Before the pandemic, it took me six trips to Korea before I was finally granted my first Multiple Entry Korean visa--so all my travels from 2016 to early 2018 I was applying for a visa every single time. I was really grateful when I got the Multiple Entry Korean Visa, 2018-2020 was really the season in my life when I kept going back to Korea. And with the Multiple Entry Korean Visa, I was able to travel to countless opportunities, including the Mimi Ship Korea variety show guesting wherein they invited me just a day before the flight!
Other Korean Visa Posts:
- Multiple Visa Pre-Pandemic: http://www.anagonzales.com/2018/03/seryoso-ba-i-finally-got-my-multiple.html
- Single Visa Application Last Year: http://www.anagonzales.com/2022/09/korean-visa-application-walk-in-direct-embassy-2022.html
As mentioned several times on my Insta, October 2023 I finally got my second Multiple Entry Visa for Korea. I received a lot of questions about it, so I made this post to write my experience.
Erasing all pre-pandemic things, I feel that I am back to square 1 when it comes to credentials. My US visa has already expired, and it has been more than 5 years since my US and other big trips, so I cannot put those on my application form for the OECD perks. That's why last year when I applied, I wasn't surprised that I only got Single Entry Visa again.
But unlike in 2018 where they granted me 3 years Multiple Entry Korean Visa, this year I was given a 5-year Multiple Entry Korean Visa! I am still wondering what I did right this time, so let's process the details together?
1) I applied via Travel Agency (versus KVAC)
If I had the time, I really wanted to visit the new Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC).
Instead of going direct to the embassy, Korean Embassy in the Philippines found a solution to the ever growing number of applicants for Korean Visa for Filipinos which is to open our own KVAC. Starting last August 2023, submission of visa applications and release of passports are only at KVAC. And just last September 2023, no more online reservations for slots, so everyone can just walk in to apply.
Address of KVAC: 9F-10F, Brittany Hotel BGC, 6 McKinley Pkwy, Taguig City, Metro Manila (Next to SM Aura)
Fee: Php 900 (before it was free, but I guess they need more people and a new office space to maintain thus the new charges)
Application Hours: 9am to 4pm
It would have been nice to experience this, and as a travel blogger, it can also be a valuable content for my readers. But I am currently juggling 5 jobs so going to the center at their allotted hours is impossible for me. Palagi ako mag hahabol or baka abutan ako ng dagsa ng tao.
So I decided to just submit via RAKSO Travel.
My experience with RAKSO Travel remains consistent. I also got my first Multiple Entry Visa when I applied through them! This is not a sponsored post, but I can now say they brought so much luck in my Korea travel life!
I visited their office around after lunch, and there were only about 2-3 applicants ahead of me. I just sat comfortably in their waiting area, while I worked on stuff through my phone. Nalimutan ata nila ako coz I had to follow up for my turn when I realized I was editing a video for a good 30 minutes na pero wala padin nag aasikaso sakin. 😅 Buti nalang comfortable their waiting area.
What I like about applying through a travel agency is that they cross-check my requirements before submitting them. It's also more convenient for me location-wise vs. Taguig since there's a direct P2P bus from where I live (Alabang) to Greenbelt Makati. Rakso Travel's office is just walking distance from Greenbelt.
Rakso Travel Address: 3/F Rico Building, 112 Aguirre St. Legaspi Village Makati City
Office Hours: Monday to Friday (9am to 6pm), Saturday (9am to 1pm)
Website: https://www.raksotravel.com
Step by Step Guide when Applying for Korean Visa via RAKSO Travel:
2) Korean Visa Requirements for Filipino Tourists
Here are the requirements I submitted for my Korean Visa application. This list is for C-3 (Short Term Visit) Employed Individuals:
1. Application Form (Download HERE) - must be COMPUTERIZED, font style and font size is Arial 12 only. Print on A4 size paper.
2. 1 piece of Passport size colored picture, white background
3. Original Passport - at least 6 months valid beyond intended stay
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)
*Print a table on extra A4 sheets if hindi kasya sa application form your travel history.
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
*Since I am a BIR registered blogger, I submitted photo copies of my Certificate of Registration Form 2303, and Application for Registration Form 1901.
7. Original Personal Bank Certificate - Request this from your main bank. It must include account name, account number, account type, current balance, account opening date, 6 months average balance (ADB)
8. Bank Statement - original or certified true copy of bank statements/passbook for the last 3 months
*I got this through my bank's online portal
9. Photocopy of ITR (Income Tax Return) or Form 2316
*If you have no ITR, I wrote a blog post for my Japan application years ago which helped a friend with her KR application this year. I added my cover letter for your reference in this post:
http://www.anagonzales.com/2017/10/how-to-apply-for-japan-visa-without-itr.html
*Other papers you can submit, but not applicable naman to me:
Original PSA Marriage Contract
Original PSA Birth Certificate
Copy of PRC /IBP ID
Copy of company ID
Visit Korean Embassy's website for other cases.
