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Canada Visa for France Citizens 2026

e-Visa / eTA

French citizens flying to Canada need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), applied for online at canada.ca for CAD 7, with most approvals arriving within minutes.

Guide last updated September 22, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport valid for the duration of your stay in Canada (a French biometric passport is required for the eTA)
  • Online eTA application at the official canada.ca portal
  • Valid credit/debit card or PayPal to pay the CAD 7 fee
  • Email address to receive the eTA confirmation (no physical document or sticker is issued)
  • No passport photo required
  • No biometrics required for the eTA itself (Canada does not currently require biometric enrolment from French nationals visiting for tourism/business)

Visa types

  • eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization): required for air travel only, linked electronically to your passport, valid for 5 years or until passport expiry, whichever is sooner, multiple entries allowed, each stay typically up to 6 months
  • Not required if entering by land or sea from the US (a valid passport is sufficient in that case)
  • Work or study permits are separate applications through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), not covered by the eTA

How to apply online

  • Go to the official canada.ca eTA application page (avoid third-party sites that charge extra)
  • Enter passport details, personal information and travel details
  • Pay the CAD 7 fee online by card or PayPal
  • Most applications are approved within minutes; some take up to 72 hours if additional documents are requested
  • The eTA is linked electronically to your passport number - no physical document needs to be printed, though keeping the confirmation email is recommended

Fees & processing time

  • eTA fee: CAD 7 (about EUR 4-5 / USD 5), paid online
  • Processing time: typically within minutes, up to 72 hours if extra review is needed
  • No express/priority service exists or is needed given the fast standard processing
  • Total cost: just the CAD 7 fee

Tips for France travelers

  • Apply for your eTA before booking non-refundable flights, though approval is usually near-instant
  • Use only the official canada.ca website; several look-alike third-party sites charge inflated fees
  • Double-check your passport number is entered correctly, as a mismatch is a common rejection reason
  • If your eTA is refused, you can still apply for a standard visitor visa through the Canadian Embassy in Paris
  • Keep your eTA confirmation email accessible when checking in for your flight, as airlines verify it before boarding

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.