Canada Vs South Korea: Cost Comparison (Rental | Transport | Meal)

Comparing Immigration between Canada and South Korea

Last Updated On : May 30 , 2024

Living Cost Comparison: Canada Vs South Korea

In terms of most living costs, South Korea is generally less expensive than Canada. On average, consumer prices in South Korea are approximately 29% below the Canadian level.

Rental Price Comparison:

In Canada, the rent is 113.0% highercompared to South Korea.

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre:

South Korea: €697.10 (₩696,515.15)
Canada: €1,149.05 (CA$1,702.36)

Compared with Canada, South Korea has a 63.7% decrease.

Meal Cost Comparison:

Mid-range Restaurant Meal Comparison: South Korea vs Canada

South Korea: €50.14 (₩50,000)
Canada: €99.72 (CA$100.00)

Compared to Canada, South Korea is 99.4 per cent lower.

Transport Cost Comparison:

Gasoline Cost Comparison:

South Korea: €1.07 (₩1,637)
Canada: €1.11 (CA$1.58)

South Korea is 32.6% lower than Canada.

Currency Comparison: Canada vs South Korea

Canada	South Korea
1 CAD	Approximately 997.42 South Korean Won (KRW).

Comparing Population : Canada vs South Korea

Factors	Canada	South Korea
Estimated Populations 2023	38.5 million	51.7 million
Population Density Comparisons	Lowest density at 3.9 people per square kilometre.	Highest density at 528 people per square kilometre.
Age Distribution	0-14 years: 15.9% 15-64 years: 66.2% 65 years and over: 17.9%	0-14 years: 12.4% 15-64 years: 72.1% 65 years and over: 15.5%
Urban Population	81.6%	81.7%

Immigration Authorities: IRCC Vs Korea Immigration Service (KIS)

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)	Korea Immigration Service (KIS)
Facilitates immigration arrival Provides refugee protection Offers settlement support Grants citizenship Issues travel documents Promotes multiculturalism	Oversees administrative work. Handles PR and international cooperation. Manages inter-Korean immigration inspections. Sets entry regulation measures. Manages VISA/foreign residence permit issuance. Analyses foreign resident trends. Investigates/expels immigration law violators.

Canada immigration Process vs South Korea Immigration Process:

Attribute	Canada	South Korea
Processing Time	Program Duration Varies: 6-24 months	Duration: 6-12 months (Duration varies depending on the program you qualify for)
Immigration Fee	CAD 1,325	Lower than Canada
Scoring Pattern	Points-based system (Express Entry) - Considers age, education, work experience, language skills	Point-based system - Factors like education, work experience, Korean language skills, and investment
Language Requirement	Minimum English/French proficiency level required.	Requires Korean language proficiency

Comparing Immigration Programs: Canada vs South Korea

As Canada has theExpress Entry program, the South Korean government offers employment-based permanent residency. Additionally, there is a regional balanced development policy program compared to the provincial nominee program.

While South Korea utilises the H-1 visa system for foreign professionals, Canada employs a temporary work permit program to facilitate the employment of international workers.

Provincial Nominee Program Vs Regional Balanced Development Policy

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Regional Balanced Development Policy (RBDP)

• Processing time is 6-12 months.

• Application fee is around CA$2,000.

Processing time and cost are unclear.

Express Entry System Vs Employment-based Permanent Residency

Express Entry System (Canada)	Employment-based Permanent Residency (South Korea)
Eligibility includes: Language proficiency, education, work experience, settlement funds. 6 month processing time. Application fee: CA$1,325.	Eligibility includes education, work experience, language proficiency. Process time and cost are unclear.

Canada's Global Talent Stream Vs South Korea's Global Talent Visa Program

Global Talent Stream (Canada)

Global Talent Visa Program (South Korea)

• Attracts skilled global talent.

• Requires Canadian employer offer and positive Labor Market Impact Assessment.

• Processing time: 2 weeks.

• Application fee: CA$1,000.

• Attracts skilled foreign talent.

