The Korean Embassy announced Tuesday that it will ease visa application requirements for elected politicians, government officials, professionals, and credit card holders beginning Thursday, Feb. 1.
“From February 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines will simplify visa application documents for visa applicants who meet the following conditions,” stated the embassy in a notice posted on its website.
The new policy will cover elected politicians, government officials, professional license holders, and credit card holders.
“Please be aware that for those who meet the following conditions, only the stated financial documents can be exempted or replaced, and other general required documents must still be submitted,” the embassy clarified.
On Jan. 9, the Korean Visa Application Center (KVAC) in Manila announced that “all visa applicants may proceed directly to the 9th floor upon arriving at the hotel. KVAC is located on 9/F (Zone 2) of the Brittany Hotel at 6 McKinley Parkway, Aura Complex, BGC, Taguig.
“Although KVAC will start supporting applicants to file applications from 9 AM, the Customer Waiting Area on 9F opens at 7 AM to comfort all applicants,” it said.
According to the embassy, here are the requirements for Korean visa application by category:
Elected politicians
– applicable for members of the Senate, House of Representatives, governors, provincial board members, city and/or municipality mayors;
– immediate family members including one’s parents, spouse, minor children (also for adult children, who can prove to be students through documents), spouse’s parents
Required visa application documents:
– identification documents (original copy) such as Certificate of Employment or Certificate of Appointment
– bank certificates, bank statements, and income tax return (ITR) are exempted for the politician and family members, but may still be submitted if preferred
– other documents such as proof of relationship
Government officials
– applicable for persons with a rank higher or equal to Assistant Secretary of the executive branch of the Philippine government, brigadier general of the Armed Forces of the Philippines/Philippine National
– not applicable for those in acting duties
– immediate family members including one’s parents, spouse, minor children (also for adult children, who can prove to be students through documents), spouse’s parents
Required visa application documents:
– original copy of Certificate of Employment (clearly specify the affiliated organization, working period, position and salary). If the relevant information is omitted or cannot be verified due to a lack of contact with HR, disadvantages may be given to the applicant
– bank certificates, bank statements, and income tax return (ITR) are exempted for the government officials and family members, but may still be submitted if preferred
– other documents such as proof of relationship
Professional license holders
– applicable for those holding a valid PRC (Professional Regulatory Commission) ID for doctors, dentists, pharmacists, veterinarian, and certified public accountants; IBP (Integrated Bar of the Philippines) ID for lawyers (including judge, prosecutors)
– immediate family members including one’s parents, spouse, minor children (also for adult children, who can prove to be students through documents), spouse’s parents
Required visa application documents:
– original copy of Certificate of Employment
– copy of PRC and/or IBP IDs
– bank certificates, bank statements, and income tax return (ITR) are exempted for the professional license holders and family members, but may still be submitted if preferred
– other documents such as proof of relationship
Credit card holders
– applicable for BDO Gold or BDO Elite Credit Card holders, excluding supplementary card holders
– immediate family members including one’s parents, spouse, minor children (also for adult children, who can prove to be students through documents), spouse’s parents
Required visa application documents:
– original copy of Certificate of Employment
– copy of credit card (front only with complete information)
– bank certificates, bank statements, and income tax return (ITR) are exempted for credit card holders and family members, but may still be submitted if preferred
– other documents such as proof of relationship