South Korea is a dream destination for every Kdrama and Kpop lover but going there requires an approved visa for Philippine passport holders. Prior to applying, we have personally heard stories of application denial but our desire to go there was stronger than our fears. Lavern lang!

It is adviseable that you secure your visa first before booking a flight. Though in some cases, you just wanted to book that promo fare to South Korea, which I did on my first trip there. I took the risk kaya dasal dasal na lang talaga.

So here are the Tourist/Business Visa Requirements for Employees via Regular Route:

1. Application Form

2. 1 piece of passport size colored picture (Please attach on the application form)

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 only)

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)

7. Original Personal Bank Certificate (must include account type, current balance, account opening date, ADB)

8. Bank Statement (original or certified true copy of bank statements/passbook for the last 3 months)

9. ITR (Income Tax Return) or Form 2316 Copy.

10. Copy of PRC Card or IBP Card (If applicable only)

Processing Time:

3 working days (for those who have been to OECD member countries within 5 years as tourist)
5 working days (for those who have not been to OECD member countries within 5 years)
Visa Fee:

59 days (or less) stay in Korea — GRATIS
60 to 90 days stay in Korea — PHP1,800.00
Visit Korean Embassy website for the complete details:

http://embassy_philippines.mofa.go.kr/english/as/embassy_philippines/visa/requirement/

Mga bes, madami kaya nakaka-shookt but BPI made the best happen for us!

We were given a 3-year multiple-entry visa. Pwede na magpabalik-balik. We didn’t even had to submit our ITR, bank statements and bank certificates. Mas nakaka-shookt!

So here’s how…

1. The promo is open to existing:

BPI Express Credit Gold MasterCard
BPI Express Credit SkyMiles Platinum MasterCard
BPI Express Credit Amore Visa Platinum
Gold BPI Express Teller Debit Card
…in good credit standing.

2. Promo period is until December 31, 2019.

3. Cardholder should use any of their abovementioned cards to qualify for the promo.

4. BPI Cardholders must present the physical card and submit a photocopy (front side only) of any of their qualified cards.

In lieu of presenting financial documents (ITR, Bank Statement and Bank Certificate) required for a Korean Visa application, the following must also be submitted:

BPI Credit Cardholders must submit the original and photocopy of the recent Statement of Account. If no paper SOA, download it from your BPI Express Online (EOL) Account.
BPI Gold Debit Cardholders must submit a screenshot of the BPI EOL Account.
5. Submit the complete requirements at Window 3 of the Korean Embassy. (Remember this mga bes!)

6. Cardholders will be provided with multiple VISA with respective validity:

BPI Gold MasterCard : 3 Years
BPI Platinum* Credit Card : 3-5 years
Gold BPI Debit Card : 3.5 years
*BPI SkyMiles Platinum MasterCard or BPI Amore Visa Platinum

Note: Issuance of any VISA shall be at the sole discretion of Korean Embassy. Korea Embassy and Korea Tourism Organization represent and warrant to BPI Cards that all necessary approval, consent, waiver relating to the personal information of the availing BPI Cardholder to be disclosed to BPI Cards for the issuance of any VISA have been validly and legally obtained.

For the full promo mechanics, visit:
http://www.bpicards.com/realthrills/details/7399

FAQs:
1. Primary carholder lang ba ang qualified?
Promo extends to your supplementary or extension. Just provide a copy of SOA to your supple/extension.

2. BPI credit card lang ang meron ako, do I have to open a savings account?
If your credit card is included on the list, you are not required to open a savings account.

3. Did you purchase using the card before going to the embassy?
Yes we did. We actually waited for our transactions to appear in our Statement of Account (SOA) before printing it. Para sigurado na. But in the event na hindi nasama sa cut-off ng statement mo yung transactions, you can just print the screenshot of your online account showing the transactions posted after cut-off.

4. Nagsubmit pa ba kayo ng other requirements?
Yes, we still submitted all other requirements except ITR, bank cert nd bank statements.

5. Pano mag-apply ng card sa BPI?
For more info, you may visit http://www.bpicards.com/ApplyNow
6. May promo din si BDO, same lang ba yun?

Yes, they also have a promo. You can visit their website for more info

7. May show money po ba?
In our case, we didn’t have to show our bank documents so wala kaming “show money”.
May portion sa visa application form that you have to indicate how much is your travel funds. So nag-estimate na lang kami ng $100 per day.

8. Saan ba location ng Korean Embassy?
Address: 122 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Town Center, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
Tel : (63-2) 856-9210 local no. 270, 500
FAX : (63-2) 856-9008, 9019, 9024
E-Mail : philippines@mofa.go.kr
Office Hours: Mon to Fri, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Filing: Mon to Fri, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Releasing: Mon to Fri, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

9. Dapat ba completely filled out yung visa application form?
Yes! If not applicable, put NA
Make sure that you have the address and contact numbet of the place that you’re going to stay there. You can temporarily book a place or look for a place there na may address and contact number
You also have to indicate your travel period pero plane ticket is not a requirement naman.

