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Japan and Korea Visas

Last updated: 2026-09-17

What you need for Japan and Korea depends on your passport, not your status in Canada. Canadian citizens travel visa-free to both, with Korea allowing a notably long short stay. Holders of Chinese passports need visas for both, but can apply in Canada on the basis of residence here. This page sets out the current rules and the practical points.

Canadians to Japan
Visa-free for short stays
Canadians to Korea
Visa-free, with short stays of up to 180 days; K-ETA exemption extended to December 31, 2026
Chinese passport holders
A visa is required for both, and may be applied for in Canada on the basis of residence
Where to file
With the consulate for your district — you cannot choose another

Official processing times

These visas are decided by each country's missions in Canada, and there is no single published dataset. Below are the official pages where each one publishes its processing times and appointment information:

We also chase interview appointments

Consular interview slots are often taken within minutes of opening. We monitor the booking systems, help pick the right location and rebook earlier slots where possible, and prepare the interview file alongside.

Book a consultation

Processing times and appointment availability swing with the season; in peak periods (summer, year end) an appointment can be weeks or months out. The links above are the official pages — their published figures govern.

Japan

The short-stay visa covers tourism, visiting family and friends, and business activity.

Canadian citizens

  • Visa-free for short stays
  • For tourism, family visits and business
  • No paid employment
  • You may be asked for a return ticket and accommodation on arrival

Chinese passport holders

  • A short-stay visa is required
  • It can be applied for in Canada on the basis of residence
  • The PR card, work permit or study permit must be produced in original and copy
  • Six months of bank statements from a Canadian institution are usually required

Multiple-entry visas

  • Separate arrangements exist for Chinese nationals resident in Canada
  • There are requirements on the remaining validity of your Canadian status
  • Financial and travel history conditions apply
  • The consulate for your district publishes the precise criteria

eVISA

  • Japan operates an electronic visa system
  • Coverage is opening up progressively by nationality and residence
  • Issued electronically, with no sticker in the passport
  • Check your district's notices for whether it applies to you

Korea

Korea is generous with short stays for Canadians; Chinese nationals need a visa.

Canadian citizens

  • Visa-free, with stays of up to 180 days
  • For tourism, visiting family and business meetings
  • No paid employment
  • A passport is the only travel document needed

K-ETA exemption

  • The K-ETA requirement is temporarily waived for Canada and certain other countries
  • The waiver runs to December 31, 2026
  • No K-ETA is needed to enter during the waiver
  • Applying voluntarily removes the arrival card, but carries a fee

Chinese passport holders

  • A Korean visa is required
  • File with the consulate covering your district
  • Proof of lawful residence in Canada is required
  • Follow the document list published by that consulate

Points to watch

  • The waiver has a fixed end date — recheck before travelling
  • Visa-free entry is not a guarantee of admission; the officer decides
  • Longer stays, work and study need the appropriate visa
  • Separate rules govern transit

What Chinese nationals resident in Canada should prepare

The two document lists differ in detail, but the logic is the same.

  • A valid passport with enough remaining validity for entry
  • Proof of lawful residence in Canada: a PR card, or a work or study permit with the matching visa
  • Some consulates set a minimum remaining validity on that status — check before filing
  • Proof of funds, usually six months of statements from a Canadian institution
  • Travel plans: flight reservation, accommodation and an itinerary
  • Employment and income records; an invitation and proof of relationship for family visits
  • File with the consulate for your district — you cannot pick a faster one

How to apply

  1. 1

    Check what your passport requires

    Nationality decides. A Canadian passport is visa-free for both; a Chinese passport needs a visa for both. Holding a PR card does not change that.

  2. 2

    Identify your consular district

    Both countries maintain several consulates-general in Canada, each covering a defined region, and applications go to the one for your address.

  3. 3

    Prepare documents

    Passport, proof of residence, funds, itinerary and accommodation, employment records — item by item against the list published by your consulate.

  4. 4

    File and wait

    In person or by mail as the consulate requires. Processing depends on the post and the season, so allow time in peak periods.

  5. 5

    Re-check before travelling

    Confirm the current notices, particularly Korea's K-ETA waiver end date and the scope of Japan's eVISA — both change.

Common questions

I have a PR card — do I still need a visa for Japan?+

On a Chinese passport, yes. Visa exemption follows nationality, not Canadian residence. The advantage of living here is that you can apply to the Japanese consulate for your district, and Japan operates multiple-entry arrangements specifically for Chinese nationals resident in Canada.

Is a K-ETA still needed for Korea?+

The K-ETA requirement is temporarily waived for Canada and certain other countries, and the waiver now runs to December 31, 2026, so a Canadian passport is enough on its own. Applying voluntarily means no arrival card on entry, but there is a fee. The waiver has a fixed end date, so check the notice before travelling.

Can Canadians really stay 180 days in Korea?+

Korea's visa-free short stay for Canadian citizens is stated as up to 180 days for tourism, family visits and business meetings. Visa-free status is not a guarantee of entry, and the period actually granted is set by the immigration officer. Paid work, longer stays and study all require the appropriate visa.

Can I file with a faster consulate?+

No. Both countries allocate applications by district in Canada, and filing outside your district usually means the file is returned, costing more time than it saves. If you move, the district follows your current address.

Do you handle these visas?+

We help with documents, confirming the right consulate, completing forms and arranging submission. As with every foreign visa, the decision rests with that country's consulate, and we neither can nor will promise an outcome.

Wondering whether you qualify?

Contact us for an assessment and plan tailored to your background.

Book a consultation

This page summarizes official information from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for general reference only. Immigration rules change often, so always check IRCC's latest requirements. Every case is different — contact us for an assessment of your situation.

Sources (IRCC official website)