If you decide to immigrate to Canada from Korea, you can enter one of the many programs available at the federal or provincial levels. Each of them will enable you to obtain Canadian residency with a high chance of securing a passport for this country after several years. The other option is applying for temporary residency the usual way.
Below, our immigration lawyers in Canada explain the main steps you need to complete for a correct relocation procedure.
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The main steps to move to Canada from Korea
South Korean citizens need to complete a two-step process in order to successfully relocate to Canada. The first one is a pre-approval process for the program or visa sought, and the other is the immigration procedure itself.
The pre-approval stage implies:
- choosing a program you consider suitable in accordance with your qualifications/status and which can be assessed by our immigration lawyer in Canada;
- taking the eligibility assessment test which is based on a comprehensive ranking system.
The ranking system is starting to be widely used around the world, as it helps the authorities to verify if applicants can be integrated in the countries they want to move to.
This system applies to all nationalities that want to apply for designated programs, including those who want to immigrate to Canada from the USA.
At this point, our specialists would like to point out that if you decide to relocate to Canada from Korea through a temporary residence visa, you no longer need to go through this test.
How to immigrate to Canada from Korea based on employment
Finding a job with a Canadian company has its benefits, which is why this pathway to immigration to Canada is a great one for South Koreans.
For competent individuals with past international job experience who wish to permanently move to Canada, there is the Federal Worker program. If you are considering relocating from South Korea to Canada through this program, you should be aware of the 6 selection criteria that the Federal Skilled Worker Program uses to determine how points are awarded in the Express Entry Stream.
If you have prior job experience in Canada you can be eligible for additional points in the CRS Express Entry system, up to a maximum of 80 points. The majority of Korean employees with prior work experience choose the Federal Skilled Trade Program to immigrate to Canada, as it is the fastest way to establish themselves in this country.
What to consider when you immigrate to Canada from Korea
Settling in Canada as a South Korean citizen can be a fulfilling experience. However, it is imperative that you familiarize yourself with the Canadian immigration procedure before beginning. As a Korean relocating to Canada, you should be aware of the following:
- the Canadian tax structure;
- the fact that you need your residence permit to rent a property in Canada;
- the fact that you need health insurance.
Our immigration attorneys in Canada can offer tailored support with respect to the above-mentioned facts.
The Korean community in Canada
Asian countries have strong communities in Canada, and this is also the case in South Korea. For example, there is the Korean-Canadian Cultural Association and the Korean-Canadian Business Association, each meant to strengthen relations between the two countries.
In terms of Korean citizens or Canadians of Korean descent:
- in 2020, 4,800 Koreans became permanent residents of Canada;
- there are more than 200,000 Canadians with Korean ancestry at the level of 2022.
If you want to immigrate to Canada from Korea, contact us. Our specialists can also help you apply for citizenship in Canada.
