A Schengen visa, also known as a Europe visa, allows eligible applicants to travel freely within 29 participating Schengen area countries. A Schengen visa is an entry permit for non-EU nationals to enter the country for a short temporary visit of 90 days in any 180 days in the Schengen area. However, Canadian citizens can visit the Schengen area for up to 90 days in 180 days without a visa. Instead, they can apply for an ETIAS for a seamless traveling experience. Whereas, non-Canadians residing in Canada must have a Schengen visa to enter the country for 90 days or 180 days.
The Schengen area includes 29 EU countries with standard entry and existing requirements to remove the need for internal borders. A Schengen visa allows a traveler to move freely among these countries without going through border checks or getting separate visas.
Here are the lists of following candidates who are eligible for unrestricted travel to the Schengen area:
A total number of 29 Schengen countries are there that have their own immigration rules, policies, conditions, and timelines for visa application:
There are four types of Schengen visa:
An applicant must be eligible to apply for a Schengen visa:
Below are the requirements that must be fulfilled to apply for Schengen visa:
The criteria for a Schengen visa differ for Canadian citizens and immigrants residing in Canada. For Canadian citizens, it is not necessary to apply for a Schengen visa, whereas immigrants in Canada must apply for a Schengen visa to enter the Schengen area.
For Canadian Citizens
Canadian citizens do not need a Schengen visa but an official European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) as proof of pre-authorization before entering the Schengen zone.
Steps to apply for Schengen visa ETIAS
Step 1: Access the ETIAS website online
Step 2: Submit the Canadian passport
Step 3: Submit the application
Step 4: Receive a response
Step 5: Once approved, visit Schengen
Non-Canadian citizen
A non-Canadian citizen or immigrant residing in Canada must apply for a Schengen visa to enter the country.
Steps to apply for a Schengen visa
Step 1: Choose the type of Schengen visa
Step 2: Sort out the requirements
Step 3: Submit your visa application
Step 4: Schedule an appointment
Step 5: Wait for the visa approval
Step6: Once approved, visit Schengen
The processing cost of a Schengen visa from Canada is CAD 134 as of regular fees, effective January 1, 2025.
Here is the detailed cost of the Schengen visa cost:
| Applicants | Processing fees |
| Adult | € 90 |
| Children aged 6-12 | € 45 |
| Kids under the age of six | Free |
| Applicants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Belarus | € 35 |
| Applicants from Cabo Verde | €67,50 |
The processing cost of an ETIAS application for a Canadian citizen is CAD 12.72.
The processing time of the Schengen visa application is 15 days. The processing time for a Schengen visa can be extended to 45 days if there is a more detailed examination of the application.
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If you are an immigrant residing in Canada or a non-Canadian citizen, you must apply for a Schengen visa to travel to the Schengen area for a short period of 90 days in any 180 days. As for a Canadian citizen, it is not necessary to apply for a Schengen visa. Instead, they must have a valid Canadian passport and ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) as proof of pre-authorization to the Schengen country. However, if a Canadian citizen plans to stay more than 90 days, they must apply for a long-term Schengen visa to enter the country.
Yes, an applicant can apply for a Schengen visa online or schedule an appointment online to apply for a Schengen visa in person. An applicant from Canada can complete the Schengen visa application form online and submit it at the relevant Schengen country’s visa consultancy. Here are the three different ways to get a Schengen visa in Canada:
Online Application
An applicant can complete the Schengen visa application form online but should bring the application form to the nearest visa center.
In-person submission
Applicants must submit their application in person at the consultancy of the Schengen country that they intend to visit.
VFS Global
Applicants can directly visit the VFS Global Centre and make an appointment for the Schengen visa, as VFS Global has multiple centers in Canada.
Three countries from Canada can be considered to have a straightforward process of getting Schengen visas, which are:
A single-entry Schengen visa allows an applicant to enter the Schengen area one-time. In contrast, a multiple-entry visa allows an applicant to enter the Schengen area more than once until the visa expires within the 90-day stay limit in any 180 days.
Below mentioned are the differences between a single-entry Schengen visa and a multiple-entry Schengen visa:
| Differences | Single-entry Schengen visa | Multiple-entry Schengen visa |
| Usage | One time entry | Multiple entry within 90 days |
| Validity | Invalid after the first entry and exit | Number of entries on the visa sticker |
| Suitable | Plan to enter and leave Schengen once | Frequent travellers to Schengen |
| Number of entries | Denoted as 1 | Can enter and leave but cannot exceed 90 days’ time period |
A Schengen visa is mainly rejected due to incomplete information, which is not the only reason for rejection. Here are some detailed reasons for the visa rejections:
No, you don’t need a Schengen visa if you have a Canada PR. Canadian citizens or permanent residency holders can visit the Schengen area for up to 90 days without a Schengen visa in any 180 days. A Canada PR must have a valid Passport and register for an ETIAS online before traveling to the Schengen area holder. The Schengen zone has a visa-free agreement with Canada.
*Note: Permanent residents in Canada who hold a blue Canadian Travel Document are required to obtain a Schengen visa to visit Spain, irrespective of their nationalities.
ETIAS is a European Travel Information and Authorisation system that is required to visit Schengen zone countries. It collects basic information, passport details, and security-related questions to identify eligibility for applicants who want to visit Schengen for a vacation, business trip, or short stay in Europe. Though it cannot be referred to as a visa, it is a pre-travel authorization that helps European authorities assess visitors before they enter the Schengen zone.
Here are the steps to apply for an ETIAS from Canada:
Step 1: Fill out the application form
Step 2: Submit the valid passport
Step 3: Submit the application
Step 4: Once approved, visit the Schengen area
The Schengen visa application usually takes around 15 days to process. However, in certain circumstances, the processing time can extend up to 45 days if any documentation is missing or if a detailed examination is required for the application. Similarly, to apply for an ETIAS, the processing time takes around a minute after the submission of the online application most of the time, although in certain situations, it can take up to 30 days.
There are different types of Schengen visas, such as:
An applicant must fulfill the requirements to apply for a Schengen visa, such as:
