Korea/japan tourist Visa for a filipina living in hcmc

Ghia New member

7POSTS

9 years ago

Hi im a filipina who just recently moved to Ho Chi Minh. I dont have a job yet but I'm planning to travel to South Korea or Japan for the holidays. Anyone know how to get a Visa without me going back to the philippines to apply for one? And what documents do I need to comply?

Any help like references on traveling agencies would be much appreciated. Thank you.

See also

Visas for Vietnam - Guide
Tourist Guide in Vietnam - Business
Filipino applying for Japan tourist visa from Vietnam - 14 Replies
Marriage and Visa for Living Permanently (VEC or TRC ?) - 58 Replies
Tourist visa extension - 28 Replies
Living in HCMC - 2 Replies
Tourist visa - 12 Replies

THIGV ViP

4427POSTS

9 years ago

Why don't you just go to the respective consulates and ask them? It is likely that they each have at least a few English speaking employees. Korea is on Nguyen Du and Japan is on Dien Bien Phu.

Ghia New member

7POSTS

9 years ago

Thanks for the info. Google told me that as well. What you seem to misunderstand is the fact that I dont need a generic answer that anyone who has read a google page can give me. What I was asking for were real experiences people had when applying for a visa for Japan and Korea. My country has a high visa rejection rate and I want to make sure I can do everything I can to make sure I get accepted. So please, if you plan on telling me I should go to the consulate, do not bother replying. However, if you have experienced the situation I am in right now I would highly appreciate any feedback regarding that.

THIGV ViP

4427POSTS

9 years ago

Suit yourself. For myself, I always prefer information "straight from the horse's mouth."

Ghia New member

7POSTS

9 years ago

I have lived in other parts of Asia and have worked there. Straight from the horses mouth? Are you serious? You better be a good teacher because other than that you have no idea how the rest of Asia works for ASIAN people. Just because you think you know something doesnt mean that you do. So why dont you stop commenting useless things on here and try to impress others with your "knowledge".
If you really knew something about that you might FOR ONCE write something useful.

THIGV ViP

4427POSTS

9 years ago

Thank you so much.

Bazza139 ViP

1257POSTS

9 years ago

Tsk. ..revealing the 'real' problem..?

Sorry Ghia, but Thig is only (trying to) help you.

While I agree with your attempt to gain from the knowledge
of others who might well have more (um, 'diverse experience')
it is also a sad fact that any 'Agency', company or even
(especially) any individual will have a bias of either personal
problems from gender, race, religion, or class ..(etc)....

Then we have the known underlying motive of money or an
'unresolved issue'..? so many others here seem to have.

Could you consider using anonymity to get the required info.
from (any) consulate, who are by definition objective and
without personal interest or reward? Sure, Go Ogle tells
what it knows, but is also (often) not up-to-date or misinformed.

I know from my own (in)experience in trying to obtain a visa
from the usual 'vested interests' who openly advertise their
desire to 'go the extra mile' - for double the price! (I didn't)

Yes, you are Filipino and know how 'Justice' doesn't work
in the real world, so I approve of your seeking to correlate
and cross-reference (all?) the inside info. But be kind enough
(to your self) to consider the many expats offering their own
views often earned the hard way..? Yes, it is a question.

Not everyone is out to get you

The crime is in the motive: not the means

Yogi007 Serial expat

948POSTS

9 years ago

Hi Ghia,

Unfortunately we are all finding out how "Asia works". If there is an area of doubt with anything they will decline in the hope that you will "grease" some palms with a few pieces of silver to have the matter "undeclined" if you get the drift.

The issue of your country having a high rejection rate won't help your case either.

Assuming you haven't been knocked back already,,,why don't you simply walk into those Embassy's and collect any forms, enquire as to the procedure and have a crack at it. What have you got to lose..?

If it's declined,,then maybe suggest an interview with a senior staff member and start "talking business".

