Canada
France
France visa for Canadian citizens
Entry requirement
Canadian citizens do not need a visa for France: stays of up to 90 days are visa-free.
- Maximum stay
- 90 days
- Where to apply
- Nothing to apply for in advance
Checked 31 October 2026 · Passport Index · Confirm at ca.ambafrance.org
For longer stays: study, work and residence
France: visa decisions in Canada
| Year | Applications | Visas issued | Refused | Refusal rate | Multiple-entry share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 11,260 | 9,773 | 943 | 8.8% | 8.0% |
| 2024 | 14,520 | 13,834 | 1,111 | 7.4% | 8.6% |
| 2025 | 14,274 | 12,482 | 1,288 | 9.4% | 17.8% |
In 2025, France’s embassy and consulates in Canada (Montreal) received 14,274 applications for short-stay Schengen visas and issued 12,482. 9.4% of applications were refused. In 2024 it had been 7.4%: the rate rose by 1.9 points. The number of applications was almost unchanged (14,520 in 2024).
For comparison, all Schengen states together refused 9.0% of the applications lodged in Canada that year, from 1.6% at the consulates of Greece to 23.7% at those of Portugal. France’s consulates worldwide refused 14.2%. France was the most applied-for Schengen state in Canada.
You apply to the Schengen state that is your main destination (the longest stay or the main purpose; the state of first entry only when there is none), so a lower rate elsewhere is no reason to apply there. The figures cover applications lodged in Canada, by any nationality: mostly citizens, but also residents from other countries.
Source: European Commission, Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates 2023–2025 (© European Union, reused under CC BY 4.0). Short-stay (type C) visas. How these figures are made
French citizens travelling to Canada
FranceCanada Electronic travel authorisation (ETA) Canada visa for citizens of France
Travel advice for France
- US State Department Level 2: Exercise increased caution
- UK Foreign Office (FCDO) No advice against travel
- German Foreign Office No travel warning
What the US, British and German foreign ministries tell their own citizens about travelling there, in each ministry’s own terms.
Before travelling from Canada to France, it helps to know the official travel advice: the US State Department rates France at Level 2, exercise increased caution (updated 20 October 2026), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not advise against travel to France (updated 22 October 2026) and the German Foreign Office has no travel warning for France (updated 28 October 2026).
Good to know
How long Canadian citizens can stay in France
Canadian citizens may stay in France for up to 90 days. Days in France count towards the Schengen limit of 90 days in any 180-day period across all member states.
France and the Schengen area
Visa-free stays of Canadian citizens in France count towards the Schengen limit of 90 days in any 180-day period, shared with every other member state.
France’s neighbours for Canadian citizens
Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, Andorra, Monaco and Spain admit Canadian citizens visa-free.
French citizens travelling to Canada
French citizens do not need a visa for Canada, but they need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) before departure; it covers stays of up to 180 days.
Frequently asked questions
Do Canadian citizens need a visa for France?
Canadian citizens do not need a visa for France: stays of up to 90 days are visa-free.
How long can Canadian citizens stay in France?
Canadian citizens can stay in France for up to 90 days, within the Schengen limit of 90 days in any 180.
Do French citizens need a visa for Canada?
French citizens do not need a visa for Canada, but they need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) before departure; it covers stays of up to 180 days.
Can Canadian citizens enter France visa-free?
Yes, Canadian citizens can enter France without a visa and stay for up to 90 days.
Visa data: Passport Index via passport-index-data, as of 31 October 2026. Rules change, sometimes overnight. Confirm with the embassy or the official government portal before you book.