How to Apply for a Schengen visa in Canada

Schengen Visa Requirements and Application Guidelines for Canadian Citizens and Residents

Canadian citizens with a Canadian passport can travel within the Schengen area from European countries for a tourist or business stay of up to 90 days.

Note: (As of November 2023, a Canadian citizen must apply for her ETIAS visa to allow entry into the territory before traveling to Europe.)

What documents do Canadians require to go into the Schengen area?

A Canadian passport valid for at least 3 months from your intended departure date from a Schengen country.
A good reason to travel.
Proof that you have sufficient financial means to support yourself during your stay.
Comply with all other entry requirements for each country you visit or transit.

Canadian citizens can travel to the following European countries without a Schengen visa:

Austria	Hungary	Norway
Belgium	Iceland	Poland
Czech Republic	Italy	Portugal
Denmark	Latvia	Slovakia
Estonia	Liechtenstein	Slovenia
Finland	Lithuania	Spain
France	Luxembourg	Sweden
Germany	Malta	Switzerland
Greece	Netherlands

Non-Canadian citizens wishing to travel to Schengen countries may require a Schengen visa depending on their citizenship. Check the list of citizens who need a Schengen visa to determine if you need a visa.

Below are the details on how to apply for a Schengen visa from Canada.

Who can apply for a Schengen visa in Canada?

All non-Canadian citizens who require a visa to enter the Schengen area must possess a valid permanent resident card or a valid Canadian multiple entry visa. Valid for 3 months after returning from the Schengen area. If your Canadian visa has expired, please renew it before applying.

Only Canadian residents (permanent residents, Canadian student visa holders, or Canadian work permit holders) are eligible to apply. Applications from long-term visa holders will only be accepted if they can prove that they were unable to apply in their home country.

Non-Canadian citizens must apply for a Schengen visa in person at an embassy or consulate. It is recommended that visa applicants must apply for a visa in person or in person at the Embassy or Consulate as they will be interviewed, fingerprinted and biometric scanned.

Which Schengen Embassy in Canada should I apply for a Schengen visa?

There are guidelines that further clarify which embassy or consulate you should apply to depending on the purpose and duration of your stay.

If you are visiting a Schengen country – you must apply to the embassy or consulate of the destination country.

If you are visiting more than one Schengen country – you must apply to the embassy or consulate representing your main destination country (longest stay country).

If you wish to visit several Schengen countries for the same period of stay – you must apply to the embassy or consulate representing the Schengen country you are entering first.

If you plan to stay in the Schengen area for more than 90 days, you must apply for a residence permit (long-stay visa) instead of a Schengen visa. Instructions can be found on the relevant embassy/consulate homepage.

Note: If you are not a Canadian resident, you should apply to the embassy or consulate of your country of residence.

Schengen Visa Application Documents and Provision for Canadian Residents

To obtain a Schengen visa in Canada, you will need the following documents:

A valid passport or travel document. Please check the following:

Passport issued within the last 10 years (not renewed)

The passport has two completely blank pages, one for visa stamps and one for additional spare pages.

Your passport is valid for at least 3 months from the date of departure from the Schengen area.

You must present a valid original Canadian permanent resident card or a valid multiple entry visa.

Your Canadian residence permit or visa must be valid for at least three months after your intentional departure from the territory of a Schengen country.

A completed application form (see below) and signed by the applicant (please read the instructions carefully).

A passport photo with a bright background and light colors that clearly shows facial features. The photo must be no older than 3 months and must be attached to the application. Applications with photos attached will be rejected.

A cover letter explaining the purpose of your visit to Europe

Proof of trip: Book a round-trip air ticket/travel from Canada to Europe

Travel health insurance covering medical emergencies and repatriation throughout the Schengen area (minimum coverage € 30,000 – approx. CAD 50,000).

