Move South Korea to Canada With Licensed Immigration Consultants
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Choosing to immigrate to Canada is an important and personal decision. RightWay Canada Immigration Services supports individuals and families in South Korea who are pursuing permanent residence, study or work opportunities, family reunification or another Canadian immigration pathway. Our role is to make the process clearer, more manageable and carefully prepared from the beginning.
Our team of licensed Canadian immigration consultants is regulated by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) and works in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements. Since 2016, RightWay Canada has assisted a number of clients from South Korea and earned multiple industry recognitions, along with a strong reputation reflected in positive client reviews.
Every immigration case is different. We take the time to understand each applicant’s circumstances and goals, assess the available options and provide clear guidance on eligibility, required documents and the steps ahead. Our support goes beyond completing forms, helping applicants approach the process with greater clarity and confidence. Book a consultation with a licensed immigration consultant to discuss your individual situation. Information about our services and pricing is available on our fees page.
South Korea to Canada Spousal Sponsorship
Applicants applying for spousal sponsorship from Korea must follow the country-specific IRCC instructions alongside the standard sponsorship application checklist. These instructions clarify whether additional local forms or civil-status documents are required for an application involving Korean nationals.
For Korea applicants, no extra country-specific forms are required. A principal applicant who holds a Korean passport must provide a family relation certificate issued within six months before applying and a marriage relation certificate, both with certified translations.
Required IMM
Applicants from Korea must follow the IRCC country-specific spousal sponsorship instructions for Korea.
The Korea instructions confirm that there are no extra country-specific forms for residents of Korea.
Family Documents
If the principal applicant holds a Korean passport, they must submit a copy and certified translation of the family relation certificate.
The family relation certificate must be issued within 6 months of the date the application is submitted.
Marriage Documents
If the principal applicant holds a Korean passport, they must submit a copy and certified translation of the marriage relation certificate.
South Korea to Canada Citizenship by Descent
A person born in South Korea may have a Canadian citizenship connection if a parent was already a Canadian citizen when they were born. This can happen in many Canada–South Korea family situations, including where a Canadian parent moved to South Korea for work, study, marriage, teaching, business, diplomacy, military service, or long-term residence before having children abroad. In many of these cases, the question is not only whether someone can move to Canada later, but whether Canadian citizenship may already exist through a parent.
South Korea’s connection to Canada is shaped by education, family migration, professional mobility, trade, cultural exchange, and long-standing ties between Korean and Canadian communities. Many families maintain close links between both countries through study, employment, travel, relatives abroad, or life experience in both places. For South Korea-born children and adults, Canadian citizenship status can become important later in life for a passport, relocation to Canada, children’s status, education, or family planning.
For South Korea-born applicants, proof of citizenship is often the step that confirms whether a Canadian connection is legally recognized. This review can be especially important after Canada’s updated citizenship by descent rules under Bill C-3, including situations where the Canadian parent was also born outside Canada. For families with roots, residence, or life experience in both Canada and South Korea, an older citizenship connection may now be worth reviewing carefully before deciding the next step.
South Korea to Canada Express Entry
The Republic of Korea is a notable source country for permanent residence through Canada’s Express Entry system. From 2021 to the first quarter of 2026, IRCC data shows 8,115 admissions of permanent residents under Express Entry for the Republic of Korea, showing continued interest among skilled workers moving from South Korea to Canada.
For applicants in the Republic of Korea, Express Entry success depends on a well-prepared profile supported by strong language test results, an Educational Credential Assessment for foreign education, accurate skilled work experience records, and proof of funds where required. Applicants with Canadian study or work experience may also be able to strengthen their CRS score and improve their competitiveness in the pool.
A Korea-focused Express Entry strategy should connect the applicant’s education, occupation, work history, English or French language results, and possible provincial nomination options. With the right preparation, applicants from the Republic of Korea can build a stronger profile, identify suitable pathways, and move through the permanent residence process with greater clarity and confidence.
Republic of Korea to Canada Study Permit
Applicants applying for a Canada study permit from the Republic of Korea must follow the Manila visa office instructions for local document requirements. These instructions are listed in the Manila Visa Office Additional Document Checklist — IMM 5836, which is used together with the standard Canada study permit checklist.
