Schengen Visa from Canada – 5 Easy Steps to Apply for Europe Visa
Have you ever imagined about traveling to Europe? There are 26 countries that form part of the Schengen area just waiting to be explored. Head to France for delicious food and a little romance or Greece for hundreds of stunning islands to kick back on. If it’s adventure you’re looking for, Iceland is full of exciting things to see and do or head to the hills in Switzerland to explore some of the most beautiful landscapes you’ll ever see. Wherever you go, Europe has it all! In this article, learn more about how to apply for a Schengen visa from Canada, Schengen visa appointment booking, processing time at the Schengen visa application center, flight itinerary for a Schengen visa, hotel bookings for a Schengen visa, Schengen travel insurance for a visa application, and Schengen visa application process from the embassies in Canada.
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About Schengen Visas
In 2018, there were 30,140 Schengen visa applications received by embassies and consulates across Canada. 1,416 of these were rejected.
Applying for a Schengen Visa from Canada
If you are a Canadian citizen and you are planning on going to any of the countries that form part of the Schengen area for no more than 90 days, you do NOT need a visa. However, if you are a non-Canadian citizen by birth, but you legally reside in Canada, you DO need to apply for a visa. The European Commission’s website has a list of all nationals who require a Schengen visa.
You will apply for your Schengen visa at the embassy or consulate of the country you are planning to visit. However, please be aware of the following regulations:
- If you plan to visit only 1 Schengen country – you must apply at that country’s embassy or consulate in Canada
- If you plan to visit more than 1 Schengen country – you must apply at the embassy or consulate of the country where you will spend the most time.
- If you plan to visit more than 1 Schengen country and spend the same amount of time in each – you must apply at the embassy or consulate of the country you will enter first.
- If you plan to stay in the Schengen area for over 90 days – you must apply for a residence permit (Long-stay visa), not a Schengen visa. For more information, refer to the respective embassy or consulate’s website
Where to Apply for a Schengen Visa in Canada
A list of embassies and consulate’s can be found on the Government of Canada’s website. The area you live will determine which office you use to submit your application. All you need to do is choose the country you are going to and search for the embassy you need to contact. There are embassies of different European countries located in Ottawa, Moncton, Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg.
- Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland are represented in Ottawa
- France is represented in Moncton and Quebec City
- Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland are represented in Montreal
- Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland are represented in Toronto
- France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Switzerland are represented in Vancouver
- Iceland is represented in Winnipeg
- Luxembourg is represented in Washington DC
When you apply for a Schengen visa, each embassy deals with applications from within its jurisdiction, so you should check first before you start to apply. You have to make sure you apply at the right embassy or consulate in Canada.
Austria
Austrian Embassy
445 Wilbrod Street, Ottawa, ON K1N 6M7. Tel: +1 613 789 1444
Belgium
Belgium Embassy
360 Albert Street, 8th floor, suite 820, ON – K1R 7X7 Ottawa. Tel: +1 613 236 72 67
Email: ottawa@diplobel.fed.be
Consulate General
1000, rue Sherbrooke Ouest – Suite 1400, H3A 3G4 Montreal, QC. Tel: +1 514 849 73 94~
Email: montreal.visa@diplobel.fed.be
Czech Republic
Czech Republic Embassy
