New Courier Service Simplifies South Korean Visa Applications for Palawan Residents

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY – Palawan residents planning to travel to South Korea have a new option that eliminates the need to visit Metro Manila for visa applications. Starting February 1, the local courier service W Express, in collaboration with the Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC), will offer a Postal Service Visa Application (PSVA) service.

According to Philippines News Agency, the officer-in-charge of the W Express branch in Puerto Princesa City, the visa application process involves a fee of PHP900, with an additional courier fee of PHP1,000. The Korean Embassy staff at KVAC will continue to oversee the review of visa requirements, while W Express will handle the document transportation.

Applicants must present a government-issued identification for verification and cover the non-refundable fees charged by W Express and KVAC. Notifications of document acceptance will be communicated via email and text messages. In instances where KVAC requests additional documentation, applicants can submit the required papers to the same W Express branch within seven working days without incurring extra charges. Furthermore, the KVAC’s Philippine office in Taguig City has stated that selected W Express branches are authorized to process C-3-9 Tourist Visa applications for short-term visits of less than 59 days.

This service introduction follows efforts by the Puerto Princesa and Seogwipo (Jeju) local governments to facilitate easier travel and bolster tourism and cultural exchanges between the two cities. In December, the establishment of the Seogwipo (Jeju) Tourist Center and Korean Tourism Information Center in Puerto Princesa was announced, aimed at supporting the Korean community in Palawan.