South Korea now accepts Filipino tourist visa applications via mail

The Korean Visa Application Center (KVAC) in Manila announced that it started accepting tourist visa applications via mail starting May 1, 2024. 

Filipino applicants nationwide can submit their tourist visa application forms (C-3-9) and other necessary requirements through KVAC’s partner courier service WExpress. 

However, visa applications of non-Filipinos and other types of visas must still be submitted personally to the KVAC or designated travel agencies.

According to the KVAC website, Filipino applicants may go to the nearest WExpress branch with their national ID and the visa requirements. 

A fee of P1,900 would be collected for mailing service and KVAC’s service fee. 

The KVAC added that processing of visa applications would take 14 days.  

Applicants would receive a confirmation SMS from KVAC and an email from WExpress. 

KVAC said that if there were any lacking documents or if additional documents were required, applicants may submit them to any WExpress branch within seven days after the KVAC staff reached out to them. 

The KVAC advised interested Filipinos that tourists must plan their trip to South Korea at least four weeks prior to the flight date. 

The South Korean government simplified the visa requirements from February 1 until December 31 this year. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/DVM/KG, GMA Integrated News