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fred_c
Joined: 08 Jan 2008
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 Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 6:12 am Post subject: Visa run to Manila |
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I'm posting this for a friend who is still waiting to sign up for an account on Dave's. Maybe when he gets registered, he'll be able to expand upon this.
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Hey all,
I couldn't find anything on these boards about taking a visa run to Manila, so I'll post my experience here. I just came back from Manila and have my shiny new visa in hand.
- Location:
The Korean embassy is located in Makati. It's on the 18th floor of the Pacific Star building on the corner of Makati Ave. & Gil Puyat Ave.
Makati is the priciest area of Metro Manila. If you want to stay in a hotel near the embassy, expect to pay at least P2500 per night.
- Before you go upstairs:
When you enter the building, you need to leave some form of ID at the reception desk. A driver's license from your home country is acceptable. They'll also have you fill out a short slip of paper with your name, contact info, and whom you plan to visit at the Pacific Star Building.
- On to the embassy:
Then, I took the elevator to the 18th floor. As you step out of the elevator, you'll see the Emirates embassy. The Korean embassy is around the corner (to the right of Emirates). I arrived at 9am, and they were already open (with a line to get inside).
After waiting in line for 10 minutes, I finally got inside. I signed in and they gave me the visa application to fill out. After filling out the form, I walked towards the counter.
- Visa number:
Evidently the folks in Manila don't realize that public schools don't use visa numbers. I had a lengthy argument with a guard who didn't want to let me fall in line without a visa number. Eventually (after about 5 minutes) he gave up and let me through (with a "go ahead and TRY to get a visa" attitude). The lady behind the counter also asked for a visa number, but when I said it's for a public school, she left it at that.
- Documents:
I had to submit: 1) the visa application, 2) 1 passport-sized photo, 3) a copy of my degree (I gave the original, but they gave it back & sent me to make a photocopy), 4) original transcript, 5) background check, 6) the public school notice of appointment, and 7) signed contract.
- Price:
The visa costs P2250. They don't accept Korean won.
- Time:
4 calendar days / 2 business days. I dropped off my documents on Thursday, and the visa was ready on Monday afternoon.
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cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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| Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 7:46 am Post subject: |
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| Great Fred... but I fail to see the point. No K-employer is going to pay for a visa run to the Phillipines when Japan is 'next door'. |
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Draz
Joined: 27 Jun 2007
Location: Land of Morning Clam
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| Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 11:35 pm Post subject: |
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| cruisemonkey wrote: |
| Great Fred... but I fail to see the point. No K-employer is going to pay for a visa run to the Phillipines when Japan is 'next door'. |
Maybe for people who are paying their own and have the time and money to piggyback a little vacation onto a visa run?  |
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Draz
Joined: 27 Jun 2007
Location: Land of Morning Clam
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| Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 12:05 am Post subject: |
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| Draz wrote: |
| cruisemonkey wrote: |
| Great Fred... but I fail to see the point. No K-employer is going to pay for a visa run to the Phillipines when Japan is 'next door'. |
Maybe for people who are paying their own and have the time and money to piggyback a little vacation onto a visa run? |
Okay, I did a quick check on flight prices and it's waaaaaay cheaper to fly to the Phillipines! Seriously interested in information now, if anyone has any. |
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D.D.
Joined: 29 May 2008
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| Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 12:22 am Post subject: |
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| Manila sucks and tickets there are very expensive. |
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BrianInSuwon
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 12:34 am Post subject: |
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I got my last visa in Manila. All the information above seems spot on; the only difference for me is that I had to go to the middle window to pay first and then go to the third window to submit my paperwork.
I wouldn't recommend it. The visa run to Japan was easier and quicker. |
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Otherside
Joined: 06 Sep 2007
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| Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 2:30 am Post subject: |
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| cruisemonkey wrote: |
| Great Fred... but I fail to see the point. No K-employer is going to pay for a visa run to the Phillipines when Japan is 'next door'. |
Really? Well, as you obviously know, South African teachers need a Visa to visit Japan, and as such can't go there for a visa run. This leaves HK and the Manila as the closest options. And considering I can get a round trip ticket to Manila for under W300K, it makes it a pretty attractive option.
Not to mention all the teachers who may want to go there on their own dime. |
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Evanzinho
Joined: 10 Apr 2008
Location: California
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| Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 6:06 am Post subject: |
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| Otherside wrote: |
And considering I can get a round trip ticket to Manila for under W300K, it makes it a pretty attractive option.
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Where do you find this deal? |
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ChinaBoy
Joined: 17 Feb 2007
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| Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 3:44 pm Post subject: |
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| Sounds like a real pain to have to LEAVE ID at the front desk of the building. I had considered going to Manila for a short holiday before starting my next contract, but this effectively rules me out. |
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Draz
Joined: 27 Jun 2007
Location: Land of Morning Clam
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| Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 5:06 pm Post subject: |
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| Evanzinho wrote: |
| Otherside wrote: |
And considering I can get a round trip ticket to Manila for under W300K, it makes it a pretty attractive option.
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Where do you find this deal? |
It's probably the same ticket I saw, which doesn't include tax or fuel charges. But it's still cheaper than flying to Japan! http://www.xanadu.co.kr/eng/index.asp
| ChinaBoy wrote: |
| Sounds like a real pain to have to LEAVE ID at the front desk of the building. I had considered going to Manila for a short holiday before starting my next contract, but this effectively rules me out. |
You only have to leave your ID when you are in the building where the Korean consulate is located so unless you are on a visa run (for Korea, ChinaBoy) I don't think that will be a problem for you. |
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Draz
Joined: 27 Jun 2007
Location: Land of Morning Clam
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| Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 5:18 pm Post subject: |
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| BrianInSuwon wrote: |
I got my last visa in Manila. All the information above seems spot on; the only difference for me is that I had to go to the middle window to pay first and then go to the third window to submit my paperwork.
I wouldn't recommend it. The visa run to Japan was easier and quicker. |
What problems did you have? If I end up going I would plan on spending several days there anyway so time isn't really an issue. Would the extra hassle be worth saving ~2-300,000 won and getting to see a bit of a different country? |
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BrianInSuwon
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 7:37 pm Post subject: |
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| The biggest problem was the amount of time I had to wait in the office. I think I was there for 2 or 3 hours compared to the 20 minutes I spent at the office in Japan. |
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Otherside
Joined: 06 Sep 2007
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| Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 8:51 pm Post subject: |
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| Evanzinho wrote: |
| Otherside wrote: |
And considering I can get a round trip ticket to Manila for under W300K, it makes it a pretty attractive option.
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Where do you find this deal? |
Cathay Pacific Website, under specials... was W295,000 excl taxes, W371K including. Not a bad deal at all. |
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ChinaBoy
Joined: 17 Feb 2007
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| Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:20 am Post subject: |
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| Draz wrote: |
You only have to leave your ID when you are in the building where the Korean consulate is located so unless you are on a visa run (for Korea, ChinaBoy) I don't think that will be a problem for you. |
My ID is my passport. If I leave it at some other place, they can't put a visa in it. |
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BrianInSuwon
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:53 am Post subject: |
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| I saw many places in Manila that would make you a photo ID. They are not checking the authenticity of the ID. They just stick it in a box and when you bring back the Vistors pass they hand you back the ID. |
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