Changes and New Requirements for Mexican Citizens Travelling to Canada

As of February 29, 2024, there are new requirements for the electronic travel authorization (eTA) and visitor visa requirements for Mexican citizens. All Mexicans now travelling to Canada must meet the new requirements.

New Requirements

• need to meet new requirements to be eligible for an electronic travel authorization (eTA)
• need to apply for a visitor visa (those not eligible for an eTA anymore)

Mexican visitors who previously held an eTA, or submitted an application for an eTA before 11:30 p.m. ET on February 29, 2024, are now cancelled, and will not be eligible for use it to travel. Having pre-booked travel plans or a previously valid eTA does not guarantee you will be approved for a new eTA or a visa.

How Visitors are affected

Visitors are temporary residents who don’t have a valid work or study permit, such as tourists, students on a study term less than 6 months, or business visitors.

Before Visitors can travel to Canada, they must either:

• apply and be approved for an eTA under the new rules, or
• apply and be approved for a visitor visa

While an applicant may be eligible for an eTA, family members may still need a visa.

Who can apply for an eTA under the new rules

You’re eligible for an eTA if all of these 3 requirements are met:

• A valid Mexican passport is being used to fly to Canada or to transit through a Canadian airport to another destination.
• Coming to Canada for a short visit (normally for stays of up to 6 months).
• Either applies to you:
  • have held a Canadian visitor visa (temporary resident visa) in the past 10 years, or
  • currently hold a valid United States (U.S.) nonimmigrant visa

An eTA is for air travel only. Even if an applicant is eligible for an eTA, they need a visitor visa if they plan to travel to Canada by car, bus, train or boat, including a cruise ship (even if not leaving the ship).

Those applicants not eligible for an eTA, will need a temporary resident / visitor visa.

What is needed to board your flight to Canada with an eTA

 Those flying to Canada, must:

• travel with the same passport that was used to apply for the eTA
• If using a new passport after applying for an eTA, applicants must apply for a new eTA using the new passport.
• travel with the passport containing the work or study permit, if applicable

Documents to Accompany you include:

• printed copy and a digital copy of your eTA confirmation email
• old passport if it contains either
  • your expired Canadian visitor visa (temporary resident visa)
  • your U.S. non-immigrant visa

The Visa must be valid when applying for your eTA, but not necessarily when travelling to Canada.

A visitor visa is an official document that is placed in the passport that shows the requirements to travel to Canada are met. Government processing fees are CAN$100; however, there may be other costs that you must be paid, such as a biometrics (fingerprints and photo) collection fee of CAN$85.

Most visitor visas issued by Canada are multiple-entry visas, which are valid for up to 10 years. If a visa is urgently needed, there is an option to apply online. Those travelling soon, should indicate in detail in the application the urgent and/or compelling reason for travel. This information may be considered when the application is processed. Requests for urgent or expedited processing are not guaranteed.

If possible, we recommend delaying your travel until your visitor visa application has been finalized. IRCC does not provide refunds for lost travel expenses.

How does this new rule affect Employers?

Employers hiring temporary foreign workers from Mexico must ensure that workers applying to come to Canada know that they must apply for a work permit before they travel to Canada. They may no longer apply at the port of entry when they arrive in Canada. Once a work permit application is approved, they will automatically receive a visa. They don’t need to apply for a visa separately.

Workers who are applying to work in the agricultural or seafood and fish processing industry in Canada, should submit their application as soon as possible. It will be processed on a priority basis.