Good luck Ghia

Yogi007 Serial expat

948POSTS

9 years ago

I know you didn't want an answer or suggestion that involved going into the Embassy/Consulate.

BUT, be very careful about finding someone who can get things "fixed". 😉. There's any number of people here that all claim to know how to get things "done" ,,take your coffee money and then can't deliver.

I have no doubt I can walk out my door right now and find a taxi driver that will say he can get me a Visa to Mars. These clowns will say anything for the coffee money.

If your planning to sneak in the back door or climb through a window,,all your doing is reinforcing the dodgy reputation your country has got with regard to getting entry to certain countries.

Just another tip..if your planning something illegal DONT PUT YOUR PHOTO ON A PUBLIC FORUM.

You'd be surprised who reads this stuff and where they work.

Ghia New member

7POSTS

9 years ago

#10

Yogi007
1. I am looking for a Filipino who has had the experience I am describing.
2. My country might have a bad reputation, does not mean I am doing something illegal or am a bad person.
3. I just want open-minded people who are Asian more specifically Filipino to answer my question. I did not expect or want a white person who, no offense, seems to feel entitled in some way to answer a question he knows nothing about. Please do not take it the wrong way I am sure you get things easier because people look at your outside and think here comes an educated, bright person (we all know different due to the fact you replied in such a way). No worries, I am sure you couldn't help yourself. Please have a nice evening and before you judge someone without knowing anything or about them or their situation ask yourself this question: Am I really being helpful?

Ghia New member

7POSTS

9 years ago

#11

Hi Bazza,

Thanks for the info but I think most of the people here misunderstood what I mean about being sure on getting a visa. I dont wanna do it under the table or try to do a shortcut. All I wanna do is go on a holiday. Can't a girl just get a break? I just wanna ask people (asians) if they have a hard time getting one from a different country.

Yogi007 Serial expat

948POSTS

9 years ago

#12

Ouch......Yogi is sad now.😂

How come Bazza got " Hi Bazza" and I got just Yogi. I thought his first line of reply was pretty good.

Ah well ,,all good.

Seriously, if I were in your position I would contact a Philippine travel agency that specialises in Japan & Korean travel. They may have the inside running on the best procedure to take.
OR
Maybe go thru the Japan & Korean Embassy's in Manilla for advice , and then submit your application here supported by whatever they can provide.

Again, anyone here can say they'll help for a price. But in most cases they are bullshitters and can't deliver, but they'll take your coffee money. Besides they know your moving on anyway .

Good luck with it and maybe give the above a try.

By the way...Yogi's a big fan of the Pac Man.

Bazza139 ViP

1257POSTS

9 years ago

#13

"Can't a girl just get a break?"

Nope!
Not until you change. Your mindset.

It's not a competition. The mirror (or the sword?)

Works both ways.

It is choice, not chance that decides y/our destiny...

..so choose which integrity you prefer...

Yogi007 Serial expat

948POSTS

9 years ago

#14

Yogi has just reached for the Pop Corn.

Bazza139 ViP

1257POSTS

9 years ago

#15

..but I have the franchises covered...

THIGV ViP

4427POSTS

9 years ago

#16

Ghia wrote:
Hi Bazza,

Thanks for the info but I think most of the people here misunderstood what I mean about being sure on getting a visa. I dont wanna do it under the table or try to do a shortcut. All I wanna do is go on a holiday. Can't a girl just get a break? I just wanna ask people (asians) if they have a hard time getting one from a different country.

So there you have it. She will only accept advice from Asians. We should simply stand by and wait for her first Filipino countryman to respond to her original post which has been up for four days now.

Bazza139 ViP

1257POSTS

9 years ago

#17

"3. I just want open-minded people who are Asian more specifically Filipino to answer my question."

Agreed, Thig.
Sadly(?) those open-minded people selected
for inclusion are equally unlikely to suffer from xenophobia.

An Asian asking for (only) Asians on an Expat forum
begs the real question of just how specific..?

