philippines

Not too long ago I went to South Korea with friends. It was one of my wonderful trips. Hence, I am very much willing to return to this great destination given again the liberty to fly out.

Most of Filipinos are K-Pop lovers. Presumably, they would want of course, one day, to land on South Korea to realize what they're going gaga about. But a lot of them are restricted of the fallacy that getting a visa for this country is as hard as they imagine. Well in fact, it's not.

Here's sharing with you my experience towards obtaining a Korean passport "sticker".

The Requirements

As usual, before heading to the embassy you ought to prepare the following items:

1. Original passport. Must be 6 months valid from the date of your tour

2. Photocopy of your passport's first page

3. 1 colored passport size photo

4. Fully filled up visa application form. Don't leave any item blank/unanswered. Put "N/A" if not applicable. Form can be downloaded right here.

5. Photocopy of the latest ITR 

6. Original Certificate of Employment if employed. If you are businessman, SEC or DTI and mayor's permits.

7. Bank Certificate

Notes:
You may have your printed etickets and/or hotel vouchers handy during submission BUT as per my experience they did not ask for any of those.

DO NOT go to embassy with any of the above requirements lacking to avoid re-queuing and for you to save time and effort.

The above documents were the only ones asked of me. I know of a friend who were asked to present his college diploma. I did not know the consul's reason. Neither did my friend. So, this depends on the embassy discretion.


Visa Application Process

Korean embassy is located at McKinley Town Center, 122 Upper McKinley Rd, Taguig 1634. How to go here? From MRT Guadalupe Station, you can ride a jeepney en route to Market Market/C5. Tell the good driver to get you off at Korean embassy. Or you can hail a cab.

The procedure is as follows:

1. Be at the embassy between 9:00 to 10:30 AM. Submission of applications strictly closes at 11:00 AM. I was there by 10:30 AM. Only few applicants were left. I think it's the best time to go as most of the applicants are already done with their transactions. 

2. Upon entering the lobby, you will be given a queue number. 

3. When it's your turn, walk towards your designated window and present your documents. I'll repeat, be sure all of the 7 basic documents are with you. I forgot to photocopy my passport's first page. Thankfully there's a standby xerox machine inside the embassy. Hence, was able to have my passport photocopied. However, I had to get another number and waited for my turn.

4. Once all your documents are scanned and the consul deemed they are sufficient, you will be given a claim stub indicating the date of your passport's release. Processing usually takes 5 working days. 

Notes:
Wearing of slippers or sleeveless top is not allowed inside the embassy. 

Visa fee is gratis or free if staying for up to 59 days only. Else, a fee applies. Refer to this link for details.

Visa Releasing Process

1. Be at the embassy between 2:00 to 4:00 PM. Releasing of visa strictly ends at 4:00 PM. I was not able to personally claim my passport due to work schedule conflict. I had it claimed by my good friend. If you'll do the same, please don't forget to give him the claim stub and an authorization letter.

2. Upon entering the lobby, you will be given a queue number. 

3. Once your turn, go to the designated window. Voila! You have your passport with Korean visa sticker on it.

This procedure is for TOURIST VISA only. If your case if different, you may refer to Korean embassy official website here for further details.

I hope you find this post helpful. You may email me for any other inquiries at menesestravels@yahoo.com.

How To Apply for a Chinese Tourist Visa In The Philippines

Here's the step by step procedure on how Philippine passport holders apply for Chinese tourist visa otherwise known as L-visa.

Requirements

First and foremost, you have to gather the following documents before you head to the Chinese embassy:

• Visa application form duly accomplished and signed. Do not leave any box blank. Put N/A if not applicable.

• Valid passport for at least 6 months from the date of  travel

• 2 pieces colored passport-sized picture in plain white background

• Employment certificate

• Original and photocopy of bank certificate and latest bank statement recent for (6) six months from the date of application with at least PhP 100,000.00 monthly ending balance and sufficient average daily balance. 

• Copy of company ID (if employed)

• Original latest BIR issued income tax return with BIR stamp

• Copy of SSS ID / or SSS contribution

• Confirmed hotel voucher

• Confirmed travel itinerary

• Copy of passport information page - first and last page

• If invited by friends or relatives, invitation letter with copy of passport information page, working visa, residence visa and working card from invitor/sponsor

• Personal  appearance (if required by the embassy for those born from 1988 to 1993)

Embassy

Now that you have already complied with the required documents and forms, you are more than ready to head at the embassy to file your application. Chinese embassy is located at:

2nd Floor, The World Centre

330 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue,

Makati City Metro Manila

How to get there? 

From LRT Gil Puyat Station: Get on a jeepney en route to MRT Buendia or Guadalupe. Get off at The World Centre. It is fronting Mapua Institute.

From MRT Buendia Station: Get on a jeepney en route to Kartimar or LRT Buendia. Get off at the crossing before reaching Mapua Institute. World Centre is on the other side.

Should you need further details or have inquiries, you may contact the embassy visa hotline at:

0063-2-8482395 ( Work Day 09:00 --11:00, 14:00--16:00 )

Or email them at:
phchinaembassy@hotmail.com 

Filing Procedure

This is it. You are now at the embassy. What to do?

1. Have yourself and your belongings inspected by the embassy guard.
2. Fall in line at the reception area. In here, your requirements will be compiled by the receptionist.
3. After your documents have been compiled, you will be given a number.
4. Walk inside and go to any of the 4 windows (left-side) where your number belongs. The numbers posted in each window are in range mode.
5. Patiently wait until you reach the window. Hand down your documents to the officer.
6. The officer will review your requirements. 
7. If the officer finds your documents sufficient then you will be given a pink slip for claiming of your passport.
8. If the officer finds your documents lacking then he will refuse your application. However, he will tell you which document/s you need to present/produce and you can still come back as soon as the required document/s is ready.
9. If given a pink slip, wait for 4 working days excluding holidays before you can claim your passport with visa stamp, hopefully.

Claiming Procedure

This is the day. The moment of truth. You are itching to claim your passport and positive that it is stamped with an L-visa.

1. Have yourself and your belongings inspected by the embassy guard.
2. Fall in line at the reception area. You will be given a claiming stub.
3. Walk inside and have a seat while waiting for your number to flash on the cashier window. It is the right most window.
4. Once you see your number, proceed to the window and pay the visa fee of PhP 1400 if single entry, PhP 2100 if double, PhP 2800 if 6 months multiple and PhP 4200 if 12 months multiple entry.
5. Then proceed to the window beside the cashier's to claim your passport (with stamp, fingers crossed).

I hope you find the above information helpful. I had a smooth visa application. Hence, I wanted to share exactly what I presented and experienced. Good luck, travelistas!