251 Cooper Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 0G2. Tel: 001 – 613 562 3875
Email: ottacons@gmail.com
2 Bloor Street West, Suite 1500, Toronto, ON, M4W 3E2. Tel: (+1) 416 972 1476
Email: toronto@embassy.mzv.cz
Denmark
Embassy of Denmark
47 Clarence Street, Suite 450Ottawa, ON, K1N 9K1. Tel: (613) 562 1811
Email: ottamb@um.dk
Consulate General
2 Bloor Street West, Suite 2109, Toronto, ON, M4W 3E2. Tel: +1 416-962-5669
Email: yyzgkl@um.dk
Estonia
Embassy of the Republic of Estonia
260 Dalhousie Street, Suite 210, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 7E4. Tel: 1 (613) 789 4222
E-mail: embassy.ottawa@mfa.ee
Finland
Finland is represented by Switzerland in Vancouver and Montreal:
Consulate General of Switzerland
World Trade Center, 790-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC, V6C 3E1. Tel +1 604 684 22 31
Email: van.visa@eda.admin.ch
Consulate General of Switzerland
1572 Av. Dr Penfield, Montréal, QC, H3G 1C4. Tel: +1 514 932 71 81
Emai: mon.visa@eda.admin.ch
France
VFS Global
2211 Riverside Drive – Unit 403, Ottawa (Ontario) K1H 7X5. Tel : 1 613 927 9266
Email: Info.FranceCanada@vfsglobal.com
Website: www.vfsglobal.com/France/Canada/
France Visas
Unit 820, 1010 rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Entrée par la rue Metcafe, Montreal. Tel: (+1) 613 927 9266
208 Bloor street West, 4th floor on the right, M5S 3B4 Toronto, Ontario. Tel: (+1) 613 927 9266
580 Hornby Street Unit 440, BC V6C 3B6 Vancouver. Tel: (+1) 613 927 9266
Website: www.france-visas.gouv.fr/en_US/web/ca
Germany
Germany Embassy
1 Waverley Street, Ottawa, Ontario K2P 0T8. Tel: +1 613-232-1101
Website: www.canada.diplo.de
Consulate General
2 Bloor Street East, 25th Floor,Toronto, Ontario, M4W 1A8. Tel: +1 604 684 8377
Consulate General
Suite 704, World Trade Centre, 999 Canada Place, Vancouver, B.C. Tel:1 416 925 28 13
Greece
80 MacLaren Street Ottawa, Ontario , K2P 0K6. Tel: (+1) 613 238-6271
Email: gremb.otv@mfa.gr
Consulate General
1002 Sherbrooke Ouest, Suite 2620, Montreal, QC, H3A 3L6. Tel: (001514) 8752119
Email : montreal@mfa.gr
Website : www.mfa.gr/montreal
Consulate General
1075 Bay Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2B1. Tel: + 1 416 515 0132
Email: toronto@mfa.gr
Consulate General
Suite 500 – 688 West Hastings St.,Vancouver BC. V6B 1P1. Tel:+1 604 681 1381
Email: vancouver@mfa.gr
Hungary
Hungarian Embassy
299 Waverley Street, Ottawa, Ontario K2P 0V9. Tel: +1 (613) 230 2717
Email: mission.ott@mfa.gov.hu
Iceland
Iceland Embassy
360 Albert Street, Suite 710, Ottawa, ON K1R 7X7. Tel: +1 (613) 482 1944
Email: icemb.ottawa@utn.stjr.is
Consulate General
One Wellington Crescent, suite 100, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3M 3Z2. Tel: +1 (204) 284 1535
Email: icecon.winnipeg@utn.stjr.is
Italy
Italian Embassy
275 Slater Street, 21° piano, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1P 5H9. Tel: +1-613-232-2401
Email: ambasciata.ottawa@esteri.it
Consulate General
3489 Drummond, Montréal, Quebec H3G 1X6. Tel: +1 514-849-8351
Email: consolato.montreal@esteri.it
Consulate General
136 Beverley Street – Toronto (Ontario) M5T 1Y5, Tel: 001 – 416-977-1566
Email: visti.toronto@esteri.it
Consulate General
510 West Hastings Street, Suite 1100 (11th floor), Vancouver, BC, V6B 1L8. Tel: +1 604 684 7288
Email: consolato.vancouver@esteri.it
Latvia
Latvian Embassy
350 Sparks St, Suite 1200, Ottawa, ON, K1R 7S8. Tel: 6132386868
Email: consulate.canada@mfa.gov.lv
Lithuania
Lithuanian Embassy
150 Metcalfe Str., Suite 1600, Ottawa, Ontario K2P 1P1. Tel: +1 613 567 54 58
Email: amb.ca@urm.lt
Netherlands
Netherlands Embassy
Henk van der Zwan, 350 Albert Street, Suite 2020, K1R 1A4 Ottawa, ON. Tel: (+1)6132375031
Email: ott@minbuza.nl
Consulate General
Anne Le GuellecAddress1 Dundas Street West, Suite 2106, Toronto, ON M5G 1Z3. Tel: (+1)4165982534
Email: tor@minbuza.nl
Consulate General
