South Korea Expands Simplified Visa Requirements to More Card Holders
No need to submit financial documents if you're eligible.
(SPOT.ph) Great news for Filipino travelers! The Embassy of the Republic of Korea has just made it easier for credit card holders of BPI, RCBC, and Metrobank to apply for a South Korean visa. This change simplifies the visa application experience because now there are fewer requirements.
From July 22, 2024, to December 31, 2024, eligible travelers will no longer need to submit multiple financial documents like bank certificates, bank statements, or Income Tax Returns (ITR).
This update expands on the earlier simplified visa requirements for certain categories such as elected politicians, government officials, professional license holders, and BDO Gold or BDO Elite Credit Card holders.
Also read: No Need to Go Onsite: Korean Visa Center Now Accepts Applications Via Mail
Eligible credit card holders for South Korea’s simplified visa application
This streamlined process applies to holders of specific credit cards from BPI, RCBC, and Metrobank. Note that supplementary credit card holders are not eligible.
BPI
- Gold: Gold Rewards
- Elite: Platinum Rewards, Amore Platinum Cashback, Signature Card
RCBC
- Gold: Mastercard Gold, Visa Flex Gold, JCB Gold
- Elite: Black Mastercard, Diamond Mastercard, YGC Rewards Plus Platinum, Hexagon Privilege, Visa Platinum, JCB Platinum, UnionPay Diamond, Visa Infinite, World Mastercard and its variants (RCBC Hexagon Priority, RCBC Balesin World, RCBC The City Club World)
Metrobank
- World Mastercard, Femme Signature Visa card, Travel Platinum Visa card, Platinum Mastercard, M Free Mastercard, Dollar Mastercard
To take advantage of this new process, you’ll need to provide:
- An original certificate of employment
- A copy of the front side of your credit card with all information visible
- Copies of your latest 3 months of credit card account monthly billing statements
Immediate family members, including parents, spouses, minor children, and adult children who are students, can also take advantage of this simplified process. However, proof of relationship documents is still required for family members.
Other general visa application documents such as a valid passport, visa forms, travel insurance, employment documentation, and travel itineraries are still required.
“Please be informed that the bank documents are the ONLY exempted or substituted documents in the said simplification process and all other general documents must still be submitted,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a notice. You can also opt to submit the exempted documents if you think it will help with your visa approval.
Also read: Here's How You Can Enjoy Free Activities in South Korea Without Needing a Visa