2023 Korean Visa Requirements and What Filipino Travelers Need to Know

Filipinos have a deep love for South Korean culture. You can see it from the sheer number of K-barbecue restaurants you can find all over the country. Not to mention the abundance of Filipino K-drama and K-pop fans there are. And of course, Korean skincare products are also in demand as more people want to achieve that Korean glass skin glow.

So it’s no surprise that Filipino travelers want to add South Korea to their travel bucket list. Filipinos want to travel to Korea for the food, the numerous shopping choices, an abundance of skincare and makeup products, as well as to experience the culture of South Korea firsthand. And of course, K-drama fans also travel to South Korea so they can visit the different filming locations of their favorite shows.

Getting to Know South Korea

South Korea is known by the official name of the Republic of Korea. This East Asian country is located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. North and South Korea share a border along the Demilitarized Zone. To the west of South Korea is the Yellow Sea, while the eastern border of the country is delineated from Japanese territory by the Sea of Japan.

The government of South Korea claims that it is the legitimate government in charge of the entire Korean Peninsula and the adjacent islands under the Korean domain. South Korea has a population of over 51 million people. About half of the South Korean population lives in Seoul, the nation’s capital. The next major cities in South Korea are Incheon, Busan, and Daegu.

The Korean Peninsula was originally made up of different kingdoms until the Three Kingdoms of Korea was unified. After this unification, Korea was ruled by the Goryeo Dynasty and the Joseon Dynasty. Afterward, the rule was known as the Korean Empire. In 1910, Japan annexed the Korean Empire and placed it under Japanese rule. Japanese authority over Korea ended when Japan surrendered in World War II. This also resulted in Korea being divided in two, with the northern area controlled by the Soviet Union, and the southern area occupied by the United States.

The reunification of the two halves of Korea failed. And in August 1948, the southern half of the peninsula became the Republic of Korea. In the following month, the northern region became the communist Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, known colloquially as North Korea. In 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea, marking the start of the Korean War, a civil war that lasted for three years. Although both peoples are ethnically Korean, they remain divided by the different republic of North and South Korea after the Korean War.

Today, South Korea is a global economic powerhouse, and a center of entertainment that has captivated the worldwide stage. Samsung, LG, Kia, and Hyundai have their origins in South Korea. Artist groups like BTS and Black Pink have taken over the music scene and South Korean actors and actresses have also gained worldwide renown.

Studying the Korean language is also gaining popularity, with Filipino fans learning to translate Korean words and phrases into Tagalog. Korean translation and spending time to translate Tagalog words into Korean is a fun exercise, especially for fans of Korean language shows and Korean language songs. A Korean translation tool or app is widely available, making it easier to understand Korean text. The love for South Korean culture has spread far and wide, and it is no surprise that Filipino tourists would want to come to Korea in order to feel a deeper connection with the country, the Koreans, and their beautiful culture.

Traveling to South Korea: What You Need to Know

When traveling to a foreign country, including South Korea, tourists need to be aware of any requirements that they need to prepare beforehand. This section of the article will tell you everything you need to know before booking your South Korean trip.

Do I need a South Korea Visa?

To travel to South Korea, Filipino travelers need a tourist visa. This visa is coded C3 and allows holders to stay legally in South Korea for up to 90 days. A South Korean Visa from the Philippines is valid three months from the date of issuance. Keep these dates in mind when planning your Korean trip. Once the visa lapses, you will need to reapply for a new visa.

Can I Go to South Korea Visa-Free?

There are ways to enter South Korea legally without a visa, but you will need to follow certain rules.

Jeju Island: You can travel to Jeju Island visa-free, as long as you take a direct flight to Jeju Island. You are permitted to stay on the island for up to 30 days. But take note that going on tours outside of Jeju is not allowed. There are also no direct flights from Manila to Jeju, however you can take a direct flight to Jeju if you book a flight from Taoyuan Internationa Airport in Taiwan or Changi Airport in Singapore.

Jeolla: Filipinos can visit Jeolla visa-free through Muan International Airport. However, Filipino tourists must be part of a group tour organized by a designated travel agency. On this group tour, you will only be allowed to visit Gwangju Metropolitan City, North Jeolla Province, South Jeoulla Province, and Jeju Island. This type of trip allows you to stay for only 15 days.

Yangyang: Filipinos can also enter via Yangyang through a travel agency group tour. Entry point must be at the Yangyang International Airport, and you will only be allowed to tour Gangwon Province and the Seoul Metropolitan area. You can only stay for 15 days.

Will I need a Korean Translation Tool?

