Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Canada

Consular/Visa Service

Visa Free Entry

Consular/Visa Service
Visa Free Entry

For Canadian passport holders

Canadian passport holders do not require a visa for the entry purpose of a short term visit (e.g Tourism, Visiting friends or relatives, attending business meetings) up to 180 days. Permission to stay is given at the time of entry. If Canadian citizens wish to engage in commercial activities during their stay in Korea, they must obtain a Korean visa.

[Temporary exemption of K-ETA extended for Canadians until December 31, 2025]

Canadians travelling to the Republic of Korea will continue to enjoy the temporary examption of the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization, also known as K-ETA, for another year until December 31, 2025. The exemption, implemented by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea, means that a passport is the only travel document required for Canadians travelling to Korea for tourism purposes.

Please note that nationals of 22 countries/regions can still apply for K-ETA, and K-ETA application fee is 10,000 KRW/per person (around 9~10 USD, additional fees not included). Those who have the K-ETA are not required to submit an arrival card at the port of arrival. K-ETA Webstie: https://www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/apply/index.do?locale=EN

※ List of 22 countries/regions eligible for temporary exemption of K-ETA

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Macao, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, UK, US (including Guam)

Visa Free Entry for Transfer Passengers

1. Visa Free Entry for Third Country Transit Passengers

ㅇ The Korean Government resumption of the Tourist in Transit(B2) from Apr. 30th. 2023.
- For Non-Canada citizens (e.g. China, Mongolia, Vietnam, Philippines, India, etc), Tourists in transit to another country via Korea, can visit Korea without a visa for up to 30 days.

ㅇ This program is ONLY applicable if a foreigner goes from the country of origin to the country of origin or to the country of final destination via the Republic of Korea.

- If you visit only Korea from the country of departure and return to the country of departure, you must get a visa.

ㅇ Immigration Type and Duration of Stay
- B2, Max 30 days.

ㅇ Countries that are not eligible for this program
- The Nationalities of these countries must require a visa before entering Korea even having a Canada permanent residency or visa.
*Syria, Sudan, Iran, Cuba, Kosovo, Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Ghana, Yemen, Gambia, Senegal, Bangladesh, Kirzik,Pakistan, Somalia, Uzbekistan, Nepal, Cameroon, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Egypt

ㅇ Eligibility

1) A person who holds a valid visa (including permanent residency) of Canada, the United States (including Guam and Saipan), New Zealand, and Australia

2) A Person who holds a valid visa (including permanent residency) of the 32 European countries *Greece, Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Romania, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Malta, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Iceland, Ireland, Estonia, England, Austria, Italy, Czech Republic, Croatia, Portugal, Poland, France, Finland, Hungary

※ The visa of the above country is recognized only when it is attached in the form of a sticker on the passport

- However, in Australia, if the validity is confirmed in the Australian immigration authority visa information verification system, it is recognized even if it is not a sticker type.

3) A person who holds a flight ticket reserved for departure flights within a 30-day period and has no illegal facts, such as an unlawful stay in the relevant country

4) A person who has never been denied entry to the Republic of Korea within three years of the date of entry

5) A person who has not received a fine of at least KRW 5 million or deportation due to illegal stay, other criminal matters, etc

6) A person who stays in a third transfer country other than the Republic of Korea within three days
*Except for returning to the origin (third country transfer station) via Korea

If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact the Korean Immigration Office. (+82-2-2100-1345)