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Do French citizens need a visa for Canada?
France 
Canada France passport holders do not need a traditional visa for Canada, but must get an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) online before departure.
No visa, but an eTA is required
- Entry requirement
- eTA required
- Maximum stay
- Check on entry
- Apply before travel
- Yes
- Last updated
- February 2026
How to apply
Checked November 2026⚠️ IRCC warns that many third-party websites charge extra to submit eTA applications and are not operating for the Government of Canada; the official fee is CAD 7 on canada.ca. Use only the official links below.
Canada eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) - needed by visa-exempt nationals flying to or through Canada
- Fee
- CAD 7 (non-refundable)
- Valid for
- Up to 5 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first
- Processing
- Most are approved within minutes; if documents are needed, IRCC emails instructions within 72 hours
At the border
- Visitor visa applicants need a passport valid for at least 6 months from the planned travel date.
- The eTA applies only to air travel; visa-exempt visitors arriving by land or sea do not need one.
- A new passport means a new eTA, because the eTA is linked electronically to the passport used to apply.
- Visitors are normally allowed to stay up to 6 months; the border officer makes the final decision.
- Visa applicants should be ready to show travel history, an itinerary, bank statements and employment or invitation letters.
- US lawful permanent residents are exempt from the eTA but must carry proof of status and a valid national passport.
Recent changes
- 2026: IRCC temporary Ebola-related special measures were extended until 27 November 2026 (noted on the visitor visa page).
Official source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) - Canada.ca · Not yet confirmed officially: consularVisa.processing: no standard visitor visa processing time was given on the page read (IRCC publishes live times by country)
What France passport holders need to do
- Apply on the official government website or app before you book non-refundable travel.
- Pay the fee and wait for approval, which usually arrives by email within minutes to a few days.
- Travel with the same passport you used in the application.
France is one of 52 passports in the “eta required” group for Canada. See the full Canada visa requirements for every passport.
Other easy destinations in North America for France passport holders
Canada is one of 8 destinations in the “eta required” group for the France passport, which ranks #3 worldwide with a mobility score of 165. Of 23 destinations in North America, 22 need no visa arranged in advance; the easiest are listed below.
| Destination | Requirement | Max stay |
|---|---|---|
 Antigua and Barbuda | Visa-free | 180 days |
 Bahamas | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Barbados | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Belize | Visa-free | – |
 Costa Rica | Visa-free | 180 days |
 Dominica | Visa-free | 180 days |
 Dominican Republic | Visa-free | – |
 El Salvador | Visa-free | 180 days |
 Grenada | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Guatemala | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Haiti | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Honduras | Visa-free | 90 days |
Frequently asked questions
Do French citizens need a visa for Canada?
France passport holders do not need a traditional visa for Canada, but must get an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) online before departure.
Do Canada citizens need a visa for France?
Canada passport holders can enter France without a visa for up to 90 days.
Canada visa requirements for other passports
Data last updated February 2026. This page covers short visits such as tourism. Rules can change at short notice and differ for work, study or long stays. Confirm with the embassy or official immigration website of Canada before you book.