My Rollercoaster Ride to Getting a Visa!
Getting Ready: My Application Documents
Here's what I gathered for my visa application:
- Scanned passport copies (old and new, including all stamped pages)
- Digital photo
- 3-month salary account statements (downloaded from my bank's website)
- Savings account balance confirmation (obtained from the bank with their official stamp)
- Bilingual employment confirmation letter
- Itinerary, flight reservation, and hotel booking (I used Agoda, choosing free cancellation and pay-later options)
- My valid 5-year Korean visa
Important: All files were in PDF, PNG, or JPG format.
Submitting My Application
Once I had everything ready, I submitted my application online at the official government website.
Timeline: The Ups and Downs
- March 19th: Application submitted
- March 21st: Received acknowledgment email
- May 9th: Request for additional documents (cue the panic!)
- May 12th: Additional documents submitted
- May 14th: Visa approved!
The Plot Twist
My original plan was to travel at the end of April, but without the visa, I had to cancel everything. In May, they asked for an updated itinerary and additional proof of employment (so I provided a new bank statement and employment confirmation). After submitting the additional documents, I prepared myself for another 4-6 week wait. But, surprisingly, my visa was approved just two days later! And here's the kicker: I applied for a single entry visa, but I received a triple entry visa valid for 6 months!
Key Takeaways
In total, it took almost two months to get my visa. It was a rollercoaster of anticipation, disappointment, and finally, relief. If you're planning a trip, apply for your visa early. The embassy gives you three months to pay for and obtain your visa, and the visa validity starts from the payment date, so apply 3-4 months in advance. Don't let your travel plans fall apart like mine (and many others!) did.
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