After four years, Mon and I will be visiting South Korea again! Just like in 2012, we will be there during winter. It is not without its roadblocks, though.
First of all, Mon had a problem with his passport. I was too afraid that he would be held up at the immigration in the Philippines when he followed me to Bangkok last October after my training. Our flight back to the country was on the 31st of October. Two days after that, his passport would have been less than 6 months. Provided that it was still within the validity period during his stay with me, it nevertheless made me quite nervous.
The earliest schedule for his passport renewal was on November 18. Counting the days for an expedite processing, his passport should have been released on the 29th. But, alas, it was not the case. We had quite a scare and his passport was due to be available on December 9. We still have to process our visa and we were already stretched thin. Good thing he took a chance the other day and got his passport 3 days ahead of the already-delayed schedule.
Word of advice: please make sure your passport’s validity is well more than 6 months your travel date. It is very stressful, given that the release date set by DFA is getting too unreliable for comfort.
As I write this, his visa is still on process, while I already got word that my visa was approved. How? I checked it online.
The website visa.go.kr is a really nifty tool. I heard of it from one user at a forum and it was one mechanism to alleviate the worry (or enhance the excitement) of opening your passport at the embassy after claiming it. Based from feedback online, it is pretty accurate.
By default, the website is, of course, in Korean. Just click the ‘English’ option at the upper right corner. Click on ‘Check Application Status & Print’ to the left sidebar and you will arrive at the search page.
You don’t have to click anywhere as you will directly be at ‘Diplomatic office’. From the dropdown button, I just chose ‘Passport no.’ and provided the information. I did try choosing ‘Application No.’ (which was the one stamped in blue on the claim form) but no results were showing. You would normally not know the ‘Receipt No.’ as well, because it just appears at the series of codes below your issued visa. Save yourself the hassle and just put your passport number.
As for the name, put your surname first, followed by your given name. I have tried putting my given name, then my surname but it would show ‘No search data has been found’. Fill in your birthday as well using the pop-up calendar or just enter yyyy-mm-dd for problematic browsers.
As you can see, I have lodged my application in the morning of December 1 (Thu). I have tried using the website the same afternoon but it did not yield any results. Even with various permutations of filling in the information, still none. When I checked on December 2 (Fri), it was already reflecting the information below, with ‘Application Status: Application Received’. You can also now see the ‘Receipt No.”.
I allowed the weekend to pass because they do not process on weekends. Come morning of December 5 (Mon), it still showed ‘Application Received’. Before leaving work in the afternoon, though, the status has changed:
Very helpful, considering that I will not be claiming my passport not until Dec 6 (Tue). So, I guess this website is really useful.
It is worth reading all the announcements put on the Embassy’s website. Unlike our first two application back in 2011 and 2012, we were not too sure whether it would take them 3 days or 5 days to process our visa. Our status as traveler has changed over the last couple of years. For instance, they say used-OECD visas will be considered for the faster Window 3, but in some pages, it says that only those with tourist visa in those countries will be considered. My expired US visa for the WHO meeting last year was not a tourist but a diplomatic one. LOL
In another announcement, it says those who have been to Korea twice will be considered for Window 3 as well. But once inside the Embassy, a paper on the wall says that those two travels should be done within 5 years. Can September 2011 count as within the 5 years? The saving grace would be the explicit announcement on July 1, 2015, where one tourist entry to South Korea will reduce the processing time to 3 days and exemption from submitting ITR, but will still be processed in Window 1-2.
Anyway, these are just the silly, over-analytical questions that I have. Now, I will just wait for Mon to have his visa status changed using visa.go.kr.
ETA:
His visa was released on time. I have to commend the Embassy for the speedy processing. And the good news, he even got a 3-year Multiple Entry visa! How cool is that? He can go back next year to the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics without having to lodge another application.LOL Meanwhile, I got a Single Entry visa. I’m not complaining, though.
Visiting South Korea? You might want to check out the posts in the “Winter in Korea” series (or watch the video on the sidebar [desktop] or at the end of the page [mobile]).
You can also check out a couple of “in retrospect” post from our visit in the summer of 2011, a year before I created this website. =)
Hi.. is it okay not to go Embassy on the said release date?
Hi! Definitely, you can go beyond the release date. I got mine a week after the indicated release date. But to be sure, please don’t go beyond one month so as not to have any problem. š
Thank you so much š
Hello. If my application status hasn’t changed 2-4 days after my application, is it safe to say that my application was denied? Thank you.
Hi! I don’t think it equates to visa denial. Maybe the consular officer still was not able to put your visa information in the system. Also, please note that weekends are not counted. Good luck!
Hello po . Ano pong ibig sabihin kapag ung progress ng status for visa ang lumabas ay Receipt?
