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This is your one-stop source for everything you need to know about ETIAS, the new electronic travel system for international visitors to Europe’s Schengen Zone.
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Yes, Canadian citizens will need to apply for ETIAS approval before travelling to a Schengen country in 2025 and beyond. Prior to 2025, travellers entering France (or any other Schengen country) from a visa-exempt country were not required to submit any forms or documentation to gain admission. When the ETIAS application portal opens, travel will change for Canadians and citizens of the other 59 visa-exempt countries.
The EU will allow travellers and border agents at least 6 months to acclimate, but we highly recommend filling out the ETIAS application even if you’re travel plans fall within the grace period. Your approval remains valid for 3 years (unless your passport expires within that period – if that’s the case, you’ll need to submit a new application to link your ETIAS approval to your new passport). Since expiry isn’t a concern, we recommend filling out the application at least 8 days before your date of departure. If there’s anything unusual about your application, border officials may request additional information or an interview, so you’ll need to allow plenty of time for that.
No. Countries that are visa-exempt will remain that way, at least for the foreseeable future. The European Union hasn’t given any indication that they plan to remove Canada from their list of visa-exempt countries. However, from 2025 onward, Canadians will need to submit a travel form – the ETIAS application, before travelling to France or any other Schengen country. Rest assured that the ETIAS application procedure is simple and easy. The EU isn’t trying to make it more difficult to travel, and the ETIAS process isn’t comparable to the labour-intensive visa application process. In reality, this extra step should improve the experience of travelling to the Schengen area, as it’ll reduce wait times for pre-screening and will have a positive impact on crime rates.
The ETIAS portal will go live in 2025 and will be mandatory as soon as it’s live. There’ll be a 6-month grace period to ensure tourists and border agents have time to get comfortable with the process without being penalized. The application is easy and straightforward. You’ll need a valid biometric passport (valid for at least 90 days after your date of departure) and the funds available on a debit or credit card to pay the application fee. You’ll only need to pay the fee once for all travel within the Schengen region for 3 years, unless your passport expires before then, in which case you’ll need to submit a new application and pay a new fee.
ETIAS authorization is required for children, regardless of age. All travellers from visa-exempt countries must have valid ETIAS approval to gain entry into a Schengen country from 2025 onward. The ETIAS application form should not be completed by a minor as all information is expected to be legible and accurate. If you’re travelling with a child, the child’s form should be completed by a parent or legal guardian.