The latest reports claim that Mexican nationals must possess a visitor visa now to enter Canada. This implementation attempts to reduce the number of Mexico’s asylum claimants. It became effective on February 29, 2024. Formerly, citizens from Mexico could enter Canada through an Electronic Travel Authorization.
Mexican nationals must possess a visitor visa now to enter Canada
All citizens from Mexico will have to adhere to the visitor visa requirement to arrive in Canada unless they fulfill the following three requirements:
- They are entering Canada via air or arriving here to move to a different place.
- Their visit is only short-term, nearly up to six months in duration.
- They have been holding a Canadian visitor visa for ten years, a temporary resident visa over the last ten years, or a valid US non-immigrant visa at their application time or travel. The temporary resident visas are visitor visas and work or study permit visas.
Travelers coming to Canada from Mexico must also note that if they possess an eTA prior to 11:30 pm EST on February 29 this year, it will be subject to cancellation. In addition, the Mexican nationals will need to submit a new application. Moreover, if these individuals are not more qualified for an eTA after executing these new updates, they must apply for a visitor visa.
Impact of the recent updates on Mexicans already present in Canada as visitors
Visitors in Canada are temporary residents who are not study or work permit holders during their stay. Typically, these individuals travel as tourists or for business purposes. They will have permission to reside in Canada for their approved duration per the earlier information. However, their eTAs will undergo a cancellation. Moreover, if they seek to re-visit the country once they depart, they must submit a visitor visa application, or they could apply for a new eTA if they are able to fulfill all essential eligibility conditions.
How do the recent changes influence the Mexican citizens already residing in Canada as study or work permit holders?
Mexican nationals already living in the country and possessing study or work permits will not witness any cancellation of their eTAs. Furthermore, they will have the chance to retain their former eTA and keep on traveling if this document remains valid.
If these individuals submit a new application to attain a study or work permit, they will receive a visa or eTA by default, depending on their eligibility after the approval of their work or study permits. They must proceed to submit a separate application for a visa or eTA.
In all circumstances, an eTA will be liable only for air travel. Even if people possess a valid eTA, they will eventually need to show a visitor visa if traveling to Canada by bus, car, boat, train, or cruise ship. This is regardless of travelers who don’t leave the cruise ship.
Mexican citizens who are also study or work permit holders during the changes, and if they got their eTA canceled, what must be the next steps for them?
Such individuals who were Mexican citizens with study or work permits and still had their eTAs canceled must comply with the re-activation of their eTAs. They must do the following:
- Submit a web form request to IRCC.
- Fulfill all essential fields.
- Incorporate the EMVR2024 Code in the text box.
However, if these people somehow don’t qualify for the reactivation of an eTA, they will need to re-submit a new application for a visitor visa or eTA, depending on the new eligibility criteria.
If you seek information on how to begin your Canada visitor visa application process, you can talk to our MakeHomeCanada experts at 1-800-979-0509, or you can drop us an email at [email protected].
