Overview
The Government of Canada announced immediate changes to the entry process for Mexican citizens coming to Canada.
Effective February 29, 2024, at 11:30 p.m. Eastern time, Mexican citizens who hold a valid US non-immigrant visa or have held a Canadian visa in the past 10 years and are travelling by air on a Mexican passport, must apply for an electronic travel authorization (eTA). The eTA is a digital travel document that most visa-exempt travellers need in order to travel to or transit through Canada by air.
With the high number of Mexican citizens currently holding US visas, the majority will continue to enjoy visa-free travel to Canada. Those who do not meet these conditions will need to apply for a Canadian visitor visa. All eTAs issued to Mexican passports before 11:30 p.m. Eastern time on February 29, 2024, will no longer be valid except for eTAs linked to Mexican passports with a valid Canadian work or study permit. If they are eligible, Mexican citizens travelling to Canada without a valid work or study permit will need to apply for a visitor visa or reapply for a new eTA.
If a citizen of Mexico already has a valid work or study permit, the Government of Canada has reported that it will not cancel the eTA associated the passport used at the time the work permit or study permit was issued.
- Mexican citizens with a valid work or study permit should not have to apply for a new eTA. They may continue to travel with it as long as it’s still valid.
- They can keep studying or working in Canada based on the validity and conditions of their permit.
- Visitor records will also remain valid.
However, some eTAs for work permit and study permit holders have accidentally been cancelled and as such, the Government of Canada has issued a policy guideline to submit a webform to have their eTA reactivated. The policy is here (under study permit and work permit holders tab). A webform should be submitted using code EMVR2024.
Citizens of Mexico holding a valid work or study permit can still travel by air to Canada with their existing eTA as long as it remains valid, and they can continue to study or work in Canada based on the validity and conditions of their permit. Mexican visitors who are already in Canada on an eTA can stay for as long as they are authorized (up to six months from the date they arrive in Canada unless an extension is filed and approved). But if they plan to leave Canada and wish to return, they must have the proper travel documents (visa or new eTA).
If you have specific concerns about the impact of these changes on you or your business, please contact Sofia Mirza, the lead partner for Fillmore Riley's Immigration and Global Mobility practice.