Philippines
Korea Visa Guide
Korean Visa Guide for Filipino Citizens
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.
Written by James Chae — Co-Founder, Expert Sapiens
Platform expertise: Immigration consulting & visa services · Reviewed July 2026
Review & source basis
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
July 14, 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.
Key Facts for Philippines Citizens
Visa-free stay
Not applicable — visa required
K-ETA eligible?
No — full visa required
EPS managed by
DMW (Department of Migrant Workers; formerly POEA)
Domestic worker program?
Yes (launched Sept 2024 — new)
Filipino community in Korea
~53,000
Korean Embassy in Philippines
Manila; Consulate in Cebu
Important manual-based filing notes
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.
- EPS and domestic worker routes are controlled-channel filings. They are not ordinary direct-hire visa applications, so unofficial recruiter shortcuts create obvious risk.
- Marriage and family-based applications usually succeed or fail on document discipline: recent PSA civil records, apostille or authentication handling, and consistent family data across forms.
- If Korea requests medical or TB paperwork, follow the sealed-envelope and designated-provider instructions exactly. Those details are easy to miss and can trigger refiling.
- Once a stay extension or change is filed inside Korea, avoid leaving the country until the case is decided unless immigration has clearly told you otherwise.
Best next steps
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 2026
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 — How Long Does Each Visa Type Take?
Real-world Korean visa processing times by visa type — D-4, E-7, F-5, E-9 and more. Compare official estimates vs. practical wait times, understand document bottlenecks, and learn how to avoid delays.
Korean Visa Options for Philippines Citizens
Non-professional Employment (EPS)
PopularCountry guideThe dominant work visa for Filipinos seeking factory and other permitted non-professional work in Korea. Managed through the Employment Permit System — check DMW (Department of Migrant Workers, formerly POEA) and EPS-TOPIK notices. Manufacturing, construction, agriculture, fisheries, and selected 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 route for Filipino workers runs through the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW, formerly POEA) and HRD Korea. Filipino applicants must pass EPS-TOPIK, enter the EPS roster, be matched with a Korean employer, complete required medical and training steps, and keep all records consistent through E-9 visa issuance. Total wait time can range from several months to over a year depending on sector demand and roster movement.
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 DMW.
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.
Ask K-VISA AI
Get instant answers to these visa questions with our Korea-focused AI assistant.
Immigration Specialists
Verified professionals who can help with your visa application
From Our Experts
Related Guides
Compare These Visas
Similar Countries
Not sure which visa fits your situation?
Take the free visa quiz or ask K-VISA AI for personalised advice.