How to schedule a Korean visa application (Korean Embassy in Manila)

Posted: 2022 • 09 • 21 One of the countries I really wanted to go back to was South Korea. So when the Korean government announced that it would finally start accepting tourist visa applications again, I was the first to book flights. The problem is that Korea is a very popular destination, especially among Filipinos. While the Korean Embassy in Manila is still trying to get back to normal business, visa applications are starting to pile up. but that is not all. The embassy has also posted a warning against submitting fraudulent requirements such as work certificates, bank certificates, ITRs or other documents, indicating an increase in questionable documents it receives. According to the travel agents we spoke to, that’s why the embassy has become more rigorous and meticulous in reviewing applications. All this led to the embassy limiting the number of applications it accepts per day. Unregistered applicants formed long lines early the night before just to make sure they made it to the deadline. I know this because I tried many times! I queued for hours only to be told they couldn’t accept my order because they had already reached today’s quota. Fortunately, the Korean Embassy recently launched an online appointment system! The good news is that it eliminates the need for applicants to spend the night in queues. The bad news, as with any other new system, can be very confusing. Fortunately, I was able to successfully reserve a slot while documenting the entire process. In this article, I will share with you exactly how to secure a visa application appointment with the Korean Embassy. But first, some reminders: Make sure you have the following with you: – A valid email address. You will need this to retrieve the authentication code. Your passport details, especially your name and passport number. You can make an appointment only for yourself and the accompanying parents, children and spouse. Outside of these terms, it is not permitted to apply to any other group or persons. The best time to book is every two Thursdays, when the embassy is open for the next week. More information on that in the FAQ section below. However, some appointments are opened on other days if other applicants or the embassy itself cancels their appointment. Use google chrome. I find it more compatible with the website than other browsers. Be quick. The number of openings dwindles rapidly and they are all gone within minutes. This guide is intended only for individual applicants. You can also apply through a specific travel agency. Here’s how to get an appointment with the Korean Embassy for your visa application: What does this guide cover? You can find it on the tab “Apply for Consular Service”, click “Book for a visit to a diplomatic mission”. It’s the first button under this tab. On the next page, a popup will appear: Please log in as a non-member to access this service. Click OK. Then, follow these steps. On the login form, click the Agree to all terms and conditions of use button. It will display the terms. Read and scroll down, then tap Confirm. Enter your name as shown on the passport you will be using. Enter your e-mail address. Click Submit Authentication Number. The system will send a code to the email address you just entered. It usually takes a minute or so, but at peak times, it can take up to 30 minutes. Enter the authentication number you received and click Verify. Under Contact Information, enter your phone or mobile phone number. Click Sign in without membership. Before you reach this type, you may first be redirected to a virtual “waiting room”, depending on how heavy your visitor traffic is at the time. The page will show you how much time (in seconds) you should wait before it takes you to the booking page. Once on the booking page, choose the following: Under Select Diplomatic Mission, choose Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of the Philippines. This is the Korean Embassy in Manila. (It’s at the bottom of the list.) Note that there are two Philippine missions on the list. The other is the Consulate General in Cebu. Make sure you choose the right one. Under Select Consular Service, choose Visa (Individual Applicants for Tourism). Then, under it, check the box next to Visa (Individual Applicants for Tourism). It is the only selectable box. You will see that not all dates are clickable. Dates cannot be greyed out. Choose a date. After choosing the date, click on the radio button next to 09:30. This is the only time available for submitting tourist visa applications. These are the time allocations: 08:30 AM – Approved Travel Agencies, Single Applicants for Family Visiting and Filipino Couples of Korean Nationals 09:30 AM – Individual Applicants for Tourist Visa Only 10:30 AM – PEA Agencies or Seasonal Workers and Individuals Applying for Official Conferences, Recreation , sports, business, studies, religious visit, foreign diplomat, international organizations, etc., although it is the only option, do not forget to select 09:30. Otherwise, you won’t be able to go to the next step. If all dates are inactive and not clickable, it means that there are no longer available time slots at that time. You can wait and continue to recover. Note: The Embassy only opens slots for the next two weeks every other Thursday. This is the best time to try to get a date. