South Korea Visa Application Process - Mumbai Consulate
Just wanted to make this post in case anybody finds it helpful. I applied for a tourist visa (C-3-9) and it got approved. I applied myself through the Korean Consulate in Mumbai (12th Floor, Lodha Supremus, Dr Elijah Moses Rd, Worli Naka, Upper Worli). The Consulate is open from Monday-Friday, and document submission/passport collection time is 9:30 am to 11:30 am. You may bring your phone/other belongings with you. No need to make an appointment. You can go directly, just check the consulate holidays before you go.
The first step is to fill your application form online: https://www.visa.go.kr/openPage.do?MENU_ID=1020408
Download the form and carry this along with the other documents.
Visa Fee (single entry) is Rs. 3600/- (only cash is accepted; bring exact amount)
Documents as mentioned here: https://kor.blsinternational.com/assets/pdf/Tourist-visa.pdf
A few important points to note:
- If the photo is not as per the specified requirements, your application will not be accepted. The photo is to be pasted on your photo on the visa form.
- Salary slips are not needed.
- Declaration form is not needed.
- Don't forget to sign your application form and cover letter.
- Day-wise itinerary is also required, along with hotel and flight bookings.
- For ITR, they ask for ITR acknowledgement, so carry that as well. If you don't have an ITR, you must submit a letter explaining why you don't have it.
- Bank statements require original sign and stamp.
- Employment letter must have original sign and stamp (digital signatures are not accepted - I work remotely, so I had asked my employer to send me the physical letter via post).
- If you work remotely, it must be clearly mentioned in the employment letter. Your application will not be accepted if it is not mentioned.
The visa officer will give you a receipt with your details and passport collection date, which will be 2 weeks after your document submission. Please bring this receipt on the day of passport collection.
Once you have submitted your documents, you may track your status here: https://www.visa.go.kr/openPage.do?MENU_ID=10301
Once your status changes to "under review", it means that your visa is approved. It will change to "approved", AFTER you collect your passport.
Timeline:
Application submitted: 4th August
Status changed to application submitted: 4th August
Status changed to application received: 5th August
Status changed to under review: 14th August
Passport collected: 17th August; status immediately changed to "approved".
You will be able to download the visa online, immediately after passport collection. Note that they don't issue a sticker visa, so will need to download it from the website.
Hope this helps. Good luck!