Canada will ask Mexicans for visas

Starting at 10:30 p.m. (Central Mexico time) this Thursday, February 29, Canada will require a visa from all Mexican travelers entering the country, the Canadian government announced.

Through a press release published this morning by the government of Canada, starting this February 29 at 10:30 p.m. (Central Mexico time) the entry requirements to the country for Mexican travelers will change.

The changes are as follows:

• You must meet the new requirements to obtain a new eTA
• If you currently have an eTA, it will be automatically cancelled, unless you have a valid work or study permit.
• If you have an eTA application in process, you must apply for a new eTA or visitor visa
• Before traveling to Canada, you must apply for a new eTA (if you meet the requirements to process it)
• If the requirements to obtain an eTA are not met, they must apply for a visitor visa to travel to Canada.

Requirements to process eTA, if applicable

To request an eTA you must meet all of these requirements:

• Have a valid Mexican passport to fly to Canada or transit through a Canadian airport to another destination.
• That your visit to Canada is for a short period, normally for stays of up to six months.
• Have a Canadian visitor visa (temporary resident visa) within the last 10 years or have a current American non-immigrant visa.

If they do not meet all of these requirements, they must apply for a visitor visa to travel to Canada.

How is the visa processed?

So far, the procedures to follow to process the visa have not been detailed. It is expected that in the next few hours

Most visas are valid for up to 10 years and allow multiple entries.

According to the statement from the Canadian government, visitor visas will cost 100 Canadian dollars, and may require additional expenses such as the biometric data collection fee, which amounts to 85 Canadian dollars.

OJO: These changes apply even if you have already booked your trip. Having a pre-booked travel reservation or a valid eTA does not guarantee that a new eTA or visa will be approved.

Recommendations for boarding your flight to Canada with eTA:

• It is recommended to travel with the same passport used to apply for the eTA.
• Bring a printed and digital copy of the eTA confirmation email.
• If you have an expired Canadian visitor visa or a valid American non-immigrant visa, bring your old passport.

Very important:

Travelers are advised to check processing times and provide details about the urgency of their trip when applying for a visitor visa. Those planning to travel soon are urged to take precautions and delay their plans if necessary to complete the visitor visa application process.

The Government of Canada will not reimburse for lost travel expenses if the visa is not obtained on time. Mexican citizens planning to travel to Canada should be aware of these changes and plan accordingly.

If you have an upcoming trip to Canada and/or have doubts about the new requirements entering the country, you can contact the Mexican Embassy through this email: [email protected]