South Korean Embassy to stop issuing printed visa grant notices
The Korea Visa Application Center in the Philippines announced plans to make its visa application results more accessible.
In a notice posted across their official social media channels, KVAC informed the public of a recent policy shift by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea regarding visa issuance.
Starting on Jan. 26, the Embassy will transition to a fully digital Visa Grant Notice. Applicants can now verify their status and download or print their own visa directly from the official Korea Visa Portal.
Previously, Korean visas were issued as physical stickers affixed to the passport. This was later replaced by a printed paper document.
Despite the change, KVAC noted that you still need to submit your passport during the application process.
"Please be advised that there are no changes to the visa requirements set by the Korean Embassy. The original passport is still required to be submitted," they stated in response to a social media user's question.
To know when to claim the passport, KVAC said that applicants will be notified through SMS with the message, "Your visa application has been screened and stored in the visa center... Please pick up your passport the following business day."
"If you did not receive the SMS within one working day from the date the visa result is released, please email kvacph@visaforkorea-mn.com," the center said.
To get the visa grant notice, go to the Korea Visa Portal via this link and click "Check Application Status." Then, select "Check Application Status & Print."
Afterwards, choose your diplomatic office and input your passport number and your name. Take note that the middle name is not required.
PhilSTAR L!fe reached out to the Bureau of Immigration regarding protocols for checking documents at the airport.
The agency stressed that "all travel is subject to the final assessment by the Immigration Officer during departure formalities, based on supporting documents and the purpose of travel provided."
"Further, the Immigration Officer conducting the primary or secondary inspection will determine the sufficiency of the travel document in relation to the purpose of travel based on the totality of circumstances and the passenger’s statements/declaration," they added.
Given the thorough checks during the immigration process, it is best to have a physical copy of the visa grant notice ready in case the officer requests it for verification.