How to apply for a Schengen visa from Canada?

Written by: Axel Strauss 
Date: 02/01/2024

Canada and Europe have a relationship dating way back to 1608. That’s when French explorer Samuel de Champlain established the first European settlement in what would eventually become Quebec City. Two-and-a-half centuries later, a few Brits would arrive to establish a full-fledged country. And to this date — with French and English its official languages and with a close-knit, ever-growing relationship with the EU — Canada remains North America’s perhaps most European country, even if unofficially. 
Meanwhile, if you’re planning a trip from the Great White North to where it all began, you might find yourself asking whether you need a Schengen visa. And, if so — how to get one. Well, fear not, because French European modern travel pros AXA have all you need to know below. 

• Do Canadians need a Schengen visa?
• How much is a Schengen visa in Canada?
• What documents are required for a Schengen visa in Canada? 
• When, Where, and How to Apply for a Schengen Visa in Canada
• What about ETIAS
• How else can AXA help?
• How to apply for a Schengen visa from other countries

Do Canadians need a Schengen visa?

The short answer is no. The Schengen Zone consists of 27 European countries, and while not all of them are in the European Union — most of the popular travel destinations for Canadians are. And because the Schengen Zone has a visa-free travel agreement with Canada, Canadian passport holders who plan to visit one (or even all) of the 27 Schengen countries do not need a visa — provided their stay there does not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period.

Do Canadian Permanent Residents need Schengen visas?

That will depend on what nationality you have. For example, you do not need to apply for a Schengen visa if you are a passport holder of one (or more) of the following countries:

Who needs to apply for a Schengen visa from Canada?

If your passport is not from one of the above countries, then you will likely indeed need a Schengen visa. And this includes passports from nearly a hundred countries — such as China, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, all of Africa, and so on. 

PRO-TIP. AXA can help you figure out whether you need to apply for a Schengen visa or not in no time. 

PRO-TIP 2: While AXA continuously does our best to bring you the latest regarding Schengen travel requirements, you should also check with Canada’s official government website’s ‘Travel’ Section before getting your ticket for Europe. The official website of the European Union, meanwhile, can be a great help too (including for full lists of the countries above). 
Meanwhile, if you plan to stay in the Schengen for more than three months, you’ll need to apply for a national (aka Type D, aka long-stay) Schengen visa with the country you plan to visit. 

PRO-TIP 3: AXA can also help you learn all about the different Shcengen Visa types — and which one you need — here. And we can also gladly help you apply for a Schengen visa in general here. And particularly from Canada? Read on.

Which European countries don’t require a Schengen visa from Canada?

Just in case, know that there are also a total of 16 European countries that you don’t need a Schengen visa for too. Four of them are not in the Schengen Zone (but are members of the European Union):

• BULGARIA
• ROMANIA
• CYPRUS
• IRELAND. 

And 12 of them are currently neither in the Schengen Zone nor the EU:

• ALBANIA
• ARMENIA
• AZERBAIJAN
• BELARUS
• BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA
• MACEDONIA
• MOLDOVA
• MONTENEGRO
• RUSSIA
• SERBIA
• UKRAINE
• and the U.K. (but more on the U.K. below). 

PRO-TIP 4: The countries above do, however, have their own border controls and travel restrictions. So before making any travel plans, make sure to double-check with your destination country’s official embassy website for what you’ll need to do exactly. 

NOTES:
The microstates of San Marino, Monaco, and Vatican City are also not official members of the Schengen Zone. However, all three are considered ‘de facto’ inside the area. In other words — unless you qualify for Schengen visa exemption, you’ll need to apply for one. 

Meanwhile, the overseas territories of Canada’s distant ancestor France (i.e., French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, St Pierre and Miquelon, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, and Wallis and Futuna Islands) and the Netherlands (i.e., Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St Eustatius and St Maarten) are subject to bilateral arrangements between the countries concerned. You can learn more about the visa requirements for visiting overseas French territories here and for the Netherlands' overseas territories here. And now, without further ado — here’s what you’ll need for your Schengen visa application from Canada.

How much is a Schengen visa in Canada?

The costs of the Schengen Visa are universal — no matter where in the world you apply from. So from the Great White North, they are: 

• €80 (or roughly C$116.88) for one adult and €40 (or C$58.44) for children between the ages of six and twelve. 
  And kids under the age of six can get a Schengen visa for free*. 

*In certain cases, the visa fee may also be waived for:

• participants in certain seminars, conferences, sporting, cultural, and/or educational events (25yo or under);
• students/teachers on study and/or training trips;
• certain professionals traveling for the purpose of scientific research. 

NOTE: You will also likely have to pay some extra administrative and/or service fees associated with your visa center and/or the respective officials. Visa fees are not reimbursed if your visa is refused.

What are the documents required for a Schengen visa from Canada?

