Filipino travelers joining organized tours to South Korea will continue to avoid paying visa processing fees after the Korean government approved a six-month extension of the exemption for group tourist visas.
Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol announced on Wednesday that the waiver for C-3-2 visas—issued to tourists traveling as part of a group—will now remain valid until the end of June 2026, pushing back an earlier expiration date of Dec. 31, 2025.
The Philippines is among six countries covered by the extended policy, alongside China, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Cambodia, according to a report by The Korea Herald. South Korean officials said the move is intended to sustain growth in inbound tourism as the country works to raise foreign visitor arrivals.
Under existing rules, applicants for a C-3-2 visa would normally pay a processing fee of 18,000 won, roughly equivalent to ₱735. The continued exemption means eligible group tourists from the covered countries will not be charged this amount during the extension period.
Guidelines from the Korea Visa Application Center in Manila state that the group visa applies to short-term visitors, including those participating in limited cross-border trading activities, provided the trip is arranged and guaranteed by an accredited travel agency.
Visa applications are generally expected to be filed in person at the visa center. When personal appearance is not feasible, submissions may be made through a travel agency authorized by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines, or through a designated representative from the travel group such as a tour guide, agency staff member, coworker, or another participant.
The C-3-2 visa is strictly limited to short-term stays and does not allow holders to shift to study or employment status after arrival in South Korea.
