THOUGHTSKOTO

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Filipinos to Benefit 5 Days Visa-Free Entry to South Korea starting May 2017

This good news is confirmed by Rhee Kangil, chief marketing manager of Jeju Tourism Organization (JTO).

The five-days visa-free access is also open to Indonesian and Vietnamese to explore the land of Hallyu and kimchi. This rule applies to Chinese tourist too, but the JTO is now eyeing visitors from Southeast Asian nations.

"The Korean government, they [authorities] have allowed Filipinos, Vietnamese, Indonesians to come to Korea using package tours," Rhee said, adding that the policy will be implemented in May.

(Temple on Jeju Island, South Korea)

"The [visa-free] system [being offered] is when tourists using a package come to Korea and if there's Jeju [island] on the itinerary. It only applies to package tours but there has to be designated travel agencies. It cannot be any travel agency selling Korean packages," Rhee explained.

According to Philippine Ambassador to Korea Raul Hernandez, the Philippines is included in the plan of the Korean government to issue electronic visas and allow a visa-free stay in mainland Korea for five days in order to boost its tourism industry.

Currently, if you are a holder of a Philippine passport, you may enter Jeju-island visa free but must obtain a visa if traveling to mainland Korea.

There are no direct flights to Jeju but Philippine Airlines has chartered flights, via Rakso Travel.

But Hernandez clarified that only selected tour agencies are included in the program.

Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) said it “It is true that at the moment, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia among the Southeast Asian countries are being considered to be included in the electronic visa program.”

Under the electronic visa program, the MCST said, “group tourists will not have to go to the Korean Embassy to get a visa if your country is eligible for an electronic visa since it can be issued through the accredited travel agency.”

The following are 40 most beautiful places in South Korea according to CNN Travel;