Move to Canada from South Korea:
Permanent Status

Every year, a growing number of South Korean citizens choose to move to Canada, seeking greater opportunities, a high standard of living, and a diverse cultural experience. With its strong economy, excellent healthcare and education systems, and reputation for being one of the most welcoming countries in the world, Canada is a top choice for those looking to start a new chapter. Major cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary are particularly popular, offering vibrant job markets and thriving multicultural communities. If you’re planning to move to Canada from South Korea, your first task will be to determine which Canada Immigration category is best applicable to you and your needs.

Since 1996, the Canadian immigration law firm of Abrams & Krochak has reliably assisted tens of thousands of individuals worldwide in choosing the most applicable Canada Immigration category and the most efficient means of coming to this country, keeping in line with Canadian immigration laws. You can explore the links on the right side of this page to find detailed information about the various immigration programs available to South Koreans.

Once you have identified the immigration category that best aligns with your goals, you can complete our free Canada Immigration Eligibility Assessment. This online questionnaire will allow our team of expert immigration lawyers to assess your qualifications and eligibility to immigrate to Canada from South Korea, in accordance with the current Canadian immigration regulations. This service is completely free, and you’ll receive a response within one business day. We encourage you to fill out as many relevant assessments as possible based on your personal circumstances. Each submission is carefully reviewed by our team of immigration lawyers in Toronto to provide you with the best possible guidance.

Canadian Immigration Laws: Permanent Residence Status

Once you have emigrated from South Korea, you will be classified as a “permanent resident of Canada”. This is also known as a “landed immigrant of Canada”. Once your Canada Immigration Application process is successful, you will receive a Canada immigrant visa. This confers permanent status upon you, who, as a permanent resident, will have all the same rights and privileges as those of a Canadian citizen (i.e. free health care, free elementary and secondary education, subsidized post-secondary education, the right to work in Canada) with just a few exceptions.

Unlike Canadian citizens,

1. a permanent resident cannot vote;
2. a permanent resident cannot hold a Canadian passport; and
3. a permanent resident can be deported for certain criminal convictions.

When to Apply for Canadian Citizenship After Emigrating from South Korea

After receiving your Canadian Permanent Residence and residing in Canada for at least a total of 1095 days within any consecutive four (4) year period of time, you will be eligible to apply for Canadian Citizenship. If you would like to apply for a Canadian passport, you may do so only after obtaining Canadian Citizenship.

In keeping with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act of Canada, a permanent resident must reside in Canada for a total of at least 730 days within the five (5) years prior to the date of expiration on his/her Permanent Resident Card in order to be authorized to renew the Permanent Resident Card, subject to certain exceptions.

When a Canadian immigrant visa has been issued to you, it is required that you meet with a Canada Immigration officer at one of Canada’s official ports of entry. This is necessary in order to become a permanent resident.

To become a permanent resident of Canada, you must meet the requirements of one (1) of five (5) classes of Immigration:

• the Federal Skilled Worker Class,
• the Federal Skilled Trades Class,
• the Canadian Experience Class,
• the Family Class or the Business Class, OR
• qualify as a provincial nominee.