Canada Visa for French Citizens

Updated on Apr 30, 2024 | Canada Visa Online

Canadian government has made it quick and simple to apply for a Canadian visa from France. French citizens may now apply for an Online Canada Visa from the comfort of their homes thanks to the advent of the ETA. French residents can travel to Canada electronically using an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization).

Do French passport holders need a Visa for Canada?

A valid visa waiver is required for French citizens travelling to Canada for up to six months, whether for business or pleasure.

A simple and straightforward process is involved in applying for an Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA. The paperless travel permit can be obtained exclusively online and is linked to the biometric passport of the traveller.

French citizens who have a valid e-passport are eligible to apply for the Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA, which is a multiple-entry electronic visa waiver. Each entry into Canada is allowed a stay of 180 days (6 months).

Exceptions for French citizens resident in St Pierre and Miquelon

Those from Saint Pierre and Miquelon who will be entering Canada by air on a direct flight from the French archipelago south of Newfoundland do not require an Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA.

An Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA, however, will be required for French nationals living in St Pierre and Miquelon who are returning home via a flight from a country other than Canada but will pass through a Canadian airport.

Visiting Canada is simpler than ever since Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced the simplified and streamlined process of obtaining electronic travel authorisation or Online Canada Visa. Online Canada Visa is an travel permit or electronic travel authorization to enter and visit Canada for a period of less than 6 months for tourism or business. International tourists must have a Canada eTA to be able to enter Canada and explore this beautiful country. Foreign citizens can apply for an Online Canada Visa Application in a matter of minutes. Online Canada Visa Application process is automated, simple, and completely online.

Visa waiver and the length of stay for French citizens

For French nationals, the Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA is valid for a period of 5 years, or until the associated passport expires. During its validity period, it allows multiple airport entries into Canada.

During one visit, a French citizen may stay in Canada with an Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA for a maximum of 180 days. If you plan to stay longer than six consecutive months, you will need to apply for a different category of visa from a Canadian consulate or embassy.

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Canadian Visa required documents for French citizens

An Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA can be obtained from France by completing an online application form with personal and passport details.

An approved Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA is linked to the traveller's biometric passport in a maximum of 3 days, eliminating the need for a paper copy or to visit an embassy:

Here is the full list of online Canada visa or Canadian eTA requirements:

A valid biometric passport of the French applicant. It is mandatory for all applicants to possess a biometric passport valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of entry into Canada.
Current and active email address in which the French applicants will receive the online Canada visa or Canadian eTA approval notice
French citizens must have access to a computer, phone, or tablet with internet connectivity to complete the application.
A valid form of online payment must be used by the French applicant. The online Canada visa or Canadian eTA fee must be paid with a credit or debit card.

In addition, travellers should be aware of the following when requesting an Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA:

Only air travellers to Canada qualifies for the Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA visa waiver. The Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA is not acceptable if the visitor intends to enter the country through one of the several seaports or one of the land borders with the USA.
Only biometric passports are permitted to be used while applying for an Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA visa waiver. This is so that an authorised Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA, which is made to be read by electronic devices at the Canadian border, can be linked to the traveller's passport.
The objective of the trip to Canada must be for travel, transportation, business, or health. The Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA is not valid for any other uses, including employment, education, or retirement.
To be eligible to apply for the Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA, French applicants must be at least 18 years old. It is, however, possible for parents to apply on behalf of their children under the age of 18.

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Apply for a Canadian Visa from France

The French applicants can apply for the Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA by following the steps given below:

French passport holders must fill out an Online Canada or Canadian eTA application form and electronically upload all the required documents.
French passport holders must make sure to pay the Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA application fee using a debit or credit card.
French passport holders will then receive their approved Canada online visa via email.

Each Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA for French Citizens application begins with the completion of an online form, which takes no more than 30 minutes. The form must be filled out completely, including the traveller's name, date of birth, contact information, passport information, and specifics regarding the planned purpose of the trip.

Once a decision has been made, it will be sent by email to the address provided during the application process. The approval process can, however, take up to 72 hours in some situations.

In order to prevent any potential disruptions to plans, travellers are urged to apply for their Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA at least 3 business days before the anticipated date of travel.

French passport holders can easily and quickly apply for an Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA, which will allow for uncomplicated travel into Canada for up to five years via all international airports.

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Can French passport holders enter Canada without a Visa?

A valid Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA enables French nationals to visit Canada without a visa.

A standard visa is more difficult to obtain than the Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA because it may be applied for completely online and from home whenever it suits you.

By providing a few basic biographical and passport details on a brief online form, travellers from France can apply for a visa waiver.

The permit can be used several times to enter Canada by plane for travel, business, or transit purposes and is electronically connected to the French passport.

French nationals must get the appropriate Canadian visa before travelling to Canada for other purposes or for an extended amount of time.

How long can a French national stay in Canada?

Even for brief visits and transiting through a Canadian airport, French nationals need an Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA to travel to Canada.

Canada allows visitors from France to stay for up to six months. The majority of holders of French passports are permitted the maximum 180-day stay, though the precise period a foreign individual may stay in Canada may vary.

For quick visits on business or for pleasure, as well as for transiting through a Canadian airport, an Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA is required.

For stays of more than six months, holders of French passports must apply for a Canadian visa; there are various types available depending on the purpose of the trip.

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Can French citizens apply for a Canada Visa online?

French nationals can easily and quickly apply online for an Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA for Canada.

The application can be requested from home, around the clock, and is entirely electronic. There is no need to visit an embassy or consulate.

The Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA is the most practical choice for French nationals visiting Canada because it is much easier to obtain than a conventional visa.

Travellers fill out a brief online application form with a minimal amount of personal and biometric passport information. Upon submission, email notifications are issued, and upon acceptance, the Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA is electronically connected to the passport.

