MANILA — Korean nationals may apply for immigration visa in the Philippines starting May 1, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Monday.
The foreigners are allowed to avail of the privileges under Section 13 and Section 13(a) of the Philippine Immigration Act.
Under BI Memorandum Circular SBM-2015-005, the said nationality may apply for a quota visa under Section 13 if they have investments in the Philippines or posses special qualifications.
Quota visas under Section 13 admit fifty (50) immigrants of any nationality every calendar year.
Likewise, Koreans who are married to Filipino citizens, with their unmarried children under 21 years old, may also apply for a visa under Section 13(a).
BI Commissioner Siegfred Mison noted that qualified applicants may adjust their visa type within two years.
“Holders of visas under Memorandum Order No. MCL-08-003 may adjust their status to either Section 13, 13(a) or any other appropriate visa type within two years,” he said in a statement.
The announcement was made after the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed that the Korean Government now grants permanent residence status to Filipino nationals.
Filipinos are also allowed to acquire Korean citizenship through naturalization.