Japan Procedures #01: Applying for a Korean Tourist Visa from Japan (Osaka)
This article is a real fragment from living and working in Japan. It is an experience and process record, not legal or visa-service advice.
A DETAILED APPLICATION GUIDE
In this article, I will share the complete document set and process I went through when applying for a visa under the 一般観光 (general tourism, C-3-9) category for my wife and me at the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Osaka.
This is a practical account based on personal experience, and I hope it helps those preparing a similar application.
You can also check the official information on the homepage of the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea.
一般観光(C-3-9)査証発給ご案内(25.9.18) 상세보기｜ビザ(査証) | 駐日本国大韓民国大使館
I. THE PROCESS IN SHORT
① Prepare a document set for each person
・I submitted two document sets: one for me and one for my wife, with almost identical content.
・My wife's set additionally needed:
Letter of authorization (委任状)
A document proving the relationship (e.g. a notarized translation of the marriage certificate)
※Note: After submission, the Consulate keeps the passport for the entire review period.
② Submit in person at the Korean Consulate in Osaka
・The 一般観光 (C-3-9) visa does not require a prior appointment.
・Address: 〒542-0086 大阪府大阪市中央区西心斎橋2丁目3-4
Near the Namba area of Osaka. You can take the train to Namba station, then walk about 10 minutes to get there.
Reception hours: 09:00–17:00 💡 Check the working calendar before you go, since the Consulate may close on its own holidays.
③ Review time:
・Usually about 2 weeks from the submission date.
・In my case it was approved after just 8 days.
④ Collect the result and the passport
Once the result shows up, you go in person to collect the paper visa and the passport.
🕒 Passport pickup hours: 14:00–16:00
Check the result at the KOREA VISA PORTAL: 조회/발급 > 진행현황 조회 및 출력.
And the procedure is complete!
II. THE DOCUMENTS I SUBMITTED, IN DETAIL
(A full guide – for the Korean tourist visa C-3-9)
**⓪ 提出一覧 – Submission list (optional)**
I usually prepare an extra "submission list" sheet so the reviewer can grasp the whole set at a glance. It is not required, but it makes the application look clearer and more professional.
① 査証発給申請書 – Visa Application Form (5 pages)
・Print single-sided.
・You can download it from the Consulate homepage or the link I attach.
・Fill in every section:
Personal information
Spouse information
Trip itinerary
Trip cost
Sponsor/introducer (if any)
→ You can refer to the illustrated sample of the set I submitted below.
② Original passport
③ A photocopy of the passport photo page (1 copy)
④ ID photo, 3.5 × 4.5 cm
Taken within the last 6 months
White background, face clearly visible
⑤ Visa review fee
・2,600 yen for the C-3-9 tourist visa.
⑥ Original residence card (在留カード)
The card must have more than 3 months of validity remaining at the time of departure to Korea.
⑦ A photocopy of the residence card (在留カード) (1 copy)
⑧ Flight ticket or booking (PDF/screenshot)
・The departure and return dates must match the application form.
⑨ Hotel booking information
State clearly: hotel name, address, phone number
It must match the Visa Application Form.
⑩ Proof of finances
For example:
A balance certificate (残高証明書) issued by the bank; or
A bank statement
(I personally used the 残高証明書.)
⑪ 住民票 – Certificate of residence
Obtain it at the 市役所 (city hall) where you live.
※Extra note: If you are not on an engineer visa or permanent residence, you must prove you have lived in Japan for more than 2 years. You can bring:
Old residence cards
Old flight tickets
Previous entry/exit records for Japan
In my case, I had to include my wife's old residence card for them to check.
⑫ 在職証明書 – Certificate of employment
**⑬ 旅行日程 – Trip itinerary (optional)**
Not required, but I still submitted it to help the reviewer understand the day-by-day travel plan. → This is especially good for an independent (non-package) travel application.
III. CONCLUSION – KEY POINTS WHEN FILING
Preparing a Korean visa application is actually not too complicated, but it needs to be accurate, consistent and clear. As long as you prepare all the documents above, present them neatly, and keep the information consistent across sections, the approval odds are very high.
A few final points to note:
・Carefully check the name, dates, passport number and itinerary across documents to make sure there is no mismatch.
・If there are optional documents you can prepare (such as the submission list or the itinerary), submit them too — this makes the application clearer.
・When filing at the Consulate, bring both originals and photocopies to avoid having to come back with more.
・Stay polite, confident, and answer truthfully if asked anything further.
I hope this detailed guide helps you prepare your application quickly and succeed on the first try.
Nhật.
A note
This content is an experience record and a reference checklist. It does not replace legal advice or official guidance from the competent authorities. When preparing your application, re-check the latest information from the official website and confirm it for your own case.
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