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Our goal is to provide travellers with essential travel information that’s accurate and up to date – we aim to be your one-stop guide as you plan your trip to France (or any other Schengen country).
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Upcoming changes to European travel policies will directly affect Canadians who’ll be travelling to France. The EU plans to roll out their new ETIAS France process, and filling out the application will become mandatory in 2025. We want to be sure you feel confident and well-prepared as you start planning your 2025 trip to France. Our website offers valuable information about the new European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) for Canadian tourists heading to France. You can count on us to provide impartial, objective information – we’re fully independent and aren’t affiliated with any third-party group or organization, including the European Union or other government agencies. From the start, we’ve remained hyper-focused on our goal to be a trusted source for factual guidance on ETIAS Visa France and its role in travel for Canadians heading to a Schengen country. We work hastily to ensure the information on our website reflects the most recent updates so you can rest assured that you’ll be well-informed ahead of your upcoming trip to France.
We’ve compiled an invaluable collection of information covering vital topics, including:
Whether you’re feeling uneasy about the new travel process, or you’re just the type of person who likes to be prepared (us, too!) – there’s no need to look anywhere else for information about ETIAS and its impact on your upcoming travels. Our website is a comprehensive resource for all things ETIAS. Please note that we are an independent organization. We have no affiliation with any government agency, including the European Union.
Haven’t found the information you’re looking for?
Drop us a line! Our Customer Support Team is available to answer any questions you have.
No, you won’t need a visa to visit France as a tourist. The European Union has not indicated that they plan to remove Canada from its list of visa-exempt countries. They are, however, adding an extra step for travellers visiting from Canada or any of the 60 countries from which travellers are visa-exempt. Beginning in 2025, the EU will require that Canadian citizens travelling to France (or any country in the Schengen area) seek pre-approval through a simple, online ETIAS Visa France application process.
So again, you won’t need to worry about the (potentially lengthy and complicated) standard visa process if you plan to enter France as a tourist. The ETIAS process is much simpler and straightforward, and processing is significantly quicker. The key phrase there, though, is “as a tourist” – if you’re travelling to France for any other purpose, such as work, study, or long-term stay, it’s essential you know that the ETIAS application is not a substitute for a traditional visa. If you’re permitted to enter France by way of an approved ETIAS for France application, you’ll be entitled to stay up to 90 days, and you won’t be allowed to work or study during that period.
Yes, Canadians, as well as citizens of any of the other 60 visa-exempt countries, including Japan, New Zealand, the United States, and the United Kingdom, will need to apply through ETIAS Visa France before travelling to France from the beginning of 2025. Until then, Canadian nationals may travel to and within the Schengen countries without a visa and without pre-approval through ETIAS.
This is a significant change to a travel procedure that hasn’t changed in a long, long time. With that in mind, the European Union has decided to ease into these new requirements. There will be a short grace period, 6 months (which may change if the new ETIAS process causes more confusion than expected), to give travellers and border officials plenty of time to adjust. That said, we don’t advise travellers to take advantage of the flexibility granted by the 6-month grace period. We strongly recommend you submit an ETIAS application for any travel to a Schengen country in 2025. Ideally, you should submit your ETIAS application no later than 8 days ahead of your scheduled departure date. The good news is that once you’ve been approved, your ETIAS approval is valid for up to 3 years. Keep in mind that your ETIAS approval will be linked to your passport, so if your passport expires during its validity, you will need to reapply.
Remember, receiving travel authorization through ETIAS isn’t a guarantee that you’ll be permitted entry to France or any other Schengen country. Border officials have the final say, even if you’ve received the green light from ETIAS. Your ETIAS approval isn’t the only travel document you’ll need to enter France, either. Border agents may also request proof of return flights, confirmation of where you’ll be staying, proof you have enough money to sustain you for the duration of your trip, and confirmation of adequate medical insurance coverage. That sounds like a lot, but it’s nothing personal. Border officials are responsible for combating illegal immigration, crime, and terrorism.
Some countries still have COVID-19 travel policies in place. The ETIAS application doesn’t include screening for travel eligibility with respect to COVID-19 policies. Be sure to check for COVID-19 restrictions and requirements well ahead of your trip, as the state of the pandemic can change suddenly.
Relative to other travel forms, such as visa applications, ETIAS Visa France is quite simple and straightforward. The ETIAS application wasn’t designed to discourage trustworthy travellers from visiting, and in fact, it was designed to be as convenient and user-friendly as possible. Plan to spend about 10 minutes completing your application, and make sure you have your valid biometric passport handy. You’ll need to provide the following basic personal details:
As well as more thorough security-related details:
These questions all serve the same central purpose – to ensure the safety and security of both visitors and residents in the Schengen area by preventing issues before they happen. If the information you provide in your application seems suspicious or if something doesn’t add up, the border agent responsible for processing your application may request additional information or documents. In exceptional situations, they may ask you to attend an in-person interview. There’s no need to stress, though, as the majority of applications will be processed smoothly, and most applicants will receive approval by email within 24 hours.
The ETIAS application will go live at the beginning of 2025, and it’ll become mandatory after about 6 months. Keep in mind that this 6-month grace period is intended to allow travellers and border agents adequate time to get comfortable with the new process, and you should submit an ETIAS application if you intend to travel to France in 2025 or beyond. We strongly recommend applying for ETIAS Visa France approval at least 8 days before your trip. Your ETIAS approval will remain valid for 3 years unless you renew your passport within that timeframe, so you needn’t worry about it expiring if your travel plans are delayed.