What we are afraid of when applying for a visa is getting that one cruel word; “DENIED” or “REJECTED.” Masakit yung di pag-sagot ni crush sa’yo, pero mas masakit talaga pag-hindi approved yung visa mo. Especially, if ready na ang airplane tickets or lahat ng friends mo approve, ikaw lang hindi. That’s why this article is here, it’s to know your enemies – here are the reasons for getting a Denied South Korea Visa and How to Avoid them.

13 Reasons for a Denied South Korea Visa and How to Avoid Them.jpg

South Korea is one of the top destinations visited by Filipinos. With the rise of KDramas and KPop, the unique culture and history it offers, it’s in everyone’s bucket list. Currently, you can also enter South Korea Visa Free; I got mine that way last January 2020. But most usually need a South Korea Tourist Visa.

However, this guide will help you on how to avoid getting denied for your South Korea Tourist Visa. Before I discuss all the reasons, will answer two important questions first.

Other Articles You can Read:

Can you appeal in case you get denied a visa?

If you think the reason you have been denied is not true, then you can appeal. The Korean Embassy in Manila doesn’t accept appeals, but the Consulate in Cebu accepts an appeal. You can make a letter of appeal addressed to Korean Consul along with your documents plus additional supporting documents like a flight booking, hotel reservation, and detailed itinerary.

When can I reapply if ever my visa is denied?

You can apply again after 6 months.

13 Reasons for a Denied South Korea Visa and How to Avoid Them.jpeg

13 Reasons Why Your South Korea Visa Application is Rejected:

1. Your Passport is Invalid.

To travel out of the country, you need to have a valid passport. A requirement in getting a South Korea Tourist Visa is a passport that’s valid for more than 6 months. It’s better if it’s 6 months after your departure. If your passport is already expiring within the year, you better make an appointment in DFA and get your passport renewed.

2. You are prohibited to enter Korea as per Korean immigration law no. 11 sec. 1 (Prohibition of Entry).

According to Korea’s Immigration Law, this is Article 11 (Prohibition of Entry) Section 1:

“(1) The Minister of Justice may prohibit the entry of a foreigner who falls under any of the following subparagraphs:

1. Persons carrying an epidemic disease, narcotic addicts or other persons deemed likely to cause danger and harm to the public health;

2. Persons who intend to enter the Republic of Korea unlawfully carrying firearms and guns, swords, explosives, etc. as prescribed by the Control of Firearms, Swords, Explosives, etc. Act;

3. Persons deemed highly likely to commit any act detrimental to the interest of the Republic of Korea or public safety;

4. Persons deemed highly likely to commit any act detrimental to the economic or social order or the good morals;

5. Mentally handicapped persons who are void of a capacity of discriminating sense and have no person to assist their sojourn activities in the Republic of Korea, a person who is void of bearing the sojourn expenses in the Republic of Korea, and other persons in need of relief;

6. Persons for whom five years have not elapsed after departure from the Republic of Korea under a deportation order;

7. Persons who have taken part in the slaughter or cruel treatment of people on the grounds of race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, political opinion, etc. under instructions from or in liaison with the Japanese government, any government which was in alliance with the Japanese government, or any government on which the Japanese government exercised predominant influence from August 29, 1910, until August 15, 1945; and

8. Persons who correspond to any of subparagraphs 1 through 7 and who are deemed by the Minister of Justice as persons whose entries are improper.”

The numbers that might be relatable are #1 if there are carriers of disease e.g. NCOV-19 especially if you have a stamp indicating travel from China and other infected countries. For number 6; there are Filipinos who have worked or stayed illegally (without a permit) in South Korea, that have been deported. You are banned to enter SK for five years.

3. Our record shows that you have previously violated the Korean law.

If you have been to South Korea and did something not permitted or something that violates their laws, then you may be denied another South Korea Visa. No country would like it if a lawbreaker comes back, naka-ka-stress yan.

So when you go to South Korea, be a good tourist and follow their laws. Example:

If you are on a tourist visa, don’t work! A tourist visa doesn’t grant you permission to work, if mahuli ka nyan baka ma-deport ka at di ka makakabalik.
Don’t go beyond the date you are allowed to stay. If you are only allowed 15 days, wag pasaway at gawing 16 days. You may get fined and pay a hefty penalty.
Don’t cause trouble! Like getting to fights or creating a commotion.

If pasaway ka sa Pinas. You better behave in a place that’s not your country.

4. You failed to submit the required document completely.

The following are the requirements and some notes:

Application Form – may not be answered correctly or not neat (better if it’s computerized)

Passport Sized Photo – not attached to the form and not the correct size

Original passport – invalid passport

Photocopy of Passport Bio-page – if missing or wala kang na pass, then this may deny you the visa

Original Bank Certificate – note that it must include account type, current balance, account opening date, and Average Daily Balance. If one detail is missing, then this might get you “Denied.”

Original Bank Statement – this must be for the last 3 months, if only 2 or a month, you may get rejected. A Bank Certificate and a Bank Statement are different from each other. Both must be submitted and preferably the same account from the same bank.

