Do South Korean Citizens Require a Canada eTA?
South Korean citizens are required to apply for a Canada eTA visa to enter Canada on a short term basis (under 90 days) for general tourism, business, transit or medical purposes. This only applies to passengers arriving by air on a commercial or charter flight. The eTA program was introduced in 2016 to screen travelers arriving from overseas as a response to the global increase in terrorist activities, to secure Canada's borders, and provide real time data on all passengers entering Canada.
When was the eTA introduced for South Korean Citizens?
The Canada eTa program was approved in 2012, and took 4 years to develop the required systems that would tie in with existing immigration databases and other security data to provide a seamless new screening tool. It became mandatory in 2016.
Citizens from South Korea along with European Union countries are required to complete this electronic visa application prior to boarding an aircraft for Canada, and this includes travelers who will only be transiting in Canada en route to other international destinations.
Can A South Korean Citizen Stay Longer Than 90 Days?
Any South Korean citizen that wishes to enter Canada for over 90 days, or for other purposes than those allowed under the eTA program will need to apply for a different visa. Further details can be found by visiting
Canada Immigration Visa Advice and using the free "do i need a visa tool".
When Should a South Korean Citizen Apply For An eTA?
It is advised that South Korean citizens complete their eTA application 72 hours prior to their departure date. Full details can be found by visiting
eTA requirements or
Canada eTA FAQ's. It is advised to review these pages prior to starting an eTA application to avoid any delays or the risk of an eTA being refused.
It is a requirement to be a full South Korean citizen before applying for a Canada eTA, so travellers holding a passport or travel document with a different status will be required to apply for a full Canada visitor visa, and not an eTA.
How Long Does It Take To Receive An eTA?
South Korean citizens can expect their eTA application to normally be processed and approved within 30 minutes, and the authorization is sent by email in the form of a PDF document. There is no need to print or present any documents at the airport, as the eTA is stored electronically against the passport in the Canada Immigration system.
What Happens If There Is A Mistake On The eTA Form?