Can I travel to Canada with a schengen visa?

The question that most international travelers raise is whether or not they can easily travel to Canada with a valid Schengen visa that will enable entry to 29 European countries. The answer is no—a Schengen visa does not grant entry into Canada. Canada and the Schengen Area are entirely different jurisdictions, as their visa policies are different.

Schengen Visa vs. Canadian Visa

A Schengen visa will permit a holder to travel within the Schengen area of Europe, which is home to favorite destinations in France, Germany, Spain and Italy. Outside of Europe, it generally has no legal value, and it is not valid for entry into Canada

To come into Canada, visitors must meet the Canadian immigration regulations and these regulations are based on nationality. A Schengen visa is not known to replace a Canadian visa or travel authorization

Who Needs a Canadian Visa?

If your passport is from a country that does not have a visa exemption agreement with Canada, you should seek a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), in other words, a visitor visa. This is not the same as your Schengen visa and needs application on its own. South Africans, Indians, Nigerians and a great number of other nationals belong to this category.

Who Can Apply for an eTA?

Citizens of visa-exempt countries—including most EU nations, the UK, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand—do not need a visitor visa. However, they must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) when traveling to Canada by air. The Canada eTA is connected to your passport electronically and normally lasts up to five years.

It should be mentioned that despite the fact that if you are from a non–visa-exempt country, holding a Schengen visa does not affect Canadian entry rules—you still need a TRV. It is your nationality and whether you require a visa or eTA depending on the same.

Why a Schengen Visa Doesn’t Work for Canada

The Schengen Agreement is applicable to European countries that signed and put it to practice. Canada possesses its immigration and overseeing control mechanisms, entirely sovereign of Europe. Thus, you will not be able to use your Schengen visa to gain entry to Canada by the border officers.

Transit Through Canada

A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or eTA may also be required even when you are just spending time in a Canadian airport on your way to a different destination. Canada requires certain travelers to obtain a transit visa even if they do not leave the airport. This depends on nationality, not on whether you hold a Schengen visa

Conclusion

A Schengen visa will only allow travel in Europe and it does not have power in Canada. In order to visit Canada, one needs to apply for a Canadian visitor visa (TRV) or a Canada eTA, in case of a visa-exempt country. Travellers are always advised to verify the recent requirements on the official Government of Canada webpage before they make flights to avoid inconvenience.

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