A check list when I submitted my requirements via Rakso:
3) Cover Letter
Not required, but I think adding a cover letter really helped me and a lot of people I know with our Korean Visa application. In here you can further explain why you want to travel to Korea, and prove that you will only be traveling as a tourist.
I am sharing my Cover Letter because honestly after reading a lot of other bloggers' templates, it really really helped me a lot to compose a concise yet complete letter which granted me the Multiple Entry Korean Visa. Make sure to change my details, and print on A4 paper with Arial 12 font:
NOTES:
Paragraph 1: Aside from introducing myself, I also made sure to mention how many times I have traveled to Korea.
Paragraph 2: I mentioned the purpose of my Korea trip, which is for vacation only. Since I am a blogger, I highlighted that my readers are Filipinos who are also Korean culture enthusiasts, proving that I have ties here in the country albeit having Korean content.
Paragraph 3: More proof of ties to the Philippines, or assurances why they should trust you with a Multiple Entry visa. Because I am returning to the Philippines for my work. I had no legal issues during my past travels. I also mentioned my travel history, highlighting countries that require Visa too. You can also write here your property ownership, if you have a business, and other details that will show your intent to return after your visit.
Paragraph 4: Proof that you can pay for your trip. I stated my work and salary, and reiterated that I've included supporting documents.
4) Visa Fee via Agency
Unlike direct application in KVAC na Php 900 lang payment, you have to pay +PHP 1000 for RAKSO's service fee. Total is Php 1900. Considering the Grab fares going to Taguig, plus the peace of mind na wala ako hinahabol na oras and may mag cross-check ng requirements ko, I think worth it naman the fee.
5) Korean Visa Processing Time in the Philippines
Aka the Waiting Game! Thank God we can now check our results online, to lessen the anxiety while waiting for our passports.
Website to check status of Korean visa application: https://www.visa.go.kr/openPage.do?MENU_ID=10301
How to check Korean Visa Application status via the web portal:
- Set language to English
- Leave the tick mark to Diplomatic office
- Input your passport number
- Input your name in all-caps, no commas, and NO MIDDLE NAME / INITIAL. Ex. CRUZ MARY JANE
- Input date of birth, then click search
Since I applied via agency, alam ko na na LONGER LEAD TIME ang kailangan. If possible, give yourself 3 weeks to a month lead time, lalo na if you'll also apply through a travel agency.
When I applied on a Thursday, they already told me na TUESDAY next week na nila masusubmit my requirements sa KVAC because they have a lot of applicant submissions na before me. And then from the day they were able to submit my requirements, dun ko nalang binilang 10 WORKING days of processing for the visa (not included weekends) till I got my results via the online portal.
Before getting my passport, I gave it a few days din before going back to RAKSO kahit may results na online. But siguro nabusy din ako, so it took me about 5 days bago nakapunta. Ok nadin, because sureball they already had my passport. You can also give them a call, although hindi ko pa nattry if responsive sila.
Notice from the Korean Embassy's website. Instead of just a few days, expect longer processing period:
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| My walk to RAKSO to get my passport AND visa! |
6 Comments
Ask ko lang po need ko ba agad ng i.t.r.? Kung january palang ako mg register ng d.t.i. and mayors permit, pagtapos ko mag apply ng business permit , apply ako ng tourist visa sa korea,
ReplyDeletePossible po na no need ko na mgpasa ng i.t.r. since may valid visa pako ng multiple visa sa japan until feb 2024.
Nagkapunta na din kasi ako sa korea ng marming beses,3 beses ako nabigyan ng 3 single entry, tapos pang 4 na apply ko 5 years multple visa na nag expired lang nung nov 14 2023.
Ok lang kaya na wala akong i.t.r. na mapasa?
Hi po... ask lang po need po ba may tatak from BIR ang ITR po?
ReplyDeleteHi Ana, I've read your blog post and guide about the ME application and tried it in my own application. Indeed, it is helpful I submitted every possible requirements and write a cover letter to explain further my intent for ME visa. After few days of waiting got my ME visa. Thank you ✨
ReplyDeleteThank you for your article Ana! My ME visa got approved today. I'm so excited for my second visit to South Korea. :D
ReplyDeleteAsk ko lang po kapag na approved na po ang tourist visa kailangan pa po ba pumunta sa korean embassy dito sa pinas para mag appointment?
ReplyDeleteHi! Pag approved na po ang visa just pick up your passport po and that's it na po :) You can plan your trip to Korea. :)
DeleteYour turn! Always excited to read your comments! :)