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South Korea Visa-Free Entry for Canadian Citizens

Canadian citizens need no visa and, until 31 December 2026, no K-ETA to visit South Korea. An arrival card is required.

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Visa information

South Korea Visa for Canadian citizens

For tourism, family visits and business meetings, with no K-ETA needed until 31 December 2026.

visa free

Canadian citizens can visit South Korea visa-free and need no K-ETA until 31 December 2026.

Visa-free stay

6 months

Per entry, for tourism, family visits or business meetings.

K-ETA

Not needed in 2026

Temporary exemption runs until 31 December 2026.

Entry fee

Free

No visa or K-ETA application is needed.

Arrival card

e-Arrival Card, free

Submit it online within 3 days before you arrive.

From 2027

K-ETA unless extended

The temporary exemption is set to end on 31 December 2026.

Optional K-ETA

KRW 10,000

Lets you skip the arrival card. Valid for 3 years.

Passport

Valid passport

Expired, forged or altered passports are refused.

Not allowed

Paid work

Short visits only, with no paid activity.

Check South Korea Entry Rules

See what you need for visa-free entry, from the arrival card to the K-ETA rules after 2026.

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Start with a free eligibility check. You pay after you fill in the application form.

Last checked in October 2026. Sources: Extension of the K-ETA temporary exemption to 31 December 2026 (Embassy of Korea in the US), K-ETA eligible countries and stay periods (Ministry of Justice), e-Arrival Card guide (Ministry of Justice)

South Korea Visa documents for Canadian citizens

Valid Passport

Travel on a valid passport. No visa or K-ETA is needed for entry until 31 December 2026 under the temporary exemption.

Arrival Card

Required without a K-ETA: the paper card, or the free e-Arrival Card at e-arrivalcard.go.kr, which has the same effect.

e-Arrival Card Timing

Submit it from 3 days before arrival, Korean time. It lapses 72 hours after submission, so do not file it too early.

Short Visits Only

Tourism, visiting, events, conferences or business meetings, within the visa-free stay limit. Employment requires a visa.

Optional K-ETA

You may still get a K-ETA, valid 3 years, to skip the arrival card. From 1 January 2027 it is required unless the exemption is extended.

South Korea Visa application steps for Canadian citizens

Your journey to the South Korea in 4 easy steps.

Check Your Passport

Travel on a valid passport. You need no visa, and until 31 December 2026 (Korean time) no K-ETA either.

Plan Your Stay

Stay up to 6 months per visit for tourism, visits, events, conferences or business meetings. Employment requires a visa.

Fill In an Arrival Card

Submit the free e-Arrival Card at e-arrivalcard.go.kr from 3 days before arrival, or fill in the paper card.

Show Your Passport

Present your passport at immigration. The officer at the port of entry makes the final decision on admission.

South Korea Visa cost for Canadian citizens

No hidden fees. Pay only for what you need.

We are not affiliated with any government or embassy. Visa decisions are made solely by the consulate.

Estimates only - not legal advice or a guarantee. Total cost may include third-party fees beyond the government fee and our services.

Entry requirements check

Government fee

Service fee

No visa or K-ETA application needed in 2026
Stay up to 6 months per visit
Arrival card checklist
What applies after 31 December 2026

Check Entry Rules

Which South Korea Visa do you need?

Visa-free entry without K-ETA

Free until 31 December 2026 for tourism, family visits and business meetings. Submit the free e-Arrival Card online within 3 days before arrival. The immigration officer at the port of entry makes the final decision.

Optional K-ETA

Costs KRW 10,000 plus a card fee and is valid for 3 years or until your passport expires. With it you do not need to submit the arrival card. Apply only on k-eta.go.kr or the official K-ETA app.

Long stays, work or study

Work and study need a visa from a Korean embassy or consulate, such as D-2 for study. Visa-free entry does not allow paid work.

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South Korea Visa FAQ for Canadian passport holders

Do Canadian citizens need a visa for South Korea?

No. Canadian citizens can visit South Korea without a visa for up to 6 months per visit. Under a temporary exemption, you also need no K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) for entry until 31 December 2026, Korean time. Without a K-ETA, you must submit an arrival card: the paper form or the free e-Arrival Card. Visa-free visits cover tourism, visiting, events, conferences and business meetings; employment or other profitable activities require a visa. The immigration officer at the port of entry decides on admission.

Is there a cost or waiting time to enter South Korea?

No. Until 31 December 2026 there is no visa or K-ETA application to make, so there is nothing to wait for before you travel, and the e-Arrival Card is free. If you would rather skip the arrival card, you can still get an optional K-ETA on k-eta.go.kr. It costs KRW 10,000, is usually decided within 72 hours and stays valid for 3 years, or until your passport expires if that is sooner.

How long can Canadian citizens stay in South Korea?

Up to 6 months per visit without a visa. The visit must be a short stay, such as tourism, visiting family or friends, events, conferences or business meetings; employment or other profitable activities require a visa. An optional K-ETA does not extend this limit, because its 3-year validity is separate from the stay allowed on each visit. Travel on a valid passport: the immigration officer at the port of entry makes the final decision on admission.

How does the e-Arrival Card work?

Without a K-ETA, you must submit an arrival card. You can fill in the paper form or submit the free e-Arrival Card at e-arrivalcard.go.kr from 3 days before arrival, Korean time; both have the same effect. The e-Arrival Card loses validity 72 hours after submission, or once you pass immigration, so you need a new one for each entry. Its issue number is sent by email, and you do not have to bring the card itself.

What happens after 31 December 2026?

The temporary K-ETA exemption for Canadian citizens started on 1 April 2023 and was last extended on 23 December 2025, to 31 December 2026, Korean time. From 1 January 2027 you will need an approved K-ETA before boarding a flight or ship to Korea, unless the Ministry of Justice extends the exemption again. No extension had been announced as of 6 October 2026. A K-ETA you already hold stays valid until it expires.

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