Visa rules by passportLast checked October 16, 2026
Do citizens of France need a visa for Canada?
FranceCanadaOnline authorisation requiredNationals of France do not need a visa for short stays in Canada, but must get an online travel authorisation (eTA) before travelling.
- Authorisation
- eTAOfficial page(opens in a new tab)
- Fee
- CAD 7 (non-refundable)
- Typical stay
- Temporary stay, normally up to 6 months (IRCC eTA eligibility wording)
- Note
- French citizens living in and flying directly from Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon need neither a visa nor an eTA.
Diaspora: about 131,039 people born in France live there (UN DESA 2024).
The visa route
Visiting Canada: Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa) or Electronic Travel AuthorizationMost foreign nationals need either a visitor visa or an eTA to visit Canada for tourism, family or business, depending on citizenship and how they travel. Visa-required nationals need a visa for any mode of travel; visa-exempt nationals need an eTA only when flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport. A border officer makes the final entry and length-of-stay decision.Requirements and documentsAnother passport?
Rules depend on the passport you travel on. Visas or residence elsewhere can open easier entry.
Official sources
Rules change: check the official page before you travel.
General information from official sources, not legal advice. Even without a visa, entry isn't automatic: border officers decide, and conditions of stay apply.