How long is a piece of string stuff, I suspect... Leave it alone.

Many are working to cure planned ignorance and deliberate stupidity

akachinesa Member

1POSTS

9 years ago

#18

I'd like to know more about this too but girl, can't we be a little courteous?

kitzeee Member

2POSTS

8 years ago

#19

Hi....any feedback regarding this topic? I'd like to know about this as well. Planning a trip to either of those countries or to China from HCM but has no visa here.

kitzeee Member

2POSTS

8 years ago

#20

Hi GHia, do you have any useful infos regarding visas to Korea or Japan from HCM? TIA

Contem talk Serial expat

509POSTS

8 years ago

#21

You cannot apply for any country visa from Vietnam if you do not have TRC except Cambodia.

THIGV ViP

4427POSTS

8 years ago

#22

Coll-wing wrote:
You cannot apply for any country visa from Vietnam if you do not have TRC except Cambodia.

I find this statement possible but still am a little dubious. Other expats on this site frequently mention trips to Thailand and other Asian countries as well as European countries that they may or may not have free movement to. Do they all have TRC's? Also, wouldn't this be the option of the destination country? Why would destination countries care about your residency status in Vietnam as long as you were not in a visa overstay situation? Canadians have visa-free entry to the US for 182 days with only a passport. Are you saying that without a Vietnamese TRC you could not enter the US?

Ciambella ViP

3482POSTS

8 years ago

#23

I know this is an old thread, but still, I couldn't believe the OP's attitude.

What nasty responses she handed out left and right. I've had quite a bit of knowledge (not personal the way she meant since I'm not a Filipina) about the matter of her inquiry, but there's no way on earth I would have been willing to answer someone who was ready to sling her boulder of resentment at every stranger who happened to cross her way.

Contem talk Serial expat

509POSTS

8 years ago

#24

THIGV wrote:
Coll-wing wrote:
You cannot apply for any country visa from Vietnam if you do not have TRC except Cambodia.

I find this statement possible but still am a little dubious. Other expats on this site frequently mention trips to Thailand and other Asian countries as well as European countries that they may or may not have free movement to. Do they all have TRC's? Also, wouldn't this be the option of the destination country? Why would destination countries care about your residency status in Vietnam as long as you were not in a visa overstay situation? Canadians have visa-free entry to the US for 182 days with only a passport. Are you saying that without a Vietnamese TRC you could not enter the US?

Forgot to mention that's policy's just only for some Asian Nationalities, The last update where said Filipino, so my reply directly for his/her. Last time my company was tried to apply Thai visa for one Filipino staff, but it was hard to get without TRC and then the company had to give up it.

THIGV ViP

4427POSTS

8 years ago

#25

Coll-wing wrote:
Forgot to mention that's policy's just only for some Asian Nationalities, The last update where said Filipino, so my reply directly for his/her. Last time my company was tried to apply Thai visa for one Filipino staff, but it was hard to get without TRC and then the company had to give up it.

Sorry but I am still confused. As an ASEAN country national, wouldn't a Filipino have visa-free entry to Thailand? Was the allowable duration too short for the desired work period? If the employee was valuable enough to justify a plane ticket, why not just route them through Manila with a layover long enough to obtain a visa from the Thai Embassy there?

Ghia New member

7POSTS

8 years ago

#26

Negativity aside from this post. I have successfully obtained a Korean Visa although I applied my visa in the Philippines. Right now the Korean Embassy are pretty lenient with approving Filipino tourists going to Korea. Applying for a tourist visa for less than 60 days is free as long as you have all your requirements with you. I suggest getting a visa from the Philippines rather than in Vietnam. It's a bit of a hassle if you get it here because you need a trc, work permit, money in your bank acct in Vietnam (a bit more than required if you get it from the Philippines) Aside from the requirements try to make a draft of your itinerary during your visit and also showing proof that you would come back to the Philippines or Vietnam like a certification of leave from your company of some sort. Hope this helps.