Vietnamese tourists traveling through tour companies do not need to submit savings account balance confirmation, which is one of the latest adjustments by the Korean government.
According to the announcement from the Korean Embassy in Vietnam, from July 2, the visa policy applied to Vietnamese tourists has been loosened and changed. Vietnamese tourists do not need a “Savings book balance confirmation” when applying for a tourist visa (C-3 visa) through domestic companies registered to submit on their behalf.
Visa processing time for visitors through designated travel agencies is reduced from 7 days to 6 days, and for registered travel agencies from 11 days to 9 working days. Visitors applying independently have a 16-day review period.
Cherry blossoms bloom on the streets of Seoul in April. Photo: His metal
Mr. Pham Van Bay, Deputy Director of Vietravel Hanoi Branch, one of the companies designated by the Korean Embassy in Vietnam to apply for visas, said that the procedures required to prepare for a tourist visa are now “much simpler”. The documents include: Personal identification (passport, copy of citizen ID, visa application with photo), proof of employment, and documents proving profession.
For employees, a labor contract or certificate of employment is required and it is encouraged to submit additional social insurance payment records (not required).
For private businesses, a business registration certificate and tax payment certificate are required. Students need a card or certificate. Retirees need a pension confirmation certificate, retirement certificate, and social insurance book. In case of submitting a relative’s application, additional documents proving the relationship such as a household registration book, birth certificate, or marriage certificate must be submitted.
Mr. Bay added that the requirement to prove financial status by using the original account number or savings book has now been removed, so customers only need to submit the account statement for the last three months.
Vietnamese tourists travel to Korea during the summer. Photo: Vietravel
In case the customer is over 18 years old but still studying or has no job, the personal account or labor contract must be confirmed at the ward where they reside. If they do not have a bank account, they must make a commitment not to use the account. Those who are still studying and do not have a job must attach proof of employment from their father or mother as a guarantee.
In case the visa applicant is a minor under 18 years old, he/she must submit a travel consent from his/her parents along with documents proving the relationship such as confirmation of residence information, birth certificate, marriage certificate of the parents with notarized translation.
The Embassy further notes that the application for proof of occupation only requires submitting one of two types of documents: labor contract or certificate of employment. Among the required documents, the business registration certificate, tax payment certificate, and identity card do not need to be translated or notarized (limited to tourist visas and metropolitan visas only).
In case of documents issued by Vietnamese government agencies such as business registration certificate, household registration book, red book, birth certificate, marriage registration certificate, savings book, a notarized English or Korean translation is required.
For self-funded customers, in case of applying for a 5-year metropolitan visa, it is mandatory to register for an appointment before submitting the application. The appointment will be canceled and the application will not be accepted if the person registering on the appointment confirmation cannot prove their relationship with the visa applicant; arrives 30 minutes late; or fails to provide the appointment confirmation or a screenshot of the appointment.
The Korean Embassy may request additional documents other than those previously announced if deemed necessary. In cases where additional documents are required, the visa issuance time may be longer than the appointment date and the result will be announced 1-2 days after the additional documents are submitted.
Visa fee (at your own expense): 20 USD if applying for a visa for less than 90 days, 50 USD if applying for a single entry for more than 90 days, 60 USD if applying for 2 consecutive entries within 6 months, 80 USD if applying for a multiple entry visa.
Time to receive documents: 9am to 12pm, 2pm to 4pm. Time to return visa: 2pm to 4pm.
Vietnamese visitors can check the application process, visa status and reasons for visa refusal at the Korean Embassy’s visa information portal (www.visa.go.kr).
Currently, the most popular Korean tour for Vietnamese tourists according to Vietravel is the 5-day, 4-night or 6-day, 5-night package, flying Vietnam Airlines or Vietjet Air with prices starting at 12.99 million VND. Departures are scheduled from July to November with experiences such as visiting Bukchon Hanok ancient village, checking in Nami island, Songwol-dong fairytale street, Namsan tower, and experiencing the KTX Busan train.