The government of Canada officially announced that as of February 29, 2024, It will be necessary for Mexican citizens to apply for a visa to enter the country. This Thursday, a press release released by Canadian authorities detailed changes in visitor visa requirements, marking a significant change in the immigration policy with Mexicobut not all Aztec migrants must comply with this measure, we explain to you what the exceptions are.

It should be noted that since December 2016, Canada had eliminated the need for a visa for Mexican travelers, who only needed an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to visit the country. The ETA, valid for five years, has facilitated the process of entering Canada, both for tourism and for transit to other destinations.

However, the decision to reinstate the visa requirement responds to an attempt to control the flow of Mexican asylum seekers, which in 2023 exceeded 25,000 cases, making Mexico the main country of origin for these applicants, according to this as reported by the Société Radio-Canada (CBC). . Additionally, it should be noted that this facility has been used by Mexican citizens to enter Canada and then cross the border with the United States, a situation that in addition to being illegal, they want to reduce as much as possible.

Mexicans interested in traveling to Canada should mark on their calendar February 29, 2024, at 11:30 p.m. Eastern Time (10:30 p.m. Mexico Time), when the new visa requirement will take effect. Canadian authorities have emphasized that “Even if you have already booked your trip or have a valid ETA, this does not guarantee that you will be approved for a new ETA or visa”.

This change represents an important change in the mobility policy between Mexico and Canada, affecting those who plan to visit the North American country for tourist, commercial or other reasons from the date indicated. Authorities recommend that Mexican travelers begin the visa application process in advance to avoid inconvenience to their travel plans.

According to information revealed by Bloomberg, in the context of the recent decision by the Canadian government to reinstate the visa requirement for Mexicans, two categories of citizens will be exempt from this measure: temporary foreign workers from Mexico and Mexican students.

Christine Fréchette, the Minister of Immigration of the province of Quebec, highlighted the importance of this decision through a statement on her X profile (formerly known as Twitter). “An important step has been taken,” said Fréchette, reflecting the weight of this action in the field of migration management.

The French-speaking province of Quebec has been one of the leading voices calling on the Canadian federal government to review and tighten visa policies., especially regarding Mexican citizens. The effort aligns with concerns about the growing number of applications coming into the country.

The lifting of visa requirements for Mexicans in 2016, a strategy by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to strengthen trade relations between Canada and Mexico, partners of the United States in the CUSMA trade agreement, marked a period larger opening. However, with the new policy change, the aim is to balance the needs of immigration control with the continuity of commercial and cultural relations.