10. Do I have to show my plane ticket?
Not necessarily.


Disclaimers:
This is not a sponsored/paid advertisement. We just wanted to share our own experience and our thankfulness to BPI for making our Seoul Searching and future South Korean trips possible.
We are not in any way related to or working at Korean Embassy thus, we might not be able to answer all your questions about their visa application process. We suggest that you give them a call or email them on their contact details provided.


DISCLAIMER: This article was reposted from Annyeong Oppa, all the credits goes to her.

Image Source: runawaymaria
Source: annyeongoppa

Aries: March 21st – April 19th
You need a realistic love. This is the year you’ll think you finally meet your match and you’ll fall deeply and madly in love. You will have better control of your emotions and not let them obstruct you to the happiness awaiting you. As long as you keep your feet firmly planted on the ground and in tune with the reality before you, your relationship will finally bear fruit.

Taurus: April 20th – May 20th
You need a communicative relationship. For the first time, love will feel easy for you. This is your year where you’ll build bond and strengthen connection with your love. To diminish any barrier and potential problem, keep all communication channels open and always have heart to heart talk with your partner. Love will flourish effortlessly if you allow it to.

Gemini: May 21st – June 20th
Your need a love that inspires you. Like everything else in your life, you need passion, energy, and excitement. Likewise in your relationship, you need someone who always sees the good in you and encourages you to chase after your big dreams, leave the old limitation of your comfort zone behind, and who motivates you to grow to a better version of yourself.

Cancer: June 21st – July 22nd
You need a safe love. At the initial stage, you may feel insecure and uncertain at the direction your relationship is heading and this may cause you to cling to your partner. He or she must be someone who can set your anxious heart at ease, be your safe haven from the chaotic world outside, and show you that other aspects of your life are just as important as love.

Leo: July 23rd – August 22nd
You need an intuitive love. Love will come to you whether you like it or not and luckily, you’re going to be welcoming it with open arms. Let yourself be more giving so that you’ll be on the same wavelength to what your partner needs. Channel all your passion and enthusiasm into fueling your relationship to the next level.

Virgo: August 23rd – September 22nd
You need a spontaneous love. Unlike the previous years, this is finally your year for love. You have learned to embrace your emotions and you’re confident that whatever troubles loom ahead, you’ll face them bravely with your partner. You’re letting go of the need for control and to enjoy the process and let things fall into place. Don’t lose your cool and look for great date ideas to spice up your relationship.

Libra: September 23rd – October 22nd
You need a straightforward love. To a Libra, love is a priority and you need a definite answer to ensure that you won’t be left confused and uncertain. If you find your relationship hitting a rut, don’t be afraid to speak your mind and make the hard decision so that you can make the necessary changes and you won’t be swimming in doubt and insecurity.

Scorpio: October 23rd – November 21st
You need a love that is peaceful. Being the most intense sign, you find yourself switching from a wide range of emotions. In love, you’re volatile and easily triggered and you need someone who can be who you need. The calm to your storm. The stability to your chaos. The certainty to your confusion. Try to get to the root of the problem while putting a tight lid to your temper.

Sagittarius: November 22nd – December 21st
You need a decisive relationship. This is the year you decide to finally stop waiting for things to happen and grab matter in your own hand. If your relationship is not serving you well, you’re going to ponder and take steps to improve it with your partner. Always remember to voice what is bothering you, think of the big picture and let little things slide.

Capricorn: December 22nd – January 19th
You need an emotional relationship. After all your past dating horror stories and relationship turmoil, your turn to attain the love you’re dreaming of is finally here. Take note to always keep an open mind, listen to our partner, and don’t jump to any conclusion. There’re perfect and bad days but just know that you belong to each other.

Aquarius: January 20th – February 18th
You need a stable relationship. This year, you finally find a happy balance between your relationship and the other commitment you have. Things between you and your partner are thriving and love is in the air. However your old habit of keeping to yourself may resurface now and then, and it is important to communicate and constantly reassure your partner of your devotion towards them.

Pisces: February 19th – March 20th
You need an honest love. This is the year you’ll make huge strive in your relationship and take it to the next level. There may be some bump on the road but nothing major that you and your partner cannot resolve. Remember nothing is off limit when it comes to sharing and it’s best to reveal what’s on your mind to prevent miscommunication and to foster intimate bonding.

Disclaimer: This article was reposted from ThoughtCatalog. All the credits goes  to ThoughtCatalog

Source: thoughtcatalog