According to Canada's visa policy, French citizens do not need a visa to travel to Canada for tourism purposes. However, French citizens must apply for a Canada ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) if traveling by air.
The only exception is for French citizens residing in Saint Pierre and Miquelon and arriving directly from there, who do not require an ETA. For all other cases, the ETA is mandatory.
What is a Canada ETA?
A Canada ETA is an electronic travel authorization required for citizens from visa-exempt countries, like France, when traveling to Canada by air.
The ETA allows multiple short-term tourism, business, or transit entries. It is valid for 5 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
Each entry allows you to stay in Canada for up to 180 days, making it a convenient option for frequent travelers.
The ETA is electronically linked to your passport, so there’s no need to carry a physical copy, although some travelers prefer to print one out just in case.
Learn more about the Canada ETA.
Difficulty rating: 7.5/100
The Canada ETA application for French citizens is simple, with only 16 questions and no hard documents required. The two questions that might prevent submission involve finalizing your travel dates and passport details.
Our high approval rate of 98%, proves that applying with us is a smooth and efficient process.
Canada ETA requirements for citizens of France
Before beginning your application, you need to gather a few necessary items:
- Valid passport: Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended arrival date in Canada.
- Email address: Your ETA confirmation will be emailed in PDF format. While it is electronically linked to your passport, printing a copy is a good idea.
- Payment method: You will need a valid credit or debit card to pay for the ETA processing. iVisa accepts multiple payment options for your convenience.
How to apply for a Canada ETA
Applying for a Canada ETA is simple and straightforward on our website or mobile app. The process is divided into three steps:
1.
Personal details and processing time: You must provide personal information, including your travel details and passport number. You will also need to select a processing time:
2.
Review and payment: Double-check all the information provided after filling out your form. Any inaccuracies could result in your ETA being invalid. Pay attention to detail here to avoid resubmitting the application. After confirming your details, proceed to payment.
3.
Submit supporting documents: If necessary, you’ll need to upload any additional documents. Once everything is submitted, iVisa will process your application and send the ETA confirmation to your email within the chosen processing time.
"The Canada ETA process was incredibly fast. I had my ETA in less than 24 hours, and the iVisa team made everything easy to understand!" – Marie, Paris.
Cost and processing time
- Standard processing: Your application is processed within 2 days for a fee of USD $99.49.
- Rush processing: Processed within 24 hours for USD $129.49.
- Super Rush processing: For urgent cases, processed within 12 hours for USD $193.49.
"If you're on a tight timeline, choose Super Rush processing to ensure you receive your ETA in as little as 24 hours—perfect for those last-minute trips," advises our travel journalist, Ra'eesah Manack.
Why choose the Canada ETA over a traditional visa?
For French citizens, the ETA is far more convenient than applying for a traditional visa. It’s quicker, requires fewer documents, and allows multiple entries into Canada over five years, making it an excellent option for frequent travelers.
Our customer service team is ready to assist if you have any questions about traveling to Canada and the Canada ETA application. Contact us anytime via WhatsApp or iVisa chat.