Last August, I got an invite to participate in the Third Edition of the Xi'an Silk Road International Tourism Expo (XSRITE) held in Xi'An, China. This means I have to secure a tourist/business visa to China.

Having done so. I'll share with you the steps I took in successfully getting a visa to China.

For first time applicants, below are the requirements you need to secure.

1) Passport – Original passport that is valid for at least another 6 months with at least one blank visa page, a photocopy of the passport's information/photo page and emergency contact page. The previous old passport, if available, is required to be submitted.

2) Visa Application Form – You must submit truthfully completed and signed Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of China. Do not leave any field blank. Write N/A if the question does not apply to you.

3) Photo – Affix one color photo on the Application Form. The photo should be recent, front view, white background, in 48mm x 33mm size without head covering. Glue the photo to the appropriate field. Stapled/taped/clipped/detached photos will not be accepted.

4) Travel itinerary and reservation of round-trip airline ticket and hotel, or invitation letters from China.

5) Proof of Finances and Employment (any one below)
    Bank Certificate - at least Php 100,000 deposit balance including the past 6 months history of your
                                 bank account and the receipt for payment of this certificate
    BIR-stamped income tax return form
    Certificate of Employment - detailing your salary and the length of your employment
    Business Registration Certificate - for business owners

What to do next?

After completing all necessary documents, it is now time to go to the embassy which is located at the 2nd Floor, World Center Building, 330 Buendia Avenue (Gil Puyat), Makati City. 
Application time is only between 9AM-11AM Mondays to Fridays

When you arrive, get a number stub from the staff by the door. They will check all your documents and verify if there are requirements lacking. After that, wait for your number to be called at Counter 3 or 4.

When your number is called, submit your documents to the window assigned. The officer, then, will give you a RELEASE SLIP  indicating the date on when you should claim your Chinese visa. In my case, it's after 4 business days.

Visa Releasing

When you get there, get a number stub from the staff by the door again. Wait for your number to be called and pay the visa fees. Claim your passport, stamped with visa, and off you go home. It's that easy.

Visa Fee (Unit: Peso) and Processing Time

Number of Entries	Single	Double	6 months multiple	Over 6 months Multiple
Philippine Passport	1400	2100	2800	4200

Regular processing time is 4 working days.(for example, apply on Monday and pick up on Thursday.)

Express service (third working day release): an additional fee of 1100 pesos per visa will be charged.

Rush service (second working day release): an additional fee of 1700 pesos per visa will be charged.

Pay visa fees when collecting passport.

Only cash payment is accepted.

Visa Processing thru Travel Agency
PHP 2,600/pax 
PHP 2,000/pax if availing tour package

For Inquiry:
Wanderstruck Travel & Tours 
Office Address: Unit 2 #18 21st. Ave. Cubao Quezon City Philippines 1109 
Telefax (63.2) 4220785 / 9752331 / 9111735
Mobile 0917 854 3779  / 0923 533 2899 
Email: reservations@wander-struck.com
Website: www.wander-struck.com

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Traveling to OECD countries wherein you are requested to apply for a visa? One of the most important document that you need to secure for your visa application is a bank certificate. This document shows how much money you have in the bank as per requested date. It also proves that you can afford to go to the country you are applying a visa to.

Getting a bank certificate in BDO is as easy as 1,2,3.
1. Visit your branch of account.
2. Fill up their application form and pay Php 100.00.
(Your bank account number and the embassy's address are needed)
3. Present the OR the following day. And voila! You have your bank certificate with you.

We were advised to keep the OR (official receipt) as this will also prove the authenticity of the certificate. When I applied for a Japanese visa, they required the OR to be submitted as well.

