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🇵🇭Philippines
🇰🇷South KoreaPH-KR

Philippines to South Korea visa requirements

Philippine ordinary passport holders need a Korean short-term visa before mainland Korea travel. KVAC Manila lists C-3 processing as 10 working days from 15 June 2026, with express processing still 5 working days. Philippine ordinary passport holders are not listed on Korea's K-ETA eligible visa-free country list, so an individual tourist or short business trip to mainland South Korea normally requires a short-term C-3 visa before travel. K-ETA is not a substitute for a visa: the official K-ETA site is for passports that can enter Korea without a visa, and VisitKorea says travellers who are not visa-exempt should apply for the correct visa. Applications in the Philippines are handled through the Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC) in Manila, directly or through allowed representatives/designated agencies. KVAC's 11 June 2026 notice says short-term visit (C-3) processing changes to 10 working days from 15 June 2026, while express applications still take 5 working days. KVAC lists a PHP 900 service fee per application, and its 2026 express-fee notice lists a PHP 2,400 express total made up of a PHP 1,000 embassy visa fee, PHP 900 KVAC service fee, and PHP 500 express service fee. Korea's e-Arrival Card is free and can be submitted online from 3 days before arrival; most foreign nationals must submit an entry declaration unless they fall into an exemption such as holding a valid K-ETA or Korean residence card.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-21
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-21
Visa type
Short-term C-3 visa before travel
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days, as granted on the visa
per entry
Entries
Single or multiple, as granted
from issue date
Visa fee
PHP 900 KVAC service fee + applicable embassy fee; express total PHP 2,400
consular fee only
Processing time
10 working days; express 5 working days
standard track
Validity
Visa-specific; passport should be valid 6+ months
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm visa route
Philippine ordinary passports are not on Korea's K-ETA eligible visa-free list, so apply for the appropriate C-3 visa before mainland Korea travel.
· visa required
/02
Prepare documents
Use the Embassy/KVAC checklist for your status. Typical C-3 files include the application form, passport, photo, employment or school/business proof, financial evidence, itinerary, and invitation documents if applicable.
· C-3 checklist
/03
Submit through KVAC
Apply at the Korea Visa Application Center in Manila or through a representative/designated agency allowed by KVAC policy.
· KVAC Manila
/04
Pay official charges
KVAC lists a PHP 900 service fee per application. The applicable embassy visa fee depends on visa type and duration; KVAC's express notice lists a PHP 2,400 express total.
· PHP 900 service fee
/05
Wait for the result
KVAC's 11 June 2026 notice changes C-3 processing to 10 working days from 15 June 2026. Express applications still take 5 working days.
· 10 working days
/06
Complete arrival declaration
Submit the free Korea e-Arrival Card within 3 days before arrival unless you are exempt, such as by holding a valid K-ETA or Korean residence card.
· free e-Arrival Card
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

11 items
Personalized checklist
Philippines -> South Korea · Short-term C-3 visa before travel
0 / 11 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredPhilippine passport
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
Normally 6+ months validity and signed passport bio page
RequiredVisa application form
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Completed and signed, using the current Korean visa form
RequiredPassport photo
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
Recent passport-style photo meeting the application form instructions
RequiredEmployment, business, school, or retirement proof
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Use the document set matching your applicant category
RequiredFinancial evidence
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
Bank certificate/statements or other proof requested by the current checklist
ConditionalTravel plan and accommodation
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
Dates, itinerary, hotel or host details, and return/onward travel evidence if requested
RequiredInvitation documents
Signed or stamped letter with host contact details and visit arrangements
Required for invited visits, family visits, events, or business meetings
RequiredKVAC submission receipt/SMS
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
Collect the passport after KVAC sends the notice that the assessment is complete
RequiredKorea e-Arrival Card
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Free online entry declaration from 3 days before arrival unless exempt
RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary
Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it
Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.
RecommendedTravel medical insurance
Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates
Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.
Official sourcesKorea Visa Application Center in Manila - processing notice (2026-06-11)Korea Visa Application Center in Manila - service fees (2026)Korea Visa Application Center in Manila - express fee notice (2026)
Application link included: Korea Visa Application Center in Manila - processing notice (2026-06-11)
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
KVAC service feePHP 900Per application, cash only, in addition to any embassy visa fee.
Embassy visa feeVariesDepends on visa type, duration, and entry count; confirm at KVAC/Embassy when applying.
Express visa applicationPHP 2,400 totalKVAC 2026 notice: PHP 1,000 embassy visa fee + PHP 900 KVAC service fee + PHP 500 express service fee.
Premium Lounge submissionPHP 2,000Optional KVAC service for eligible short-term categories from 4 August 2025.
Korea e-Arrival CardFreeOfficial electronic arrival declaration; no fee required.
Total estimatePHP 900 + applicable embassy visa fee — PHP 2,400 express total; optional services extraincl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

C-3 short-term visit visa
10 working days
KVAC notice effective 15 June 2026 for short-term visit (C-3) applications.
Express C-3 application
5 working days
KVAC notice says express processing still takes 5 working days.
Korea e-Arrival Card
Within 3 days before arrival
Free online declaration starting 3 days before arrival in Korea.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Trying to use K-ETA instead of a visa
K-ETA is for visa-free eligible passports. The Philippines is not listed on the K-ETA eligible country page.
Medium
/02
Weak financial or employment evidence
Short-term visa decisions often turn on stable funds, employment/business ties, and a credible reason to return.
Medium
/03
Incomplete category-specific documents
The required C-3 documents vary by employee, business owner, student, invited visitor, and other categories.
Medium
/04
Applying too close to departure
Regular C-3 processing is listed as 10 working days from 15 June 2026, and volume or holidays can still affect collection timing.
Medium
/05
Arrival declaration missed
Most foreign nationals must submit an entry declaration; the e-Arrival Card is the free online route.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Carry your visa grant notice or visa-free group documents, hotel address, and return ticket. Entry remains at the border officer's discretion.
/02
Arrival forms
Complete any current arrival, health, or customs declaration required by your airline or Korean immigration before inspection.
/03
Connectivity
Airport SIMs, eSIMs, and transport cards are easy to buy at Incheon, Gimpo, Busan, and major convenience stores.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-06-21
Reviewed by Claude Code
Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.
2026-06-21 · major
Codex fact-check
Updated PH-KR with KVAC's June 2026 C-3 processing notice, current KVAC service/express fee wording, K-ETA eligibility limits, and Korea e-Arrival Card requirements.
2026-05-27
Philippines to Korea route verified
Earlier version confirmed the visa-required route but used outdated fee, processing, and K-ETA wording.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Filipino citizens need a visa for South Korea?—
Yes for ordinary mainland Korea tourism or short business visits. Philippine ordinary passports are not on Korea's K-ETA eligible visa-free country list, so apply for the correct C-3 visa before travel.
Can I use K-ETA instead of a Korean visa?+
How long does the Korean C-3 visa take in the Philippines?+
How much should I budget for the application?+
Do I need Korea's e-Arrival Card if I already have a visa?+
Can I get a multi-entry visa?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the Philippines passport

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