• Eligibility: job offer from Korean employer, certain education and work experience.

• Process time and cost are unclear.

Canada’s Temporary Work Permit Vs H-1 Visas in South

Temporary Work Permit in Canada

South Korea H-1 Visa Overview

• Allows foreign nationals to work for specific employers.

• Eligibility includes job offer, labour market impact assessment, and fund proof.

• Processing time varies; can be as quick as 2 weeks.

• Costs around CA$155.

• Allows foreign nationals to work in South Korea.

• Eligibility includes job offer, education, and work experience.

• Processing time and cost are unclear.

Based on the above-mentioned immigration programs for both countries, we can conclude that Canada offers more defined eligibility criteria, faster processing times, and clear application fees than South Korea's immigration programs, with the Express Entry System and Global Talent Stream being notable.

Canada vs. South Korea: A Geographic and Political Comparison

Feature	Canada	South Korea
Provinces/States	10 Provinces & 3 Territories	None (Single, unitary state)
Capital City	Ottawa	Seoul
Land Area (sq km)	9,984,670	100,363
Government Structure	Federal	Unitary
Major Industries	Resource extraction (oil, gas, minerals), Manufacturing, Services (finance, healthcare)	Manufacturing (electronics, automobiles, shipbuilding), Technology, Services (tourism, education)

Canada Day vs National Liberation Day (South Korea)

Feature	Canada Day	National Liberation Day (South Korea)
Date	July 1st	August 15th
Celebrates	Canada Formation - 1867	1945 Liberation Day
Significance	Unification of three British colonies.	Commemorates end of 35-year Japanese occupation.
Celebrations	Fireworks, parades, picnics, barbecues, concerts.	Includes flag-raising ceremonies, memorial services, cultural events.
Other Names	Historic Dominion Day	Gwangbokjeol (South Korea), Chogukhaebangŭinal (North Korea)

Entry Inspection At Border : Canada Vs South Korea

Canada Entry Procedures

South Korea Immigration Inspection

Air travellers must complete an Advance Declaration online or on board the aircraft.

Canada Border Services Officers examine the traveller's declaration, identification, and travel documents.

Questions may be asked to determine immigration status, goods, and duty-free allowances.

Restricted or prohibited goods not properly declared can be seized.

Land border crossings follow signs to the primary inspection checkpoint.

Prioritises national interests and prevents illegal entry attempts.

Denial of entry through passport forgery, unclear purpose, or unspecified inviting party.

Requirements include valid passport, visa, and not subject to an entry ban.

South Korea's focus on preventing illegal entry and protecting national interests.

References:

Cost of Living in South Korea

Foreigner Immigration Screening

Entering Canada with IRCC

F.A.Q.

1.How do I choose whether Canada or South Korea is better for me?

Deciding between Canada and South Korea depends on various factors.

Cost of Living: Canada is 55.8% more expensive than South Korea.
Quality of Life: Canada scores higher in political stability and civil rights.
Job Opportunities: Research the job market for Software Engineers in both countries.
Immigration Process: Understand Permanent Residency (PR) and immigration processes for both countries.
Personal Preferences: Choose the country that aligns best with your personal values and goals.

2.As a Software Engineer, is South Korea better or Canada better?

Canada and South Korea offer software engineers job opportunities in the tech sector, with Canada having a thriving tech hub and South Korea renowned for its electronics, semiconductor, gaming, mobile app, and fintech sectors.
Canada offers better work-life balance, generous vacation time, and benefits, while South Korea has a points-based system for permanent residency.

3.Does Canada take less time to issue PR than South Korea?

South Korea's Employment-based Permanent Residency processing times may be similar to or slightly slower than Canada's Express Entry.

4.Do I need the same IELTS score for Canada PR and South Korea PR, or is it different for both countries?

Canada and South Korea have different IELTS score requirements for Permanent Residency, with Canada's Express Entry system requiring CLB 7 language proficiency, while South Korea's immigration policies focus on job offer, education, and work experience.