Henk Snoeken, Three Bentall Centre, Suite 883, PO Box 49068, 595 Burrard Street,Vancouver, BC V7X 1C4. Tel: +1-604-684-6448
Email: van@minbuza.nl
Norway
Norwegian Embassy
150 Metcalfe Street, Suite 1300, Ottawa, ON K2P 1P1, Tel: (613) 238 6571
Email: emb.ottawa@mfa.no
Consulate General
Suite 4000, 1155 Rene Levesque Blvd. W., Suite 4000, Montreal, H3B 3V2. Tel: +514 874 9087
Email: congenmtl@yahoo.ca
Poland
Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Canada
443 Daly Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6H3. Tel: (613) 789-046
Email: ottawa.info@msz.gov.pl
Consulate General
3501 Avenue du Musee, Montreal (QC) H3G 2C8. Tel: +1 514 840 6080
Email: montreal.info@msz.gov.pl
Consulate General
2603 Lake Shore Blvd. West, Toronto, ON, M8V 1G5. Tel: (+1) 416 252 5471
Email: toronto.info@msz.gov.pl
Website: www.toronto.msz.gov.pl
Consulate General
1177 West Hastings Street, Suite 1600, Vancouver, B. C. V6E 2K3. Tel: +1 604 688 3530
Email: vancouver.info@msz.gov.pl
Website: www.vancouver.mfa.gov.pl
Portugal
Portugal Embassy
645 Island Park Drive, Ottawa, K1Y 0B8
Email: ottawa@mne.pt
Consulate General
2020 boulevard Robert-Bourassa, Suite 2425, Montreal, Québec, H3A 2A5. Tel:+(1 514) 499 03 59
Email: consulado.montreal@mne.pt
Consulate General
438 University Avenue, Suite 1400, Box 41, Toronto, ON, M5G 2K8. Tel:+(1 416) 217 09 66
Email: consulado.toronto@mne.pt
Consulate General
920 – 925 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, V6C 3L2. Tel: +1 604 688 6514
Slovakia
50 Rideau Terrace, Ottawa, K1M 2A2. Tel: +1 6137494442
Email: emb.ottawa@mzv.sk
Slovenia
Slovenia Embassy
150 Metcalfe Street, Suite 2200, Ottawa, ON K2P 1P1, Tel: (+1) 613 565 57 81
Email: sloembassy.ottawa@gov.si
Spain
Spanish Embassy
74 Stanley Avenue, Ottawa (Ontario), K1M 1P4. Tel: 747-2252, 747-7293, 747-1143 & 747-6181
E-mail: emb.ottawa@maec.es
Consulate General
1200 Avenue McGill College, Suite 2025, Montréal (Québec). H3B 4G7. Tel: 1 514 935 52 35
Email: cog.montreal@maec.es
Website: www.maec.es/subwebs/Consulados/Montreal/es/home
Consulate General
2 Bloor Street East, Suite 1201, Toronto, ON M4W 1A8, Tel: 416-977-1661
Email: cog.toronto@maec.es
Sweden
Swedish Embassy
377 Dalhousie Street, suite 305, Ottawa ON K1N 9N8. Tel: 613-244-8200
Email: sweden.ottawa@gov.se
Switzerland
Embassy of Switzerland
5 Marlborough Avenue, Ottawa, ON, K1N 8E6, Tel: +1 613 235 1837
Email: ottawa@eda.admin.ch
Consulate General
1572 Av. du Docteur-Penfield, Montréal, QC, H3G 1C4. Tel: +1 514 932 71 81
Email: montreal.visa@eda.admin.ch
Consulate General
175 Bloor Street East, North Tower, Suite 901, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3R8. Tel: +1 647 295 2563
Consulate General
World Trade Centre, 790-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC V6C 3E1. Tel: +1 604 684 2231
Email: vancouver.visa@eda.admin.ch
Luxembourg
Embassy of Luxembourg
2200 Massachusetts Avenue N.W. Washington, D.C. 20008. Tel: (202) 265-4171
Email: luxembassy.was@mae.etat.lu
Types of Schengen Visas Offered
There are different types of visas you can apply for and the one you need will depend on the duration of your trip and your reason for traveling to the Schengen area:
- Schengen visa type A: Airport Transit visa – if you are transiting through the international zone of an airport for a connecting flight
- Schengen visa type C: Short-stay visa – for stays up to 90 days for tourism, business, or visiting family/friends. This visa may be issued for one, two or multiple entries
- National visa type D: Long-stay visa – for stays exceeding 90 days for employment, business, study, research, family unification, residence etc. This visa is issued for one or multiple entries
How to Apply for a Schengen Visa from Canada
