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From 2025 onward, an innovative system – called the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS France) – will change travel for Canadians vacationing in France and other Schengen countries. Right now, tourists from Canada only need a biometric passport to travel to France, as Canada is one of 60 visa-exempt countries.
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ETIAS for France is a new virtual checkpoint for travellers from visa-exempt countries who wish to visit a country in the Schengen zone. Representatives from the European Union announced their plans for this virtual travel checkpoint in 2016 as a tool to improve safety and security for travellers and residents in the Schengen area. ETIAS France is a simple, straightforward application process that covers basic personal and security-relevant information. The application process should take 10 minutes or less from beginning to end, and it’ll be mandatory for any travel from a visa-exempt country to a Schengen country in 2025 and beyond. Wondering why the EU has chosen to replace its current visa-free travel process for Canadians? Quite simply – it’s a security measure. ETIAS will make the Schengen area safer for both tourists and residents alike by reducing health, crime, and terrorism-related threats.
Canadians planning to visit France won’t need to worry about the complex and labour-intensive process of applying for a Schengen visa through an embassy or consulate. To visit France, Canadian travellers will need ETIAS France approval, which involves a brief, straightforward application. They’ll also need a valid biometric passport with an expiry date no earlier than 3 months after the start of their planned trip. In some cases, the border agent reviewing an ETIAS France application may request additional information. This can happen if something doesn’t add up or if the information declared on the application is atypical. Border agents may request hotel confirmations, proof of a return booking, or proof of financial stability, for example. Keep in mind that even if your ETIAS authorization is granted without these additional documents, you may still need them at the border. Pre-approval through ETIAS doesn’t guarantee entry into France, and agents who are physically at the border when you arrive have the final say in whether or not you can enter the country.
In 2025, the European Union will roll out ETIAS France, and Canadians will need ETIAS authorization before departing to France. ETIAS is essentially a pre-pre-screening process. It’s not meant to complicate travel or to deter tourists. The application should take 10 minutes or less of your time, and if everything is standard, you’ll receive your authorization by email within 24 hours. We recommend submitting your ETIAS application well in advance, though – at least 8 days ahead of your departure date. Something as simple as a mistake with dates or a typo can lead to some back and forth between the applicant and border agents, and you’ll want to allow plenty of time for that. Once you’ve received ETIAS Visa Waiver for France, your approval is valid for 3 years. ETIAS approval is linked to a traveller’s biometric passport, so if you renew your passport, be sure to submit a new ETIAS application, even if it’s been less than 3 years since your previous application. If for some reason, your ETIAS France application is rejected, you may or may not have the option to appeal the decision. If something happens during your ETIAS authorization validity period that affects your eligibility to travel to the Schengen area, your ETIAS authorization may be revoked without notice.
Canadians who submit an application through ETIAS France will appreciate the system’s straightforward, user-friendly interface. The system is designed to facilitate travel, not complicate it. The ETIAS application will cover basic information, like name, passport number, and birthdate, as well as some more personal details, including criminal background and travel history. If you’re just a typical traveller with nothing unusual to report, security officials will swiftly process your application, and you’ll receive notice of approval by email within 24 hours. If your approval takes a little longer, or the reviewing border official requests additional information, don’t stress. In some cases, they just need a little extra time or information before approving an application. In rare cases, the border agent may request a sit-down interview.
The primary purpose of ETIAS is to increase security. There are 60 countries outside the European Union from which citizens can travel to the Schengen area without a visa, including Canada and the United States. These are the travellers who’ll be affected by the introduction of the new ETIAS authorization procedure. While these countries will remain visa-exempt, travellers from a visa-exempt country will need to seek ETIAS authorization before they can travel to a Schengen country. Since we’re discussing security, it’s essential we mention the secure storage of your personal information on the ETIAS France network. Rest assured, any and all information you provide through the secure ETIAS portal will be collected and processed in compliance with strict security measures that meet European legal standards for the protection of personal data and privacy.
All 26 Schengen countries will employ the ETIAS application process. This will simplify travel for ETIAS applicants who frequent the Schengen area and those who plan to visit multiple Schengen countries during their stay. Border agents will also benefit from the streamlined process, as tourists moving throughout the Schengen area will be pre-screened at their initial point of entry and have been evaluated using the exact same set of standards. If you’re arriving in France, for example, but you decide to spend a weekend in a Spanish border town, border agents in Spain will know that French border agents have already approved your ETIAS application and deemed you eligible for entry. And remember, your ETIAS France authorization is valid for all Schengen countries, so if you do decide to adjust your travel plans spontaneously, you won’t need to reapply through ETIAS.
