South Korea Visa Application Requirements for Filipinos [General Guide 2023]

South Korea Visa application requirements for Filipinos are very straight forward and can be done as soon as possible. As a family, we haven’t tried adding any additional documents and cover letter (we will try this for our next visa application) in the South Korea visa requirements when we applied for a Korean Visa.

In this blog, I will share the Korean Visa requirements that you have to prepare to get a visa.

Please note as well that starting August 29 2023,  The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines announces opening of the Korea Visa Application Center(KVAC) and application of Korean visa through KVAC.

 Visa application fee for KVAC

    –  From August 29, 2023, when submitting visa applications at KVAC, application fee of PHP 900(tentative) for each application must be paid regardless of the visa type.

Last July 2023, we got a schedule for appointment online but starting August 29, 2023,there will be no online appointment anymore so all applicants must apply directly at KVAC in SM Aura.

Also, here’s how to check your South Korea Visa Application for Tourist.

How to Apply for Korean Visa and what are the Requirements for Filipinos [General Guide 2023]

Hello, everyone! I know you are really interested to experience South Korea and what the country can offer! Imagine, all four seasons in South Korea provides a unique experience that we *have* to encounter! 😉

Personally, I can say that the process is just so simple together with the documents. However, no one, as in not even your travel agency can say that you have a high or low chance of approval.

I have read countless of stories that even if they have other travels prior applying for South Korea Visa, they are still denied. Or even if they have a big amount in their bank accounts, they are still denied too. However, there are also some of the lucky few who were given single-entry pass to Korea even if their bank accounts have low ADB (Average Daily Balance). So we can never really guess if you will be denied or approved.

Korean Visa Requirements

For Filipino Employees

1. Application Form
2. 1 piece of Passport size colored picture
3. Original Passport 
4. Photocopy of Passport Bio-page (page 2)
5. Original & Photocopy of valid visa/s and arrival stamps to OECD member countries for the past 5 years (If applicable only)

6. Copy of PRC Card or IBP Card (If applicable only)
7. 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]
8. Original Personal Bank Certificate [must include account name, account number, account type, current balance, account opening date, 6 months average balance (ADB)]
9. Bank Statement (original or certified true copy of bank statements/passbook for the last 3 months)
10. Photocopy of ITR (Income Tax Return) or Form 2316
11. Visa Fee: GRATIS (59 days below stay in Korea) / PHP2,000 (60 to 90 days stay in Korea) 

( If personally invited by Korean ) – authentication not required
– Invitation Letter written in Korean
– Photocopy of inviter’s Passport or Identification Card

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

For Self-Employed/With Business Filipinos

■ C-3(Short Term Visit)Visa Requirements for Businessman

1. Application Form
2. 1 piece of Passport size colored picture
3. Original Passport
4. Photocopy of Passport Bio-page (page 2)
5. Original & Photocopy of valid visa/s and arrival stamps to OECD member countries for the past 5 years (If applicable only)

6. Copy of PRC Card or IBP Card (If applicable only)
7. Photocopy of Business Registration from SEC or DTI
8. Photocopy of Business Permit or Mayor’s Permit
9. Original Personal Bank Certificate 
   [must include account name, account number, account type, current balance, account opening date, 6 months average balance (ADB)]
10. Bank Statement
   (original or certified true copy of bank statements/passbook for the last 3 months)
11. Photocopy of ITR (Income Tax Return) or Form 2316
12. Visa Fee: GRATIS (59 days below stay in Korea) / PHP2,000 (60 to 90 days stay in Korea) 

( If personally invited by Korean ) – authentication not required
– Invitation Letter written in Korean
– Photocopy of inviter’s Passport or Identification Card

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

If another person will finance your South Korea trip, there are several requirements that you have to include in the list of requirements below from your guarantor/sponsor.

For Filipino Students

1. Application Form
2. 1 piece of Passport size colored picture
3. Original Passport 
4. Photocopy of Passport Bio-page (page 2)
5. Original & Photocopy of valid visa/s and arrival stamps to OECD member countries for the past 5 years (If applicable only)
6. School Certificate (Original) 
7. Copy of School ID 
8. Original PSA Birth Certificate 
9. Parents’ Documents 

   – Original PSA Marriage Certificate
   – If employed: Employment Certificate Original [must include position, date hired, compensation, office address, HR landline number(cell-phone number is not allowed), HR e-mail address], Photocopy of ITR(Income Tax Return) or Form 2316 Copy
   – If Self-employed: Business Registration from SEC or DTI (Copy), Business Permit or Mayor’s Permit(Copy), Photocopy of ITR (Income Tax Return) or Form 2316
   – Original Bank Certificate [must include account name, account number, account type, current balance, account opening date, 6 months average balance (ADB)]
   – Bank Statement (original or certified true copy of bank statements/passbook for the last 3 months)

10. Visa Fee: GRATIS (59 days below stay in Korea) / PHP2,000 (60 to 90 days stay in Korea) 

( If personally invited by Korean ) – authentication not required
– Invitation Letter written in Korean
– Photocopy of inviter’s Passport or Identification Card

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

 *If parents already have a valid visa, attach photocopy of parents’ valid visa. If not travelling together with parents, attach photocopy of passport or valid ID of parents.

For Housewives

1. Application Form
2. 1 piece of Passport size colored picture
3. Original Passport
4. Photocopy of Passport Bio-page (page 2)
5. Original & Photocopy of valid visa/s and arrival stamps to OECD member countries for the past 5 years (If applicable only)
6. Additional documents 
   – If husband is employed : Husband’s Employment Certificate Original [must include position, date hired, compensation, office address, HR landline number(cell-phone number is not allowed), HR e-mail address],  Photocopy of ITR(Income Tax Return) or Form 2316 Copy
   – If husband is self-employed : Business Registration from SEC or DTI (Copy), Business Permit or Mayor’s Permit(Copy), Photocopy of ITR (Income Tax Return) or Form 2316
   – Original Personal or Husband’s Bank Certificate [must include account name, account number, account type, current balance, account opening date, 6 months average balance (ADB)]
   – Personal or Husband’s Bank Statement (original or certified true copy of bank statements/passbook for the last 3 months) 
7. Original PSA Marriage Certificate

8. Visa Fee: GRATIS (59 days below stay in Korea) / PHP2,000 (60 to 90 days stay in Korea) 

( If personally invited by Korean ) – authentication not required
– Invitation Letter written in Korean
– Photocopy of inviter’s Passport or Identification Card

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

There are several categories as well for South Korean Visa. You may check them out here at the South Korea visa requirements website.