Yes, that's right.  It's really Visa x 3.  It took about 6-7 weeks to prepare for requirements, submit application and get the results.

It was the start of January when I was thinking of where to go for the Holy Week (IKR, it's too early to plan).  I was watching Rated K then and they had a feature on Korea.  "Why not?" I thought.  I wanted to experience the cherry blossoms! :)  I asked my mom if she wanted to go with me, and without asking twice, she said yes.  It would be my mom's first time to apply for a visa so we just tried our luck.

While preparing for our requirements, a friend of mine told me that she's going to be assigned in Japan and invited me to visit her during her stay.  Guess what?  She would still be there during Holy Week.  There's this "why not?" thought again.  This would mean free accommodation.  However, the challenge here would be the visa application.  But, it would be worth a try.

Since I would already be preparing for visa applications, I've decided to apply for a US visa.  And so, the preparations began... bank statements, certificate of employment (yes, I've requested for CoE every other week), birth certificates, itinerary.

Below are links on my experiences in applying visas for South Korea, Japan, and United States:

- Applying for a South Korean visa
- Applying for a Japan visa
- Applying for a US visa

Our planned trip for Seoul was Holy Week, so it's better to apply for a visa as early as January (within 3 months of the trip, as visas are normally valid for 3 months).  It'll give me more time to prepare or change plans depending on the result of the visa application.

Below are the requirements (these are actually the basics) I've prepared/submitted when I applied for the visa:
- Filled up Visa Application Form (fill up all spaces)
- Passport size photo (attached to the application form with a glue; do NOT staple)
- ITR (Form 2316) of the previous year; photocopy and original
- Certificate of Employment
- Bank Statements
- Original Passport (6 months valid from the date of entry) and photocopy of the passport's first page (the one with personal information)
- Photocopy of valid visa and/or arrival stamps from OECD member countries within the past 5 years, if you have any

If you're submitting an application for someone else, it might be better to have an authorization letter from that person, in case needed.

The Korean Embassy is located at McKinley Hill (along C5) in Taguig and visa applications are only accepted from 9-11AM, Mondays to Fridays.  Please bring an ID when going there as you have to leave one when entering the premises.  No appointment is needed, it is on a first come-first serve basis.

Address:
Embassy of the Republic of Korea
122 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Town Center, 
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig city 1634, Philippines
(63-2) 856-9210 
Click here for location and address from the embassy's website

Upon entering the premises, follow a short path to the visa office and some personnel would be checking your documents and give you a number.  Those who have been to Korea before or have been to OECD member countries are assigned to a different window (window 3) than first-time travellers (first time in Korea or does not have valid OECD country visa).  Since this would be my 2nd time in Korea, I've been assigned to window 3.

Here are some reminders from the embassy's website:

As soon as your number is flashed, go to the window and hand in your documents.  The consul will examine your documents.  Since I would be sponsoring my mom, I was asked for a proof of relationship -- my birth certificate.  Good thing I have one and submitted it together with the other documents.  I have my mom's authorization letter but maybe since I would be the one sponsoring the trip, she hadn't asked for it.

I was given a slip that contains the date of the release of passports.  This does not guarantee that we have been granted a visa.  We would be able to know it at the time of release.  I submitted our applications on a Monday and the release schedule given to me was a Thursday.  That's just 3 days processing time.  Please note that processing are from 3-5 days.

Come Thursday, I went back to the embassy to claim our passports.  Releasing is from 2-4PM.  Don't forget to bring your release stub.  Again, you would be given a number, go to the window as soon as your number is flashed.

Upon receiving your passport, make sure you get the correct passports.  Woohoo! We've been granted visa!  And it's a multiple entry visa! :)  Our visa is valid up to January of 2015.  Checked the personal information on the visa just to make sure it's correct.  

Korean Visa

Now, it's time to do some planning (buy plane tickets, reserve a hotel and plan itinerary).

Click here for the latest information on Korean visa applications in the Philippines.