Filipino passport holders need a visa for South Korea (ordinary passports; K-ETA is only for visa-free nationalities). This page gathers what the Korean embassy and visa centre for the Philippines publish, checked on 2026-09-26. Rules and fees change — confirm on the official page before you apply.
At a glance
| What the official pages say | |
|---|---|
| Do I need a visa? | Yes — Filipino ordinary passports need a visa for a tourist trip (no general visa exemption, no K-ETA). (source 1, source 2) |
| Visa type | Tourist visa C-3-9, single entry, valid 3 months. (source) |
| Where to apply | Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC) Manila, 9F Brittany Hotel, BGC Taguig, or an embassy-designated travel agency. C-3-9 applicants can also apply by mail via W Express. (source 1, source 2) |
| Fee | Visa: free for stays of 59 days or less; PHP 2,000 for 60–90 days. KVAC service fee PHP 1,000 (from 25 Aug 2026, cash), charged separately. (source 1, source 2) |
| Processing time | 10 working days (from 15 June 2026). Express (5 working days) is generally not available for tourism. (source 1, source 2) |
| Stay per entry | Up to 90 days. (source) |
| Multiple-entry visa | Not confirmed — check the official embassy / visa centre page |
| Jeju visa-free entry | Allowed — 30 days visa-free when you fly directly into Jeju. Going on to the mainland needs a stay-area extension permit from Jeju immigration. (source 1, source 2) |
| Visa-free transit | Allowed — up to 30 days visa-free when transiting Korea to or from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or one of 32 European countries while holding that country’s visa or residence, with an onward ticket within 30 days. (source 1, source 2) |
Core documents
The main items the official checklist asks for — the full list depends on your job and who pays for the trip:
- Visa application form and one photo (3.5 × 4.5 cm, white background, within 6 months)
- Original passport and a copy of the photo page
- Original bank certificate issued within 3 months, showing the balance and the 6-month average daily balance (a statement alone is not enough)
- Employed: certificate of employment on letterhead (within 3 months) and ITR / BIR 2316; self-employed: DTI certificate, business permit, BIR 1701; students: enrolment certificate or school ID, PSA birth certificate and parents’ financial documents
Also worth knowing
- Until 31 December 2026 the financial documents are waived for some groups (e.g. licensed physicians, lawyers, CPAs, senior officials, and Gold/Elite card holders of listed banks) — see the embassy notice.
- Groups of 3 or more can get an e-group visa through embassy-designated agencies (in regular operation since 27 June 2026).
- Group tourist visas (C-3-2, filed by designated travel agencies) have their visa fee waived until 31 December 2026 — individual visas are not covered.
After the visa
Visa holders fill in the arrival card (paper on the plane, or the e-Arrival Card online before landing). Keep your hotel address and return ticket handy at immigration.
Travelling on another passport? See which nationalities can visit Korea visa-free or with K-ETA.
Korea visa for other nationalities
- Korea tourist visa for Vietnamese citizens
- Korea tourist visa for Indonesian citizens
- Korea tourist visa for Chinese citizens
- Korea tourist visa for Indian citizens
- Korea tourist visa for Pakistani citizens
- Korea tourist visa for Bangladeshi citizens
- Korea tourist visa for Nepali citizens
- Korea tourist visa for Mongolian citizens
FAQ
Do Filipino citizens need a visa for South Korea?
Yes — Filipino ordinary passports need a visa for a tourist trip (no general visa exemption, no K-ETA).
How much is a Korea tourist visa for Filipino citizens?
Visa: free for stays of 59 days or less; PHP 2,000 for 60–90 days. KVAC service fee PHP 1,000 (from 25 Aug 2026, cash), charged separately.
How long does a Korea visa take in the Philippines?
10 working days (from 15 June 2026). Express (5 working days) is generally not available for tourism.
Sources: the Korean embassy / consulate and Korea Visa Application Center pages for the Philippines linked above, checked 2026-09-26. This page is information, not legal advice; the embassy decides.
