Visa-free entry to Canada for Mexican citizens
Visa-free entry to Canada for Mexican citizens
If you are planning to travel to Canada from Mexico for business, tourism or health reasons, you can do so with the Canada visa waiver.
Without a doubt, December 1, 2016 was a day when visa-free entry to Canada was declared for Mexican citizens. That means, for the first time since 2009, Mexican nationals could travel to Canada without first having to apply for a visitor visa called a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV).
It was a day of rejoicing for Mexicans looking to visit Canada as the Canadian government lifted visa requirements for nationals of Mexico. However, this does not mean that every Mexican can just carry their bag and head to Canada. This means they need a valid Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) when traveling to Canada by air or land. Regardless of whether they are traveling by air or land, all they need to do is present their passport at the border or port of entry.
While this is great news for Mexicans, there are trends and risks involved. However, this comprehensive guide aims to discuss everything related to visa-free entry to Canada for Mexican citizens, what the eTA is all about and how you can obtain it.
Visa-free entry to Canada for Mexican citizens, what’s next?
After the visa for travel to Canada was lifted for Mexican nationals, there was US$212 million in financial assistance for over five years and US$47 million requested from all partners to address the risk possible with the situation to contain
There has also been ongoing pressure from irregular migration as a result of the visa waiver. This complemented the Canadian government’s decision to allocate more money to Canada’s asylum system in the 2019 budget.
Additionally, the trend and risk following visa-free entry to Canada for Mexican citizens continued to increase, as did funding pressures escalate. However, the CBSA, the managing authority for the risk associated with the migration trend, will not give up its efforts. As such, it will continue to work with partners to monitor and respond to risks to ensure the integrity of Canada’s immigration system, as well as the security of Canadians, is final.
Why Visa-Free Travel to Canada for Mexican Citizens?
This free trip to Canada for Mexican citizens was first announced by the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau. He first made the promise of visa-free travel during the 2015 election campaign. He then declared it official during a two-day state visit in June 2016 by Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto.
Both presidents also informed everyone of their decision to lift Mexico’s import ban on Canadian beef. With the move, Mexican nationals would be able to visit Canada and also contribute to the growth of the country’s economy.
It is noteworthy that the relationship between Canada and Mexico lies beneath the surface. Together with the United States of America, Canada and Mexico have enacted the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). However, it was not created until 1994.
Finally, data from a Canadian statistic showed that travel from Mexico to Canada increased 17 percent in the first seven months of the year. Airline flights also increased. This is clearly related to the visa-free entry of Mexican citizens into Canada.
What does Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) mean?
Without a doubt, an eTA is simply an electronic document linked to the passport. You can only apply for it online, although there may be cases where a paper application is valid. Once you have obtained an eTA, you can use it for five years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
The process of acquiring an eTA, unlike that of a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), is quite simple and straightforward. It gives Mexicans the right to travel to Canada without applying for a visa, just like most countries. With this, Mexican nationals only need to show their eTA before boarding a plane bound for Canada.
However, before they can obtain an eTA, they must fill out a form that includes their personal information and answers a few key questions. These questions are mainly to reveal some information about their medical condition and criminal record.
Also, you need to provide some documents such as
- a valid passport from Mexico as a visa-exempt country
- Credit card to pay the processing fee
- a valid email address
- a device that has an internet connection
Equally important, the process of acquiring an eTA is quite quick. Processing can even take a few minutes. However, it is best that you apply a few days before your travel date to avoid delays. This is because some travelers who did not apply in advance experienced some delays in their flight. And that was because the process took an unusually long time.
Why does Canada insist on eTA for Mexican citizens and other nationals?
One of the main reasons for applying for an eTA is to travel to Canada for a short stay of up to 90 days. Such visits include tourism, business, transit or medical reasons. This eTA is mandatory for all Mexican citizens traveling to Canada for short stays.
Most importantly, you must check the validity of your passport before traveling from Mexico to Canada. It must be valid for at least three months beyond the expected exit date.
Another reason for the introduction of the eTA Canada visa is to improve security at the point of entry. Although the eTA program was launched in 2016, it was approved in 2012. This means it took four years to develop. It was introduced in Canada to screen travelers from outside the country in response to the rise in terrorist activity around the world.
Can a Mexican citizen apply for a Canada visa?
Canada Visa for Mexican Citizens is done online. All you need is to get your online application form which will not take up to five minutes to fill out. Also, make sure to enter the information on your passport page, personal and contact information, email address, employment information, among others. They must also be in good health and have no criminal record.
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You use your credit or debit card to pay the fees. Once you have done this, you have officially started processing your eTA application. You will then receive the eTA by email. In any case, however, an additional document is required, officials will contact you before the Canada eTA is approved.
What are the Basic Canada Visa Requirements for Mexican Citizens?
Mexican citizens require an official travel document or passport to enter Canada. This is to help them apply for their Canada eTA. In addition, if you have another passport from another country, you must ensure that you are applying with the same passport that you intend to travel with.
The gist is that the Canadian eTA will be linked to the passport you referred to during the application. In addition, you do not need to print or present any other documents at the airport as the eTA is electronically stored with your passport in the Canadian immigration system.
Does it take too long to get a Canadian eTA for Mexican citizens?
The processing of a Canadian eTA is fairly quick. So you can always count on a quick response. The application and approval time is mainly between five minutes and 24 hours. However, in some cases, the time may be longer than usual, especially when there is a high volume of applications during the busy tourist season.
Also, your email address must be valid and you must check it regularly since your eTA will be sent there. After application approval, your Canadian ETA will be digitally linked to your Mexican passport. Printing a copy can also save you from a possible incident at the airport.
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See frequently asked questions
Which Canada visa can I apply for if I want to travel to Canada from Mexico?
You must apply for your Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). It is intended for visa-free travel to Canada for Mexican citizens and nationals of other countries. It is valid for five years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
What are the steps to get my eTA?
The steps include:
- Fill out an online form
- Check your details and choose your payment method
- Submit all required documents
What is the cost of obtaining the Canada Visa for Mexican Citizens?
There are three alternative payment structures for you:
- Standard Processing Time – 24 hours = $22.30
- Rush Processing – 4 hours = $55.30
- Super Rush – 30 minutes = $69.80
- Conclusion
Visa-free entry to Canada for Mexican citizens has provided a great opportunity for Mexican citizens to travel to Canada for business, tourism, health and other reasons. You must note that this visa waiver is quite different from immigrating to Canada due to the 100+ different routes.
In this case, you must apply through the correct source and join the candidate pool to obtain permanent residency in Canada.