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VISA REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES

Visa application requirements depends on the purpose of Entry and the applicants qualifications. Please refer to the guidelines below:

Tourist Visa Requirements for Filipino Employees

1. Application Form
2. 1piece of Passport size colored picture
3. Original Passport (should be valid for more than 6months)
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, and Korean Visas will not be counted)
6. Original Certificate of Employment (with contact number/s & address of company and date of issue)
7. Original Personal Bank Certificate (NOT Bank Statement)
8. Photocopy of ITR (Income Tax Return) or Form 2316

•If personally invited by Korean : Invitation Letter & Copy of invitor’s Passport•If invited by Company in Korea: Invitation Letter & Copy of Korean Company Business Permit

■ Processing Time: 3 working days (for those who have visas of OECD member countries)
5 working days (for those who do not have visas of OECD member
countries)
■ Visa Fee: 59 days (or less) stay in Korea -- GRATIS
60 to 90 days stay in Korea -- PHP1,350.00

Tourist Visa Requirements for Filipino Businessmen

1. Application Form
2. 1piece of Passport size colored picture
3. Original Passport (should be valid for more than 6months)
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, and Korean Visas will not be counted)
6. Photocopy of Business Registration from SEC or DTI
7. Photocopy of Business Permit or Mayor's Permit8. Original Personal Bank Certificate (NOT Bank Statement)
9. Photocopy of ITR (Income Tax Return) or Form 2316
•If personally invited by Korean : Invitation Letter & Copy of invitor’s Passport•If invited by Company in Korea: Invitation Letter & Copy of Korean Company Business Permit

■ Processing Time: 3 working days (for those who have visas of OECD member countries)
5 working days (for those who do not have visas of OECD member
countries)
■ Visa Fee: 59 days (or less) stay in Korea -- GRATIS
60 to 90 days stay in Korea -- PHP1,350.00

Notes

–For applicants who are not capable to submit the indicated requirements above, the applicants could have an alternative such as Real-estate registration or Country Club Membership or Pension Certificate from official agencies.

–For applicants with valid visa or who have been to any OECD Nations(Except Korea) within the last 5years, applicants are only required to submit only an Employment Certificate or Business Registration issued by SEC or DTI.

–If applicants are students, applicants are required to submit their School Certificate, Birth Certificate and Parents’ Documents (employment certificate, bank certificate and ITR)

–If the travel is an incentive tour supported by one of the top listed corporations in the Philippine Stock Exchange Market , applicants could submit only a guarantee letter from the company

Double Visa

Qualified Applicants: Visitors who plan to visit in Korea more than 2times within 6months.
Visa Requirements: Same requirements with Single Entry Visa

Issuance Details: Status(C-3), Term of Validity (6Mons.), 2 Visitations for a Multiple Visa.
Short-term Visa(C-3) for Tourists: Multiple Entry
•Contents: Short-term Visas (C-3), Term of Validity (3Yrs)

Qualified Applicants

• Applicants who have obtained a permanent residency in any OECD member countries (except Korea) or people who visited OECD member countries more than 2times within the last 4years, or people who visited Korea more than 4 times within the last 2years.
•Group Tour Guides who has travelled to Korea more than once for the last 2 years
•Philippine Government Officials
•High Rank Officials/employees of International Airline Companies to Korea.
•Applicants who earn more than $10,000 annually or has Platinum international credit card
•Applicants who are invited for contract and consultation by Korean public agencies in connection to resources and energy development
•Applicants who are invited by the Korean Government to attend international forums, international conferences, international conventions.
•Executive or high ranking staff of a company that is listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange market
•Reporters,PD, journalists, news editors etc. people who works in major media company for more than one year
•Professionals : i.e lawyers, doctors, accountants, professors( PRC or IBP card holders)
•Popular Celebrities ; Artist/Athlete/writers who can be searched or viewed in Philippine major media websites
•Retired workers aged 55 years above who are receiving pensions of more than P20,000 monthly
•People who obtained a two year college degree or bachelor’s degree, master’s and doctorate degree from Universities in Korea.
•Spouse, minor aged children and Parent’s in law of a Korean national
•Dependent(Spouse, Children etc) of Multiple visa holders

•For the list of OECD member countries , please refer to this site: http://www.oecd.org/document/58/0,3343,en_2649_201185_1889402_1_1_1_1,00.html

Notes
• Applicants could be asked to submit additional documents as per consul’s evaluation.
•All visa applications are subject for approval

Procedures and Visa Fees :

•Application procedure. After completing the required documents, applicants or their representative may file their applications at the Consular Office from 9-11 am only. This is on a first come, first serve basis. No appointment needed.
•Processing takes 5 working days for first time travelers and 3 working days for frequent travelers. This may be extended though, depending on the Consul’s decision. Releasing time is only from 2-4 pm.
•Applicants, especially First Time travelers, are advised to personally claim their visas. An interview with the Consul may be required before the result of the application is given. E-6 Applicants/Entertainers, must personally appear for an interview before the visa can be issued.