Schengen visa applications could be processed in as little as 5 days, but it could take as many as 25 days or longer. This depends on the type of visa you are applying for and your nationality. It is very important to submit your application with plenty of time to spare to allow enough time for it to be processed. As a general rule, you should aim to submit your application at least 15 days before your planned departure date. You may apply up to 90 days ahead.
There are a few steps to follow and if you want to make the process as easy as possible, follow them in order:
Step 1: Complete your application form
You will find the Schengen visa application form on the website of the embassy or consulate you are dealing with. It will be available to download if you prefer, but you should be able to complete the form online.
Step 2: Make an appointment
Making appointments with the embassy, consulate or visa application center is generally free and can be done yourself. However, If you are running short of time or not sure which consulate to apply to or have no idea on how to get this done yourself then not to worry, we will make the appointment for you for a small service fee!
Booking a visa appointment using our services is pretty simple! All you have to do is follow the 3 simple steps below:
- Visit the link to schedule the visa appointment
- Submit the appointment details, the visa you are applying for, consulate you need the appointment for, the country you need the appointment IN and make the payment
- Receive appointment confirmation in email
You can also make an appointment on your own by following the steps below. Depending on the visa office you are using, you will either:
- Use their online booking system to book a day and time which is convenient for you
- Contact them by phone or email to make your appointment
Some embassies may have outsourced the handling of visa applications to third-party companies such as VFS Global in Canada, so you will make your appointment directly with them.
Step 3: Prepare your documents
It is important to get this step right. If you submit an application without the required documents, your visa application will be rejected. Check the embassy’s website for all the information before you start your application. You should also submit originals as well as photocopies, so don’t forget to do that too.
Documents include:
- Passport or travel document valid for 3 months after the date you return to Canada. It should have been issued within the previous 10 years and it should have 2 blank pages for the visa to be attached
- Valid permanent resident card or valid multiple entry visa for Canada. It should be valid at least 3 months beyond the intended departure from the territory of the Schengen Member States
- Visa application form filled out completely and signed
- Passport photo less than 3 months old and glued on the application form. Check out full guidelines for providing photographs for your visa application
- A cover letter explaining the purpose of the visit to Europe
- Round trip flight/travel reservation
- Schengen Travel Health Insurance to cover medical emergencies and repatriation for a minimum of €30,000
- Proof of accommodation in Europe. This can be either a hotel booking or rental agreement, or an invitation letter from your European host
- Proof of financial subsistence – a recent bank statement to cover the last 3 months that shows funds of at least 70 CAD/€45 per person per day or traveler’s checks
- Employment contract
- Leave permission from your employer
- Income Tax Return (ITR)
- A copy of your business license and company bank statement for the latest 6 months
- Reference letter from Canadian educational institution (school/college/university) stating that you are in good standing, your major and the expected date of graduation
- Pension statement for the past 6 months
- Birth/marriage certificate
- Spouse’s ID/Passport
- Signed travel consent from both parents (for minors)
- Prepaid Xpresspost envelope (Canada Post only), Regional Standard to Ontario or National Standard to all other provinces (shipment to a Canadian address only!)
