By THEPHILBIZNEWS STAFF
With the surge of tourists from the Philippines traveling to South Korea, and a record of 4.7-fold increase from January to July 2023, compared to last year, the Embassy of Korea opened a Visa Application Center (KVAC) in Manila on August 31 to meet the growing demands amid a surge in number of travelers between South Korea and the Philippines.
“The Korean government has designated 2023-2024 as ‘Visit Korea Year,’ making the opening of KVAC a perfect fit for the tourism campaign,” said Ambassador Lee Sang-Hwa of the Republic of Korea to the Philippines at the opening ceremony of the KVAC in BGC.
Ambassador Lee said, “There have been concerns that the visa application process has been too difficult for Korea, but expectations are high that it will be improved by the opening of KVAC,” adding, “following the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the diplomatic relations of the Philippines and Korea in 2024, I hope that the people-to-people exchanges will become more active and that the friendship and partnership between two countries will deepen.”
The opening ceremony was attended by important figures, including Senator Mark Villar, Senator Cynthia Villar, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Camille Villar, former Senate President and House Speaker Manny Villar, Undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs Jesus S. Domingo, Undersecretary of the Department of Tourism Verna C. Buensuceto, and Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano. Their attendance proved high expectations of the Philippines for the promotion of people-to-people exchanges between South Korea and the Philippines.
The number of people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, which was at 2.54 million in 2019, was almost suspended through COVID-19, but reached 1 million from January to July 2023. This figure is a 4.7-fold increase from the first half of 2022, and it is expected that the level of people-to-people exchanges will recover to the level before COVID-19.
The roles of KVAC are to receive visa applications from Filipinos who want to visit Korea, and release issued visas and passports that have been reviewed by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines. The Embassy’s window services shall be performed by the KVAC, and the Embassy focuses on the screening of the visa applications, so the entire process of the visa application are processed quickly and effectively.
Visa applicants may visit KVAC in Manila conveniently using public transportation and private cars. It is located inside a hotel, which offers pleasant and spacious facilities. KVAC also provides free SMS notification services for visa applicants, and offers facilities such as nursing rooms, kids’ playrooms, computers, and printers.
The Embassy opened a visa application center to improve the convenience of visa applicants, remove the online reservation system, and simplify the application process to ensure efficient visa processing. Filipinos and the Korean community who have experienced the new visa services at KVAC are loudly voicing their welcome.
Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa said, “The Korean Embassy will continue to make efforts to promote people-to-people exchanges,” adding, “We will make efforts to allow more people may enjoy the beauty and culture of Korea, and to enhance the deep friendship and partnership between the Philippines and Korea.”