Schengen visa from Canada

The Schengen Area is made up of 28 European countries and 4 non-EU member states that have signed the Schengen Agreement and allow passport-free travel between their borders. A Canadian does not need a Schengen visa to visit a country in the area for short-term stays.

Canadians can visit any of the Schengen countries visa-free for stays up to 90 days. However, by 2026 they need to have an approved ETIAS visa waiver from Canada to visit for the same period.

However, for longer stays, travellers from Canada need to get an approved uniform visa, or a national long-stay visa for the Schengen country they wish to visit.

Do Canadians need a Schengen visa?

No, Canadian citizens do not need a Schengen visa. To visit Schengen countries for tourism, business, or transit up to 90 days from 2026, they will need to submit an ETIAS application.

The difference between an ETIAS and a Schengen visa is that the former is a mandatory requirement for Canadian citizens to visit the Schengen Area from 2026. On the other hand, Canadian passport holders are not eligible for a short-stay Schengen visa.

To travel to a Schengen country for longer than 90 consecutive days, Canadian citizens need a uniform visa or a national long-stay Schengen visa.

There are several types of long-stay visas for Schengen for Canadians. Depending on the type of visa issued, it may permit a stay in one individual Schengen country. Alternatively, it may allow the holder to cross the internal borders of the Schengen Area, as well as to enter non-Schengen EU countries.

However, to enter these territories, the traveller must hold both a valid Schengen visa and come from a country with a visa waiver agreement with the non-Schengen European country they wish to visit.

Types of long-stay Schengen visas for Canadians

Canadians looking to stay in the Schengen Area for extended periods have various long-stay visa options. Each caters to different purposes and activities. Some common categories include:

  • Student Visa: For those pursuing full-time studies in a Schengen country. It allows enrollment in higher educational institutions and participation in student exchange programs.
  • Work Visa: Designed for individuals seeking employment in the Schengen Area. This visa is necessary for both paid and unpaid work, including internships and professional training.
  • Family Reunion Visa: For Canadians who have family members residing in a Schengen country and wish to join them.
  • Entrepreneur/Investor Visa: Tailored for business people or entrepreneurs who plan to invest in, start, or run a business in the Schengen Area.

Each visa type has specific requirements and allows for different activities. It's important for applicants to choose the visa category that aligns with their intended purpose of stay in the Schengen Area.

How to apply for a long-Stay Visa for a Schengen country from Canada

To apply for a long-stay visa for a Schengen country from Canada, it is necessary to:

  • Make an appointment at an embassy or consulate in Canada of the primary destination in the Schengen Area the traveller wishes to visit.
  • Bring a completed Schengen visa application form to the confirmed appointment, along with the necessary supporting documents
  • Pay the Schengen visa processing fee

It may take several weeks for a Schengen visa to be processed and approved. Therefore, we advise you to begin the application protocol well in advance of your intended arrival.

Once the visa has been approved and issued, the holder can then use the document to travel to Europe. It is necessary to present both the approved visa and the valid Canadian passport used for the application when arriving at Schengen border control.

Schengen visa requirements for Canadians

The supporting documents required to submit a visa application for a Schengen country from Canada vary depending on the intended purpose of the visit, but commonly include:

  • A Canadian biometric passport with a minimum validity of 3 months beyond the intended date of departure from the Schengen Area, containing at least 2 blank pages
  • A photograph of the applicant, passport-style
  • Photocopies of all previous visa issued to the traveller
  • Proof of sufficient funds to cover the entire stay in the Schengen Area, e.g. bank statements
  • Evidence of round trip flight bookings which indicates the entry and exit dates
  • Proof of hotel bookings/accommodation in Europe

Applicants also need to have travel medical insurance for a Schengen visa to be issued. This must provide coverage for urgent medical care and/or emergency hospital treatment, as well as the costs of repatriation due to illness or death.

It should be valid for the full period of stay in the Schengen Area. At least €30,000 in coverage, or its equivalent in local currency, must be provided.

Do Canadian Permanent Residents need a Schengen visa?

Schengen visa requirements for Canadian permanent residents differ slightly from those for nationals.

You do not need to apply for a Schengen visa for short-term stays if you are a permanent resident of Canada and you have a blue Canadian travel document. In this case, you will need an ETIAS once the system is launched.

Schengen visa requirements for other Canadian residents

If you are a third-country national and do not have a blue Canadian travel document, you may need either an ETIAS or a Schengen visa, depending on your nationality.

A Schengen visa may be issued for a variety of purposes depending on the needs of the travellers, including:

  • Tourism
  • Business
  • Transit
  • Medical treatment
  • Training placements
  • Short-term study courses
  • Volunteer activities

You should submit your Schengen visa application at the nearest consulate or embassy of the primary Schengen country you intend to visit in Canada.

If you live in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories or Yukon, you can apply for your Schengen at the Consulate General of Switzerland in Vancouver.

Visa validity of a long-stay visa for Schengen from Canada

The validity of a long-stay visa for a Schengen country depends on the purpose of the visit to Europe and the traveller’s individual needs. It can vary between 1 and 5 years.

A validity for a long-term visa for Schengen for Canadians, its number of entries, and the maximum duration of stay are indicated on the issued visa sticker.