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Philippines
Korea Visa Guide
The Philippines and South Korea share deep cultural and economic ties — the countries are close trading partners, and the Korean-Filipino community is one of Korea's most established. While Filipino general passport holders require a visa for Korea, multiple established pathways exist for work (EPS), marriage, education, and a landmark 2024 domestic worker program.
Reviewed against
James Chae, 행정사 (Korean Licensed Administrative Attorney). License No. 220-06-06463 · 대한행정사회 (Korean Administrative Agents Association). Reviewed against the HiKorea 사증·체류업무 자격별 안내 매뉴얼 and cross-checked with Ministry of Justice issuances.
Last reviewed
April 22, 2026
Source references
Nationality-specific issuance-manual sections covering Philippines-linked entry control, consular review, and family-relationship document handling.
Visa-type issuance sections supporting the main Philippines-facing pathways, especially E-9, F-6, D-2, and E-7 routes.
Filing caution
Requirements can change by nationality, local immigration office, and filing channel. Confirm exact requirements with HiKorea, the responsible Korean consulate, or a licensed immigration specialist before filing.
Visa required for all stays
Filipino general passport holders must obtain a visa at the Korean Embassy in Manila or the Korean Consulate in Cebu before travelling to Korea. There is no visa-free arrangement for general passports.
Visa-free stay
Not applicable — visa required
K-ETA eligible?
No — full visa required
EPS managed by
POEA (Philippines Overseas Employment Administration)
Domestic worker program?
Yes (launched Sept 2024 — new)
Filipino community in Korea
~53,000
Korean Embassy in Philippines
Manila; Consulate in Cebu
These points are drawn from Korea immigration manuals and recurring filing rules that often affect higher-risk nationality pages.
Korea Immigration Service (출입국·외국인정책본부): Nationality-specific issuance sections on Philippines-linked consular and family-document handling.
Ministry of Justice Immigration Policy Bureau: Stay-manual sections supporting sealed medical-document and pending-travel cautions.
Based on common visa paths for citizens of Philippines, here are the most useful next steps.
E-9 Visa — Document Checklist
Complete printable document checklist for the South Korea E-9 visa. Check off items as you prepare your application.
Korean Visa Fee Guide 2025
Official fees charged by the Korea Immigration Service for visa issuance, extension, and status change. All amounts are in Korean Won (KRW).
Korea Visa Processing Times 2025: D-4, E-7, F-Series & More
Real-world Korean visa processing times for D-4, E-7, F-5, E-9 and more — official estimates vs. actual wait times, and how to speed up your application.
Non-professional Employment (EPS)
PopularCountry guideThe dominant work visa for Filipinos in Korea. Managed through the Employment Permit System — apply via POEA (Philippines Overseas Employment Administration). Manufacturing, construction, agriculture, fisheries, and service sectors.
Marriage Migrant
PopularFilipino spouses of Korean nationals. Korean-Filipino marriages are among the most common international marriage combinations in Korea. F-6 leads to F-5 permanent residency after 2 years.
Domestic Worker Program (NEW 2024)
PopularA landmark new pathway: the first 100 Filipino domestic helpers arrived in Korea in September 2024. Requires TESDA childcare certification. Age 24–38. Monthly wage ~₩1.5M.
English Teacher
Filipino nationals who are native English speakers and hold a bachelor's degree may qualify for E-2. Some schools specifically recruit Filipinos for their English proficiency and cultural adaptability.
Student
Filipino students in Korea — many attend on GKS scholarships or language programs. Growing Filipino student community at Korean universities.
Skilled Worker
Filipino IT professionals and specialists with a job offer from a Korean company. Universal E-7 requirements apply.
Do Filipino citizens need a visa for South Korea?
Yes. Filipino general passport holders must obtain a visa from the Korean Embassy in Manila or the Korean Consulate in Cebu. Diplomatic and official passports have different rules.
How does the EPS system work for Filipinos?
The EPS is run jointly by the Philippine POEA and Korean HRD Korea. Filipino workers must pass the EPS-TOPIK Korean language test, join the EPS roster, and be matched with Korean employers who specifically request workers. Total wait time can range from 6 months to 2 years.
What is the Filipino domestic worker program in Korea?
Korea launched its first domestic worker program in September 2024, with an initial cohort of 100 Filipino domestic helpers. Requirements: TESDA childcare certificate, age 24–38, no dependents in Korea. Monthly wage aligns with Korea's minimum wage (~₩1.5M+). Applications are processed through POEA.
Can a Filipino married to a Korean live in Korea permanently?
Yes. After 2 years on F-6 (marriage migrant) with demonstrated cohabitation and meeting income/language requirements, a Filipino spouse can apply for F-5 permanent residency.
Are there Filipino communities and support services in Korea?
Yes. The largest Filipino community is in Seoul (particularly Hyehwa-dong, known as 'Fil-Zone'), with significant communities in Ansan and other manufacturing cities. The Philippine Embassy in Yongsan-gu, Seoul provides support services for overseas Filipino workers.
Verified professionals who can help with your visa application
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All agents on Mr. Visa Korea are certified immigration administrative agents (행정사) registered in Korea.
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Written by James Chae — Co-Founder, Expert Sapiens
Platform expertise: Immigration consulting & visa services · Reviewed April 2026
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