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Living The Dream: South Korea Introduces 2-Year Hallyu Visa For K-Pop Fans

South Korea launches Hallyu Visa


If you’ve ever dreamed of immersing yourself in the heart of K-pop culture, then get ready for some exciting news.

Alongside the releasing of the visa for digital nomads, South Korea is also launching the Hallyu Visa, catered solely for passionate K-pop fans who want to stay in the country for more than 90 days.


Hallyu Visa



Image credit: Andrea De Santis via Unsplash

The Hallyu Visa is another initiative that the South Korea Ministry of Justice introduced to make up for the economic loss they experienced due to the pandemic.

Also known as the K-culture training visa, another one of its goals is to open Korea’s influence once more to those who want to experience its culture through education. K-pop fans, in particular, are invited to consider applying for this visa and get the chance to stay in the country for up to two years.

This offers them an exclusive chance to dive deep into the heart of the Korean entertainment scene.


Things to know


Image credit: Mashable SE Asia

As it’s fairly new, qualifications for this visa will remain undisclosed until the second half of 2024.

While the Workation Visa requires a specific annual income amount from the applicant, the Hallyu Visa will require you to enroll or participate in local performing arts academies, where you’ll be studying art, dance, or music.

According to the South Korea Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, applicants must also choose to attend a government-accredited institution.

Yes, it’s not a lot of information, so make sure to check the Republic of Korea Embassy in the Philippines‘ official socials and other relevant sites every once in a while to keep yourselves updated.

Update: The South Korean Embassy in the Philippines just announced that visa requirements have been simplified. Starting February 2024, selected individuals are exempted from submitting financial documents, such as income tax returns (ITR) and bank statements, when applying for a visa.

The exempted individuals are as follows: elected politicians, government officials, professional license holders, and BDO Gold & BDO Elite Credit Card Holders.

Note: If you feel that still submitting financial documents could help your case in getting your visa approved, then you’re free to do so.  


Path to Hallyu immersion


Aside from economic value, South Korea’s launching of the Hallyu Visa poses as a testament to the country’s dedication to its K-pop community, both locally and internationally.

So if your heart beats to the rhythm of K-pop, don’t miss out on this golden opportunity to unlock your dreams in South Korea.

For more current affairs in the country, check out The Smart Local Philippines.


Cover image adapted from: Mashable SE Asia 

Jaya Fanoga

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