Thanks to an online initiative implemented by the Canadian government, French citizens no longer have to go through a lengthy application process to obtain a Canadian visa waiver from France.
Travelers from France who want to spend up to 6 consecutive months in Canada are able to get an electronic travel authorization through the simple online eTA application system launched in 2016.
Table of Contents
Do French passport holders need a Canadian visa?
Whether traveling for business or pleasure, French citizens traveling to Canada for up to 6 months must be eligible for a valid visa waiver before entering the country.
Applying for an electronic travel permit is a simple and straightforward process. This paperless travel permit can be applied for exclusively online and is attached to the traveler’s biometric passport.
All French travelers with a valid e-passport are eligible to apply for an eTA Canada visa for French citizens waiver, which is a multiple entry electronic visa waiver. This allows a total stay of up to 180 days (6 months) with each entry into Canada.
Exceptions for French nationals living in St. Pierre and Miquelon
French nationals living in St. Pierre and Miquelon will not need an ETA to travel to Canada if they board a direct flight from the French islands south of Newfoundland.
Canada visa requirements for France
Applying for a Canadian visa France citizens is as easy as filling out an online application with personal and passport details and submitting the payment.
Within a maximum of 3 days, the approved eTA is linked to the traveler’s biometric passport, excluding the need to visit a copy of the paper or the embassy or visa processing office.
The complete list of eTA requirements is as follows:
- A valid biometric passport. Each applicant must have a biometric passport with a minimum validity of 6 months from the date of entry into Canada.
- The current email address is where you will receive the eTA approval notification.
- Online payment is a valid form. A credit or debit card will be required to pay the ETA fee.
- Travelers should also note the following before applying for an ETA:
Air travel only. The ETA visa waiver is only valid for air travel in Canada. If the port intended for traveler’s entry is through the land border with the USA or one of the many seaports in the country, eTA will not be valid.
Biometric passport. Only a biometric passport can be used to apply for a Canadian ETA visa waiver. This is because an approved eTA is attached to the traveler’s passport and is designed to be read by an electronic machine at the Canadian border.
Must be for the purpose of visiting Canada, tourism, transit, business, or medical. ETA is not valid for other purposes such as work, study, or retirement.
Minimum age required. Parents of children under 18 can apply on their behalf.
Canadian visa requirements for German citizens
Canada Visa for German Citizens will need a valid travel document or passport to apply for Canada eTA. German citizens who have an additional nationality passport must ensure that they have applied for the same passport they will travel with, as Canada eTA will be attached to the passport mentioned at the time of application. No documents need to be printed or presented at the airport, as eTA is stored electronically as opposed to a passport in the Canadian immigration system.
Applicants will also need a valid credit or debit card or PayPal account to pay for Canada eTA. German citizens must provide a valid email address to receive Canada ETA in their inbox. It is your responsibility to carefully double-check all data entered as there is no problem with the Electronic Travel Authority of Canada (ETA), otherwise, you may have to apply for another Canada ETA.
How long can a German citizen stay online on Canada Visa?
The departure date of the German citizen must be within 90 days of arrival. German passport holders must obtain a Canada Electronic Travel Authority (Canada ETA) even for a short period of 1 to 90 days. If German citizens want to stay longer, they will have to apply for a relevant visa depending on their circumstances. Canada eTA is valid for 5 years. German citizens can enter Canada eTA more than once during the five (5) year validity period.
Frequently Asked Questions about eTA Canada Visa
- Places to do and interest for German citizens
- Capilano Suspension Bridge, North Vancouver
- Prince Edward Island, Canadian Province
- Skiing activities, Mont Tremblant, Quebec
- Hike Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
- Hike and Climb in The Rockies, Alberta
- Experience Indigenous culture, Calgary
- Cliff dive to Horseshoe Lake in Jasper National Park
- Drive to Icefields Parkway, Jasper National Park
- See Kings Landing Historical Settlement, New Brunswick
- Celebrate Gay Pride in Montreal
