Continuing my South Korea series, I’d like to share the tips I have on how to apply for a South Korean Tourist Visa without an ITR (Income Tax Return).
As freelancers, there are a lot of reasons why some of us do not have ITR. When I applied on Nov 3rd, I was so anxious because my flight was already on Nov 15th. I forgot that I needed to secure a visa and I didn’t have enough time for to request for an ITR. Plus, the company I was working with was new so I knew that if I wanted an ITR, it would take days and I wouldn’t be approved in time for my trip.
So I applied without one, got approved, and here’s how I did it!
How do I apply for a Korean Visa without ITR? The answer? Create an explanation letter.
Since my letter has some sensitive information, I’d rather not share the format here. But here 5 parts that you ABSOLUTELY must include in your letter (after the general info like date, address, to whom it may concern, etc) to get approved of a Korean visa without ITR.
Part 1: Introduction – Introduce yourself properly.
- Name
- Passport info
- City you’re from
- Kind of visa you’re applying for
Part 2: Travel History – Show the consulate that you are merely a travel lover and not a person who has other intentions (like finding work there).
- Travel History
- Countries you’ve been to
- How long your trip usually lasts
- How often you travel
- You love for tours, etc.
Part 3: Why South Korea? – Share your admiration for South Korea!
- Why would you like to go to South Korea? Culture? Shopping? Food? Love for Kdramas?
- Where do you plan to go?
- What activities are you looking forward to?
Part 4: Travel Plans & Support – Be specific about your travel plans.
- When do you plan to go there?
- How much money do you have?
- How much have you saved?
- How can you pay for your trip?
Part 5: Honest Reason – Explain exactly and truthfully why you don’t have an ITR.
- Is the company you’re working for new and you’re still about to apply?
- Are you paying taxes elsewhere (like in the US, for example?)
- What is YOUR reason?
And there you have it! My 5-part explanation letter that you absolutely need to create to be approved of a South Korean Visa without an ITR. Hope this helps and if you have any question, feel free to leave a comment! 🙂
HERE ARE OTHER LINKS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT. Just click the text:
Step By Step Guide On How To Apply For A South Korean Tourist Visa in Cebu
No COE? NO problem! How To Apply For A South Korean Tourist Visa without COE
Is is the same case as for me that I just recently changed jobs? I have an ITR for 2017-2018 but the company name in it will mismatch the one written in my current COE.
You will need a letter to explain this 🙂
Hi! I’ve read is some other blogs that if you’ve been to one of OECD countries, you’re waived in submitting the ITR? I’ve been to Australia this year and wanted to apply for SoKor Visa. Do I still have to submit the letter since I don’t have an ITR?
If you apply in Manila, no need for ITR na. If in Cebu, you still need an ITR even if you’ve been to an OECD country! 🙂 PS – I suggest you still submit your ITR if you can para more changes of getting approved!
Hello! I’ve been to Korea twice as a student and I want to go back again this year but I’m a freelancer! I’ve read your previous post on how to apply without a COE and now this is my next problem.
Since I have been to South Korea twice do I still need an ITR? Or do I just submit a letter stating that I have been there twice already?
I am still new to this freelancing thing so I don’t know how tax works yet. Do I just request and ITR from the company that I am working for? Or what? I really don’t know and I appreciate it if you could help…
Deoends. Has your visa expired for your past travels? If yes, then you need to apply again and submit all requirements. 🙂 You can take advantage of my Korean Visa Assistance service if you’re interested! https://theinfiniteadventure.com/south-korea-processing/
Hello I am a Liberian residing in Liberia and my boyfriend is from New Zealand. He and I planned to meet In South Korea to shopping for our wedding and also will be our first time meeting in person.
What I’ve heard, a Liberian gets visa upon arrival but do need a invitation letter for backup. in this light i do not have an invitation letter, so is it possible for my boyfriend to write an explanation letter on my behave or i am the one to write it?
Hi, Poshe! Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately, I’m not familiar with your country’s relationship with South Korea so I may not be the best person to give an advice. I suggest you call the Korean Embassy nearest you! 🙂
Hi. Hoping to have an answer. My boyfriend is a sales consultant for a car dealer and his income is base solely and commission. No regular monthly income so he does not have an ITR since he started working there. Would that be okay to put in the explanation letter or there are other ways to get an ITR. Huhu thank you!
