The Canadian government has announced a fresh visa policy for Mexican citizens, citing a rise in asylum claims that have been refused, withdrawn, or abandoned. The policy introduces new criteria for Mexican nationals to obtain an electronic travel authorization (eTA) for air travel to Canada, as detailed in a recent press release.
To qualify for an eTA application, individuals need to fulfill three main requirements:
- Use a valid Mexican passport to fly to Canada or transit via a Canadian airport to another destination;
- Visit Canada for a short stay (usually up to 6 months); and
- Have held a Canadian visitor visa (temporary resident visa) in the past decade or currently possess a valid United States nonimmigrant visa.
These requirements generally apply solely to air travel, meaning those traveling by other means must hold a visitor visa. Exemptions from these stipulations are in place for Mexicans possessing valid work or study permits.
Canada has seen a considerable upsurge in Mexican asylum claims in recent years. The number of claims grew from 260 in 2016, when the government lowered requirements for Mexican nationals, to nearly 24,000 in 2023. The majority of these applications, according to Immigration Minister Marc Miller, were either declined, withdrawn, or abandoned. These figures have indeed sparked some disputes within the ruling administration.
Concerning the new measures, Miller commented: “Mexico is an important partner to Canada. We welcome Mexican temporary workers, students, visitors, and immigrants who offer diverse skills and meaningful contributions to our economy and communities. We strive for a balance between the movement of people between our two great countries and the need to reduce strain on our immigration system, so we can provide protection to those who need it the most.”
Miller also indicated that the migration surge and Canada’s relationship with the US partially influenced the change, terming the rising number of immigrants as “something we have to manage as a partner with the U.S.,” as reported by AP News.
In response to these revised restrictions, Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has issued a “respectful reproach,” indicating that Mexico plans to act with “prudence.”