Canada is a country that has a lot to offer its visitors, with its Rocky Mountains, frozen expanses, lakes, plains, and forests that create exceptional landscapes. Is it this beauty that draws you here and that you want to discover? First and foremost, there’s an administrative requirement you’ll need to complete: obtaining a visa for Canada.
Requirements for Obtaining a Visa for Canada
Before applying for Canada Visa, make sure you meet the requirements to obtain it. To do so, you must have a valid passport and also prove that you have sufficient financial resources for the duration of your stay, that you intend to return to your home country (as evidenced by your plane ticket, for example), and that you pose no threat in terms of security, health, or crime.
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Apply for a visa
To travel to Canada by air, you must apply for a Canadian visa. The process has been simplified since the introduction of the eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization). You must fill out an online form and provide your passport number and the country that issued it. Your passport must be valid at least until the day after you plan to return from your trip. You must also provide information about your identity and the purpose of your trip to Canada, as explained on this page.
When filling out the form, you will also be asked to provide an email address. Make sure it is valid, as this is where you will receive notification of whether your request has been approved or denied. It usually takes 72 hours to receive a response. To have your application processed, you must pay 7 Canadian TP4T, which is equivalent to approximately 5 €, by debit or credit card.
If the eTA is granted, you are then authorized to travel to Canada as many times as you wish for 5 years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. In fact, a Canadian eTA is valid until whichever of these two dates comes first.
If your application is denied, you will receive a notification informing you of this, but you will not be told the reason. It may simply be because the form was filled out incorrectly. In that case, you will have to wait 10 days before you can resubmit your application. The reasons could also be something else entirely, such as an error or a stay exceeding 6 months… In that case, you’ll need to apply for a standard Canadian visa.
To do this, you must go to the Canadian consulate or embassy in Paris, fill out an application there, and bring all the required supporting documents. Your application will then be reviewed, and you will receive a response. This method takes longer.
Formalities to Complete Upon Arrival in Canada
Once you have obtained your visa for Canada, there are still a few formalities you must complete upon arrival in the country. You must present your passport. It is electronically linked to your Electronic Travel Authorization, so you do not need to provide any other documentation.
Next, you must have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay and be in good health. Finally, you must present your return ticket or prove that you are able to purchase one.
Once you've taken care of all these details, you can finally begin your trip to Canada. And if you visit Montreal during your stay, be sure to check out this site to get some ideas for things to do!
