Immigration Options for South Korean Citizens
South Korea has a highly educated workforce with Working Holiday agreements with Australia, Canada, the UK, and Germany — giving Korean nationals strong flexibility to test job markets before committing to permanent immigration. Korean tech and engineering talent is in high global demand, and Australia's 189/190 and Canada's Express Entry are the most competitive PR routes.
~180,000
Korean nationals estimated living in Australia
~15,000
Korean nationals estimated in the UK, primarily London
Australia
Working Holiday (417) + Skilled 189/190
Korea's Working Holiday agreement with Australia is among the most popular globally. Around 180,000 Korean nationals live in Australia. After the WHV, skilled Koreans can transition to the 189 or 190 permanent visa streams.
Read the Australia guide
Canada
IEC Working Holiday / Express Entry
Canada's IEC agreement allows Korean nationals up to age 35 to work for up to 2 years. Korean professionals with IELTS 7.0+ and relevant experience typically score 480-520+ CRS — competitive for most Express Entry draws.
Read the Canada guide
United Kingdom
Youth Mobility Scheme + Skilled Worker
Korea is a Youth Mobility Scheme partner — Korean nationals aged 18-30 get a 2-year UK work authorization. London's tech sector actively recruits Korean engineering and AI talent.
Read the United Kingdom guide
Germany
Working Holiday / EU Blue Card
Germany's Working Holiday agreement with Korea covers ages 18-30 for a one-year exploratory stay. For longer-term work, the EU Blue Card requires a degree and qualifying salary (€41,041+ for shortage occupations).
Read the Germany guide
See which route fits your exact profile
Answer 8 questions and get a personalised eligibility score across every visa programme available to South Korean citizens.
Check My EligibilityHow competitive are Korean applicants in Canada's Express Entry?
Very competitive. Korean IT, engineering, and life sciences professionals typically score 480-530 CRS with IELTS 7.0+, a relevant degree, and 3+ years of experience. Provincial nominations (Ontario Tech Draw, BC Skills Immigration) add 600 CRS points for near-guaranteed invitation.
Can Korean nationals apply for the Australian 189 visa without a Working Holiday first?
Yes — the Working Holiday is optional. The 189 Skilled Independent visa requires a skills assessment (ACS for IT, Engineers Australia for engineering), IELTS 6.0 minimum (7.0 for bonus points), and an EOI with 65+ points. Korean degrees are well-recognized by Australian assessing authorities.
What salary can Korean engineers expect in Australia vs Canada?
Australia: AUD 90-140k for software and mid-senior engineers. Canada: CAD 85-120k. Australia typically offers more take-home pay for comparable roles but higher housing costs in Sydney and Melbourne. Cities like Calgary and Ottawa offer lower living costs than Australian capitals.
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