Filipinos need a visa for South Korea, and residents of the UAE can apply here. The office depends on your residence visa: Dubai and the Northern Emirates go to the Korean Consulate General in Dubai; Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Al Dhafra and Al Ruwais go to the Embassy in Abu Dhabi. Your residence visa needs at least 6 months left, and processing takes about 7 days.
Checked on 21 October 2026 against the Korean Consulate General in Dubai and the Embassy of Korea in the UAE. Sources at the end.
At a glance
| Visa needed? | Yes. Philippine passports are not visa-free for Korea |
| Dubai or Northern Emirates residence | Korean Consulate General, Dubai |
| Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Al Dhafra, Al Ruwais residence | Embassy of Korea, Abu Dhabi |
| Residence visa validity | At least 6 months left |
| Fee | US$40 single, US$70 double, US$90 multiple entry; card only, non-refundable |
| Processing | About 7 calendar days; your passport is kept |
| After a refusal | Wait at least 3 months before reapplying |
Who can apply in the UAE
The Consulate in Dubai accepts non-UAE nationals who hold a UAE residence visa from Dubai or the Northern Emirates with at least 6 months of validity. Citizens of a list of 34 countries must also have held UAE residence continuously for the last 2 years. Check the Consulate’s list before applying.
If your residence visa is from Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Al Dhafra or Al Ruwais, apply at the Embassy in Abu Dhabi instead.
Korea’s electronic travel authorisation (K-ETA) is only for visa-free nationalities. Philippine passport holders apply for a visa.
Documents
The Consulate sets strict dates on supporting documents:
- Company letter (employment certificate or NOC): dated within 1 month. See our NOC templates.
- Bank statement: issued within 2 weeks. See our bank statement guide.
- Other documents: within 3 months or their expiry date.
A typical tourist file also includes:
- Visa application form and a recent photo.
- Philippine passport and a copy of the bio page.
- Copy of your UAE residence visa and Emirates ID.
- Flight reservation and hotel bookings.
- Travel itinerary.
Documents must be in English or Korean. Arabic documents need a translation, and you submit both. You must also be able to communicate in English or Korean.
Step by step
- Check that your residence visa has 6 months left.
- Get your company letter and bank statement close to the application date (1 month and 2 weeks).
- Submit at the Consulate in Dubai or the Embassy in Abu Dhabi, as your residence visa decides.
- Pay by card: US$40 single, US$70 double or US$90 multiple entry (charged at 3.68 AED per US$).
- Wait about 7 calendar days. Your passport stays with the Consulate.
- Check your status online and collect your passport. Short-term visas are valid for 90 days from issue.
Questions people ask
Can Filipinos use K-ETA for Korea?
No. K-ETA is for nationalities that are visa-free for Korea. Philippine passport holders need a visa.
How long does a Korean visa take in Dubai?
About 7 calendar days from submission. Don’t book non-refundable flights before you have the visa.
I was refused. When can I apply again?
The Consulate says you can reapply 3 months after the last refusal.
Related guides
- South Korea visa from the UAE (all nationalities)
- Japan visa for Filipinos in the UAE
- Visa-free countries for Filipinos in the UAE
Sources
- Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Dubai — How to apply for a Korean visa: dubai.mofa.go.kr
- Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the UAE — Visa: mofa.go.kr
- Korea Visa Portal: visa.go.kr · K-ETA: k-eta.go.kr
Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications. Read the editorial policy.
Last checked 21 October 2026. Found an error? Email ionicwaleed@gmail.com — it gets fixed and logged.