South Korean Immigrants to Canada | Annual Arrivals and Census Trends
In 2025, 2,425 South Korean immigrants were admitted to Canada as permanent residents.
Source: IRCC
- In 2025, 393,530 immigrants were admitted to Canada, South Korean immigrants accounted for 0.6% of the annual immigration intake.
- From 2020 to 2025, 28,975 South Korean immigrants were admitted to Canada as permanent residents.
- The South Korean immigration trend highlights stable pre-pandemic rates, a sharp drop in 2020, a 2021 peak, and continuous declines through 2025.
South Korean Immigration to Canada in Recent Years
Since 2020, South Korean immigration to Canada has continued at a moderate and steady pace, driven largely by economic immigration programs, international student pathways, skilled worker streams, and family sponsorship. South Korea remained a consistent source country. Numbers were lower in 2020 due to pandemic restrictions before recovering in subsequent years through Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, and study-to-permanent residence transitions. Many South Koreans settle in Ontario, particularly the Greater Toronto Area, as well as in British Columbia (Vancouver area) and Alberta, attracted by economic opportunities, education, quality of life, and established community networks. Economic immigrants form the large majority, supported by family reunification. The South Korea-born population in Canada reached approximately 138,355 according to the 2021 Census, while the broader Korean-origin community stood at around 218,140, reflecting continued modest expansion in the following years.
South Koreans living in Canada (2016 Census)
- In 2016, 123,310 South Koreans resided in Canada.
- In 2016, most Korean immigrants resided in Ontario and British Columbia.
KOREAN IMMIGRANTS IN CANADA (2016)
