Launching in November 2023, European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will be a primary requirement for all Canadian travelers visiting France and the rest of the Schengen Zone.
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Welcome to Europe
From November 2023, as a Canadian citizen, you’ll be required to obtain an ETIAS authorization before traveling to France or any other EU/Schengen Area country.
Applying for the ETIAS authorization is simple. Fill out the application form, upload your biometric passport and submit them after paying the application fee.
After submission, the system will automatically cross-check your provided information’s legitimacy and provide feedback within hours.
Before providing the feedback, the system might ask you for additional documentation to prove your purpose of visit. ETIAS will have a 95% approval rate.
Once issued, your ETIAS authorization will be valid for three years or until the expiration of your existing travel document. If you change your passport during these three years, you’ll also need to re-apply for ETIAS authorization. You can’t transfer your ETIAS visa waiver from one passport to another.
Other general terms for eligibility to apply for an ETIAS authorization are the following:
Only the citizens of 59 countries worldwide, including Canada, who have visa-exempt travel with the EU, are eligible to apply for an ETIAS authorization.
Nationals of other countries not on the list still require a traditional Schengen visa for traveling to Europe.
ETIAS enables you to travel to the EU/Schengen Area for only short-term purposes, including leisure, business, or medical needs.
If you plan to move to Europe permanently or for more than 90 days, you must apply for a national visa (Type D).
Children up to 12 are exempt from paying the application fee for the ETIAS authorization.
However, they still need to have valid ETIAS visa waivers upon arrival to the EU/Schengen Area border.
The nationals of the following countries are eligible to apply for an ETIAS authorization:
Albania
Antigua-et-Barbuda
Argentine
Australie
Bahamas
Barbade
Bosnie-Herzégovine
Brésil
Brunei
Canada
Chili
Colombie
Costa Rica
République dominicaine
Le Salvador
Géorgie
Grenade
Guatemala
Honduras
Hong Kong
Israël
Japon
Kiribati
Macao
Macédoine du Nord
Malaisie
Îles Marshall
Île Maurice
Mexique
Micronésie
Moldavie
Monténégro
Nouvelle-Zélande
Nicaragua
Palaos
Panama
Paraguay
Pérou
Saint Kitts & Nevis
Sainte-Lucie
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 States
Applying for an ETIAS Authorization is a simple procedure and takes less than 15 minutes.
Open the ETIAS application form and answer all required questions. Then upload a copy of your biometric passport, pay the application fee and submit.
Rest assured, you’ll get feedback on your application within hours.
Most people will get through the application process smoothly, though. If everything is typical on your application and there’s no indication that you pose a threat to the Schengen area, you’ll be granted authorization to travel within 24 hours of submitting your application Keep in mind that ETIAS is a pre-screening process. While your ETIAS status is important, and you won’t be able to travel to France without approval, all applicants who receive authorization to travel through ETIAS will not necessarily be permitted entry at the border. When you arrive for screening at the border, the agent will verify your ETIAS status and may request additional information at his or her discretion. You should keep important travel documents, including hotel reservations, proof of funds, return flight information, and proof of medical insurance handy.
Having a valid Biometric Passport with at least six months of validity by crossing the French border is one of the essential ETIAS requirements.
A passport is considered valid if it features the following:
It’s essential you note that your ETIAS authorization is linked to you via your biometric passport. If your passport expires while your ETIAS application is still valid, you will need to reapply for authorization through the online ETIAS portal. Beyond that, you’ll be denied entry if your passport expires within 3 months of your intended date of departure, so if your passport is nearing its expiry, we recommend renewing it ahead of your trip (before you apply for ETIAS authorization).
