So, you’re a freelancer who wants to apply for a South Korean Tourist Visa without a COE? I get it.
As freelancers, we usually work with clients as individual contractors. We are not employees, and thus, we aren’t given any certificate of employment. This was my dilemma too. But think of it this way: COE is a document that shows you have work and you have income. If you have a client whom you work for regularly, try to ask them to sign a certificate. Explain to them that this is only for the purpose of your South Korean trip.
How do I apply for a South Korean Visa without COE? The answer: Have your client sign a certificate!
First, let me create a sample person.
Juan Di Tamad is a social media manager who works for Sample, Inc. He has worked there since April this year and he is in charge of managing social media accounts. His pay is P10,000 per month.
For Juan, here’s a sample certificate:
CERTIFICATE
December 1, 2017
Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of the Philippines
12th Floor China Bank Corporate Center Lot 2, Samar Loop Cor. Road 5,
Cebu Business Park, Mabolo, Cebu City
Dear Sir / Madam:
This is to certify that Juan Di Tamad is employed/hired by Sample, Inc. as a Social Media Manager. He has been rendering social media management services to our company since April 2017 up to the present.
As a social media manager, he is in charge creating images and posts for the social media accounts of our clients.
Juan Di Tamad receives P10,000 base pay every month for his work. He is not required to apply for a leave of absence.
This certification serves as proof of Juan Di Tamad’s affiliation with us as a social media manager. This certification is issued upon his request for the purpose of acquiring a South Korean Tourist Visa.
Sincerely,
Maria Mercedez
Manager
Sample, Inc.
maria@samplesamplesample.com
+ 1 012 3456
1111 Sample Rd., Sample City, USA
And that’s it! That’s the certificate that YOU have to create if you want to apply for a Korean Visa without COE.
Feel free to follow this format but make sure that you replace the info with your name, position, duties, and pay. Take note of the items that I put in bold, as you need to replace those. Then, send this certificate to your client and have them sign it. Digital signatures are accepted by law. 🙂
Good luck!
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 ITR? NO problem! How To Apply For A South Korean Tourist Visa without ITR
Hi,
Did you also pass a letter explaining that you are a freelancer? Because when you only pass this certificate the address is from the US but you’re working in the Philippines? They might think that the details are kind of inconsistent?
Please help me understand 🙁 Thank you
Hey, girl! No, I didn’t pass another letter explaining that I’m a freelancer. The wording of my letter already suggested that. 🙂
If you’re really needing help and you’re hesitant to do this on your own? Let me help you. Click here to check out my Korean Visa Processing Service >> https://theinfiniteadventure.com/south-korea-processing/
Hi! i was wondering, what box did you tick for the employment status? since you said you passed a COE? Thanks in advance! 🙂
Hi! Your page is really a big help for a freelancer alike. I was wondering what box did you tick for the employment details? since you passed a COE. Thanks in Advance! 🙂
Employed. 🙂
Hi. Did you pass the original copy of your coe? Thanks.
Yes 🙂
Hello, Mary! I hope you are doing fine.
My question is, my client is from the US, the COE should be mailed? or an Emailed COE is already considered an “original” one?
Thanks!
Emailed is okay! Just have it certified. 🙂
How do i makr it “certified”? Does it need to have a seal? Im working for my mom. Her business doesnt have any company seal.
This is awesome! I’ve been planning to apply for a Korean visa but worried about my employment status. I only just started working from home. Thank you so very much for this!
You’re welcome!
Hi! Thanks for sharing this.
What if I am employed yet i cannot get a COE? Do you have any idea? Thing is, i just asked my company for COE for Australian tourist visa, and I think they will not give me again that fast. Actually i already got Korean visa before but it’s already expired and I would like to get a new one. Thank you 🙂
Create a letter explaining why you can’t produce a COE 🙂
Hi,i want to apply for Southkorean visa as freelancer what would be the requirements?
Please check my post regarding the requirements 🙂
Hi, my husband is a freelancer of a German Company and there is a project for him in Korea, How can he apply for a visa? He will be staying there for about a month.
Thank you!
Depends. Is he applying as a tourist or an employee?
