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🇨🇦Canada
🇰🇷South KoreaCA-KR

Canada to South Korea visa requirements

Canadians can visit South Korea visa-free for up to 6 months. Canada is K-ETA-exempt through December 31, 2026; use the free e-Arrival Card/arrival declaration unless you hold a valid K-ETA. Canadian passport holders can enter South Korea visa-free for short tourism or business visits for up to 6 months per entry. Canada is included in Korea's temporary K-ETA exemption through December 31, 2026, so K-ETA is not mandatory during that period. Canadians may still apply voluntarily for K-ETA at k-eta.go.kr for KRW 10,000 plus any online payment fee; an approved K-ETA is valid for multiple visits for 3 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first, and exempts the traveller from submitting the arrival card. If travelling without a valid K-ETA, complete the free e-Arrival Card online within 3 days before arrival or be ready to submit the arrival declaration on arrival. A regular Canadian passport must be valid beyond the expected departure date from South Korea, though airlines may impose stricter document checks. Work, study, journalism, residence, and other long-stay purposes require the appropriate Korean visa before travel.
VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-20
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe →Canada (PR)Living in Canada as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-20
Visa type
Visa-free; K-ETA temporarily exempt
Maximum stay
Up to 6 months per entry
per entry
Entries
Multiple entries allowed
from issue date
Visa fee
Free if using the K-ETA exemption; optional K-ETA costs KRW 10,000 plus any online payment fee
consular fee only
Processing time
Visa-free entry on arrival; e-Arrival Card can be submitted within 3 days before arrival; optional K-ETA usually assessed within 72 hours
standard track
Validity
K-ETA exemption for Canadians through December 31, 2026; optional K-ETA valid 3 years or until passport expiry
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Check passport validity
Use a regular Canadian passport valid beyond your expected departure date from South Korea; confirm any stricter airline rule before flying.
· valid beyond departure
/02
Confirm K-ETA exemption
Canada is temporarily exempt from K-ETA through December 31, 2026, so you do not need K-ETA for ordinary visa-free travel during that period.
· K-ETA exempt through 2026-12-31
/03
Choose arrival declaration path
If you skip K-ETA, complete the free e-Arrival Card online within 3 days before arrival or complete the arrival declaration on arrival. A valid K-ETA removes the arrival-card step.
· e-Arrival Card· free
/04
Prepare trip evidence
Keep onward/return travel details, accommodation address, and enough funds available in case airline staff or immigration asks.
· return travel· address in Korea
/05
Arrive in Korea
Final admission and the actual period granted are decided by the Korea Immigration Service officer at the port of entry.
· immigration decision
/06
Leave or change status on time
Track the permitted stay in your entry record. Contact Korea Immigration Service before expiry if plans change; do not work or study without the correct visa.
· no overstay
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

9 items
Personalized checklist
Canada -> South Korea · Visa-free; K-ETA temporarily exempt
0 / 9 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredCanadian passport
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
Valid beyond expected departure from South Korea
OptionalK-ETA status
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Not required for Canadians through December 31, 2026; optional if you want to skip the arrival card
Requirede-Arrival Card or arrival declaration
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Free; submit online within 3 days before arrival unless you hold a valid K-ETA
RequiredReturn/onward travel details
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Keep confirmation available for airline or immigration checks
RequiredAccommodation/contact details
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Required for travel and arrival-card information
RecommendedFunds and insurance
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
Funds may be checked; travel insurance is recommended
ConditionalOfficial application form or online application
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Visa-free routes usually do not require a visa form; submit any arrival card or authorization if required.
RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary
Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it
Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.
RecommendedTravel medical insurance
Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates
Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.
Official sourcesK-ETA Notice: Extension of K-ETA Temporary Exemption (2025-12-23)Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Canada: Extension of Temporary Exemption from K-ETA (2025-12-18)VISITKOREA Visa & Travel Requirements (last updated 2026-04-21)
Application link included: K-ETA Notice: Extension of K-ETA Temporary Exemption (2025-12-23)
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Visa-free entryFreeUp to 6 months for Canadian passport holders
e-Arrival CardFreeSubmit within 3 days before arrival if not using a valid K-ETA
Optional K-ETAKRW 10,000 plus online payment feeValid for 3 years or until passport expiry; exempts holder from the arrival card
Long-stay or work/study visaVariesRequired before travel for non-visitor purposes
Overstay consequencesVariesMay include fines, detention, removal, and re-entry restrictions
Total estimateUSD 0 — Optional K-ETA about USD 7-8 plus payment feeincl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa-free arrival
On arrival
Canadian passport holders can be admitted visa-free for up to 6 months, subject to the immigration officer's decision.
e-Arrival Card
Within 3 days before arrival
Free online entry declaration for travellers who do not hold a valid K-ETA.
Optional K-ETA
Usually within 72 hours
Voluntary during Canada's exemption period; useful for repeated trips because valid K-ETA holders skip the arrival card.
Long-stay visa
Varies by visa class
Needed for work, study, residence, journalism, and other non-visitor purposes.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
No arrival declaration when needed
Travellers entering without a valid K-ETA still need to submit the e-Arrival Card online or the arrival declaration on arrival.
Medium
/02
Passport validity or airline document issue
Korea requires a regular Canadian passport valid beyond departure, but airlines can apply stricter boarding rules.
Low
/03
Purpose looks like work or study
Visa-free entry is for short visits. Paid work, study, journalism, or residence needs the correct visa.
Medium
/04
Insufficient trip evidence
Immigration may ask for accommodation, onward travel, or funds evidence.
Low
/05
Overstay or repeat long stays
Overstays and patterns that look like residence can trigger penalties or refusal on later entries.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Carry your visa grant notice or visa-free group documents, hotel address, and return ticket. Entry remains at the border officer's discretion.
/02
Arrival forms
Complete any current arrival, health, or customs declaration required by your airline or Korean immigration before inspection.
/03
Connectivity
Airport SIMs, eSIMs, and transport cards are easy to buy at Incheon, Gimpo, Busan, and major convenience stores.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-06-20
Reviewed by Claude Code
Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.
2026-06-20 · major
Codex checked Canada to Korea facts
Updated Canada as K-ETA-exempt through December 31, 2026, clarified optional K-ETA benefits, e-Arrival Card/arrival declaration handling, and passport validity.
2026-05-27
Canada to South Korea route verified
Confirmed 6-month visa-free stay for Canadian citizens.
2021-09-01 · major
K-ETA introduced
Korea launched electronic travel authorization for visa-free travellers; Canada is temporarily exempt through December 31, 2026.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Canadians need a visa for South Korea?—
No. Canadian passport holders can visit South Korea visa-free for up to 6 months for ordinary short stays. Work, study, residence, journalism, and other long-stay purposes require a visa.
Do Canadians need K-ETA in 2026?+
Should I apply for K-ETA anyway?+
Do I need the e-Arrival Card?+
Why 6 months instead of 90 days?+
How long must my passport be valid?+
/11 — Passport tools

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