Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Canada

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



ㅇ Example of the possible cases (Based on Canada)
  *Non-Canada citizens like China, Philippines, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam, etc. who hold a Canada permanent

    residency or visa

   1) Departing from Canada (A) going to the Home country (C) or the third country (D) via Korea (B), or

       vice versa.

      e.g.   Canada (A) → Korea (B) → Home Country (C) / [Possible]
               Home Country (C) → Korea (B) → Canada (A) / [Possible]
               Canada (A) → Korea (B) → Third Country (D) / [Possible]
               Third country (D) →  Korea (B) → Canada (A) / [Possible]

   2) Departing from Canada (A) going to the Home country (C) via Korea (B) and the third country (D), or

       vice versa.

     *You must stay within 3 days in a country that transits before entering Korea, and if you stay more than that, you

       cannot enter Korea.

      e.g.   Canada (A) → Korea (B) → Third Country (D) → Home Country (C) / [Possible]

               Home Country (C) → Third country (D, stay within 3 days) → Korea (B) → Canada (A) / [Possible]

               Canada (A) → Third country (D, stay within 3 days) → Korea (B) → Home Country (C) / [Possible]

               Home Country (C) → Korea (B) → Third Country (D) → Canada (A) / [Possible]

               Canada (A) → Home Country (C, stay within 3 days) → Korea (B) → Canada (A) / [Possible]



ㅇ Example of the impossible cases (Based on Canada)
  *Non-Canada citizens like China, Philippines, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam, etc. who hold a Canada permanent

    residency or visa



   1) Departing from Canada (A) passing through Korea (B), returning to Canada (A), and then returning to

       the Home country (C) or a third country (D), or vice versa.

      e.g.   Canada (A) → Korea (B) → USA (A) → Home Country (C) / [Impossible]

               Home Country (C) → Korea (B) → Home Country (C) → Canada (A) / [Impossible]

               Canada (A) → Korea (B) → Canada (A) → Third Country (D) / [Impossible]

               Home Country (C) → Korea (B) → Home Country (C) → Third Country (D) / [Impossible]

               Canada (A) → Home Country (C) → Korea (B) → Home Country (C) / [Impossible]

   2) Not possible if you stay for more than 3 days in a country that transit before entering Korea

      e.g.   Europe (E) → Third country (D, stay more than 3 days) → Korea (B) → Canada (A) / [Impossible]

              Europe (E) → Third country (D, stay more than 3 days) → Korea (B) → Third country (D) / [Impossible]

              Canada (A) → Home Country (C, stay for more than 3 days) → Korea (B) → Canada (A) / [Impossible]

ㅇ If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact the Korean Immigration

    Office. (+82-2-2100-1345)

2. Visa Free Entry for Transfer Passengers at Incheon Airport (May 15)

  □ Eligibility (excluding nationals of 23 countries that are not granted visa free entry to Jeju)

    ◦ Foreigners, besides those eligible for visa free entry for third country transit passengers, who are

      transferring at Incheon Airport bound for the country of origin or a third country and participating in the

      Transit Tourism Program*

       * Tour program operated by the airport for foreigners, approved by relevant organizations including 

          the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Incheon Airport Corporation and 

          Korea Airports Corporation

  □ Conditions for Visa Free Entry    

    ◦ Hold a flight ticket for transfer departing within 72 hours after entry, stays in the metropolitan area, 

      and agree to the operation of transit tour guides*

      * Person who performs the duty related to general transfer passengers of Incheon Airport, Jeju transfer

         group tourists, Chinese group tourists with Japanese group visa, and is a member of a transit tour

         guide operation organization  

    ◦ Considering the travel itinerary, those who are deemed a risk of non-compliance to the Transit Tourism

      Program may be denied entry

  □ Visa Status and Period of Stay: Tourist/Transit (B-2), within 3 days

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