The Korean language is different from what Filipinos are used to. Even the letters used in the Korean language are different. The Korean language, when written out, uses Hangul characters. When going to South Korea, it is best to have a Korean translation tool that you can use to translate Korean words and phrases into Tagalog words or English.

You can do this through a Korean translation app which can allow you to understand words better. Free Tagalog translators will help you transform Filipino to Korean language with a few clicks. The translated text allows you to travel more conveniently even if you don’t speak the Korean official language very well.

Korean Visa Requirements for Filipino Tourists

Getting a Korean visa is not difficult, but you will need to prepare several documents. Be sure to have all of them on hand for your visa appointment to avoid unnecessary delays. Visa requirements differ depending on your employment status or when you have a Korean sponsor or guarantor.

If traveling as tourists or foreign nationals, it is also good to have ample money in your accounts to prove you can afford your stay in South Korea. A good rule of thumb is to have 10,000 PHP per day of travel set aside in your account.

South Korea Visa Requirements for Employed Filipino Tourists

• Visa application form
• 1 colored ID picture, passport size
• Original valid passport
• Photocopy of passport bio page
• If applicable: Original and photocopy of valid visa/s and arrival stamps to OECD member countries for the past five years
• Original Certificate of Employment (COE). Certificate must include your position, date hired, compensation, office address, HR’s email address and HR’s landline number.
• Original personal bank certificate. This should include the account name, account number, account type, current balance, account opening date, and average daily balance (ADB) for the past six months.
• Bank statement. Original or certified true copy of bank statements and/or passbook for the last three months.
• Photocopy of your Income Tax Return (ITR) or Form 2316
• If applicable: Photocopy of Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) card or Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) card
• Visa fee. Visa is free if your stay is less than 59 days. The visa fee is 2,000 PHP for a 60-90 day stay.
• Invitation letter if you are personally invited by a Korean national.
• Invitation letter and photocopy of Korean business permit if you are invited by a Korean company

South Korea Visa Requirements for Self-Employed Filipinos

• Visa application form
• 1 colored ID picture, passport size
• Original valid passport
• Photocopy of passport bio page
• If applicable: Original and photocopy of valid visa/s and arrival stamps to OECD member countries for the past five years
• Photocopy of Mayor’s Permit or Business Permit
• Photocopy of Business Registration from SEC or DTI
• Original personal bank certificate. This should include the account name, account number, account type, current balance, account opening date, and average daily balance (ADB) for the past six months.
• Bank statement. Original or certified true copy of bank statements and/or passbook for the last three months.
• Photocopy of your Income Tax Return (ITR) or Form 2316
• If applicable: Photocopy of Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) card or Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) card
• Visa fee. Visa is free if your stay is less than 59 days. The visa fee is 2,000 PHP for a 60-90 day stay.
• Invitation letter if you are personally invited by a Korean national.
• Invitation letter and photocopy of Korean business permit if you are invited by a Korean company

South Korea Visa Requirements for Students

• Visa application form
• 1 colored ID picture, passport size
• Original valid passport
• Photocopy of passport bio page
• If applicable: Original and photocopy of valid visa/s and arrival stamps to OECD member countries for the past five years
• Original PSA-issued Birth Certificate
• Copy of School ID
• Original School Certificate
• Parents’ documents:
  • If employed: Original COE with the position, date hired, compensation, office address, HR’s landline (mobile number not allowed), and HR’s email address; a photocopy of ITR or Form 2316
  • If self-employed: Photocopy of Business Registration from DTI or SEC, photocopy of Business Permit or Mayor’s Permit, photocopy of ITR or Form 2316
  • Original bank certificate with the account name, account number, account type, current balance, account opening date, and ADB for the past six months.
  • Bank statement (original or certified true copy of bank statements/passbook for the last three months)
  • Original PSA Marriage Certificate

• Visa fee. Visa is free if your stay is less than 59 days. The visa fee is 2,000 PHP for a 60-90 day stay.
• Invitation letter if you are personally invited by a Korean national.
• Invitation letter and photocopy of Korean business permit if you are invited by a Korean company

Travel the World Through Luxury Real Estate

While traveling to South Korea is a great way to experience the culture and immerse yourself in the Korean language, coming home to a world-class and destination-inspired luxury home is a great way to continue living a vacation lifestyle. If you want to feel as if you are in another country without even leaving your neighborhood even for a few seconds, then a Brittany luxury home is the investment for you.

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Browse the Brittany website for more information about these stunning properties. Travel the world with Brittany and invest in a new luxury home with us today!

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