South Korea Visa Application through Travel Agencies starting July 1, 2018

Wow! Hallyu wave in the Philippines have pushed the embassy of South Korea to make some changes in the visa application. It has been implemented for 2 weeks already as of this posting. I came across this while trying to write about our South Korea trip last April 2018 which I will share one of these days.

Announcement from the embassy’s (located in Taguig) website goes like this:

“…From July 1, 2018, visa application will be processed through designated travel agencies only due to increased number of Korean visa applicants. Total number of visa applicants increased from 90,000 in the year 2015 to 120,000 by the end of 2016. In the year 2017, total number of visa applicants recorded was around 160,000.

 

This increase in number of visa applicants caused the applicants to stand in hot weather outside the embassy for hours to wait in line for their turn to apply for respective visas. To avoid such inconvenience, the embassy has designated 35 travel agencies to process Korean visa application.

From July 1, 2018, walk-in applicants for Korean visa will no longer be accepted. However, the embassy will allow walk-in applicants only for spouses and children of Koreans, holders of visa issuance number, government employees with official business trip, and for those with humanitarian reason to travel to Korea urgently…”

 

Then they also had another reminder for the applicants.

“…For family applications, documents for proof of relationship is (are) a must. (eg. Marriage Contact, Birth Certificate)

Family applications should be filed together at the same time. One member of the family may file the visa applications of all family members.

Validity of visa is only 3 months from the issue date. Do not apply more than 3 months prior to the date of travel.

Visa processing takes 5 working days for first time travellers, and 3 working days for frequent travellers.

There is no expedite processing.

Apply for visa prior to purchasing your airline tickets since visa issuance is subject for approval of the consul in charge…”

NOTE: The thru-agency application is only applicable for the embassy in Taguig. The one in Cebu still accepts walk-in applications.

Below is the list of the designated travel agencies for South Korea visa application.