Certificate of Employment (for Employees) – it must be original, with your name, position, date hired, compensation (annual or monthly), office address and landline number of HR, not the cellphone number. I’m not sure as to why they want the landline, but I think it’s more trustworthy than the cellphone as you can let a friend pretend to be HR while landlines are verifiable with the phone book

Business Registration from SEC or DTI or Business Permits – if you are an owner of an online business, and don’t have a registration, might as well make a cover letter explaining why you haven’t registered and such

School Certificate – if you are a student, you need an original certificate or letter from your school stating you are a student with your school ID. Sometimes, people may not return their school IDs but avail student discounts, the school certificate will inform the embassy that you are enrolled or a continuing student.

ITR (income tax return) – you need to pass an ITR, but if you don’t have one, please make a cover letter explaining why you don’t have one. If you also have one, it’s better if it’s stamped “Received” by the BIR especially if you are submitting in Cebu

Invitation Letter (if applicable) – if you state that you are invited by a friend or relative in South Korea, you need to have an invitation letter. If you might miss this, you may be denied. Baka ininvite mo lang sarili mo.

Guarantee Letter – if you are not the person who is shouldering your expenses to South Korea, then you need to have a Guarantee Letter. It will state that the person is sponsoring you for your trip, and maybe of help, especially if your bank account is not enough. However, if you do have this but forget their bank certificate and bank statement, then it may get you rejected.

5. You failed to qualify for the visa category that you have applied for.

There may be C Visas for Short term visits, D visas for the artist, trainees, job seekers, or students, E Visas for those working in South Korea, or F for those with relatives in SK or married to a citizen.

If the embassy thinks you applied for the wrong visa, then you may get denied. For example, you are applying for a tourist visa for the whole 2 months, but then your husband or wife is living and working in South Korea. If you are denied, then the purpose and your documents must not be related to tourism rather those related to your partner. The embassy may also check the days and might question you that 2 months is too long for a tour in SK, so might as well; you apply for a visit visa where you mostly need your partner’s passport, alien ID contract in SK.

This is one of the most common reasons Filipinos get denied for a Korean Visa, might as well check your financial capacity if it’s enough for your tour (at least USD 100 per day plus extra for flights), your income is enough (or you receive it regularly), and you have good travel history.

6. The documents you have submitted cannot be verified.

There are documents or places that might be contacted by the embassy to verify if it is authentic e.g. your Bank Certificate or Bank Statements, your Certificate of Employment or School Certificate, Invitation Letter, and Accommodation.

Please make sure they can be contacted – that there is a contact number from them, especially with your certificate of employment (it must be landline rather than cellphone number.) With regard to your hotel booking, you can reserve one’s that cancellable as they might contact your hotel.

7. You failed to prove the purpose of entry to Korea.

If your purpose of entry is tourism; make sure you have enough funds for your travel and that you are staying at a place near tourist spots. It’s not really stated, but most people will declare about USD 100 per day for their budget for South Korea, so make sure you have more than that with a budget for flights.

It would also be weird if your purpose is tourism, but you are staying in a non-touristy area. That would seem fishy for the embassy, and you might be invited by someone or planning to work. You can also make a cover letter and attach your flights, hotel accommodations, tours availed or attraction tickets.

8. You failed to prove strong economic and family ties to the home country.

If the embassy thinks you are going to South Korea to work and not come back to the Philippines, then they may deny you a visa. Usually, you need work, business, or school to prove to make your application more concrete. If you have no job, it’s better if you have kids or parents to come home too or business like renting. You can also provide a letter and documents like land titles to prove your economic ties.

9. Your inviter is not qualified to invite you.

If you have a friend or a relative that is in South Korea, make sure they are qualified to invite you. They have a proper job in South Korea, and if ever they are working, they have legal documents and identification like Alien Certificate or Employment Contract or Certificate from a company in South Korea.

10. You failed to prove the relationship with your inviter.

You need to be invited by someone you know or someone is related to you. It would be fishy if someone who you just met online will invite you, you might get trafficked, and the embassy is avoiding that. It’s better if you have already known your inviter for more than 3 years. You can also prove it with your birth certificates or marriage contracts (if relative,) conversations, or pictures together.

11. According to Philippine law, you failed to give a prima facie evidence of your marriage validity.

If you passed a Marriage Contract, it needs to be legal or if possible from PSA and that you are planning a family together. If someone is marrying a South Korean to get a visa, then you may get denied if that is the sole purpose of marriage.

12. You failed to give the correct information about your spouse.

You will be asked for information about your partner. Please make sure they are the same details as the one in your marriage certificate. Also, if your partner is inviting you, the company details and contracts must be the same as the one you wrote in the application form.

13. You and your spouse failed to prove to keep a normal marital life.

If you have a toxic marriage life or not living together with your partner or got married for the visa or money, you may get denied a visa.

I hope you know the 13 reasons for a denied South Korea Visa, and because of it, you will avoid them. It’s all about the documents for a South Korea Visa, so make sure they are authentic and can be verified. Triple check also your application form as well as the documents inside. Good luck!