As a Canadian citizen, you can stay in Korea for up to two full years!
Squid Game, Parasite and K-pop have all contributed to the increase in South Korea’s popularity as a travel destination for Canadians in recent years. What is there not to love? With exciting cuisines such as Yangnyeom Chicken, Korean BBQ and Kimchi, this East Asian gem is a foodie’s paradise. Why not learn the lingo, embrace the culture and earn some won while living there for up to 2 years on a South Korea Working Holiday? Stepabroad is here to help with the transition, so read on for everything you need to know about obtaining your work permit.
On a South Korean Working Holiday Visa, you can work in one of the most futuristic cities in the world, Seoul.
Living in South Korea is very different from Canada. As one of the most futuristic nations in the world, South Korea still remains a land steeped in tradition – wherein lies the charm. And while we have an endless list of why you should go to South Korea on a working holiday, here are our top 4:
South Korea has a reasonable cost of living and excellent healthcare facilities. For those concerned about crime, Seoul has ranked as one of the ten safest cities in the world for both foreigners and locals alike. Public transit is reliable and efficient, and the food is amazing!
Some of the best entertainment in recent years has come out of Korea, and the movie industry is thriving. By learning the Korean language, you will be able to impress your friends by watching the latest release without subtitles. You may also learn to pick up on the subtle references that don’t always translate directly to English!
Try authentic Korean cuisine! From fried chicken to Bibimbap, Jajangmyeon and many more kinds of delicious local Korean food during your. In Korea, food is considered medicine and healthy eating is an important part of day-to-day life. Most meals are not only delicious but also designed to be healthy and nutritionally balanced. Dining in Korea is a social event, with most plates being communal and designed for sharing – so there is no need to restrict yourself to one choice.
With easy access to Japan, China, Taiwan & South East Asia, South Korea is a convenient base for exploring other destinations in Asia. The Seoul airport (Incheon International Airport) is a major hub, and cheap flights are readily available for those looking for a nearby adventure.
Before you move from Canada to South Korea, you will need to obtain a South Korea Working Holiday Visa. The South Korean Working Holiday Visa allows you to live in South Korea for up to two years and work full-time (40 hours/week) to support yourself during your stay. You do not need to have a job pre-arranged before you depart, and Canadians can work in most types of temporary employment during their stay.
This visa is made possible via the Youth Mobility Agreement between Canada and South Korea, which allows up to 4,000 Canadians to live and work in South Korea each year. You can apply in person through the Embassy in Ottawa or at a Consulate in Vancouver, Toronto or Montreal a few months before you plan to depart.
The most common roles available for foreigners in South Korea are temporary or casual positions. Although your language skills are an important factor when looking for work, your previous transferable skills and experiences will affect the roles that you will be able to apply for in South Korea.
Popular industries for Canadians in South Korea to find employment include farm work, manual labour, catering, food service, tourism and retail. With a reasonable understanding of Korean, more opportunities will open up in other fields, such as administration and other office positions.
South Korea is characterized by beautiful mountain ranges, dense forests and a wild coastline. Not forgetting ski mountains when winter calls. It’s the whole package.
To be eligible to submit an application for a South Korea Working Holiday Visa, you will need to meet the following requirements:
It is best to begin the application process at least three months before your anticipated departure date. You will need to prepare the following documents to be eligible to apply:
Once your documents are ready, you will need to send your application by mail to a South Korea visa application center or attend in person, depending on your location in Canada. After you’ve sent everything off, your application should be processed within two to three weeks. Once your application has been approved, you should enter Korea within 1 year or 2 years of your visa approval date depending on the length of your visa.
Please note: If you plan to stay in Korea for more than 90 days, you must register with the immigration office in the appropriate area within 90 days of entry.
Interested in learning more about applying for a working holiday in South Korea? Get in touch to speak with one of our expert travel coordinators today to start planning your adventure!
As a Canadian citizen, you can stay in Korea for up to two full years!
You will need to show them your flight itinerary schedules that you plan to utilize, but you do not need to book flights until your visa is approved.
On average, it takes 3-4 months to gather your visa paperwork and have your visa approved by your consulate, so we advise you to come to us at least a few months beforehand!
Absolutely – Canadians can now work up to 40 hours/week under the Working Holiday Visa! Please note though that you are prohibited from doing work that requires certain qualifications in accordance with domestic laws. For example, you cannot work as a doctor, lawyer, or an English language instructor with the Working Holiday Visa.
Unfortunately, you must be a resident of Canada at the time of application, as you have to submit your visa application via the appropriate consulate under your jurisdiction. There may be other visa types available for those living overseas, but unfortunately Stepabroad is unable to advise on those.
Canadians can stay in South Korea for up to two years on a Working Holiday Visa. You’ll receive permission for a full 24 months, provided that your health insurance covers the entire duration. If you want to stay longer, you’ll need to explore other options, such as a student visa or another visa category under the Youth Mobility program.
The Working Holiday Visa allows you to work up to 40 hours per week in most industries. Many Canadians find jobs in hotels, restaurants, cafés, or tourism work. While you can’t take positions requiring professional licenses or teach English on this visa, you’ll still have a myriad of job options to fund your adventure. For added support, our Send-Off Package walks you through every step of the visa process and has partnerships with some employers based in South Korea!
Wages vary depending on your job, but most roles pay at least Korea’s national minimum wage, which is set to 10,320 KRW per hour for 2026. With full-time work—assuming around 40 hours a week—you’ll generally earn enough to cover your living expenses, and often save a bit to explore Korea and neighbouring countries.
The South Korea Working Holiday Visa is accessible for Canadians, provided you meet certain eligibility criteria. You don’t need a job offer before leaving, but you do need to meet requirements like age, proof of funds, health insurance, and supporting documents. We recommend applying at least three months before departure to give yourself plenty of time.
Most Canadians find work in hospitality, tourism, food service, or casual labour. If you have basic Korean skills, you’ll also have access to more opportunities, like retail or office support roles.
Although it is helpful to know Korean, it is not mandatory for young Canadians to be fluent in Korean to find work. There are entry-level jobs in hospitality, cafés, or resorts that welcome foreigners and use English. That said, learning even basic Korean will make your day-to-day life easier and open the door to more job opportunities.
You’ll need to prepare several documents: a valid Canadian passport, completed application form, proof of sufficient funds (at least CAD $3,400), a round-trip flight itinerary, medical certificate, police check, proof of insurance, academic certificate, and one passport photo. It sounds like a lot of required documents, but with our Send-Off Package, we’ll guide you step by step so nothing gets missed.
Yes—private health insurance is mandatory. Your policy must cover the full duration of your stay, including medical treatment, accidents, and repatriation.