The exact paperwork required will depend on your particular situation. At the very least, however, be prepared to provide the following: 

• a Schengen Visa application form 
• two passport photos (taken within the last three months) 
• your passport (issued less than 10 years ago, valid for at least three months after your planned date of departure from the Schengen territory, and with at least two blank pages) 
• a photocopy of the passport page (or pages) with biometric data (if applicable) 
• travel and medical insurance (covering you up to costs of €30,000) 
• your full travel itinerary 
• proof of paid visa fee (IMPORTANT: your application will not be processed if you don’t include the receipt from the required visa fee) 
• proof of sufficient financial means (for your entire stay in the Schengen area) 
• proof of accommodation (if applicable) 
• a letter of invitation (if applicable) 

When applying for your Schengen visa from Canada, you’ll need to attend an in-person interview (for biometrics collection). We recommend you bring some extra A4-size copies of everything above just in case, and DO NOT staple any documents. 

*NOTE: AXA is also always doing our best to provide the most reliable and up-to-date info regarding the paperwork you’ll need. However, Schengen embassies/consulates may modify their visa rules and regulations at any time. So make sure you double-check with your destination country’s official embassy/consulate website as to the latest requirements.

When, where, and how to Apply for a Schengen Visa in Canada

Your Schengen visa application should be submitted no earlier than six months and no later than 15 days before your departure date. But give yourself plenty of time — i.e., at least a month or two — to prep all the necessary documents too. Once your paperwork is good to go, you’ll need to apply in person at a VAC (aka Visa Application Centre) or your destination Shcengen country’s Embassy or Consulate. 

Many Schengen visa applications in Canada are processed by the company VFS Global, which has four centers in the country. They’re in:

• Montréal
• Ottawa
• Toronto
• Vancouver. 

You can book an appointment to visit one of them here. 
However, if getting to one of the above cities is a bit of a hassle, you’ll need to go through the more traditional channels. Fortunately — whether it be Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal, good old France, or any other of the 27 Schengen member states — the Canadian government is here for you too. They can help you find (and contact) the Embassy and/or Consulate you need via their official website’s Foreign Representatives in Canada section. 
Once submitted, your visa application generally takes about 15 days to process, although in certain (albeit rare) cases that wait time may be up to a month or two. So, again, it’s best to plan ahead — especially if it’s tourist season (i.e., summer) in Europe.

What about ETIAS?

As a Canadian, chances are you’ve heard of ETIAS. Much like the Canadian government's eTA system, ETIAS — i.e., the European Travel Information and Authorization System — is a new system of requirements for entering Europe. But unlike eTA, which was implemented back in 2016, ETIAS is only estimated to go into effect in 2025. In the meantime, AXA can help you learn more about it here.

How else can AXA help?

And, finally, the best way we can help you get your Schengen visa from Canada is by doing what we do best — that is, providing you and your family with some affordable, high-quality Schengen travel insurance. Because not only are you required to have travel insurance to be granted a Schengen visa, but that insurance must also meet the following criteria:

• Guarantee minimum coverage for at least €30,000 in medical expenses
• Cover any expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons
• Cover you in all member states of the Schengen Area
• Cover you during the entire duration of your trip and stay in the Schengen Zone. 

AXA’s plans — starting at as little as 22€ (or around C$32.17) a week — meet all the criteria above. Moreover, an AXA travel insurance certificate — accepted at all Schengen embassies and consulates (and VFS Global centers) throughout the Great White North and beyond — can be downloaded (and printed) online instantly. There are no age restrictions with an AXA plan. And if your Schengen visa application is rejected — AXA will refund your travel insurance fees in most circumstances (you’ll just need to provide an official explanation as to why your visa was refused from the relevant embassy, consulate, or visa application center). 

Learn more about and compare our 3 different plans here. With AXA’s 24/7 assistance, protection, and peace of mind, you’ll ensure that your voyage from Canada to where it all began is as stress-free and enjoyable as possible.

How to apply for a Schengen visa from other countries

And, just in case, here’s some helpful info —in alphabetical order — on how to apply for a Schengen visa from some less “European” countries: 

• How to apply for a Schengen Visa from China 
• How to apply for a Schengen Visa from Colombia 
• How to apply for a Schengen Visa from India 
• How to apply for a Schengen Visa from Indonesia
• How to apply for a Schengen Visa from Jamaica
• How to apply for a Schengen Visa from Mexico
• How to apply for a Schengen Visa from Peru 
• How to apply for a Schengen Visa from the Philippines 
• How to apply for a Schengen Visa from Saudi Arabia
• How to apply for a Schengen Visa from Thailand
• How to apply for a Schengen Visa from Turkey
• How to apply for a Schengen Visa from the U.K
• How to apply for a Schengen Visa from the U.S.

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