Canada Changes Travel Requirements for Mexicans

Travel Announcement

To bolster immigration and asylum frameworks, Canada has introduced revised travel protocols for Mexican nationals, effective from February 29, 2024. Under these adjustments, Mexican citizens holding a valid US non-immigrant visa or a Canadian visa within the past decade can choose an electronic travel authorization (eTA). This option simplifies the process for those with a travel history to the United States or Canada, granting them visa-free entry.

For individuals not meeting these criteria, the standard procedure involves applying for a Canadian visitor visa. This modification underscores Canada’s dedication to efficiently managing immigration flows while maintaining a resilient asylum system. The decision to implement a visa or travel pass requirement directly responds to an upswing in asylum claims from Mexican citizens, many of which have been rejected, withdrawn, or abandoned.

Study and Work Permit Applications Remains Unchanged

Crucially, the application process for Mexican citizens seeking work or study permits remains unaffected. Those aspiring to work or study in Canada can still access various labor pathways, such as the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and the International Mobility Program.

Improvement in Immigration Services

Canada reaffirms its unwavering support for travel, tourism, and business ties with Mexico, evident in the expansion of its visa application center network in Mexico to enhance services for Mexican applicants. The Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) serves as a successful model of mutually beneficial migration between Canada and Mexico. The government expresses its readiness to deepen collaboration, proposing the modernization of the SAWP to include year-round primary agriculture and seasonal fish, seafood, and primary food processing.

As Canada vigilantly monitors the impacts of its visa policies for both visa-exempt and visa-required countries, the government remains resolute in adapting travel requirements to uphold the integrity of its asylum and immigration systems. This proactive approach aligns with Canada’s commitment to fostering robust regional and global migration partnerships. In conclusion, the recent implementation of updated travel measures for Mexican nationals underscores Canada’s dedication to aligning mobility and immigration management.