Mexico expresses regret over Canada's decision to tighten entry requirements

The era of visa-free travel to Canada is ending for certain Mexican citizens, and the Mexican government is expressing dissatisfaction with the decision.

The Canadian government declared on Thursday that it is «adjusting its travel requirements for Mexican citizens» in response to a notable increase in the number of Mexicans seeking asylum in Canada last year. Effective as of late Thursday, Mexicans with a valid non-immigrant visa for the United States or those who have held a Canadian visa in the past decade can enter Canada without a visa. However, those who do not meet these criteria will be required to obtain a Canadian visitor visa.

According to a news release from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), as of February 29, 2024, at 11:30 p.m. Eastern time, Mexican citizens with a valid US non-immigrant visa or a Canadian visa within the last 10 years, traveling by air on a Mexican passport, will be eligible to apply for an electronic travel authorization (eTA). The majority of Mexican citizens holding US visas will continue to enjoy visa-free travel to Canada. However, those not meeting these conditions will need to apply for a Canadian visitor visa, which costs CAN $100 (US $74) and is issued by Canadian diplomatic posts in Mexico.

IRCC justified the decision to reinstate a visa requirement for some Mexican travelers due to an increase in asylum claims by Mexican citizens that are refused, withdrawn, or abandoned. The move is seen as crucial to maintaining the mobility of hundreds of thousands of Mexican citizens while ensuring the effective management of Canada’s immigration and asylum systems.

The department noted that asylum claims from Mexican citizens reached a record high in 2023, accounting for 17% of all claims. The reintroduction of the visa requirement aims to relieve pressure on Canada’s borders, immigration system, housing, and social services.

The decision to reimpose a visa requirement comes after Canada had removed it in 2016, during Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s term, following its introduction in 2008 under Conservative Party Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

In response to the decision, Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) expressed regret, stating that it believes there were alternative options before implementing this measure. The SRE also reserved the right to act in reciprocity, though imposing a visa requirement for Canadians visiting Mexico seems unlikely given the importance of Canadians to the Mexican tourism sector. Earlier comments by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador indicated appreciation for Canada’s reluctance to take unilateral measures that could affect Mexico. However, the Mexican government’s response on Thursday was less appreciative.