How To Apply For Korean Tourist Visa in Dubai

visa-application-form

Okay, here is the thing, I was planning to go to Korea and was looking for an insight on where and how should I apply for it. Again, with the same result I got when I was researching on how to apply for Japan visa in Dubai, I did not get any result on how to do it, only on how to apply Korean visa in Philippines. I considered applying in Philippines once, since I was planning to go to Korea during my vacation in Philippines, but I don’t have most of the requirements needed by the Embassy of Korea in Philippines, (haha so many “Philippines” word, excuse me) thus I called Korean consulate directly and ask for the list of requirements, it was surprising how easy and basic the needed documents are. Here’s how you apply.

STEP 1 : Prepare all the necessary documents – UPDATED FEB 2017

Note: DO NOT STAPLE YOUR DOCUMENTS.

• Original Passport
• Passport copy including UAE residence visa page ** (UAE residence visa should be valid for more than 6 months) (A4 size)
• **Filled out and hand signed Application form (make sure to download it on their website)
• 1 Passport size photo on white background ( not more than 6 months). Printed photographs are not accepted.
• A signed and stamped employment/no-objection letter from the company which clarifies the applicant’s full name, nationality, passport number, position, salary, the purpose of the visit etc. Or a copy of the trade license, if self-employed.

If in case the applicant is unemployed, he should get the no-objection letter from his UAE visa sponsor which states the applicant’s full name, nationality, passport number and the purpose of visit, etc.

• Recent original stamped bank statements and/or financial records in order to determine your financial stability for three months. If you are a salaried or waged employed, you must include bank statements that show your earnings being deposited regularly.
• A copy of hotel reservation, round-trip ticket and itineraries in South Korea.( You may use my itinerary if you need a sample)

For reference on visa requirements changes, kindly visit Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Dubai website.

STEP 2 : Go PERSONALLY to their office in Dubai to submit your application

This is the hardest part, finding the office! They are located in Jumeriah 2, I didn’t even know that there is a Jumeirah 2!! Luckily my colleague accompany me in going to Korean consulate using the company car (hehe super lucky!) but since we got there thru car, I didn’t know how to get there thru commuting. So, I would also like to apologize as I forgot to take neither the photo of the consulate nor the landmarks, all I know is that if you see the signal before the EPPCO gas station turn right and then turn on the second left and you already reach the consulate, it is a villa so you have to ring the doorbell for them to open the door, go directly to the backside(it is where the red mark at in the photo above), there are some arrows pointing to the way of the consulate office.

Below is the instruction directly from the Consulate of South Korea.

To reach the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Dubai, take Al Wasl Road from Al-Deyafa Street and drive towards Jumeirah 2 and then you will find a petrol station Eppco on the right; before the station there is a traffic light signal and before the signal, take right turn into street (No. 23b) and then turn into the second left to street number (24b). As you enter 24b street you will see the consulate villa which is the first building on the left; which is Villa # 39.

I tried to look for it in google map in case of commuting and the one below is the easiest way. The instruction on the left hand side of the map is also pretty accurate. Click for more options to see a larger map.

Once inside the consulate get your ticket number and wait for it to be called, make sure that all your documents are complete, otherwise they will not collect it. Aaand that’s it, no interviews in my case. But I read one blog before and she was asked a series of question like where do you work and why do you want to travel in Korea? so it’s better to prepare yourself just in case they ask. Visa application is from 9:30am to 12:00nn

STEP 3: Collect your Passport

Visa collection is from 15:00 (3:00pm) – 16:00(4:00pm), if your documents are complete they will give you a receipt in which you have to give it to them once you collect your passport, processing time is 4 working days including the day of application. Afterwards, you could collect your passport on any day you are available or just simply ask your friends or colleague to collect it for you, make sure to hand over to them the collection receipt.

P.S. Visa fee is free for Philippine passport holder, and around AED 160 for other nationalities, visa fee may varies depending on your nationality.

Good Luck on your application! See you in South Korea.

Check here the Steps on Korean Visa Application – Dubai