Certain Mexican Citizens will now require a visit visa to come to Canada temporarily as IRCC has recently announced Canada’s visa requirements for Mexican Citizens. This measure is taken due to an upsurge in asylum claimants from Mexico.

Notably, Canada implemented this modification on February 29, 2024. Prior to this change, all Mexicans were eligible to secure an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to come to Canada. 

Canada’s visa requirements for Mexican Citizens: Who will need a visitor visa to enter Canada now?

All Mexico Citizens will now require a visa in order to visit Canada unless they fulfill the following requirements:

  • If they are flying to Canada on their way to another destination, 
  • If they are traveling to Canada for a short-term visit, typically for a six-month period, and
  • If they either held a Canadian visitor visa or other temporary resident visa within the last ten years or a valid US nonimmigrant visa at the time of application submission and travel

Temporary resident visas typically include visas related to visitor, work, and study permits.

Mexican nationals who intend to travel to Canada should be advised that the Canadian government will cancel the eTA if they hold it before 11:30 pm EST on February 29, 2024. Also, they must apply for a new permit.

In addition, if they do not remain eligible for an eTA after the implementation of the new changes, they are required to submit an application for a visitor visa.

Does this change affect Mexicans already living in Canada with a visitor status?

In Canada, visitors typically are temporary residents who do not hold a study or work permit for their stay. They typically enter Canada for tourist or business purposes.

If Mexicans are already living in Canada with a visitor status, they will be allowed to remain in Canada for their previously approved reasons.

However, it should be noted that their eTAs will be canceled. If they intend to re-enter after their departure, they must apply for a new eTA or a visitor visa. Provided that they satisfy all the above-mentioned eligibility requirements.

Does this change affect Mexicans already living in Canada with a study or work permit?

This change will not impact the Mexican nationals who are in Canada with a work or study permit. This means that their eTAs will not be canceled, and they will retain their previous eTA. Also, they can continue to travel on this eTA until it remains valid.

If they are applying for a new study or work permit, they will automatically get a visa or eTA, depending on their eligibility after approval of their permit. This implies that they will not need to submit an application for an eTA or visa separately.

It’s notable that an eTA is only valid for traveling via air. If individuals are willing to travel via land or water transport, they will need to have a valid visitor visa.

What can Mexican citizens do if their eTA is canceled despite having a valid study or work permit at the time of the change?

If Mexican citizens had a valid study or work permit when IRCC announced the change (Canada’s visa requirements for Mexican Citizens), they may be eligible to revive their eTAs. To determine whether this is the case, they can:

  • Send a web form request to Canada’s immigration department;
  • Satisfy all necessary fields and
  • In the text box, include the code “EMVR2024” 

If these individuals fail to qualify for eTA reactivation, they must submit a new eTA or visitor visa application. They must satisfy all the new requirements.