At a Glance
Koreans can stay visa-free for 30 days, and by repeatedly extending, can stay up to 36 months counting from the most recent entry date.
The first extension (29 days, bringing the total to 59 days) can be done online. The first extension beyond 59 days requires obtaining an Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR I-Card), so you must go to an immigration office in person.
Processing takes about 1 hour for express, and 3 working days for regular. For fees, see the number boxes above. Each number box has its source and the date it was verified attached.
You can apply for an extension starting 7 days before your current stay expires.
Extension Procedure โ Online or In-Person for Each Round
This is the procedure as stated in the immigration office's official guide (2026 edition). Online extensions are only available up to 12 months from the most recent entry.
Round | Period | Where |
|---|---|---|
First extension (visa waiver) | 29 days (total 59 days) | Online or office |
First extension after 59 days | 1 month or 2 months | Office visit (ACR I-Card issued) |
Months 2โ5 | 1 month or 2 months | Online |
Month 6 | 1 month or 2 months | Office visit |
Months 7โ12 | 1 month or 2 months | Online |
Staying more than 12 months | 1 month or 2 months | Office visit |
Requirements
Original passport
Photocopies of the passport photo page and the most recent entry stamp page
Extension application form (CGAF) โ obtain from the immigration website or the information counter at the office.
If someone else applies on your behalf: a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) and the representative's ID
Online Extension
Apply through the Bureau of Immigration online service (e-services.immigration.gov.ph). Payment is made via Landbank or Maya, and confirmation of the extension is sent by email.
Online application requirements: your passport must be valid, you must still have remaining days on your current stay, and you must have a Submission Reference Number (SSRN) or a valid ACR I-Card.
Common error โ "We couldn't locate your travel record": Many reports say that entering your first name and middle name together in the first name field, and leaving the middle name field blank, resolves it (confirmed by several members of a Korean community group in October 2026).
The online site often goes down. If your deadline is close, going to the office is safer.
Office Visit
Main office: Intramuros, Manila. Single 6-month extensions (LSVVE) are handled by the Tourist Visa Section of the main office.
Regional offices: Offices nationwide, including Angeles, handle 1- and 2-month extensions. Operating hours vary by office, so check before you go.
Reports indicate regional offices are much faster than the main office (15 minutes to 2 hours for express).
Single 6-Month Extension (LSVVE)
This is still in the official guide, but it is handled by the Tourist Visa Section of the main office and requires approval from the Commissioner of Immigration, so processing takes about 4 working days. According to 2026 reports, it is often not granted without a special reason, so most people continue with 1- or 2-month extensions.
Things to Watch Out For
Exit Clearance Certificate (ECC): Tourists who stay more than 6 months must obtain an ECC before departing. Many people wrongly believe it applies "from 1 year."
Overstay: Once your stay expires, a fine is imposed and online extensions are blocked. I have not included the fine amount here because I could not confirm the latest official figures.
Fees vary slightly depending on the office and whether you choose express service. Use your receipt as the reference for the amount you actually paid.