The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has announced it launched its initiative to promote South Korea’s culture, cuisine, and climate to Filipino travelers.
Under this new arrangement, eligible credit card holders from the partnered banks wanting to travel to South Korea during winter will benefit from a simplified visa application process. As a result, they will no longer need to submit bank certificates, bank statements, and income tax returns when applying for a Korean visa, VisaGuide.World reports.
List of Reduced Documents for Filipino Applicants
As BusinessWorld explains, this streamlined process, initially formalized on September 6, 2024, will be available until the end of the year.
The revised application process requires only three documents: an original copy of the employment certificate, a copy of the credit card and the last three months of billing statements.
Instead of their bank certificates, bank statements, and income tax returns, each type of applicant will be required to submit specific documents. In addition to these, general documents such as the application form, a copy of the passport’s biographical page, and proof of relationship (for those traveling with close family members) will also be required.
At the same time, physicians, dentists, lawyers, certified public accountants, pharmacists, and veterinarians can submit their PRC ID (or Integrated Bar of the Philippines ID for lawyers) along with the standard documents.
With the Korean Visa Application Center opening in Manila at the end of August last year and the expansion of group e-visa agencies to 23 locations in October, the conditions for visa applications have greatly improved.
Travel Between South Korea & the Philippines Returns to 2019 Levels
Seo also revealed that as of July this year, 280,000 Filipino tourists had visited Korea, while 930,000 Koreans have traveled to the Philippines. According to him, this strong travel exchange is almost back to the levels seen in 2019, signaling a strong recovery in tourism.
During the recently held travel fair celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and the Philippines, attendees enjoyed exclusive flight offers and travel packages to popular destinations such as Daegu, Nami Island, Jeollanamdo and Busan.
In addition, Seo encouraged Filipinos to explore lesser-known cultural and culinary spots outside of Seoul, highlighting cities like Gangneung, Jeonju and Mokpo.