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to find a slot any other day. Sometimes the embassy or the applicant themselves cancel their appointment, and put updated boxes on hand. ‼️ Under Specific Requests, enter your passport number! If you are also applying for your parents/children/spouse under this appointment, you must enter all full names and corresponding passport numbers. If you do not fill in the specific applications field, the embassy will automatically cancel your appointment and you will have to find a new place. I learned this the hard way, so don’t make the same mistake. Once everything is arranged, type in the CAPTCHA code and click Make Reservation. A note will appear. Check if all details are correct. You will not be able to modify it after that. If you need to change something, you will have to cancel and make another reservation. If everything is correct, click OK. You will be taken back to the booking page, which will now display your scheduled appointment. At the far right, under Reservation Receipt, click Print. It looks like this: ‼️ IMPORTANT! Don’t forget to print or save a copy of this receipt. They will check this when you visit the embassy on the date of your appointment. Without it, you will be prevented from entering the building. You will also receive an email confirmation. Bring the following: A hard copy or electronic copy of your booking confirmation Complete visa application form Passport and ID card All other required documents‼️ IMPORTANT! Only visa applicants whose names and passport numbers are indicated on the booking receipt are allowed to enter the Embassy. If you are caught applying for someone other than yourself, your parents, your children or your spouse, the embassy will blacklist you. I haven’t set a date. Can I still pay a direct visit to the embassy? number. No appointment applicants are accepted anymore, regardless of the type of visa you are applying for. An appointment is required for admission. I can’t find a slot. Is there any other way to apply for a visa? yes. You can apply through a specific travel agency. They are given their own time and hour intervals. However, agencies are also subject to a certain quota or limit set by the embassy. Depending on the volume of applications, travel agencies may choose to refuse to accept applications, especially if your travel date is approaching. Do I still have to make an appointment online if I am applying through a travel agency? number. The appointment must be made by the designated travel agency on behalf of you and other applicants. Can I make an appointment for my wife (husband/wife)? yes. On October 4, the Korean Embassy published an update that announced that couples may now be included in group dates. Now, you can make an appointment for yourself, your parents, your children or your spouse. Previously, this was not allowed. According to the embassy’s Facebook page before, husbands and wives must make a separate appointment. But the rule has changed since then. Can I make an appointment for my siblings (brother/sister)? number. You can only apply for yourself, your parents, your children or your spouse. Siblings were not included in any of the Embassy’s contacts, although they are also direct relatives. The embassy adds: “The embassy will cancel your appointments with your cousins, nephews, nieces and other relatives.” Can I make an appointment for my friends who will be my traveling companions to Korea? No, they should secure an appointment slot themselves even though you will be traveling together. Each applicant can book only for himself or for his parent, child or spouse. If your companion is not a parent, spouse or child, they should make a separate appointment. Can I make multiple appointments in my name? number. Appointments will be accepted only for you or for a spouse, parent or child. All of your appointments will be canceled by the Embassy. If you are caught making two or more appointments under one name, you and all other applicants associated with you will be blacklisted by the Embassy. What is the best time to book an appointment? The Embassy only opens slots for the next two weeks every other Thursday. This is the best time to try to get a date. This is the schedule for the next few months. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to find a slot any other day. Sometimes the embassy or applicants themselves cancel their appointments, and put updated boxes on hand. I keep getting this error: 시스템 에 일시적 으로 장애가 발생 했습니다. 잠시 후 다시 시도 하여 주십시오. what does that mean? It reads: The system has failed temporarily. Please try again later. You can just refresh the page because it will keep giving this error no matter what you click on. Update History: 10/11/2022 – Reflects the October 4th update that includes the pair on the submission date. 9/29/2022 – First