Testimonial - South Korea Visitor Visa - Express Application

Why did you decide to travel to South Korea?

My friend invited me to her wedding in Seoul, South Korea. I've visited South Korea before for official reasons, but I've always meant to go back. This time, the reason is closer to my heart. However, since it was an official trip, I hadn't handled any of the formalities including visa formalities the last time I travelled.

So how did you go about it this time?

So, due to some personal reasons, I was only able to finalise the trip just over a month before the planned travel date. On top of that, my application wasn't a typical one, which made it feel very challenging to begin with. However, the friend who was getting married also helped me out a lot by sending over the right set of documents in advance.

What were some of the challenges?

So, there were multiple type of challenges. First of all, the biggest challenge was to find out what visa I need to apply for and where. I had used the services of an agent for a different international trip in the past, so I contacted the same team again. However, they were not confident enough to take my application ahead for one particular reason - I have not been officially employed since December 2024. Some of the requirements in a tourist visa is the submission of employment proof, leave approval, salary slips of last 3 months and bank statement showing sufficient balance - based on which they refused to take this ahead. However, I refused to believe that people who are not employed do not travel overseas.

I decided to show my father as the sponsor for the trip. To do the same, I had to get his bank statement showing sufficient balance in cash (1.5 lakhs for a 2 weeks trip), as well as his annual income (which in his case was around 6.5 lakhs from his pension), as well as his ITR for the last 3 years. At this point, I tried to apply for the Visa from another website which assured my a guaranteed VISA or money back within a certain number of days. However, this only resulted in wasting two more days where they had to tell me they cannot take the application ahead as my dad's annual income did not meet their criteria.

So how did you proceed from here?

First, I had to figure out how to submit the application myself. Upon some basic research online, I discovered that the official agency handling Visa applications for the South Korea in Mumbai is BLS International. They have their offices near Nariman Point in Mumbai, and their website, while basic, is fairly informative in terms of Visa document requirements. Upon researching on their website, I was able to find out that a Visitor Visa is better suited for my application compared to a tourist visa - especially since I had a lot of relevant documents from my friend.

What are these documents that your friend sent you?

My friend, who is in Korea as a foreign national, is getting married to a South Korean citizen. She sent across the following as copies:

- Her passport

- Her Korean husband's passport

- Her Alien Registration Card

- Their marriage certificate (since they are already officially married)

- Their wedding function booking confirmation

- An official invite letter which mentioned the date of the function and my passport number as well as a confirmation that I will be staying with them during the duration of my trip

- The wedding card

What are the other documents that you prepared?

Here are the other documents that I prepared:-

- Covering letter which stated the purpose of my trip, duration, sponsor details

- Bank statements for my father (who I was showing as a sponsor my trip) officially stamped by a bank official

- ITRs of my father for the last 3 years

- My passport (original) + Copy

- My previous passport copy which had the entry and exit from South Korea documented

- The Visa application form that can be filled and printed out from this link: https://www.visa.go.kr/openPage.do?MENU_ID=10204

- One photo (3.5 x 4.5cm White background)

So you didn't have to provide confirmed flight details or hotel bookings?

No I did not, even though I did prepare them in advance.

In how many days did you get your Visa?

So I submitted my application on the 13th of April, and recieved it on the 17th of April.

How were you able to get it so quickly?

So at the time of submitting the application, I was offered the option to apply as an express application, since I had an invite. As per my knowledge, this is not available for standard applications right now, but you can always confirm with the agency where you plan to submit your application. It cost me Rs 2000 extra to do so, but it was totally worth the mental peace. Even without it I would have received it in 10 working days, but I didn't want to take that risk.

Anything else you want to highlight from your experience?

Take more documents than necessary for your application, if you're applying in person - better than having to visit the application centre more than once. Also, If you are visiting someone overseas, get the necessary documents from them to help streamline your visa approval. Some of these places only take payment in cash, so make sure to carry the same on you. Also, do not rely on agents if your application has any deviations from the norm.