Canada imposes new requirements for entry of Mexicans: what are they?

( Spanish) – The Government of Canada announced on Thursday new requirements for electronic travel authorizations and visitor visas for Mexican citizens.

Mexicans planning to fly to Canada must apply for a new electronic travel authorization (eTA) – in addition to needing a visitor visa – since visitors who had one or had applied for one before February 29 cannot use it to travel, the Canadian government explained in a statement on Thursday.

The requirements to obtain an eTA are to have a valid Mexican passport and to travel to Canada for up to six months, in addition to having a U.S. non-immigrant visa or having had a Canadian visitor visa in the last 10 years.

“Those who do not have immediate travel plans are advised to wait to apply for their eTA. This will help avoid delays in the system, so that the application system is available to those who urgently need it,” the statement said.

The measure comes into effect after Quebec authorities asked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government to intervene in response to the growing number of asylum seekers from Mexico.

“This is an important step that has just been taken, but it will not solve everything. The number of asylum seekers welcomed by Quebec is too high and our services are overwhelmed. The federal government must distribute advertisements throughout Canada,” explained Christine Fréchette, a member of the Canadian parliament and Minister of Immigration and Integration of Quebec, on her X account.

The Mexican Foreign Ministry regretted the measure in a statement and considered that “there were other options available before implementing this measure.” It stressed that it reserves the right to act in reciprocity.

Meanwhile, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador denied on Thursday that the wave of asylum applications from Mexicans in Canada is linked to organized crime and stressed that it was good “that they moderated themselves” because he said that the measure will only affect “40% of those who go to Canada.” He added that he respects the decision.

“Economic exchange is very good, Mexican workers have been going to Canada for a long time, so we have to act with caution, perhaps with a small, fraternal and respectful rebuke to the Prime Minister,” he said at his morning press conference.