KVAC simplifies Korean visa applications, scraps bank statement requirement

Is visiting South Korea included in your travel bucket list this year? Here's some good news: the visa requirements have been simplified.

The Korea Visa Application Center Philippines has updated its requirements, most notably removing the need for three months of bank statements.

According to KVAC, starting Feb. 20, student applicants can also just submit an Original School Certificate or a copy of their student ID.

In cases involving multiple applicants, common documents (e.g., invitation letters, family relationship documents, company-related documents, etc.) need only be submitted in one copy and attached to the representative applicant’s file.

Additionally, the submission of an explanation letter for employment-related documents will be waived if no landline number is provided or if the document bears an electronic signature. The document will still be accepted as long as other contact information, such as an email address or mobile number, is available.

In case you missed it, KVAC previously announced that it has adjusted the processing time for short-term (C-3) visas to 16 working days from 14 working days. Express applications will still be processed within five working days, with an additional fee of P500 on top of the standard P900 center service fee, effective March 2. Learn more about it here.