Can't secure that online appointment for a Korean visa for the longest time? Good news: The Korea Visa Application Center has finally opened at the Brittany Hotel in Bonifacio Global City—and they are open to all walk-in applicants.
You read that right: No more online reservations here. The Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC) will now be handling all visa-related processes in lieu of the South Korean embassy, with an application fee of P900 no matter the visa type.
This new visa processing unit is open from Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on weekends, Philippine holidays, and Korean consulate holidays.
"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," South Korean Ambassador Lee Sang Hwa said during the KVAC's opening ceremony.
What to know about the Korea Visa Application Center:
All types of visa applications are accepted at the KVAC. It takes around seven to eight working days for the visa to be processed. Once visa processing is completed, the applicants will receive a text message from KVAC about their visa application status.
They recommend visiting the KVAC in the afternoon for the release of passports since "there are many applicants in the morning."
Beyond in-person filing, the KVAC also accepts visa applications through one of its 35 designated travel agencies. However, select visa applications will still be accepted at the South Korean embassy:
- diplomatic passport holders
- official passport holders
- those who require a visa urgently within one to two days due to humanitarian reasons
There are a total of 20 reception counters, four release counters, and four payment counters to speed up waiting time. Computers, photocopiers, and writing desks will be available at the KVAC.
There is no limit to the number of visa applications per day. However, do expect to be in wait for a long time, especially within the first few weeks or months of the KVAC's opening. Some applicants head to the KVAC as early as five in the morning to secure a place in line.
Parking is available at the KVAC building and at SM Aura, which is only a three-minute walk from the KVAC.
The Korea Visa Application Center is from 9/F to 10/F, Brittany Hotel BGC, 6 McKinley Parkway, Taguig City. For more information, call 02-8248-5440 or visit the KVAC official website.