MANILA, Philippines- Binuksan ang Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC) Manila nitong Huwebes, upang tugunan ang lumalaking demand na makabiyahe sa South Korea at sa Pilipinas.
“The Korean government has designated 2023-2024 as ‘Visit Korea Year,’ making the opening of KVAC a perfect fit to the tourism campaign,” pahayag ni Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-Hwa sa opening ceremony ng KVAC.
Matatagpuan ang KVAC sa ika-siyam na palapag ng Brittany Hotel BGC sa 6 Mckinley Parkway sa Bonifacio Global City sa Taguig.
“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,” pangako ni Lee.
Dagdag niya, “Following the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the diplomatic relations of the Philippines and Korea in 2024, I hope that the people-to-people exchanges will become more active, and that the friendship and partnership between the two countries will deepen.”
Dinaluhan nina Senator Mark Villar, Senator Cynthia Villar, Deputy House Speaker Camille Villar, former Senate president and House speaker Manny Villar, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Jesus Domingo, Tourism Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso, at Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano ang opening ceremony.
Umabot na ang bilang ng people-to-people exchanges sa pagitan ng South Korea at Pilipinas sa 2.54 million noong 2019 subalit sinuspinde dahil sa COVID-19.
Mula January hanggang July ngayong taon, umabot na ang bilang sa isang milyon at inaasahang papalo sa pre-COVID-19 level.
Tatanggap ang KVAC ng visa applications mula sa mga Pilipinong nais bumisita sa Korea, at maglalabas ng issued visas at passports na ni-review ng Korean Embassy.
Isasagawa ng KVAC ang window services ng embahada, at tututukan ng embahada ang pagsala sa visa applications na magpapabilis sa visa application process.
Bukod dito, nagbibigay din ang KVAC ng libreng text notification services para sa visa applicants, at nag-aalok ng mga pasilidad gaya ng nursing rooms, kids’ playrooms, computers, at printers.
Binuksan ng embahada ang KVAC padaliin ang proseso para sa visa applicants, alisin ang online reservation system, at gawing simple ang application process upang matiyak ang efficient visa processing.
Sabi ni Lee, “The Korean Embassy will continue to make efforts to promote people-to-people exchanges. We will make efforts to allow more people enjoy the beauty and culture of Korea, and to enhance the deep friendship and partnership between the Philippines and Korea.”
Ang Visa application hours ay: Individual – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. / agency – 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Release times are: Individual – 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. / agency – 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. RNT/SA
