The short answer
Canadians don't need a visa for short visits to South Korea of up to 180 days, and are exempt from the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) until 31 December 2026. Unless Korea extends the exemption again, you'll need an approved K-ETA before trips from 1 January 2027. It costs KRW 10,000 (about US$7–8), is usually decided within 72 hours, and is only issued on the official K-ETA website or app.
- Visa for a short visit
- Not required, up to 180 days
- K-ETA exemption
- Until 31 December 2026
- K-ETA fee
- KRW 10,000 (about US$7–8)
- Decision
- Usually within 72 hours
- Where to apply
- Official K-ETA website or app only
Reviewed by the Markham Visa team · Last checked November 6, 2026
Do Canadians need a K-ETA for South Korea right now?
No. Korea's temporary exemption covers Canadian passport holders until 31 December 2026 (Korea time). It has already been extended once, from the end of 2025 to the end of 2026.
You can still apply voluntarily while exempt, by paying the fee. A K-ETA that has already been issued stays usable until it expires, and the fee isn't refunded because you turned out to be exempt.
What changes on 1 January 2027?
Unless Korea extends the exemption again, Canadians visiting visa-free will need an approved K-ETA before the trip. Watch for an announcement in December — we'll update this guide the day it changes.
Booked for early 2027? Apply in good time: decisions usually take up to 72 hours, and you don't want to find out at check-in.
How much does a K-ETA cost and how long does it take?
| Official K-ETA | |
|---|---|
| Fee | KRW 10,000 per person (about US$7–8) |
| Decision | Generally within 72 hours |
| Where | The official K-ETA website (k-eta.go.kr) or the official K-ETA mobile app |
Where should I apply, and which sites should I avoid?
Only on the official K-ETA website or its official app. The K-ETA portal itself warns about other websites that charge much higher fees for "express" or agency applications. Before you pay, check that the address is k-eta.go.kr and the fee is KRW 10,000.
For a Canadian passport, a K-ETA is a short online form you can complete yourself. You don't need to pay a service for it — including us.
Does the exemption apply if I live in Canada on another passport?
No — the exemption follows your passport, not where you live. A permanent resident of Canada travelling on another passport follows that passport's rules, which may mean a K-ETA or a visa. Work and study need a visa whatever passport you hold.
Doing it yourself vs. using a visa service
Doing it yourself
- Canadian passport and a short visit: do it yourself on k-eta.go.kr — it's quick and cheap.
- Check the website address and the fee before paying anything.
- Apply a few days before you fly, not the night before.
With Markham Visa
- Useful when your passport isn't Canadian and you need a Korean visa rather than a K-ETA.
- We work out what your passport needs and prepare the visa application.
- We tell you plainly when a K-ETA you can file yourself is all you need.
For Canadians, K-ETA is a do-it-yourself job on the official site. Get help when you need an actual visa — a different passport, work, study or a long stay.
Check what your passport needs
Travelling on a non-Canadian passport, or need an actual visa? Answer a few questions and see what you need before paying anything.
Check what your passport needs →Frequently asked questions
Do Canadians need a K-ETA in 2026?
No. Canadian passport holders are exempt from K-ETA until 31 December 2026. You can still apply voluntarily by paying the fee.
Do Canadians need a K-ETA in 2027?
Unless Korea extends the exemption again, yes — from 1 January 2027 Canadians visiting without a visa will need an approved K-ETA before the trip.
How much does K-ETA cost for Canadians?
KRW 10,000 per person on the official K-ETA website or app, which is about US$7–8. A site charging much more is not the official one.
How long does K-ETA approval take?
The official portal says decisions generally take up to 72 hours, so apply at least a few days before you travel.
Do Canadians need a visa for South Korea?
Not for a short visit. The Government of Canada lists a tourist visa as not required for stays of up to 180 days. Work and study need a visa.
Official sources
- Government of Canada — Travel advice and advisories: South Korea (entry and exit requirements) — checked November 6, 2026
- Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) — official application portal — checked November 6, 2026
- K-ETA — notice extending the temporary K-ETA exemption to 31 December 2026 — checked November 6, 2026
Rules change. This guide is general information, not legal advice — always check the official source before you travel, and ask us about your own situation.