Actually, that’s not a valid reason because even if his income isn’t regular, he should still report all of his income to the BPI, hence, he should still have an ITR.
I’m a student in Philippines and I want to apply. I’ve been to several Asian (4) countries. I don’t have a sponsor, I work as a freelance writer and can support my travels but I don’t have an ITR or COE.
Is it possible to be approved for a Korean VISA?
If you’re applying as a student, you need the ITR and COE of your parents. If you’re applying as a freelance writer, then you need to create explanation letters for ITR and COE. I’ve processed a lot of visas in the same situation as you. 🙂
Hi, Mary! Thanks for this great article. I’m a freelance photographer and I’ll be applying for a Korean visa in the coming weeks. Besides the letter you submitted in place of your ITR, were there any other form requirements from the BIR that you had to submit?
I was told by my city’s BIR that since I’m a freelancer, the business registration form and business permit requirements of the visa can be substituted by the Certificate of Registration (Form 2303). Was wondering if it was the same for you 🙂
Thanks again!
I didn’t submit any form from BIR. Just submitted a letter explaining why I couldn’t produce an ITR and a COE. 🙂
My husband and I will apply for korean visa..But he is managed our small eatery business (with DTI and brgy clearance) but no ITR. I am working as engineer for 10yrs now with COE/ITR.
Can I indicate him as unemployed then I will use my COE/ITR/ out joint account bank statement/cert for our application?
Do we need to include explanation letter?
Thanks to advise.
Yes, this works too!
hi.. just opened business with DTI registration. Unfortunately i dont have yet the business permit. part of the visa application is to submit one. I can only provide the DTI. Should I explain why I need to submit a business permit
Create a letter explaining why you can’t produce a business permit. Complete other requirements.
Hello ako po prob ko wala akong bank statement.. meron akong coe ..& itr..
Yung sa payroll namin security bank yung gamit at meron silang e-savings kaya yun na yung ginagamit ko..
E nakabili na kmi ng ticket for feb. Prob ko baka di ako ma aapproved hehe..
Even for e-savings account, you can request for a bank statement. Just go to your bank po. 🙂
Hi! My friend is a Freelance Architect, he ticked the self employed box but put the company who hired him on the company details on the application form, would that be ok? Also, on his COE it wasn’t indicated that his compensation was “monthly”.
Yes, that’s okay!
Hi i really want to go to Korea i have been to HK, Macau and Singapore before but i am afraid to apply for a korean visa since i do not have an ITR because i am a freelancer. I can however ask my employers for a COE. I’ll be honest, i have not applied for income tax since i resigned from my job in the bank year 2016. i however planned to file this 2018 but given that my salary is only 20,000 and under train law those who have 250k annual salary are not required to pay income tax. What should i do? 🙁
20k x 13000 (13th month pay) is actually above the 250k annual salary bracket. Also, even if you’re under 250k, you’re required to file your income even if you don’t need to pay anything. 🙂
Hi, so freelancer ka pero “Employed” yung tinick mo sa application form?
Yes po 🙂
Hi. I’m a home based designer with different clients and wanting to apply for a Korean Visa. If I’m going to tick the “Employed” box under employment details on the application form, what should I write under the details like company name if I have various clients? Thank you.
Hello Mary Narvasa. I am James and I will be visiting South Korea this 2019 and my U.S. Visa will expire on April 7 this year but I have been to the US in 2014 and 2018. Isn’t it 2014-2019 is 5 years? Does that count that I will be exempted from submitting the ITR or COE?
How if grab driver?
hello! i’m working as a digital marketing assistant. since it’s an online job i consider myself as a freelancer. how do i get a chance to travel in korea?
I have question! On my case i don’t have an itr because my work and company based in dubai and i work at home here in the ph. Is that ok to write a cover letter with that reason? My salary is only 10k a month.
Yes, it’s okay! As long as you can show that you can afford your vacation (meaning you have enough savings).