Great news! Filipinos can once again enter Jeju Island visa-free starting 1 Jun 2022.
On 4 May, South Korea’s Interior and Safety Minister Jeon Hae-cheol announced that the visa-free program will be active again through the Jeju International Airport starting on 1 Jun. Mr. Jeon, who also acts as the deputy head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, says that South Korea will gradually open up to international tourists once COVID-19 cases in the country continue to decline.
Also read: Hallyu Visa: What Philippine Passport Holders Should Know
How Filipinos can travel to Jeju Island visa-free
There are no direct flights from Manila to Jeju Island. What you can do, however, is to book a flight that will transit to other visa-free countries like Singapore, Malaysia, or Thailand. For instance, once the borders open soon, you may search for flights from Manila to Bangkok, KualaLumpur, or Singapore. From there, you can start searching for flights direct to Jeju Island.
Always remember to check the respective countries’ entry requirements before planning your trip. You may read the following articles:
- South Korea Travel Restrictions: What to Know Before Visiting
- Singapore-Philippines VTL Guidelines & Requirements
- Malaysia Travel Requirements: What We Know So Far
- Thailand Travel Requirements: What to Know Before Visiting
Filipinos can also fly to Gangwon visa-free
Jeju International Airport won’t be alone in welcoming tourists back to South Korea. Yangyang Airport in Gangwon Province will also reinstate the waiver for Filipino group tourists. Its enactment was done ahead of international events taking place in the province, making it an opportune time to enjoy local festivals.
If you want to stay in these provinces for a while, you may do so. This program allows international tourists to enjoy the sights and sounds of South Korea for up to 30 days. That’s probably enough to adapt to local life in the provinces.
Also read: 14 Awesome Attractions in Jeju Island You Shouldn’t Miss
This visa-free program was enacted as early as 2002 as a campaign to pump up tourism on Jeju Island. But, it was suspended during the height of the pandemic in South Korea last February 2020.
So, if you want to experience Jeju Island or visit the filming locations of your favourite K-dramas like Boys Over Flowers, Secret Garden, and The Legend of the Blue Sea, this is your chance!
source: tripzilla. ph