Hi, it means they are processing your visa.
Hi I’m really nervous while waiting for the release date of my passport. I guess this is really the agony of waiting. I tried checking the status of my visa online, it’s still “application received” but I noticed that there’s no application number nor receipt number, does it indicate anything? i’m really really nervous. š
Hi! There should be no application and receipt number, as your passport number will suffice. Hopefully you got your visa now, in time for your trip. Good luck!
Hello. Same here. I checked but still application received. I’m so nervous right now. I have to get it tomorrow:O
Hi bry,,, i have the same situation with monique. i’ve tried checking my application online it just shows application received. no receipt no. appeared
tnx
Hi im checking my status online but still “no result found..i submit all the recquirements last March 8, 2017,, til now when i check online stil no result found,i really feel nervous..is it considered as denied or what…
Hello! I read and saw your post above the picture you posted on your online visa status. I can see that all of it have info’s like your purpose of entry and the app no.
Btw, I checked my visa application at visa.go.kr as of today po Application Status: Approved
But I wonder why there is no info in the left side the Application no. and Purpose of Entry.. do you have any idea why its blank?
Thanks āŗ
Hi, did you check on Friday afternoon or morning? I applied yesterday but as of today, it still doesn’t show that application is received. Thanks!
P.S. Date in my claim stub is April 6, 2017
Hello. I don’t think the website is working. It keeps telling me to type my name as shown in passport.
HI there… I checked all of our application and was noted as approved… Hohoooo! My hubby is in Korea as a student and I right away sent the link and results to him to check the above web page and its contents and yes! To my surprise… All says the Magic word…will be claiming it tomorrow. good thing they weren’t part of the ASEAN SUMMIT road blocking or holi holiday hehe Appreciate your blog a lot. Thank you for the info. #firsttimetravellers #ohLord
Hi, i applied yesterday (may 8, 2017) and tried searching for my visa application status and there’s no application number. It only shows my application status (Application Received) š
Today I’m scheduled to get my visa, but before I go there I checked it first online but the result is application received. Im doubting to go to embassy now or just wait for the result online.. I’m confused. And really nervous now. I’m afraid.
Hi there~~ just want ask why i cannot track the visa status of my motther and son. I did all follow your tips on how but still no research found on the result~~
Hi.
Does it apply to any location where visa application was lodged?
I have submitted my application together with my wife since August 31, 2017 but until now when we check it online, it just returned “No search data has been found”. I have followed your advise to type SURNAME first then FIRSTNAME and vice versa but no luck. I am not sure what happen to our application. I’ll be happy to see if it says “Application Received”
Any thoughts?
Thank you.
Hi! Yes, it should apply regardless of the location. It is their centralized website as far as I know. =)
Hi, do you think checking your status via the visa portal is 100% accurate? I just checked my status and it says i’m already “Approved”, I’m still nervous though, tomorrow is my schedule to get my passport at the embassy. (Hoping that the status reflected on the portal is accurate)
I think it is accurate. By the time you read this, you already saw the wonderful news personally!
Thanks for your response. I wonder why up to now waiting for 5 days, it still says “no data has been found” we are worried on our application. I assumed that once the front desk received our application, they should have entered it in the system so that it will reflect what is the status of our application.
Around what time did you check the status of your visa application? My passport will be released tomorrow and mine is still in the “Application Received” status. I feel so anxious right now.
Hi! I might have checked it late afternoon. Hope things will turn out well for you. Good luck!
I hope so too! Thanks. š
You’re very much welcome! <3
Hi. Is your visa approved?
Hi, yes, our visa was approved! š
Hi! I’m supposed to pick up my passport tomorrow already but I’ve checked the status of my application thru the portal but it still says “Application received”. Does this mean I’m denied? Thank you ?
Hi Haishen! I did not see a notification for this comment. I’m sorry. =( Any news? I hope by this time you already for the good news of your visa approval! Let me know.
Hello, have you got your visa?
hi haishen.. was your visa approved? thanks!
Hi! thanks to your blog I finally got my approved visa! i followed the instructions and they work perfectly for me. Can you suggest a 5-day “Seoul Korea itinerary” on a budget? hehe thanks!
Hi Bok Joo! (I guess it is okay to call you that given your username LOL) Glad to hear your visa was approved!
As for you Seoul Korea itinerary, well, all of our trips are on a budget!
I know it is summer now, but you might find our “Winter in Korea Series” (2012 and 2016) helpful: https://bryologue.com/tag/winter-in-seoul/
Also, even if our 2011 trip to Korea was not well-documented here because this blog was created only in 2012, I have written a couple of things as well: https://bryologue.com/tag/korea-trip-2011/
Have fun and take care in your trip!
