WYD 101

WYD Seoul 2027 for Leaders

Bishops
Days in the Diocese
Priests and Deacons
Bringing Medications
Registration - WYD
Register with your Embassy
Minimum age
General travel resources

ℹ️ Some of the information provided on this page is according to the information shared by the WYD Local Organizing Committee and Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life during the Second Preparatory meeting (Sept 14-17 2026). Please check the official wyd seoul website regularly for updates.

Bishops

According to the information shared by the WYD Local Organizing Committee and Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life during the Second Preparatory meeting:

Registrations for Bishops will open on October 22nd 2026, through a dedicated section in the registration system.

Bishop registration procedure:

  • Download and complete the registration form from Registration System
  • Submit the form to the DLFL by email
  • DLFL verifies identity
  • The Bishop’s personal account is activated
  • The Bishop directly enters registration information

Accommodation options

  • LOC-contracted Hotel
  • Homestay
  • Stay in the same accommodation as the pilgrim group
  • Independent arrangement

Transportation

  • Shuttle Bus Service
    • Airport <-> LOC Hotel
    • LOC Hotel <-> Main event venues

 

Meals

  • Breakfast only at LOC accommodation
  • Special dietary options available
  • Space for mass celebration available at the LOC hotel

Priests and Deacons

Priests and deacons will be registered by their Group Leaders through the same registration system as pilgrims, together with the required information and supporting documents. Priests may also indicate their availability and preferred language for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Bishops will register through a dedicated section on the registration system.

Source: https://wydseoul.org/en/news/faq

Registration – WYD

According to the information obtained at the WYD Second Preparatory Meeting in Seoul, Registrations to WYD will open on October 22nd 2026 for:

  • Pilgrim groups
  • Priests and Deacons
  • Bishops
  • Vocations Fair
  • Youth Festival
  • Volunteers

For Pilgrim groups, multiple packages are available, and vary according to:

  • Dates
  • Accommodations
  • Meal

Single Group:

  • 1-150 pilgrims
  • Registered on the same package, same date of arrival and departure

Macrogroup registrations:

  • Max 5000
  • Divided into groups of up to 150 with the same package & schedule at Phase 2 registration

Pilgrim pass (physical card and via the app):

  • Payments accepted wherever cards are accepted
  • Pilgrim pass is used to pay for meals
  • Can be charged on site
  • The balance can be managed in the app

WYD CANADA – Minimum age for young Canadians attending WYD

https://www.wydcanada.org/en/participation-in-wyd/18-minimum-age/

Minors and the Legal Adult Criteria under South Korean Law (as of 2027)

“In accordance with the Youth Protection Act of the Republic of Korea, participants must be born on or before December 31, 2008, to be considered adults under Korean law. Participants born after this date are considered minors and must submit a parental consent form and be accompanied by a designated responsible adult throughout the event. Please also note that, in accordance with Korean law, smoking and the consumption of alcohol are prohibited for all minors.”

Source: https://wydseoul.org/en/news/faq

Government of Canada,  Consent letter for children travelling outside Canada:

https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/children/consent-letter

Days in the Diocese – Application and Attestation Form

If your diocese or organization is considering participating in Days in the Diocese, you can begin exploring the opportunities and submit your application. Registration for the Days in the Diocese is separate from registration for the main WYD events in Seoul.

As part of the application process, groups are asked to provide a Letter of Attestation for Participation in the Days in the Diocese from the appropriate ecclesial authority. This letter confirms that the pilgrim group is known to the diocese, religious congregation, ecclesial movement, or other recognized Catholic institution; that its group leader has been identified; and that the delegation is officially supported and authorized to participate.

Days in the Diocese info: https://wyd2027did.org/en

Days in the Diocese application: https://wyd2027did.org/en/apply

WYD CANADA:

Bringing Medications into Japan or South Korea

For certain medications, a permit is required before you enter Japan or South Korea— and a doctor’s prescription on its own may not be enough to satisfy that requirement. Where a permit is needed, penalties for arriving without one can be severe. Take a few minutes to check the specific rules for your destination — what’s allowed, what needs a permit, and what documentation to carry.

If you’re bringing personal medications, get an import permit before your visit.

Register with Your Embassy

https://www.customs.go.kr/english/main.do

All travellers are encouraged to register with the Embassy before departure. This lets Canadian officials reach you in an emergency (natural disaster, civil unrest, family emergency).

    Entry Requirements — Visa

    Before you travel, check what’s required to enter every country on your itinerary — a visa, an electronic travel authorization (ETA), or neither. This applies to your final destination and to every country you pass through, including layovers and connections.

    Beware of fake websites. Some sites impersonate official e-arrival cards, visa/travel-authorization portals, or other government services and charge fees for things that are free or don’t exist.

        Entry Requirements — Korea Electronic Travel Authorization

        Before you travel, check what’s required to enter every country on your itinerary — a visa, an electronic travel authorization (ETA), or neither. This applies to your final destination and to every country you pass through, including layovers and connections.

        Beware of fake websites. Some sites impersonate official e-arrival cards, visa/travel-authorization portals, or other government services and charge fees for things that are free or don’t exist.

        Current status: K-ETA is exempted for Canadian travellers until the end of this year. The Embassy will update its travel advisory if this changes, so check again closer to your trip.

              General Travel Resources

              • travelgc.ca — emergency services & general travel info

              Government of Canada : South Korea

              Travel advice for South Korea

              Canada and the Republic of Korea

              Embassy of Canada to the Republic of Korea, Seoul

              Questions specific to your trip? Reach out to your group leader or the Embassy directly using the contacts on the Seoul embassy page above.