If you’re planning to obtain your flight reservation for visa without paying for the ticket, all you have to do is follow the 3 simple steps below:
- Visit the Visa Reservation website to choose the right package
- Submit the travel details and make the payment online
- Receive flight itinerary in email
Step 4: Attend your appointment
On the day of your appointment, get to the embassy early. If you are late you might have to make a new appointment. Don’t forget any of your documents and dress smartly if you want to make a good impression.
The visa officer will examine your application and if they need any further information from you they may ask you questions like:
- Is this your first time traveling to the Schengen area?
- What do you do in Canada?
- Have you obtained permission from your employer to travel between these dates?
- How much do you earn?
- Are you traveling with anyone else?
The visa officer is only trying to ascertain all the facts for a fair decision to be made, so answer any questions honestly and politely.
Don’t jeopardize your Schengen visa interview at the last minute. Use this comprehensive and thorough visa interview guide to crack the visa interview!
You will also pay the fee for your visa. There are several payment options available, including cash and debit/credit card, but you should check with the respective embassy or consulate. Please note, if your application is rejected this fee will NOT be refunded to you.
Type of Visa | Fee |
Schengen visa – up to 90 days | 90 CAD/€60 |
National visa – over 90 days | Varies. See the respective embassy/consulate’s website |
Child between 6-12 years of age | 52 CAD/€35 |
Children under the age of six | Free |
If you have never applied for a Schengen visa before, you will have to provide biometric data which is a photograph and a scan of your fingerprints. If you have previously provided this data, it can be reused as long as your new application is within a 5 year period.
Step 5: Receive your visa
Once your visa application has been processed, the embassy will contact you and you can either:
- Return to their office to collect your passport
- Have your passport mailed to your home address, if the embassy provides mailing options
If your visa has been approved, you will find it inside your passport. However, if it has been rejected it would have been for a specific reason. You usually have the right to appeal a rejected application and you can contact the embassy about how to do this.
Common rejection reasons include:
- You have not provided all the required documents – different visas have different requirements, so you should check what is required before you submit your application
- You applied at the wrong embassy – as mentioned above, the Schengen countries are represented by different embassies across Canada and you should apply at the one that has jurisdiction over the area where you live. The embassy website will have this information
- You did not provide an invitation letter – if you are being invited to stay in one of the Schengen countries by a friend or family member or an organization, you must provide an invitation letter along with your host’s ID/passport
- You don’t have sufficient funds – you must be able to afford your trip and you must provide evidence, such as bank statements, must prove that you can
Conclusion
To apply for a Schengen visa for Europe from Canada, follow these simple steps:
- Complete your application online or download it
- Make an appointment
- Prepare your documents
- Attend your appointment
- Receive your visa
Then, when you receive your visa, your dreams of traveling to Europe will become a reality!
At Visa Reservation, we strive to simplify the visa process by providing free visa consultations, cover letter templates and no objection letter templates for our clients from US, UK, Canada, Philippines, India, China, UAE, Europe, Nigeria and globally. We also offer flight itinerary for visa, travel medical insurance, hotel reservations for visa , Book Visa Appointment, Travel Guides, Visa Interview Guides and many more. To learn more about how we can help you with our visa services, please feel free to contact us today.