Requirements
BDO released a promo last 2015 for Gold and Elite credit card holders. This promo makes them eligible for a Multiple Entry Visa for 3 years and 5 years respectively. We weren't able to submit our application last 2015 but thankfully, they extended their promo till December 2016(I think this is a sign!!!). Said card holders are exempted from submitting their ITR and Bank Certificates. You need to present a copy of the recent monthly billing statement and the present qualified BDO issued credit card, as written in their website. I have a slightly different experience which I will explain in detail below.
You can read more about the BDO promo here.
Here are our profiles:
My dad - Self Employed
My mom - Housewife / Unemployed
My sister - Unemployed (27 y/o)
My niece(my sister's daughter) - 2 y/o
Me - Unemployed (21 y/o)
Here is a table of the requirements that I submitted for each applicant(Please note that we availed of the BDO promo. In case you will not be availing the promo, please check the embassy's website for the complete list of requirements):
For the documents that are the same for each applicant, what I did was I provided a photocopy for each applicant(Just to be sure), but when the consul checked our papers, she returned the photocopies and accepted the original ones(which was filed under my dad's). I will explain this further below.
Regarding me and my sister's application, since there was no specified list of requirements for unemployed on their website, I used the Student requirements as a guideline and just didn't include the school certificate and copy of school ID.
A photocopy of each applicant's birth certificate is a must if you're applying as a family.
Embassy Experience
Since Visa application is from 8:30am-11:00am only, I wanted to go to the embassy early. I arrived at the embassy around 8:20am(like I said, early) and there was a short line of about 7 people outside. I thought they were the only people applying for a Visa for that day, but it turns out, it was only a line for the log sheet. After writing my info in the log book, I went inside. Unlike what I have read in other blogs, I wasn't asked for a valid ID. After having my bag checked, I just went straight inside. At 8:25am there are more or less 200 people inside(I counted the chairs haha) and a long line to get a number. There is an area where people can fill up their application forms as well as glue in their pictures(free glue!!). Since I have downloaded the application form from their website and filled it up before going there, I went straight to the line. I suggest you do this also so you can save time. It took about 20 minutes to get to the table to get my number. When it was my turn, I said to the personnel that it's a family application and that we're going to avail the BDO promo. He asked for the Monthly Billing Statement and he attached it to dad's application. He gave me a number and asked me to sign on the sheet for Window 3. When I took a seat, the number currently being served on Window 3 is 421 and my number is 447. After about 30 minutes, my number was called and I submitted all our documents. To my surprise, the Korean consul speaks Filipino! She checked each of our requirements. She gave back documents that already has a copy in my dad's application. She also didn't ask for the credit card, but I brought it anyway. After that, she gave me a slip which includes the date when I can claim our passports which is exactly 5 days after the date of application. I was very relieved when she gave me that slip because it means that we have complete requirements and that I didn't need to come back the next day and line up again. The whole process starting from when my number was called didn't take longer than 5 minutes. I left the embassy at 9:25am feeling somewhat relieved because the consul took our application but I also felt nervous because I don't know if we'll be denied or not and I also felt excited because I am one step closer to my dream of going to South Korea.
I will be updating this blog on October 25, when I get our passports. Wish me luck guys!!!