Do French citizens have to apply for a Canada Visa each time they travel to Canada?

To enter Canada without a visa, bearers of French passports must have an Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA.

The Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA is conveniently multiple entry. While the visa waiver is still in effect, French nationals are free to enter and exit Canada as needed.

Therefore, obtaining a fresh Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA before each travel is not required. Only when the related passport or travel authorisation expires do visitors need to reapply.

French people who frequently need to make short journeys to Canada or who frequently transit through a Canadian airport will find this to be especially helpful.

The maximum number of days that may be spent in Canada during any stay may not be exceeded.

Embassy of Canada in France

French passport holders meeting all the online Canada visa or Canada eTA eligibility requirements do not need to visit the Canadian Embassy in person to apply for a Canada visa.
The entire process of the Canada visa application for French passport holders is online, and applicants can apply for the visa using a laptop, mobile phone, tablet or any other device with a dependable internet connection.
However, French passport holders who do not meet all the online Canada visa or Canada eTA eligibility requirements, need to obtain an Embassy visa for Canada.
Applicants can apply for a Canadian visa at the Embassy of Canada in Paris or at the Consulate of Canada in Nice, France at the following addressess:

Embassy of Canada in France

130, rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré,

75008 Paris, France

T: +33 (0)1 44 43 29 02

Consulate of Canada in France

37, boulevard Dubouchage – 1st floor,

06000 Nice, France

What are some important points to remember while visiting Canada from France?

The following are some important points that French passport holders should remember before entering Canada:

A valid visa waiver is required for French citizens travelling to Canada for up to six months, whether for business or pleasure.
French citizens who have a valid e-passport are eligible to apply for the Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA, which is a multiple-entry electronic visa waiver. Each entry into Canada is allowed a stay of 180 days (6 months).
Those from Saint Pierre and Miquelon who will be entering Canada by air on a direct flight from the French archipelago south of Newfoundland do not require an Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA.
An Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA, however, will be required for French nationals living in St Pierre and Miquelon who are returning home via a flight from a country other than Canada but will pass through a Canadian airport.
For French nationals, the Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA is valid for a period of 5 years, or until the associated passport expires. During its validity period, it allows multiple airport entries into Canada.
An approved Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA is linked to the traveller's biometric passport in a maximum of 3 days, eliminating the need for a paper copy or to visit an embassy. Here is the full list of online Canada visa or Canadian eTA requirements:
A valid biometric passport of the French applicant. It is mandatory for all applicants to possess a biometric passport valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of entry into Canada.
Current and active email address in which the French applicants will receive the online Canada visa or Canadian eTA approval notice
French citizens must have access to a computer, phone, or tablet with internet connectivity in order to complete the application.
A valid form of online payment must be used by the French applicant. The online Canada visa or Canadian eTA fee must be paid with a credit or debit card.
In addition, travellers should be aware of the following when requesting an Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA:
Only air travellers to Canada qualifies for the Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA visa waiver. The Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA is not acceptable if the visitor intends to enter the country through one of the several seaports or one of the land borders with the USA.
Only biometric passports are permitted to be used while applying for an Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA visa waiver. This is so that an authorised Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA, which is made to be read by electronic devices at the Canadian border, can be linked to the traveller's passport.
The objective of the trip to Canada must be for travel, transportation, business, or health. The Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA is not valid for any other uses, including employment, education, or retirement.
To be eligible to apply for the Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA, French applicants must be at least 18 years old. It is, however, possible for parents to apply on behalf of their children under the age of 18.
The Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA is conveniently multiple-entry. While the visa waiver is still in effect, French nationals are free to enter and exit Canada as needed. Therefore, obtaining a fresh Online Canada visa or the Canadian eTA before each travel is not required.

What are some places French passport holders can visit in Canada?

If you are planning to visit Canada from France, you can check our list of places given below to get a better idea of Canada:

The Manitoba Children’s Museum

The Manitoba Children's Museum is housed in a state-of-the-art structure at The Forks. Inside this distinctive building are 12 interactive permanent galleries that will appeal to children of all ages.

The Milk Machine gallery features a sizable cow cube that you can actually enter, while the Engine House features a tonne of kid-friendly gears and levers. Another intriguing place is the Lasagna Lookout, where your kids are allowed to play with their food.

Fort Whyte Alive

The 259-hectare site known as Fort Whyte Alive is well-known for its five lakes, beautiful parkland, and bog boardwalks. The interpretive centre houses an aquarium and a display of burrowing owls. The bison herd may be seen outside, and visitors can also visit bird feeding stations, see the sod house, and watch the prairie dogs play in the nearby prairie dog village.

Fort Whyte Alive offers seven kilometres of hiking and bicycling trails, and sailing and paddling instruction is provided all summer long on the small lakes.

The Winnipeg Art Gallery

The Winnipeg Art Gallery is home to 25,000 works of classic and modern art made by Canadian, American, European, and Inuit artists, and is housed in a cutting-edge building shaped like a ship's bow.

In 2021, the former Inuit Art Gallery will be completely rebuilt under the name Quamajuq. This brand-new, 40,000-square-foot edifice with breath-taking architecture is home to almost 14,000 pieces of Inuit art. Inuit art is featured throughout the entire exhibition, but the three-story-high Visible Vault, which has 7,500 artefacts, is the most impressive part.

Check your eligibility for Online Canada Visa and apply for eTA Canada Visa 3 days in advance of your flight. British citizens, Italian citizens, Spanish citizens, French citizens, Israeli citizens, South Korean citizens, Portuguese citizens, and Chilean citizens can apply online for eTA Canada Visa. Should you need any help or require any clarifications you should contact our helpdesk for support and guidance.

Canada eTA from France