For Republic of Korea applicants, IMM 5836 focuses on passport and residence-status documents, a personal study plan, current and past education records, financial documents showing how the studies will be funded, and specific police certificate instructions for applicants aged 18 or older.
Required Forms
Republic of Korea study permit applicants must follow the Manila Visa Office Additional Document Checklist for study permits.
Country-specific checklist:
IMM 5836 is used alongside the standard study permit checklist. It does not replace the general study permit requirements.
Applicants should also provide the passport documents required under IMM 5836. Applicants who do not live in their country of citizenship should include proof of their legal status in their current country of residence.
Study Plan and Records
Republic of Korea study permit applicants should provide a personal study plan explaining how the proposed program relates to their academic, technical or vocational background and future career goals.
Applicants should also include an official fee schedule showing:
- tuition fees;
- accommodation and meal-plan costs; and
- miscellaneous expenses, such as medical insurance, books and memberships.
The application should also include evidence of the applicant’s current and previous education, such as:
- copies of diplomas and certificates;
- proof of ongoing enrolment, where applicable;
- post-secondary transcripts; and
- any other current academic transcripts.
Financial Evidence
Republic of Korea study permit applicants should provide detailed evidence showing how their studies will be funded.
Applicants may provide financial documents belonging to themselves, their spouse or their parents, including:
- bank records covering the previous six months, such as bank books and statements;
- fixed-deposit records;
- income tax documents;
- employment reference letters confirming earnings; and
- evidence of self-employment or business income.
When another person is helping to fund the applicant’s studies, the application should include:
- a letter explaining why the person is providing financial support;
- proof of the relationship, where applicable;
- the supporter’s bank records covering the previous six months or evidence of fixed deposits;
- the supporter’s income tax documents; and
- employment reference letters or evidence of self-employment or business income.
Applicants who have received a scholarship, financial assistance or an award from an educational institution, government or other funding agency should provide an official letter confirming the full amount of the funding, its duration and any applicable conditions.
Applicants who have already paid part of their tuition fees should also include proof of payment.
Police Certificates
Republic of Korea study permit applicants who are 18 years of age or older may need to provide a Criminal and Investigation History Record.
If the record is not in English or French, the application should include both the original document and a notarized translation.
If the Korean police certificate shows any convictions or other records, the applicant may also need to provide:
- a written statement explaining the circumstances of each incident; and
- a copy of the Prosecutor’s Report for each charge.
Republic of Korea to Canada Visitor Visa
Applicants applying for a Canada visitor visa from South Korea may need to follow the Manila visa office instructions where a visitor visa application is required. These instructions are listed in the Manila Visa Office Instructions — IMM 5877, which is used together with the standard temporary resident visa checklist.
For South Korea applicants, IMM 5877 does not identify any separate Korea-specific documents, Korean authority records, country-specific forms, or Korea-only submission requirements.
Visa Office Instructions
Korea, Republic of visitor visa applicants may need to follow the Manila Visa Office Instructions in addition to the standard temporary resident visa requirements.
Relevant visa office instructions:
IMM 5877 includes additional instructions concerning financial and employment evidence and applicants returning to Canada to continue their studies or work.
Financial and Employment Evidence
Applicants should provide financial and occupational documents that match their circumstances.
Applicants who qualify under CAN+ may not need to provide financial evidence when they submit proof of qualifying previous travel to Canada or a valid United States non-immigrant visa.
Other visitors should provide:
- personal bank statements covering the previous six months;
- recent pay slips or other proof of income; and
- documents showing savings, investments, property or other assets.
If another person is paying for the visit, the application should include:
- a signed letter confirming the financial support;
- evidence that the person has sufficient funds;
- an explanation of the relationship between the applicant and the person providing support; and
- details of the expenses that will be covered.
The financial support documents should be dated within three months of the application.
Employed applicants should provide a recent employer letter confirming their position, salary, length of employment and approved leave. Self-employed applicants should provide business registration and financial records.
Returning Students and Workers
Applicants returning to Canada to continue their studies should provide:
- a copy of their valid Canadian study permit; and
- a recent letter from their educational institution confirming current enrolment and the date they are expected to resume their studies.
Applicants returning to Canada to continue working should provide:
- a copy of their valid Canadian work permit; and
- a recent letter from their Canadian employer confirming that they are expected to return and resume their employment.
