Wednesday, November 5, 2025

Easier Korean Visa Application for Professionals & select Credit Cardholders — No Bank Docs Needed!


---updated---

Planning a trip to Korea? Great news — visa application just got simpler!  Professionals with valid PRC or IBP licenses and select BDO, BPI, RCBC, Metrobank, and PNB credit cardholders can now apply through the Simplified Korean Visa Program.

Winter-themed Korea Tourism poster promoting simplified visa applications for eligible travelers. Features snowy mountains, skiing, snowboarding, and a QR code.

No need to submit:

  • Bank certificates
  • Bank statements
  • Income Tax Returns (ITR)

This exemption also applies to immediate family members of eligible applicants.

Perfect for licensed professionals, frequent travelers, and families planning their next Korean getaway!

This offer runs until December 31, 2026!



Korean Simplified Visa Application for Professional License Holders 🪪

Professionals with valid licenses — and their immediate family members — may now apply for a Korean visa under a simplified process.



✅ Who Can Apply:

  • Holders of a valid PRC License ID or IBP ID (for lawyers) in the following professions:
    • Physician
    • Dentist
    • Lawyer (including Judge and Prosecutor)
    • Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
    • Pharmacist
    • Veterinarian
  • Immediate family members of the license holder:
    • Parents
    • Spouse
    • Minor children
    • Adult children (must present proof of student status)
    • Spouse’s parents

📄 Required Documents:

  • Original Certificate of Employment
  • Photocopy of PRC License ID or IBP ID

💼 No need to submit:

    • Bank certificate
    • Bank statements
    • Income Tax Return (ITR)

Note: Additional documents such as proof of relationship are still required for family members.

 


💳 Simplified Korean Visa Application for select Credit Card Holders

Eligible credit cardholders and their immediate family members can now apply for a Korean visa with fewer financial documents required.

✅ Who Can Apply:

  • Primary Gold or Elite Credit Card holders from the following banks:
  • Supplementary cardholders are not eligible
  • Immediate family members of the cardholder:
    • Parents
    • Spouse
    • Minor children
    • Adult children (must present proof of student status)
    • Spouse’s parents



📄 Required Documents:

  • Original Certificate of Employment
  • Photocopy of credit card (front side only, with complete details)
  • Copies of the last 3 months’ credit card billing statements

💼 No need to submit:

    • Bank certificate
    • Bank statements
    • Income Tax Return (ITR)

Note: Additional documents such as proof of relationship are still required for family members.


The list of applicable credit cards are listed below.

1. BDO
A. GOLD
- Gold Mastercard Gold Credit Card
- Visa Gold Credit Card
- JCB Gold Credit Card
- UnionPay Gold Credit Card
- Diners Club International
- American Express® Cashback Credit Card
- American Express® Explorer™ Credit Card

B. ELITE
- World Elite Mastercard
- Platinum Mastercard
- Visa Platinum Credit Card
- Visa Signature Credit Card 
- JCB Platinum Credit Card
- UnionPay Diamond Credit Card
- Diners Club Premiere Credit Card
- American Express® Platinum Credit Card
- Platinum Credit Card® by American Express 
- American Express® Gold Card 


2. BPI
A. GOLD
- Gold Rewards

B. ELITE
- Platinum Rewards
- Amore Platinum Cashback
- Signature Card


3. RCBC
A. GOLD
- Mastercard Gold
- Visa Flex Gold
- JCB Gold

B. ELITE
- Black Mastercard
- Diamond Mastercard
- YGC Rewards Plus Platinum
- Hexagon Privilege
- Visa Platinum
- JCB Platinum
- UnionPay Diamond
- Visa Infinite
- World Mastercard and variants (RCBC Hexagon Priority, RCBC Balesin World, RCBC The City Club
World)

4. METROBANK
- World Mastercard
- Femme Signature Visa card
- Travel Platinum Visa card
- Platinum Mastercard
- Dollar Mastercard
- Travel Signature Visa card 

5. PNB (start from Jan 1, 2026)

A. GOLD
- Core Essentials  
- PNB Visa Gold
- PNB Cup Diamond

B. ELITE
- World Elite MC
- M3 World
- M3 Platinum
- Core Platinum

For more info, please check Korean Embassy's website HERE.


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