•VISA FEES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

•59 DAYS OR LESS STAY IN KOREA - GRATIS
•90 DAYS STAY IN KOREA - PHP 1350.00
•MOre than 90 days stay in Korea
Singe Entry -PHP2250.00
Multiple entry -PHP3600.00
•US PASSPORT holders -PHP2025.00

Foreign nationals in the Philippines applying for a tourist visa –PHP1350.00

IMPORTANT REMINDERS TO ALL VISA APPLICANTS

Please read the instructions below, before you present your documents to the window

•Please register and get a number from the guard, if your number doesn’t appear on the screen yet, please sit down & wait for you number to be called.

•Please refrain from using your mobile phone and other electronic device while inside the embassy.

•Please make sure that you have filled out the correct visa application form, check the correct application form with the guard on duty, fill it out completely, and write “not applicable” if appropriate. Do not leave any blanks.
•Paste your passport size photo on the application form.
•Remove covers or jacket of your passport. Staple old & new passport together.
•Remove paperclips, rubber bands, envelopes and folders.
•Please arrange your documents accordingly: Visa application form on top, then photocopy of passport & visas issued from other countries, then supporting documents
•Contact number in Korea is very important, please don’t forget to fill out the contact number of your guarantor or your hotel in Korea.
•The embassy will return your original passport on the releasing date assigned to your application, we do not return any documents, so please make sure that you have submitted only a photocopy of ITR, Business permit , contract , marriage contract, birth certificate, etc.
•Bank Certificates should indicate the amount of money you have in the bank and the date it was opened.
•Employment Certificate should indicate compensation and length of stay in the company. It should also have a valid landline number.
•Do not forget to get your releasing slip / claim stub upon submission of documents.

Visa exemptions are as follows:

Frequent visitors who made more than 4 visits to Korea in the past two years, or more than 10 visits overall may enter Korea without a Korean visa as long as they have no Immigration offense or other criminal records. (Except for Chinese, Cuban & Macedonian)•Travellers with a valid visa or a re-entry permit to U.S., Japan, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand (5 countries) and travelling to any one of those countries through Korea. They must have a confirmed onward flight ticket for departure within 30 days after entering Korea to any of the mentioned countries, in addition to having no record of criminal offense in the five countries mentioned above.

Travellers who will arrive directly to Jeju island by flights or ships. Except for nationals of the following 11 countries (Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Libya, Cuba, Syria, Macedonia, Palestine, Afghanistan, Nigeria and Ghana). 30 days stay only.

A staff of the United Nations or special organization who have a travel document, namely, LAISSEZ-PASSER issued by U.N. office is allowed to enter Korea without a visa and is granted to stay for 30 days.

APEC Business Travel Card Holders ( to qualify for this, please check if Korea is written at the back of your APEC card )

If Nationality is among the list of those exempted from securing a visa. For information, or list of these nationalities, you may visit the website. http://www.hikorea.go.kr/pt/en/info/popup/icis/VisaWaiver_pop.htm

for other visa information , you may also refer to this site: http://www.hikorea.go.kr/pt/main_kr.pt

Credits to Ms. Analyn Perez of GMA News.
You may read the infographic completely at http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/377626/pinoyabroad/ofwguide/infographic-how-to-apply-for-a-korean-visa

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I opened up my facebook page this morning and found almost everybody rejoicing that Japan has lifted visa requirements to ASEAN countries Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and including Philippines.

Much to my amazement and excitement, I later found out that it was just false information. The link of the sites 1 and 2 that circulated online forgot to mention that it was just Thailand and Malaysia who were given visa free. However, Japan has granted the Philippines a privilege to apply for multiple entry visa. 

The multiple-entry visa for Filipino and Vietnamese travelers will allow them to visit Japan several times within a period of three years. The maximum stay per visit will be 15 days.