He is now a Freelancer, so no longer considered as an employee as he is just being called if there is a project in a certain country. Can he apply for tourist visa and stay for that long? What are the requirements? The company is willing to send an Invitation Letter.
Thanks
Hi. I’ll be applying for korean visa and im a bit worried about my employment status. I was a former ofw nurse and just recently finished my contract there and went home to philippines last june2018 bcos of my health issues. As of now, im working with our families bussiness. Can you help me what documents should i pass for reqts? Is my coe abroad still valid? Or do i need to get a letter from my mom to prove that I am working in our business? Tia.
It’s a bit complicated, but I’m leaning towards showing that you’re “employed” by your Mom. You can purchase my Visa Assistance services if you’d like some personalized help! Thanks
Hi, I would like to ask about my case. I graduated with a degree last year March and had my first job right away at a small firm but only lasted for a few months. I began doing home based work for design services and I had a few clients until now.
The case is I’m applying for a tourist visa to South Korea and my mother will be supporting all my expenses. I’m not traveling with her but with my friends. I also had a previous OECD stamp from South Korea 3 years ago. My friend with the same case as mine also had an OECD stamp from his previous trip to Japan 3 years ago too.
Do our case has a chance to be approved for a Korean Visa? We prepared requirements of both our parents but what should we tick under employment details?
Your response will be very much appreciated. Thank you in advance! 😊
Yes! A lot of my Visa Assistance clients are in the same boat as you. You’ll have a great chance of getting approved if you have a great letter + documents to support you. You can purchase my Visa Assistance services if you’d like some personalized help! Thanks
Hi im applying for a korean visa for our trip on october… but problem is that i work from home and its impossible for me to get COE and ITR… any advice? Thank you
Hi Mary! I’m a freelancer but the work was just passed to me. the client only knows my friend since he was the one who got the client for me. will it be possible to have a coe still?
You’ll need to create a letter explaining your situation 🙂
Hello..im a freelancer and been working since 2016 for my client in USA. He was able to give us a COE but with a digital signature. Can this be accepted? How do I certify it? Notary?
If not, what can I ask from him? Thank you!
Printed copy with signature is enough 🙂 No need for notary!
Hi Good day!
I want to ask some help, I am employed for more than a year as a Plant Manager. I’m planning to visit South Korea, but I have a problem with my COE, my company will not issue COE that fast because it will need to send to Japan and validate and send it back here in the Philippines, I also need to pay them for the shipment of the document. Is there a chance for me to apply for a Korean Visa if I will just make a cover letter and explain to them the reason, I will also attach my employment contract together with the cover letter, by the way I also have a multiple Visa entry from US and I was also been in Malaysia for tour a year ago. Is that possible that they will grant me a Korean Visa?
Thanks so much in advance
Yes, that should work (hopefully). But personally, I don’t see any reason why you wouldn’t be approved! 🙂
Hi mary, I and my workmates is planning to visit South Korea, The problem is We are just a job order in a Government agency, and in our COE it say’s “there is no employee-employer “relationship” means that we are just self employed. Can we use our COE, if this is the case? Is it possible that they will grant us Korean Visa? Thanks in advance
You can still use your COE 🙂
and lastly can you tell us about your income tax return as a freelancer, isn’t it a requirement for korean visa?
It is. But I didn’t add my ITR there. I still got approved.
How about for my case?
I recently worked in south korea legally for more than a year and left the country legally as well, just got back here in the philippines this feb. Have been resting for a while then was recently hired online as a freelancer (a week ago). Problem is I don’t have any proof of payment yet from them as of now to show to the embassy. I could ask the website for a custom COE but I think it’s too early. Any suggestions?
Hi –
For you format, is it needed to highlight those on the actual certificate? or just plain text?
Hi, i have concern about my COE, i have been working in the company for 5yrs, thing is my employment status is project base so technically i signed contract every year, my concern was HR gave me COE indicating that i only started where i last signed (May 1 2019) and i will be planning to apply this august, did the consul will be specific for the length of stay in the company? is there any chance to have my visa failed.
Hi! I’m planning to visit South Korea this year. However, I resigned in my previous job and as for my current employer, I think they will not be able to provide my COE since I only started last month. What should about these? Also, can I still use my ITR from my previous employee since filing of ITR only happens once a year? Thank you.