Starting from February 29, 2024, at 11:30 p.m. EST, Mexicans planning to visit Canada must have a visa unless they meet certain conditions.
This change is because more Mexicans have been requesting asylum in Canada, but their applications are often rejected, withdrawn, or left incomplete.
Even if you’ve already made travel plans, these new rules still apply. Keep in mind that having a pre-booked trip or a valid electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) from before doesn’t guarantee approval for a new eTA or Canada visa.
Additionally, the Canadian immigration authority (IRCC) is canceling most existing eTAs for Mexican passport holders.
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New Requirements
If Mexicans want to travel to Canada, they can get a new eTA under these conditions:
- If they had a visitor visa to Canada in the past ten years.
- If they currently have a valid nonimmigrant visa for the United States.
If not, they need to get a visa for their trip.
The way Mexicans apply for work or study permits won’t change. If you’re a Mexican with a valid Canadian work or study permit, nothing’s changing for you. Your eTA won’t be canceled, and you can keep coming to Canada.
If you’re a Mexican in Canada without a valid work or study permit, you can stay for as long as you’re allowed, but your eTA will be ended. If you leave Canada and want to come back, you’ll need to get a visa or a new eTA if you’re eligible.
Mexican visitors might experience delays at Canadian airports due to new entry rules.
Why did Canada impose a new visa requirement for Mexicans?
In 2023, a lot of Mexicans asked for asylum in Canada, and it caused some problems. Canada’s system for handling asylum requests, places for people to stay, and social services were already stretched thin.
Many of these requests (about 60%) were turned down by the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Board or were dropped by the people who applied.
In 2023, Mexicans asking for asylum made up 17% of all the requests from people of any nationality worldwide.
The number of asylum requests in Canada has gone up a lot since they got rid of the visa requirement in 2016 (from 260 in 2016 to 23,995 in 2023).
Important information for Mexican passport holders:
If you received an eTA before 11:30 p.m. Eastern time on February 29, 2024, it will no longer be valid, except if it’s connected to a Mexican passport with a valid Canadian work or study permit.
If you’re a Mexican citizen traveling to Canada without a valid work or study permit, you need to either apply for a visitor visa or get a new eTA if you qualify.
If you’re in Canada on an eTA, you can stay for the authorized period, which is up to six months from your arrival date.
To leave Canada and come back, make sure you have the right travel documents, like a visa or a new eTA.
Successful applicants usually receive multiple-entry visas, allowing them to visit Canada as much as they want for up to ten years or until their passport expires.
What is Canada eTA?
Canada eTA (electronic Travel Authorization) is a digital travel document that most people who don’t need a visa must have to enter or pass through Canada by air.
In 2017, IRCC started making the eTA program available to people from countries that usually need a visa. Now, citizens of Mexico and 14 other countries can use eTA to fly to Canada instead of a visa, as long as they meet certain requirements.
If they are no longer eligible for an eTA, they will have to apply for a visitor visa to come to Canada.
