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International travel to Italy and all other countries in the Schengen area of Europe will change for citizens of Canada, as well as all other visa-exempt countries beginning in 2025 and thereafter.
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Welcome to Europe
The newly updated travel authorization system, called the European Travel Information and Authorization System (or ETIAS for short), will become mandatory for all foreign travelers who travel to Italy or in the European Schengen zone who are coming from one of the 60 countries on the established visa-exempt list. Please refer to our homepage for a complete list of these visa-exempt countries, as well as a list of all countries that are currently in the Schengen area of Europe. Italy is one of the most frequently visited countries in the entire world, and this is for a number of excellent reasons. With its rich history, stunning architecture, vibrant culture, and world-famous cuisine, Italy draw in close to 100 million visitors from around the world each year. The total number of international tourists coming to Italy is even greater than Spain and the United States, with 82 and 78 million annual visitors from abroad, respectively. From the exquisite Mediterranean Riviera of Genoa and Portofino to the magnificent landscapes of the Italian Lake District, the classic art and impressive ancient ruins of Rome, and the breathtakingly historic, winery speckled countryside of Tuscany, Italy has something on offer for every different type of tourist. Then, of course, there’s Venice: the most visited city in all of Italy. Venice attracts over 25 million international visitors every year. Known as the City of Canals, Venice ranks quite high on the list of Europe’s most picturesque cities. Some of the most popular activities for tourists in Venice include taking a scenic gondola ride on the winding canals, visiting iconic landmarks like the Basilica di San Marco and the Palazzo Ducale, shopping at the Rialto Market, marveling at scenic views of the city from the top of the grand Campanile, and relaxing on the dazzling beaches of Lido Island. Italy has been a top vacation destination for many Canadians and other international travelers from around the world for many years. Previously, Canadian citizens were able to gain visa-free entry to Italy using only a valid biometric passport. However, from 2025 onwards, all Canadian citizens and other foreign travelers will be required to submit an online ETIAS visa waiver application and receive confirmation of approval to travel before their departure for Italy. Please be aware that due to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Italy could impose additional border and travel regulations and restrictions in the future. These changes to Italy’s border security policy would be completely independent of the ETIAS travel authorization program. Be that as it may, you can rest assured that we are absolutely dedicated to all of the valued international travelers who trust us. We will continue to work diligently so that we can make sure our website is consistently up-to-date and features the latest travel information.
All foreign applicants from Canada, along with the other visa-exempt countries, who are using the ETIAS website to apply online for ETIAS entry into Italy or any other Schengen country will need to have a valid biometric passport. The passport must remain valid for a minimum of three months after the traveler’s intended date of arrival in Europe. Canadian passports have a maximum validity duration of 10 years for all citizens over the age of 16. Passports issued to minors 15 years old and younger will expire after five years. The Canadian government has been issuing biometric passports to all of its citizens since July of 2013. To determine if your Canadian passport is indeed biometric, check at the bottom of the front cover for a small golden symbol in the shape of a camera. It appears as a wide rectangle with a horizontal line through the middle and a smaller circle at the center. It is crucial to take note of the fact that the electronic ETIAS approval is directly linked to the traveler’s unique passport number. As such, when that passport expires, so does the associated ETIAS visa waiver. Upon applying for a new passport, you will also need to re-apply for your ETIAS approval if you wish to travel within the Schengen zone of Europe again. The online ETIAS visa waiver application will normally require no more than 10 minutes of your time. In the vast majority of situations, the ETIAS system will only ask for your biometric passport details, some of your basic personal information, your contact details like email address and phone number, your personal travel history, and any criminal record or legal issues you may have had in the past (if applicable).
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Yes. All Canadian citizens will be required to submit an electronic ETIAS application through the ETIAS website before travelling to Italy or any other country in the Schengen area of Europe as soon as the new visa waiver program becomes mandatory in 2025 and thereafter. There will be an initial grace period of at least six months to allow both international travelers and border officials alike to get better acquainted with the new changes to the Schengen border policy. After the preliminary grace period comes to an end, international travelers will not be permitted entry into Italy or any other country in the Schengen zone of Europe without showing a valid ETIAS approval status under any circumstances.
Yes. Before a Canadian child or minor departs on a trip to Italy, his or her parent or other legal guardian must submit an online ETIAS application on behalf of the child. Minors will not be exempt from the new ETIAS travel authorization process for any reason.
In order to travel to Italy from Canada, you will need to have a valid biometric passport, a stable internet connection, and a valid email address to receive confirmation of your ETIAS approval or rejection. In addition, you will be required to pay a processing fee of €7 for your electronic ETIAS application using a valid credit or debit card.
During the online application process for an ETIAS visa waiver, you will need to disclose your full legal name, your physical and mailing address, and a few other key personal details. You will also be asked to answer a few questions about your recent travel history and any past criminal activity (if applicable). Please refer to our Requirements page for a complete list of the necessary information and documents that you will need to complete your ETIAS application.
The online ETIAS application should take no more than about 10 minutes to complete for most people. The majority of applicants will receive an email notification regarding the acceptance or rejection status of their application within 24 hours of submission. On rare occasions, the reviewing border officials may flag a new application they receive as suspicious. In these rare cases, the officials might request further information, additional supporting documents, or require a face-to-face interview before making their final decision. To be safe, be sure to allow 96 hours (four days) for your ETIAS visa waiver application to get processed. Doing so will assure that you have plenty of time to resolve any potential issues that may arise during the application process.
No. A pre-approved ETIAS visa waiver is not the same as a regular work or study visa, nor is it a valid substitute for the traditional long-term visa application process. If you are looking to work or study during your stay in Italy or another country in the Schengen zone of Europe, you will need to apply for the appropriate work or study visa through your local consulate.