Are you about to take a vacation on the other side of the Atlantic? Visa, AVE, we reveal the conditions for traveling to Canada.
Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Niagara Falls, Banff National Park – visiting Canada isn’t a trip, it’s an experience. To make sure you don’t miss your appointment with this beautiful country, it’s best to know how to get a visa for Canada.
Let’s take a look at the documents you’ll need to cross the border. Visa for Canada, AVE, travel insurance, various formalities… Here’s everything you need to know before visiting this magnificent country.
Do I need a visa to travel to Canada?
Photo credit: Facebook – Canadian Immigration and Citizenship
If you’re visiting Canada, in theory you don’t need a visa as a French citizen. In reality, for a stay of less than 6 months, this country will require an AVE (electronic travel authorization). This is stipulated in subsection 11(1.01) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and subsection 7.1(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
An AVE is mandatory for all visa-exempt travel ers to Canada. Note, however, that this only applies to air travelers.
A visa is only compulsory for those settling for a longer period. In this case, you need to apply for a study permit for students, a permanent visa to settle or a work visa.
What type of visa should I choose for Canada?
We’ve just outlined the various options available to you. In Canada, unlike many other countries, visas are only required for long stays. Visitors to the country simply need to apply for a Canada Visa Authorization (CVA).
What is the validity of a visa for Canada?
The validity of your Canada Tourist Visa or AVE is 5 years. However, this period is only valid if your passport itself is still valid.
How much does a visa for Canada cost?
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The price of the AVE is quite symbolic, costing 7 Canadian dollars, or roughly the equivalent of 5€. You can also choose to have your application processed by professionals. You’ll pay an additional service fee.
However, this ensures that everything is in order and that you can obtain your precious sesame as quickly as possible.
What documents do I need to obtain a tourist visa for Canada?
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To obtain your tourist visa or AVE for Canada, you’ll naturally need to provide a number of items to prove your identity. You can apply for your visa online, so be sure to prepare the various items you’ll need to obtain your AVE.
A passport
You must have your passport with you. When applying for an AVE for Canada, you may be asked to attach the identity page of your passport. In addition, you’ll need to enter your passport number and the code of the country that issued it to you.
A form
Fill in the online form, following the instructions carefully. A perfectly completed form will help you obtain your AVE more quickly. Check your form carefully. If you make a mistake, such as entering your passport number or country code, you may not be allowed to board the plane.
A bank card
This allows you to make the $7 payment online.
How do I fill out the Canada visa application form?
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It’s quite simple: just follow the instructions. However, as we explained earlier, a simple mistake could jeopardize your trip to Canada.
First of all, you’ll need to indicate whether the request is being made for yourself or for a third party. In the latter case, you will be asked whether the application is for a minor or an adult. Then comes the part concerning your passport and identity.
When completing this AVE application form for Canada, you will also need to provide the following information:
- Have you or have you not already applied for a Canada visa or an AVE?
- Your correspondence language;
- The date, if known, on which you plan to leave.
You then proceed with payment and receive an e-mail within 72 hours, unless Canada requires additional documents from you.
When should you apply for a Canada visa?
The Canadian government advises you toapply for an AVE before taking your plane tickets. This is safer, as certain events, such as the health crisis, can disrupt the issuance of AVEs and visas for Canada.
As this document is valid for 5 years and costs only 7 dollars, you don’t take many risks by applying in advance – less than if you were to take your plane tickets only to find that your AVE cannot be issued. Following your request, the AVE is issued within a maximum of 3 days.
Good to know: we ran a simulation before writing these lines. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, AVEs cannot be issued to French nationals who are not traveling for a specific purpose. So, for example, you can join your partner if he or she is a Canadian citizen. However, you cannot travel to Canada to visit the country. We recommend that you carry out a simulation on the following website before you start: https://voyage.gc.ca/voyage-covid/voyage-restrictions/debut-assistant.
Do I need insurance to travel to Canada?
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To date, over 20 countries require travelers to take out travel insurance. Canada is not one of them. Is this a reason not to take out insurance? We don’t think so, for one simple reason. In Canada, healthcare costs are quite high. A consultation with a general practitioner can cost 100 Canadian dollars. This means that, in the event of illness or accident requiring hospitalization, you’ll find it difficult to pay the bill.
With your travel insurance for Canada, you’re sure to be protected as long as you choose cover that’s adapted to the prices in this country.
The e-visa in Canada: how does it work?
As we’ve already mentioned, tourists don’t need a visa for Canada for a stay of less than 6 months – they simply need an AVE. And to obtain this electronic travel authorization, the application is made automatically online.
Do I need a visa for Canada for a stopover?
Canada has set up special conditions for entering its territory. As a stopover only lasts a short time, you won’t need a visa as a French citizen if you stop in Canada for a few hours or days. On the other hand, you will need an AVE for any length of time spent in Canada.
Where can I get a visa for Canada?
To obtain a visa for Canada, you automatically have to apply online. All you have to do is go to the appropriate website. However, if you’d like to be accompanied through the process to avoid any unpleasant surprises, you can call on the services of specialized visa agencies such as RapideVisa.