There are plenty of reasons for
Filipinos to travel to East Asia. There have been good employment opportunities
there for one. Second, the cultures of countries such as Japan and South Korea
have been major draws for Filipino tourism. Whether it is the pop music, or the
food, one can never go wrong with taking a trip to South Korea. Perhaps in
recognition that international relations between them and the Philippines is
now seven decades old, South Korea has made an announcement that will ease the
burden of Filipinos looking to get visas there. The requirements for such have
been made easier to fulfill now.
ABS-CBN News reports that South Korea has indeed relaxed certain
requirements for Filipinos to get a visa for their country. It was announced by
the South Korean ambassador to the Philippines, Han Dongman, just this Sunday,
June 2. He explained that the simplification for the application process of a
visa to South Korea was in line to further encourage Filipinos to travel to
their country. It is understandable considering that they and the Philippines
celebrated 70 years of diplomatic ties in Manila last year. Han noted that
roughly 500,000 Filipino tourists went to South Korea back throughout the year
2018.
In specific terms, Ambassador Han
announced that Philippine-based travel agencies are now cleared to course South
Korean visa applications, in a move to decongest lines of applicants at the
embassy itself. The amount of necessary documents will also be reduced, and particularly
so if the visa applicant is either a qualified professional, a member of the
media, or working for the Philippine government. These sectors in particular
will be able to apply for multiple-entry visas to South Korea with validities that
will last them from 5 up to 10 years.
Aside from the relaxation of
requirements for work and tourist visas, South Korea is increasing their
scholarship slots for Filipinos to twice the previous number. This will enable
more fortunate hopefuls to study in South Korean schools. "For those
qualified for the multiple visa, they can submit only one paper saying I am
working for this company," noted Ambassador Han for professional working
Filipino applicants, adding, "We are encouraging people-to-people
exchange, not only tourists but also students. So we are inviting many Korean
students to study in the Philippines, and also we are inviting many qualified,
talented Filipinos, in particular, university students to get scholarship."
This is an appropriate
reciprocation considering how many South Koreans have been coming as tourists
to the Philippines over the previous decade. In fact, they are now the largest
number of foreign tourists from one country coming to visit ours.
Image
courtesy of Preview.ph
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