The increase in terrorism and crime over the past few decades has pushed many countries to assess their approaches to security and enhance their border protocols. The EU’s Schengen countries are no exception. We’re all aware, unfortunately, of the 2016 truck attack in Nice. Since then, France has fallen victim to several smaller attacks with fewer casualties. ETIAS France aims to minimize the risks of terrorism and crime by stopping threats at the border. ETIAS authorization isn’t an automated process – border agents will review each application individually and will reject applications from travellers who pose too high a risk. This increased security will enhance the experiences of tourists and residents.
Illegal immigration is on the rise – especially in the past decade. While illegal immigration may not seem overly consequential, it’s been linked to:
Travellers who are exceptionally likely to overstay their 90 days or work illegally will be denied entry.
Travellers from Canada and any of the other 59 visa-exempt countries will need to submit an ETIAS application and receive travel authorization before travelling to France or any country in the Schengen zone. Other affected travellers include Americans and Brits. If you’re travelling with a group, you should know that people from all of the following 60 countries will require ETIAS France approval before they can travel to France:
Albania
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brazil
Brunei
Canada
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Dominican Republic
El Salvador
Georgia
Grenada
Guatemala
Honduras
Hong Kong
Israel
Japan
Kiribati
Macao
Northern Macedonia
Malaysia
Marshall Islands
Mauritius
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Montenegro
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Palau
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent
St. Vincent
Serbia
Seychelles
Singapore
Solomon Islands
South Korea
Taiwan
Timor Leste
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tuvalu
Uruguay
Ukraine
UAE
Vanuatu
Venezuela
United Kingdom
United StatesCanadian citizens will need to submit an ETIAS application if they’re planning to travel to or through any of the 26 countries in the Schengen zone. Travellers who plan to visit a country that’s in Europe, but outside the Schengen area, such as Ireland or the United Kingdom, will not need to seek ETIAS approval. If you’re travelling to a country where ETIAS France authorization isn’t required, be sure to check the country’s travel requirements and guidelines before you finalize your plans. Canadians will need to submit an application through the online ETIAS portal to travel to any of the following European countries:
Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Slovakia
Slovenia
Sweden
Spain
Switzerland
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Romania
Monaco
San Marino
Vatican
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Yes. Canadian citizens planning to visit France will need to apply for ETIAS France authorization when it becomes mandatory in 2025. If you’re a Canadian travelling to France in 2024, you won’t be affected by this change. From 2025 onward, ETIAS will be mandatory for visa-exempt tourists heading to any Schengen country. While there will be a 6-month grace period to allow tourists and border officials plenty of time to get comfortable with the new procedure, we highly recommend seeking ETIAS authorization prior to your first Schengen trip after 2025, even if you’ll be travelling during the grace period. Processing may take longer while border agents learn the new process, so you should submit your application no later than 8 days before your scheduled departure date.
Good news! The ETIAS application portal is fully digital. As a Canadian traveller, you’ll need to fill out an online application (which should take 10 minutes or less) where you’ll provide basic information and answer some security questions. You’ll finish the application by paying the ETIAS France processing fee, and in most cases, you’ll receive your approval by email within 24 hours. Be sure to have your biometric passport on hand before you start the application.
It’s impossible to predict. Each country has its own policies regarding travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, and these policies are constantly evolving. Check the Government of France’s website for the most recent updates regarding COVID-19 protocols as they pertain to travellers. Keep in mind that ETIAS and pandemic travel protocols are completely independent of one another.
At the time of publishing this website, tourists who qualify as fully vaccinated are no longer required to provide a negative COVID-19 test to enter France, regardless of their country of departure. Unvaccinated tourists may enter France, but they must provide proof they’ve tested negative for COVID-19. France lists Canada as a “green” country, which means the French government believes Canadian travellers pose little threat with respect to the virus. Tourists from countries on the green list as exempt from isolation requirements.
Again, COVID-19 restrictions can change drastically and without notice. Check the Government of France’s website ahead of your trip.
It’s unlikely you’ll run into issues during your visit to France, but it’s best to expect the unexpected. If you need assistance during your stay, connect with a Canadian consulate.
You’ll find Canadian consulates in: