Notice

Visa Issuance Procedure (as of Apr. 26, 2023)

  • Registration date
    2023.08.05

1. What is VISA?


ㅇ VISA is a kind of endorsement or acknowledgment, whose specific meaning differs from country to country. Generally, it is used to mean one of the following two things; One being the 'permission to enter' a given country, and the other being the 'consul's recommendation for a foreigner's entry request.'


ㅇ In case of Republic of Korea, the latter definition is used. Therefore, even if a person were to have a Korean visa, he/she can still be denied entry to Korea in case the immigration officer concludes that the person does not satisfy the conditions for entry during immigration screening.


※ Even if a person were to have a Korean visa, his/her purpose of entry must correspond with the status of stay indicated in the visa.



2. Types of Visa


ㅇ Single-Entry Visa : One-time entry is permitted during the validity of the visa


※ Validity of visa is 3 months. Therefore, one must enter Korea within 3 months from the date of issuance of visa.


ㅇ Multiple-Entry Visa : Multiple entries are permitted as long as visa remains valid.


※ As of present, general validity granted for multiple-entry visa is 5 years. Therefore, one may enter Korea multiple times within 5 years from the date of issuance of visa.

 


3. Is visa required for foreigners travelling to Republic of Korea?


ㅇ Valid passport and visa are basic requirements for entry, and in principle, a foreigner wishing to enter Republic of Korea must have a visa.


ㅇ However, a person meeting any one of the following qualifications may enter Korea without a visa.


- Those granted permission or immunity for reentry that enters before the expiration date.

- Nationals of a country that signed visa waiver agreements with Republic of Korea and are thereby subject for exemption.

- Those entering for the interest of international goodwill, travel, or purpose beneficial to Republic of Korea who have been granted permission to enter by presidential decree.

- Those that departed from Republic of Korea with a refugee travel certification and entering prior to the expiration date.


※ For Filipinos, visa waiver agreement applies only for official and diplomatic passport holders. For detailed information on a foreigner's entry without a visa, please click here.


※ Nationals of some visa-waiver countries and visa-free countries are required to acquire Korea Electronic Travel Authorization(K-ETA) before entry. (Not applicable for Filipinos) For information on Korea Electronic Travel Authorization(K-ETA), please click here



4. Status of Stay


ㅇ Republic of Korea has a status of stay system as a basic system for management of foreigners’ immigration and residence.


ㅇ Status of stay is a categorization of the types of social activities or social status that foreigners can engage in while staying in Republic of Korea. 


ㅇ Foreigners are granted rights to any activities granted by their visa, and may stay as long as their given period of stay. If they wish to change their status of stay or engage in any activities other than those corresponding to their status of stay, permission must be received from the local Immigration Office in advance.


※ For detailed information on status of stay in Korea, please click here or refer to attached 'VISA NAVIGATOR(Customized Stay Guide)(Eng)'.



5. Certificate for Confirmation of Visa Issuance (Visa Issuance Confimation Number)


ㅇ Upon request by a foreign visa applicant or a Korean national trying to invite a foreigner, the Ministry of Justice or the head of the Immigration Office can do a preliminary inspection on the subject. Should they deem it necessary after the inspection, they may issue a certificate for confirmation of visa issuance(CCVI) or visa issuance confirmation number(VICN) prior to the actual visa issuance by the head of the diplomatic mission.


ㅇ For visa applicants who submit certificate for confirmation of visa issuance or visa issuance confirmation number, the head of the diplomatic mission will issue a visa according to the details on the confirmation of visa issuance.


ㅇ Where to apply for certificate for confirmation of visa issuance or visa issuance confirmation number :

  • -Workers under Korean Employment Permit System (E-9) : Korean Employment Permit System website https://www.eps.go.kr/

  • -Seasonal workers (E-8, C-4) : Local Government Unit in Korea

-   Other status of stay (E-6, E-7, D-6, D8, and others) : Immigration Office in Korea


ㅇ Upon receiving the certificate for confirmation of visa issuance or visa issuance confirmation number, the person must prepare the visa requirements and apply for a Korean visa at the Korean diplomatic mission (Embassy or Consulate).


※ The certificate for confirmation of visa issuance or visa issuance confirmation number is valid for 3 months and can only be used for one-time visa issuance only.



6. Visa Issuance Procedures


A. On September 14, 2022, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of the Philippines launched its online system that enables travelers to schedule their appointments for visiting the Embassy to submit their respective visa applications. Therefore, an appointment through our online platform is required to visit the Embassy for visa application. Without confirmation of the visa appointment made through the online system, your visit to the Embassy will be denied.




However, for those with urgent humanitarian reasons, such as death of a family member in Korea, they may apply for visa at the Embassy during working hours without appointment. Document to prove urgent humanitarian reason, such as copy of death certificate, must be submitted.


For detailed information on online visa appointment, please click here.


※ Either the actual individual applicant or a representative must visit the Korean Embassy or Consulate on the appointment date and time for submission of visa application. Visa application will not be accepted via email or mail. Spouse visa(F-6) applicants must visit the Embassy in person for submission of their visa applications.


※ Visa applicant must apply for visa at the diplomatic mission with jurisdiction over the applicant’s area of residence.


B. Required Documents for Visa Application


ㅇ Original Passport (include 1 photocopy of bio-page)

 Visa application form (Attach 1 passport sized picture)

ㅇ Visa requirements depending on the status of stay and occupation → Please click 'Visa Requirements'.

- If deemed necessary, documents other than those listed may be requested.


C. Processing at the Embassy


ㅇ Document submission - Evaluation – Approval or Disapproval – Printing of visa grant notice – Release of result


※ Regular processing period is 5 working days, excluding application date. For spouse visa applicants, processing period is 15 working days, excluding application date. However, processing period may be extended depending on the case.


D. e-Group Visa through Accredited Travel Agencies 


e-Group visa may be applied through accredited travel agencies for group of at least 5 members from company incentive tour group, and educational tour group of below secondary level and collegiate level, who plan to enter and exit with same vessel, flight, or other same scheduled means of transportation. 


For detailed information on e-Group visa and list of accredited travel agencies, please click Notice on Application for e-Group Visa.


E. Visa-free Entry for Group Tourists to Yangyang Int’l Airport and Muan Int’l Airport 


Visa-free entry is allowed for Filipinos who booked a tour program arranged by an accredited travel agency, and are scheduled to fly in and out of Yangyang or Muan airport on the same direct flight with the tour group consisting of 5 or more people. However, they must apply in advance through an accredited travel agency.


For detailed information on visa-free entry for group tourists to Yangyang and Muan int’l airport and list of accredited travel agencies, please click Accredited travel agencies to facilitate visa-free entry to Yangyang International Airport and Accredited travel agencies to facilitate visa-free entry to Muan International Airport.



7. Visa Issuance Fee


ㅇ Single/Multiple-entry visa for less than 59 days : Exempted for Filipinos

ㅇ Single-entry visa for less than 90 days : PHP 2,000 (Amount equivalent to $40)

ㅇ Single-entry visa for more than 91 days: PHP 3,000 (Amount equivalent to $60)

ㅇ Spouse(F-6), Child of Korean(F-2), Visiting and Joining Family(F-1), Short Term Employment(C-4) : PHP 2,000 (Amount equivalent to $40)

ㅇ Studying in Korea(D-2, D-4 ) : PHP 3,000 (Amount equivalent to $60)

ㅇ Long Term Employment(E-1~E-9, D1~D-9, and others) : Single-entry PHP 3,000 (Amount equivalent to $60), Multiple-entry PHP 4,500 (Amount equivalent to $90)


※ Above visa issuance fee information is applicable for most nationalities including Filipinos. Visa application fee may differ for some countries(Ex. United States, United Kingdom, etc.).


※ Visa issuance fee is exempted for nationals under the fee-exempt agreement with Republic of Korea.


For list of countries with exempted visa fees and adjusted visa fees, please click here.



8. List of websites related to Korean visa 


ㅇ http://consul.mofa.go.kr

- Korean consular services website for reservation of online visa appointments  


ㅇ http://www.hikorea.go.kr

- Korean immigration website for information on foreigner’s immigration/stay, visa, and nationality/naturalization


ㅇ https://www.visa.go.kr

- Korean visa portal website for information on visa application status