Who sends money from South Korea to the Philippines
Common senders: workers under the Employment Permit System (EPS), marriage migrants and international students.
About this corridor
Filipino workers in Korea, many under the Employment Permit System, typically send after payday. Delivery to GCash or a Philippine bank account is common, and comparing the peso amount across Korean banks and remittance businesses is worthwhile.
Worked example: sending 1,000,000 KRW
Using the ECB reference rate on 2026-10-07, 1 KRW = 0.0469 PHP, our estimate model gives these results for sending 1,000,000 KRW:
| Provider | Est. fee | Est. received | Total cost vs mid-market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | 7,333 KRW | 46,575.92 PHP | 344.08 PHP |
| Revolut | 3,000 KRW | 46,545.34 PHP | 374.66 PHP |
| Remitly | 0 KRW | 46,356.96 PHP | 563.04 PHP |
| Western Union | 6,667 KRW | 45,675.06 PHP | 1,244.94 PHP |
| Bank wire (typical) | 26,667 KRW | 44,527.08 PHP | 2,392.92 PHP |
In this example Wise delivers roughly 2,048.84 PHP more than a typical bank wire. Rates move daily and providers change pricing, so treat this as an illustration from our model; the live calculator above and the provider's own quote are what count. See how we estimate.
Sending to the Philippines: what to know
- Payout options: bank deposit, GCash, Maya and cash pickup.
- GCash and cash pickup are popular for families outside major cities.
- Cash pickup is convenient but often carries a worse rate than bank or e-wallet delivery.
Rules and limits
In South Korea: In Korea, overseas remittances go through banks or registered small-amount overseas remittance businesses under the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act. Since January 2026 you can send up to USD 100,000 a year without supporting documents, counted across all banks and remittance businesses combined; above that, you need documents showing the purpose.
In the Philippines: Banks and e-money issuers are supervised by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). E-wallets have balance and monthly incoming limits that rise with full verification, so large amounts are better sent to a bank account.
How to pick the cheapest option
- Compare the amount received, not the fee. "Zero fee" offers usually hide their cost in the rate. How markups work.
- Small amounts: watch fixed fees. Large amounts: watch the markup.
- Avoid intermediary deductions. SWIFT wires can lose $10–30 in transit. Why.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to send money from South Korea to the Philippines?
It depends on the amount and the day's pricing. This page calculates, at today's mid-market rate, how much PHP each provider delivers for 1,000,000 KRW; the top row is currently the cheapest by our estimate.
How much more does a bank wire cost for 1,000,000 KRW?
Using the reference rate on 2026-10-07, our model puts the gap at about 2,048.84 PHP versus the cheapest option. Rates and pricing change daily.
How can my recipient in the Philippines receive the money?
Common payout options are bank deposit, GCash, Maya and cash pickup. Availability differs by provider, so check before you send.
How long does it take?
Digital services usually take minutes to 1–2 business days; bank wires often take 2–5 business days.
Sources
Official pages checked on