My experience in applying for a UK Tourist Visa in South Korea

I should have posted about this topic immediately after I applied for my UK tourist visa. It has actually been a few years now since I have done so and my memory of it is not as clear anymore. Anyhow, I will still try to recall the process I went through to hopefully help others and to serve as reference the next time I apply for the same visa again.

The very first time I applied for a UK tourist visa was in November 2010 in the Philippines. I was denied a visa that time because the embassy said that I did not provide enough financial documents to prove that I will be able to support my visit to the UK. The purpose of my visit was to meet my then-fiancé’s family (he is now my husband).

Being married at this time for four years, I applied again in 2016. For this application, we made sure to supply all the financial documents needed, both from our side and his family’s side (since I mentioned that part of my travel expenses will be shouldered by his family). My mother-in-law also provided a handwritten letter stating that she was inviting us to stay with her. Since I was already living in Korea, I had to apply at the VFS Global in Seoul.

I first completed the application form online and then paid the visa fee which cost $111 (good for a 6 month stay) in October 2016. Afterwards, I scheduled a visit to VFS Global and went to Seoul on the appointed date. I brought my husband with me for this appointment. We decided to stay overnight since I think I scheduled the appointment time at 8:30 in the morning. I think applicants are only allowed in 15 minutes before the scheduled time. A guard posted near the door checked my belongings. Any electronic items (e.g. phone, tablets, MP3 players) were not allowed to be brought inside. I left those things with my husband and he waited outside while I finish the process. I think I was given a number to wait my turn.

When my number was called, I approached the desk and the lady went through my supporting documents and double-checked it against a checklist (which was provided with your application). I remember including a photocopy of each supporting document just in case. She returned some of them if she only needed the original or if the photocopy will suffice. I cannot recall now if she asked me or if I informed her about the additional services I wanted. I applied for SMS service (for 2,900 won so I can track the status of my application) and the option of having my passport delivered (for 18,400 won) since it was more expensive to go back to Seoul to personally receive it.

After the documents were checked, biometrics information (photograph and fingerprints) were taken. Overall, I think the whole process took around 30-40 minutes. I do not remember it being that long probably because it was early and there was not a lot of people there. I got my passport back through the mail three weeks later.

The second time I applied was in April 2018 with the visa fee costing $138. I think the process was more or less the same as the first time. One difference that I noticed this time around was that the guard was not as strict as before. I was able to bring my electronics in as long as it was turned-off or in silent mode. I was alone this time and so chose an appointment time in the afternoon. I remember arriving quite early for my 1 PM appointment but was allowed to come in at 12:35 or 12:40 PM. This time I received my passport with the visa attached only 10 days after my application.

My experience with the Korean National Health Service free health tests (Part 2)

This post now covers what happened during my general health examination and cervical cancer test. I had these two tests done at the same hospital (albeit in different buildings). I went to Mirae Women’s Hospital (near Jukjeon station – Line 2) because this is where I had my cervical cancer test done two years ago. I dropped by beforehand to arrange a schedule but was told that there was no need for it and that I can come at any time convenient for me (as long as it is within their opening times I think).

For the general health examination, I was advised not to eat or drink after 9 PM the night before the exam. Following the instructions, I abstained from everything after 9 PM (did not even take a sip of water). I arrived at the hospital before the 9 AM opening time the next day thinking that it would not be busy but I was surprised to see a lot of old ladies seated at the waiting area. I approached the information desk and was handed a form to fill out. I did not even try to hide my amazement at the length of it and how everything was in Korean. I can read and can fill it out myself but it would have probably taken me forever to do so. It was a good thing that a nurse came over to assist me with it. She asked me the questions and I provided her the answer. It was all related to my health history.

The building entrance of Mirae Women's Hospital for the general examination test.

After the form was completed, the nurse instructed me to have my blood pressure taken from the automatic blood pressure machine and to give her the ticket showing the results. I then had my height and weight measurements taken. Next, I was led into a room for the eye exam and hearing test. It was fortunate that I had the eye exam done as I found out that the vision in my right eye had deteriorated faster compared to my left eye. For the hearing test, they instructed me to press a button when I hear a sound from the headset. A chest x-ray followed and then a blood sample was taken.

The last part of the exam was to provide a urine sample. As I had no food or drink since the night before and did not feel like peeing, it took a while. I was told by the nurses to drink lots of water as I was already able to do so after my blood was taken. If I was able to provide the urine sample immediately, the whole process for the general examination would have only taken 30-35 minutes. Due to the wait, it took me around 1 hour and 10 minutes to finish. The nurses handed me my medical files and told me to go to the other building for the cervical cancer test.

The building entrance of Mirae Women's Hospital for the cervical cancer test. 

In the next building, I took the stairs to the second floor and handed my files to the nurse at the information desk. I was told to sit down and then my name was called after a few minutes. She led me to a cubicle to explain the process of the test. The only free test supported by the insurance is the pap smear. There are two other optional tests they can conduct with a fee. The first is taking pictures of the cervix for 30,000 won and the other one is examining the uterus (or something similar…I cannot remember the exact procedure) for 70,000 won. I only opted to do the pap smear thinking that if something came up in the results then that will be the time I would get the other tests done.

The second floor; the red arrow indicates the location of the information desk.

Similar to my cervical test two years ago, I was examined by a male doctor. The first time I went, I was asked if it would be okay to have a male doctor administer it. At that time, I was in a hurry so I just agreed to it. This time there was no information. I was just called to enter a room and saw a male doctor. If given a choice, I would prefer to have a female doctor but I still went ahead and had it done.

After the cervical cancer test was done, I was told that the results will be sent through the mail. I received mine two weeks later.