Proof of residence in Europe

Proof of hotel reservation or rental agreement; or

Invitation letter from European host (family, friends) and copy of passport or ID card (proof of sponsorship if dependent)

Proof of economic viability

A recent Canadian bank statement from the last 3 months with a balance of at least 70 CAD equivalent to €45 per person per day, or travel check

Invitation letter from European business her partner (within 4 weeks) confirming travel and visit schedule, including name and full address of contact person (business visa) in each country

Prepaid her Xpresspost envelopes (Canada Post only), regional standard to Ontario, or national standard to all other provinces (delivery to Canadian addresses only!)

Visa fee (approximately 95.00 CAD)

Note: A copy of the original document must also be submitted, which she must complete within one month.

The above documents are required in any case, regardless of the purpose of your trip to Europe. Below is a list of additional documents required for your visa application, depending on your employment status.

For employees:

Employment contract
Checking statements for the last 6 months
Employer paid vacation
Your income tax return (ITR) or income tax certificate will be deducted from your salary

For self-employed:

Copy of business license
Company account statements for the last 6 months
Income Tax Return (ITR)

For International Students in Canada:

A letter of recommendation from a Canadian educational institution (school/college/college) stating your reputation, major, and expected date of graduation.

For pensioners:

Pension certificate for the last 6 months

If you are unemployed and married to an EU citizen:

A recent employment confirmation letter (less than 3 months old) from your spouse’s employer stating your position in the company and date of hire.
Spouse’s valid passport
Officially translated marriage certificate. The translation must be in English or the official language of the European country for which the visa is being applied for and must be certified as a true copy certified by the embassy of the country where the marriage took place.

Documents required for visa application for minors

Original copy of birth certificate, etc.
Travel consent form signed by parents
If the parent does not reside in Canada, a signed consent form must be submitted to the German embassy/consulate in their country of residence.

Note: All documents must be in English or duly translated by a certified translator into the official language of the European country for which you are applying for a visa.

Schengen visa application and time of processing in Canada

In Canada, you can only apply for a European visa within three months of your intended travel date to a Schengen country. Approved visa applications usually take about 15 days to process, so you should apply at least 15 days before your planned visit to Europe. In some cases, additional documentation may be required and processing may take up to 60 days.

Consulates advise visa applicants to submit their applications well in advance of their intended travel to avoid unnecessary confusion.

However, there are some specific individual cases where applicants can get their visa faster through expedited processing:

Applicants with family members of EEA or EU citizens
extreme medical emergency cases

Schengen Visa Fee for Canadian Citizen

The fee for applying for a Schengen visa in Canada is £30 for children aged 6 to her 12 and £51 for adults (depending on currency fluctuations).

Schengen Visa Category (by age)	Fee in CAD	Fee in Euro
Adult	~110 CAD	80 €
Children between 6-12 years of age	~55 CAD	40 €
Children younger than 6 years of age	Free	Free

Note: Please note that these fees are subject to change based on currency fluctuations and can only be paid in CAD.

When should I apply?

The best time to apply is at least 15 days before your intended travel date to Europe. The sooner you apply, the better, but she can’t apply three months in advance.

Multiple entry visa holders may apply six months before their valid visa expires.

Requirements and Guidelines:

What should I do if my visa is denied?

If your visa is denied, you have the right to appeal. Subject to the national law of the particular Member State, the final decision of the Member State must be appealed.

Each Member State indicates a reference to its particular national law, the specific procedures relating to the right of appeal, as well as the authority to appeal and the deadline for service of appeal in case of refusal.

Tips:

Canadians will have to apply for EU travel authorization from May 2023

A Canadian citizen will need to apply for her ETIAS before traveling to Europe to enter Europe from May 1, 2023.

The ETIAS Visa Waiver, similar to the ETA used by Canada, is a European travel information and authorization system that requires Canadians to apply online for a European entry permit before entering the territory. This process will allow European authorities to pre-screen all travellers and verify their status before allowing them to enter the country or board a flight, improving security measures across Europe.

All citizens of countries that benefit from visa waivers with the EU, with the exception of Schengen countries, are covered by the European Travel Information and Authorization System.

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