Canada Re-imposes Visa Conditions For Mexicans

Ottawa is re-inflicting visa conditions on Mexicans with its goal of controlling the number of individuals relocating to Canada who then attempt to pass the border and go into the United States unlawfully. 

The new conditions started on February 29th at 11:30 pm Eastern Time. United States Homeland Security, which supervises the border safety and the execution of American immigration rules, has under the government of United States, President Joe Biden, continually requested Canada to re-inflict visa conditions for Mexican citizens to control the surge of unlawful settlers all over the Canada-United States border. 

The United States Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas addressed CBC’s chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton in a dialogue in early 2023: “We talk about this problem and several issues that affect the migration of individuals; I think that it is a decision that the Canadian officials are going to take.”

Quebec Premier Francois Legault has also advised Ottawa to re-inflict visa conditions on Mexican citizens in a memo in mid-January, whereby he urged the national administration to stem the surge of refugees into Quebec and to pay the region for its expenses. 

Based on Legault, Quebec cannot handle any more refugees. “Mexican citizens portray a rising proportion of the asylum finders landing in Quebec; the feasibility of landing in Canada from Mexico without a visa specifically clarifies an aspect of the flow of asylum finders.”

Under the new laws declared on Thursday, Mexican nationals who do not handle an authentic American, non-immigrant visa or who have not handled a Canadian visa in the past decade are now required to make an application for a visitor visa in Canada. 

The people who possess an authentic American, non-immigrant visa or who have not handled a Canadian visa in the past decade and are traveling by air using a Mexican passport can make an application for an electronic travel authorization (eTA). 

According to the Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, “We will keep on welcoming Mexican temporary employees, students, guests, and settlers who bring different experiences and significant donations to our economy and societies.”

“We aim to balance the movement of individuals between the two great nations and the demand to ease pressure on the immigration structure so they can offer safety to the people who require it the most.”

In previous years, the number of asylum finders by Mexican nationals who are rejected, canceled, or abandoned has risen, reaching a record high in 2023. Approximately 60% of every asylum assertion made by Mexican citizens in 2023 was either denied by the Immigration and Refugees Board of Canada or canceled by the candidate. 

The Past Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper developed a visa condition for Mexicans relocating to Canada in 2009. However, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal administration, which has been very tough on relocation, relaxed that condition in 2016. This modification was done because Trudeau’s administration nixed the visa conditions on Mexican citizens in exchange for Mexico opening up to Canadian beef items.    

According to an announcement he made in 2016, “I’m also glad to announce that Mexico has agreed to make their domestic market available to every beef product in Canada. This is a move that will help farmers and households in Canada.”

The unplanned impacts of taking off visa conditions trigger the number of asylum seekers from Mexico. The claims rose from 260 in 2016 to 23,995 in 2023. 

These changes are also applied to those who have booked their trips already. According to Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada, having pre-booked travel slots or a past authentic electronic travel authorization (eTA) does not guarantee a new eTA or visa authorization. 

The most recent electronic travel authorization for Mexican passport possessors has been withdrawn. Mexican nationals can make another application for a new Electronic Travel Authorization if they fly to Canada and;

• Having a visitor visa to Canada in the past ten years. OR
• Presently, they have an authentic non-immigrant visa to the U.S. Else, they need a visa. 

Hence, the application procedures for Mexican nationals seeking employment or study permits will remain unaltered.

The new law does not influence Mexican nationals with an authentic Canadian work or study permit. Their Electronic Travel Authorization will not be withdrawn, and they can travel to Canada. 

Mexican nationals who do not have an authentic work or study permit and are already in Canada may remain for as long as they are allowed; however, their eTA will be canceled. If they exit Canada and desire to return, they must get a visa or a new Electronic Travel Authorization if they are qualified. Due to the modified entrance laws, guests from Mexico may experience delays when landing at Canadian airports. 

Significant Points To Know

All Electronic Travel Authorizations (eTAS) awarded to Mexican passport holders before 11:30 pm, Eastern time as of February 29th, 2024, will not be valid with the exclusion of Electronic Travel Authorizations associated with Mexican passports with an authentic employment or study permit in Canada. 

Mexican nationals who go on trips to Canada without an authentic work or study permit are required to make an application for a visitor visa or make another application for a new Electronic Travel Authorization – if eligible. 

Mexican immigrants in Canada on an Electronic Travel Authorization can remain for as long as they are allowed, up to six months from the date they landed. 

Hence, if they plan to exit Canada and return, they must possess the relevant travel documents, including a visa or fresh Electronic Travel Authorization. 

Most successful visa candidates are awarded multiple-entry visas, permitting them to go to Canada as often as they desire for ten years or until their passport expires.