Canada: Visa Exemption Revoked for Nationals of Mexico, With Certain Exceptions

As a result, Mexican nationals will be subject to the following conditions:

• Temporary resident visas. With certain exceptions, Mexican nationals will no longer be eligible to apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada (like visa-exempt nationals) and will instead need to obtain a temporary resident visa online via a consulate, a process that can take weeks or months.
• Validity and maximum stay. Temporary resident visas via a consulate may be granted for multiple entries during a 10-year period and will allow a maximum stay in Canada of up to 180 days for each entry (the same stay period as the eTA entry) unless a work or study permit is granted allowing for a longer duration of stay.
• Exceptions. Certain Mexican nationals may still be visa exempt if they either held a Canadian temporary resident visa in the last 10 years; currently hold a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa; or are entering Canada under a study or work permit. These individuals, like other visa-exempt nationals, can continue to obtain an eTA before traveling, as is currently the rule, provided they are entering via air.  
• Further restrictions. Unlike certain other visa-exempt nationals, nationals from Mexico who are exempt from the visa requirement are not eligible to apply for work authorization upon arrival in Canada. Additionally, those seeking to enter Canada via a land border will require a Temporary Resident Visa.

• Administrative hurdles. The visa requirement adds administrative hurdles, possible additional costs and potential delays to Mexican nationals seeking to enter Canada.
• eTA cancellations. All eTAs issued to Mexican visitors before 23:30 (local time) on February 29, 2024 are automatically canceled, except for eTAs linked to Mexican passport holders with a valid Canadian work or study permit. Those seeking to travel to Canada without a valid work or study permit will need to apply for a temporary resident visa, or a new eTA if eligible and traveling to Canada by air. 

• Mexican migration. According to the Canadian government, the measure is being implemented in response to a significant increase in asylum claims made by Mexican citizens that are refused, withdrawn or abandoned. According to statistics from the Immigration and Refugee Board, almost 24,000 Mexican nationals applied for asylum in Canada in 2023 (making Mexico the top source of asylum claims).
• Pressure on the immigration system. According to the Canadian government, the measure also aims to relieve pressure on Canada’s borders, immigration system, housing and social services, while preserving mobility for Mexican nationals seeking to travel to Canada.

Historically, and notably post-pandemic, Canada has put special emphasis on increased immigration, enhancing business and investment opportunities, and strengthening its travel and tourism industry (among other in-demand industries), to meet Canada’s economic needs; and is likely to continue to promote more immigration policies with this aim in the future.

However, into 2024, Canada is also aiming to stabilize immigration growth to alleviate current pressures on housing, health care, infrastructure, and the immigration system in the country. This visa waiver revocation follows several recent restrictive policies such as the new temporary cap on international students and the extension of the prohibition on the purchase of residential property by non-Canadians, among others. Certain targeted restrictive immigration policies can be expected as the Canadian government faces pressure to ensure the immigration system remains sustainable.