Hi! I am about to claim my visa by tuesday. My sister and i applied last Tues (sept 5) we checked online last Friday and her status was approved and mine was Application received š that day the embassy called me to verify some info like where i work, what is the purpose of visit etc. I am really nervous right now. i hope to see the approved status by monday. š thank you! you blog really helps š
You’re welcome! I think they just wanted to verify more information, but this should not be a problem. Good luck and hope you get your visa soon!
Hi Nami! Did you get approved?
hello, tomorrow will be our schedule to pick our passport but when I check it today there is no date found. Is that means we are denied? Thank you
Tomorrow will be our visa release schedule and I just known this online checking status a few minutes ago. I tried doing what Bryologue told here but it keeps on prompting “record no found” message. I am confident that I provided the correct information and format but there’s none i can get but “record no found” i am thinking if this page requires to login within the business working hours of the embassy just to display realible result of information? Kasi I tried to check aroung 6:50am (just right after I read your blog). Kasi i find it weird that even “application received” status I cant see despite of the fact that i lodge the application last sep 15. Any insight from the group please ??
I applied my second Korean visa last sep.15 and it was scheduled to released by Sep.22 and I’m so excited to claim it for me to be able to know if I got approved again or denied …pls no….. the story is …..on the date of releasing I’ve checked it Korean Visa portal the status of my application reflect Application Received … thing is …I’m already at Korean Embassy about to claim the result of my application. but status didn’t change .still (application received ) .. so I ask a lady sitting beside me and she told me that she worked in travel agency she told me maybe they will released your visa on the day itself coz it happen with some of their clients ….when my number has been called the consul told me … just wait we will just call your number again. … OMG I’m so nervous the agony waiting huh ???I’ve waited for almost 2 hrs then when my number has been called again ….I just got my second visa and date issue of visa on the same day of releasing of my application … and I’m sohhh happy good thing ….I purchased my ticket ahead of time to have a better deal and discount … on my way back to the office I decided to checked it again …in Korean Visa portal … and it show your application is approved? ….I hope this experienced of mine could help somehow … kamhamsamnida see Korea End of Oct … I can feel Autumn ???ā¤ļøļø
Hi Bry! Nung nagāapply ka ng Korean Visa for the 2nd time around, niārequire ka ba kayong mag submit ng ITR? Also, ilang days nag take yung processing ng application niyo? Iāve been to Korea recently lang rin dated August 24-30, 2017. Nabasa ko kasi yung niārelease na memo ng Korean Embassy sa website nila that says na no need na magāsubmit ng ITR if nakapagātravel na at least once to Korea within 5 years and mareāreduce yung processing time to 3 days instead of 5 days kaya hindi na ako nagābother na magdala ng copy. But what happened earlier when I went to the embassy, the officer in Window 2 kept on asking for my ITR. When I told her about what Iāve read in their website, she ignored it and put a note on my application which I do not understand. Also, the processing time indicated on my claiming stub is still 5 days. Iām afraid that this will lead my application to denial. ?
Hi Bry! Thanks for this informative blog! I just look at the site and saw that my friend and I wad approved. We’re suppose to get it today and nerve wracking experience waiting for the visa was reduced because of this. Thanks a lot!
Hi! No prob! Adds a spring to your step when getting the visa! Enjoy your trip!
Hi Bry! Really helpful post you have here. I’m scheduled to claim my passport as well as my friends’ on Monday (Oct 23) and the online portal you recommended really helped in reducing the anxiety of waiting. Can’t wait to claim our passports with approved visas soon! š
Hi! You’re welcome! By now, you must have probably received your passport! Congratulations!
Am filling up my application form for a visa. Since i already was issued a visa years ago i am being asked for a confirmation data. Where do i find it in the visa?
Hi All! I’m scheduled to get my passport tomorrow. I have submitted my application last Oct 27 but until now the online system still shows that my application has been received. Im checking it everyday and nothing has changed. Do you guys also experience the same thing?
Hello.. how was your application?? Was it approved ?? Im in the same situation now..
hi!! was your visa approved??
Hi! Don’t com back to the embassy until your application status changes from Application Received to Approved Or Denied. I experienced the same thing. When I went back to the embassy, they told me to come back tomorrow because they were not done with verifying my documents. The next morning, I saw my application status changed to Approved. I went back and got my visa.
I applied Korean visa on 24 January 2018 an express/rush category.I submitted all the documents in consulate.To Day 29 also I searched in online,and can see only ‘no result found’.So What will do…
I applied Korean visa on 20 feb. 2018 an I submitted all the documents in consulate.Today also I searched in online,and can see only āno result foundā.So What will doā¦