South Korea is a perfect destination for Canadians looking to visit Far East Asia as tourists or adventurous business persons looking for opportunities to invest in Asia. For interested travelers, a South Korea visa for Canadian citizens is available in demand as long as they fulfill the application requirements.
South Korea At A Glance
South Korea is an independent country that is one-half of the legendary Korea federation. Bordered to the north by North Korea and surrounded by water to the South, the country is one of the eight Asian Tigers and one of the most industrialized nations on earth. Blessed with nice weather and stunning landscape, successive governments have done a great job modernizing the cities to rival Western countries.
Seoul, the capital, is South Korea is a city of mesmerizing lights at night and is a favorite for visitors coming from within the region and abroad. However, other cities can also compete with Seoul for elegance and modernization. There are historic temples, museums, resorts, and any fun spot you can think of. Boasting world-class airports and other physical infrastructure, the country has all it takes to make your next visit South Korea memorable.
South Korea also has world-class hospitals and universities and plays host to some of the largest companies in the world, including its national flagship brand, Samsung. So it is no surprise that it is a too business destination in South East Asia.
Do Canadians Need A Visa To Enter South Korea?
Canadian citizens do not need a visa if they plan to stay in South Korea for only 30 days as a tourist. Canada is on the visa-exempt list, so Canadian passport holders enjoy such privileges. However, if you are coming for tourism but for some other purpose and you know that you will stay for more than 30 days, you need to apply for a South Korea visa otherwise you cannot enter Korea without a visa.
Holders of valid Canadian visas with plans to leave South Korea for Canada within 30 days also do not need a South Korea visa.
Types Of South Korea Visas For Canadians
South Korea Visas may either be single-entry or multiple-entry visas. A single-entry visa is valid for 90 days, while a multiple-entry visa has different validity depending on the type of visa. Here are the different types Canadians may apply for.
Tourist Visa: A South Korea tourist visa is for tourism and may either be a single or multiple-entry visa. This visa allows the holder to stay for up to 90 days and is valid for 180 days after the issue.
Business Visa: The business visa is solely for shirt business visits that will not take longer than 90 days. You can apply for this visa if you want to visit the country for meetings or attend a conference.
Family Visit Visa: There are many Canadian expatriates in South Korea, so the authorities make it possible for their family to visit them by issuing a family visit visa.
This visa allows the family member or members to stay in the country for more than 90 days, but they must prove their relationship to the South Korean resident using civil status documents like a marriage or birth certificate.
Work Visa: Canadians who have secured a job in South Korea must apply for a work visa before they are allowed to work in the country. A work visa allows the holder to apply for a residency permit and to work legally in the country. Work visas have different validity starting from two years, depending on the nature of the job and the discretion of the visa officer.
Student Visa: This visa is for Canadians offered admission by a university, college, or learning Institution in the country. They have to provide evidence of admittance before the South Korea embassy issues the visa.
Working Holiday Visa: This is a special visa that allows holder to spend their holidays in South Korea while working at the same time. Working holiday visas offer holders working privileges that a tourist visa does not. It is similar to the digital nomad visa issued by other countries.
How To Apply For A South Korea Visa
For long-stay visas like work or Study visas with more than 180 days validity, you must visit the South Korean embassy in Ontario or any of their consulates in Toronto or Quebec. For short-stay tourist and business visas, you can submit a South Korea online application via a visa application platform.
Visit VisaHQ
Select South Korea as your destination
Select Canada as your citizenship
Choose the Visa
Fill out the visa application form
Upload the necessary documents
Pay the visa fee
Submit for approval
South Korea visa Requirements
Completed application form
Valid passport (minimum of 6 months with 2 blank pages)
Passport sized photograph
Return ticket reservation
Proof of funds
Proof of accommodation
The authorities may request extra documents when applying for a South Korea visa for Canadian citizens, but these are the most important ones.