(2018 UPDATE) The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines has announced in March this year a promo for BDO and BPI credit card holders applying for tourist or business visa to travel to South Korea.

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea has agreed to give BDO Gold and Elite Cardholders as well as BPI Gold Credit Cardholders, BPI  Platinum Credit cardholders and Gold BPI Express Teller Debit Cardholders multiple-entry visas. (This promo is extended until 2018. You may check this BDO promo link or BPI promo link)

No need to submit your ITR or bank certificate, you may submit the original copy of your current credit card statement instead upon application. 

To avail of the BDO and BPI promo, latest original credit card account statement and photocopy of the credit card should be submitted during visa application. Original credit card should also be presented to the visa officer. For applicants who receive their statements through email, they should visit the bank to acquire the original copy of the statement. Printed copy of the emailed account statement will NOT be accepted. Requirements other than the exempted documents (Bank Certificate and ITR) should still be submitted. ~ The embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines

Details on BDO credit card promo:

• BDO promo is until Dec. 31, 2018 (Apparently the Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs changed their website or made some modifications that this link and others suddenly became inaccessible. I’ll update you guys once I found the link. Meanwhile you may check their new site here) 
• BDO Gold Cardholders : multiple-entry visa to Korea valid for 3 years (Gold Visa Credit Card, Gold MasterCard Credit Card, Gold UnionPay Credit Card, Gold JCB Credit Card)
• BDO Elite Cardholders : multiple-entry visa to Korea valid for 3-5years (Platinum Visa Credit Card, Titanium/Platinum and World Elite MasterCard Credit Card, Gold/Platinum/Cathay Pacific and American Express Charge Cards issued by BDO, Diamond UnionPay Credit Card, Diners Club Premiere)

Latest original credit card account statement and photocopy of the credit card should be submitted.  Original credit card should also be presented. For applicants who receive their statement through e-mail, they should visit the bank to acquire the original copy of the statement.

They are exempted from submitting Bank Certificate and ITR(Income Tax Return)when applying.

* Other requirements such as Employment Certificate/ Business Permit are still required.

For complete list of visa requirements please click here

Details on BPI credit card promo:

• BPI credit card promo is valid until Dec. 31, 2018.
• BPI Gold Master Cardholders : multiple-entry visa to Korea valid for 3 year. 
• BPI SkyMiles Platinum Master Card and BPI Amore Visa Platinum cardholders : multiple-entry visa to Korea valid for 3 -5 years.
• Gold BPI Express Teller Debit Cardholders : multiple-entry visa to Korea valid for 3-5 years.

They are also exempted from submitting Bank Certificate and ITR(Income Tax Return) when applying.

Latest original credit card account statement and photocopy of the credit card should be submitted.  Original credit card should also be presented. For applicants who receive their statement through e-mail, they should visit the bank to acquire the original copy of the statement.

* Other requirements such as Employment Certificate/ Business Permit are still required.

*Eligible applicants are not automatically issued a multiple entry visa. Issuance of visa whether single or multiple entry is subject for approval of the consul in-charge.

Tourist/Business Visa Requirements for Filipino Employees

■ Requirements

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)

* If personally invited by Korean 

. Invitation Letter

. Photocopy of invitor’s Passport or Identification Card

(authentication not required)

* If invited by Company in Korea

. Invitation Letter

. Photocopy of Korean Company Business Permit

(authentication not required)

* Frequent travellers who have travelled as tourist to OECD member countries within 5 years are exempted from submitting ITR.

■ 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

If you have questions or concern, don’t hesitate to send me a message. You may also leave your comments below! I respond as soon as I can!