For information on the Issuance of Multiple Entry Visas for Nationals of the Republic of the Philippines, please visit Japan embassy website.

While it is not yet visa free to Japan. I tell you, it is easy to get a visa as long as you are complete with your visa requirements. For visa application, I personally recommend Japan accredited agency "Friendship Tours" in Dusit Thani Manila office. I will try to blog about my experience in getting a visa to Japan as soon as possible.

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I had the privilege to visit Seoul and Busan last January 2013. The tour operator I personally met at a Travel Mart held in Dusit Thani Manila invited us to have a familiarization tour in South Korea and Osaka, Japan.

The invite came January 4 and we have to leave by January 27, and I got to read the email January 7. My goodness, just imagine the excitement mixed with panic attack on how I can get both South Korea and Japan visa in that short span of time.

Tourist visa requirements preparation

I started processing my requirements January 8. I filled out the PDF application form. (Better if it's computer or type written) You can download it here. I had my picture taken and I requested a bank certificate from BDO. I had to pay Php 100 for the bank certificate where I got to get a day after.

My partner tour operator in South Korea also sent me additional documents hoping to have my visa application expedited. They sent me a letter of invitation and our Panstar Ferry booking confirmation.

Tourist visa application

After I got all my necessary requirements. I went to the South Korean embassy. That was January 11, well 5 days after I got the invite. I'm a slowpoke.

The Korean Embassy is located at the corner of Upper McKinley Road and C5 in Taguig City. There's no need to have an appointment. You can just go there directly, Monday to Friday, from 9AM-11AM. Personal appearance is not required (you may ask somebody else to submit your requirements for you or you can process anyone's visa requirements aside from yours as well). 

There will be friendly personnel who will guide you through the step by step process. My first time to apply for a visa was so smooth and organized. I was out after an hour. You will receive a queue number at the reception. The queue numbers for first time and frequent travelers are different. So make sure you get the right one. If you need to ask, just ask. The staffs will be more than willing to help you.

When your number is called, you will then proceed to the assigned window with your documents for checking. If they are complete and the consul does not have any questions, they will receive your documents. The consul did not take all my documents though. He did not take my ITR and my business documents like DTI and Mayor's Permit. Upon receiving my claim slip, I also inquired if my visa can get expedited since I would have to get my passport quick because I'll also apply for Japan visa afterwards. Sadly, they are very strict with their process. For first time travelers, processing takes five working days. While for frequent travelers, processing is three working days. 

Getting my first visa

After 5 working days, that was January 18, I got my first visa. South Korean embassy visa releasing time is from 2 to 4 pm, also Monday to Friday only. The same entry procedures apply, get a gate pass and sign on the log sheet, then get a number once inside. Make sure you bring your claim slip with you because you will need this to enter and get a number and of course get your visa stamped passport.

South Korea Trip January 25-30, 2013

IMPORTANT REMINDERS TO ALL VISA APPLICANTS
Please read the instructions below, before you present your documents to the window

•Please register and get a number from the guard, if your number doesn’t appear on the screen yet, please sit down & wait for you number to be called.
•Please refrain from using your mobile phone and other electronic device while inside the embassy.
•Please make sure that you have filled out the correct visa application form, check the correct application form with the guard on duty, fill it out completely, and write “not applicable” if appropriate. Do not leave any blanks.
•Paste your passport size photo on the application form.
•Remove covers or jacket of your passport. Staple old & new passport together.
•Remove paperclips, rubber bands, envelopes and folders.
•Please arrange your documents accordingly: Visa application form on top, then photocopy of passport & visas issued from other countries, then supporting documents
•Contact number in Korea is very important, please don’t forget to fill out the contact number of your guarantor or your hotel in Korea.
•The embassy will return your original passport on the releasing date assigned to your application, we do not return any documents, so please make sure that you have submitted only a photocopy of ITR, Business permit , contract , marriage contract, birth certificate, etc.
•Bank Certificates should indicate the amount of money you have in the bank and the date it was opened.
•Employment Certificate should indicate compensation and length of stay in the company. It should also have a valid landline number.
•Do not forget to get your releasing slip / claim stub upon submission of documents.

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