South Korea has become a favorite destination for Filipinos through the years. And it's not just because of K-Pop and K-Dramas, or even the popularity of samgyupsal—the country is home to magnificent palaces and good food, and has the fastest Internet connection in the entire world. Planning a visit soon? Here's good news for you: South Korea is relaxing visa requirements for Filipino visitors.
South Korean ambassador Han Dong Man made the announcement during the 70th anniversary of the Philippines and South Korea's diplomatic relations. The embassy is simplifying the visa application process for Filipinos. There will be fewer documents required in the application, especially for qualified professionals, media, and government workers. "We give them a multiple visa at least five years or 10 years with one single document saying that I'm working in this company," he said, according to a report by the Philippine Star.
South Korea is also doubling the number of scholarships offered to Filipinos. "We are encouraging people-to-people exchange, not only tourists, but also students. So we are inviting many Korean students to study in the Philippines, and also we are inviting many qualified, talented Filipinos, in particular, university students to get scholarship," Dong Man said.
Roughly 500,000 Filipinos visited South Korea in 2018, while South Koreans have consistently topped the foreign tourist arrivals list in the Philippines in that same year.