Korea Visa from Philippines
- The C-3 tourist visa is required for mainland Korea — but it's FREE.
- Fill the form at visa.go.kr, then submit via the Korean Embassy or an accredited travel agency.
- Employees: bring ITR + Certificate of Employment. Business owners: DTI/SEC + business permit.
- Since Feb 2026 you no longer need 3-month bank statements. Processing is about 3–5 business days.
Yes — Filipino passport holders need a visa, but it's FREE.
You apply for the C-3 tourist visa before travelling to mainland Korea. The upside: there's no visa fee, processing is quick, and since Feb 2026 you no longer submit 3-month bank statements.
The C-3 tourist visa is free of charge for Philippine passport holders. Watch out for agencies that add their own service charges.
Applicants in the Philippines are no longer required to submit the last 3 months' bank statements. Employees show ITR + Certificate of Employment instead.
There are limited visa-free entry options (starting with Jeju Island). These are separate from the mainland tourist visa.
- Visa typeC-3 tourist
- Visa feefree (no fee)
- Processing≈ 3–5 business days
- Bank statementno longer required (from 2026-02-20)
- Apply atKorean embassy / accredited agencies
ⓘ Employees still submit ITR + Certificate of Employment; business owners submit DTI/SEC registration + business permit. Jeju Island has separate visa-free entry. Confirm current rules with the embassy.
The application, step by step
- 1
Confirm the visa type
For tourism, apply for the C-3 short-term tourist visa.
- 2
Fill the form at visa.go.kr
Complete the application form on the Korea Visa Portal — the only official site — then print and sign it. — Korea Visa Portal
- 3
Prepare your documents
Gather the checklist below. Employees center on ITR + Certificate of Employment; business owners on registration + permit.
- 4
Submit to the Embassy / accredited agency
Lodge your application with the Embassy of Korea in the Philippines or an embassy-accredited travel agency.
- 5
No visa fee to pay
The visa itself is free. If you use a travel agency, they may charge their own handling fee — the embassy fee is zero.
- 6
Wait ~3–5 business days
Processing is quick, but allow more time around Korean holidays (Chuseok, Seollal).
- 7
Collect your passport
Pick up your passport and check the visa details right away.
Document checklist — with where & how to get each
For each item, here is where to obtain it and what it must show. Requirements differ for employees, business owners and students.
Valid 6+ months with blank pages.
Recent passport-style photo, white background.
A bank certificate of your account. Note: since 20 Feb 2026, 3-month bank statements are no longer required.
Income Tax Return proving your employment income.
On company letterhead: position, salary, and approved leave dates.
DTI (sole proprietor) or SEC (corporation) registration, plus your business/mayor's permit.
Reservations/itinerary are enough — don't pay for a ticket before approval.
"How do I prove I can afford the trip?"
Since Feb 2026, you no longer submit 3-month bank statements — a bank certificate plus your ITR/employment (or business) proof carries the financial story. The aim is to show stable income and strong ties to the Philippines.
- Employees: ITR + Certificate of Employment are the core of your file.
- Business owners: registration + business permit + a bank certificate.
- Being sponsored? Add the sponsor's documents and proof of relationship.
Mistakes that cause refusals & delays
The embassy visa is FREE. Only agency handling fees are legitimate extras.
Missing ITR or COE. These are now the heart of a Filipino applicant's file.
Buying non-refundable tickets before approval — a reservation is enough.
Jeju visa-free options don't cover mainland Korea travel.
Processing slows around Chuseok/Seollal — apply earlier.
Philippines → Korea visa FAQ
Do Filipinos need a visa for Korea?
Yes for mainland Korea — you apply for a C-3 tourist visa before travelling. It is free of charge. Jeju Island has separate visa-free entry.
How much is the visa fee?
There is no visa fee for the C-3 tourist visa for Philippine passport holders. A travel agency may charge its own service fee, but the embassy fee is zero.
Do I need bank statements?
Since 20 Feb 2026, 3-month bank statements are no longer required. Employees show ITR + Certificate of Employment; business owners show registration + permit.
How long does it take?
About 3–5 business days, longer around Korean holidays like Chuseok and Seollal.
Where do I apply?
At the Embassy of Korea in the Philippines or through an embassy-accredited travel agency.
Can I get a multiple-entry visa?
Multiple-entry visas are possible for qualified travelers (e.g., strong travel history). Ask the embassy about current eligibility.
Do I still need the e-Arrival Card?
Entry-document rules such as the e-Arrival Card can still apply on arrival. Check the current rules near your travel date.
Official channels & researched guides
Confirm requirements at the official sources — they were recently updated:
Official sources
Passport-photo spec for your visa
Korea's visa photo rules are strict — getting them wrong is a common reason applications are delayed or rejected:
- 35 × 45 mm, plain white background (a software-replaced background is not accepted).
- Face 70–80% of the photo height, front view, neutral expression.
- Taken within the last 6 months; no hat, generally no glasses, no retouching.
- Online upload (Korea Visa Portal): JPEG under 200 KB, at least 413 × 531 px.
Based on the Korea Visa Portal (visa.go.kr) and consulate rules — confirm your own consulate's exact requirements.
Live indicative rate — actual booth and card rates vary.
- Address
- 80 Hoenamu-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
- Phone
- +82-2-788-2100
For emergencies after you arrive (a lost passport, for example). Confirm current details at the official site.
Visa sorted? Now plan the rest of your trip
Arrival, getting around, where to stay, and what to do — the rest of your Korea trip, all here.
Travel facts are checked against official sources with a verification date. Prices, schedules and visa rules change — always confirm at the linked official source before you travel.