South Korean Visa Requirements for Filipino Citizens
Citizens of the Philippines must have a visa to go to South Korea. This applies whatever your travel purpose, including tourism, visiting family and friends, or business.
To request a visa, you’re required to submit your visa application through the Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC), following the current procedures set by the South Korean Embassy. On this page, you’ll find details on the requirements and how to apply.
Do Filipinos Need a Visa for South Korea?
Yes, citizens of the Philippines require a visa to visit South Korea.
It's not possible to get a South Korea visa on arrival from the Philippines. You must apply in advance to get approval before you travel.
Filipinos can usually stay in South Korea for 90 days with a tourist visa. Short-term business visas allow stays of up to 90 days for meetings, market research, or contract discussions, but they don’t allow paid employment in South Korea.
Longer stays are possible with other visa types, such as student, work, business, or residence visas, depending on the period approved by Korean immigration.
Important: An approved visa for South Korea isn’t the same as the Arrival Card. They are separate requirements. You need to fill out the Arrival Card online when preparing for your trip and present it at border control, along with your passport and approved visa.
Apply for Korea e Arrival Card
Documents Required by Citizens of the Philippines
The full list of required documents for South Korean visas differs depending on the visa type you’re applying for.
The following documents are required to apply for a South Korea tourist visa from the Philippines:
- Passport valid for a minimum of 6 months
- Completed visa application form
- Passport-size photograph with a white background
- Proof of income or financial stability, such as a bank certificate, recent bank statements, or Income Tax Return (ITR) documentation
- Certificate of Employment, if applicable
- Payment of the tourist visa fee
How to Apply for a South Korea Visa for Filipino Citizens
Standard visa applications for Filipino citizens are submitted through the Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC) in Manila, following the procedures set by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea.
To apply for a South Korea tourist visa:
- Complete the visa application form and gather all required supporting documents.
- Submit your application in person to KVAC in Manila.
- Pay the applicable visa and service fees when submitting your application.
- Wait for your application to be processed. Standard processing for short-term (C-3) visas typically takes around 10 working days. 5-day express processing is sometimes available.
- Collect your passport after receiving notification that your visa decision is ready.
Do I need to book a KVAC appointment?
In most cases, Filipino applicants don’t need to book an appointment to submit a Korean visa application at KVAC. Walk-in applications are accepted during working days, following the current submission schedule.
Check the agency’s latest submission policies when preparing your application. You may be able to submit your application by mail through the authorized courier service, instead of applying in person.
Types of South Korean visas available for Filipino citizens
Filipino citizens can apply for different South Korean visas depending on their purpose of travel. The most common options include tourist, business, student, and work visas. Here’s how they compare:
Filipino citizens are also eligible for South Korea’s Workation/Digital Nomad Visa. To qualify, you must work remotely for an overseas employer or business (not based in South Korea) and meet the income, insurance, and document requirements.
Working in South Korea as a Filipino citizen
Filipino citizens who want to work in South Korea need the correct work visa before starting employment. A tourist visa or short-term business visa cannot be used for paid work.
The type of work visa you need depends on the job, employer, and employment conditions. In most cases, you need a confirmed job offer and supporting documents from your employer in South Korea.
South Korea transit visa for Philippines passport holders
Filipinos do not need a visa to transit through South Korea if they remain in the airport transit area and meet the transit conditions. Here’s more information specific to South Korea’s airports:
- Incheon International Airport, Seoul — Visa-free transit allowed for layovers of less than 24 hours
- Other airports — Visa-free transit allowed when arriving and departing on the same calendar day
Passengers must stay in the transit area to benefit from visa-free transit. A visa is required to leave the airport or pass through immigration.
Before traveling, check the details of your layover, including whether your airline requires you to collect and recheck your baggage in South Korea, as this may involve passing through immigration and needing a visa.
Visa rules for Filipinos with a US Green Card or Canadian PR
If you hold a valid U.S. or Canadian permanent residence card, you may be able to enter South Korea visa-free for up to 30 days if you’re transiting through South Korea to or from the U.S. or Canada.
This exemption only applies to eligible transit journeys. If you’re traveling directly from Manila to South Korea for tourism and returning to the Philippines, you still need a South Korea visa.
If you’re using this transit exemption, you must meet the current Korean immigration conditions and may need to complete an arrival card before entering South Korea. Before traveling, check the latest rules carefully, as transit visa exemptions can change.
Visit South Korea from the Philippines
Depending on the time of year, there are direct flights from the Philippines to South Korea:
- Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB) to Daegu International Airport (TAE)
- Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) to Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Flight schedules and direct routes can change seasonally. Indirect routes typically connect through major hubs like Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore, Tokyo, and Kuala Lumpur.
Korean Embassy and KVAC in the Philippines
The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines is located in Metro Manila:
- 122 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Town Center, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City 1634, Metro Manila
For Filipino citizens, standard Korean visa applications are submitted through the Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC):
- 9/F Zone 2, Brittany Hotel, 6 McKinley Parkway, Aura Complex, BGC, Taguig City 1634, Metro Manila
FAQs about South Korea visas for Filipinos
Can a Filipino live in South Korea?
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Yes, Filipino citizens can live in South Korea if they have the correct long-term visa or residence status. This may apply to study, work, family, or other approved reasons.
A tourist visa is only for short-term stays and cannot be used to live or work in South Korea.
How much does a South Korea visa cost for Filipinos?
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Visa fees depend on your visa type and length of stay. As a general guide, a single-entry visa for stays of 90 days or less costs PHP 2,000 (approximately USD 33), while longer-stay or multiple-entry visas may cost more.
You may also need to pay separate KVAC service fees when submitting your application.
How long does it take to process a Korean visa in the Philippines?
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Short-term Korean visa applications in the Philippines typically take around 10 working days to process. Express processing may be available in some cases and usually takes 5 working days.
Is there an interview for a Korean visa application in Manila?
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Most Filipino applicants don’t need a visa interview for a standard South Korea tourist visa application. However, the Embassy may request additional documents or further checks if needed before making a decision.