Changes to eTA and visitor visa requirements for Mexican citizens
6 min readAs of 11:30 p.m. ET on February 29, 2024, Mexican citizens travelling to Canada will need to meet new requirements to travel to Canada.
What’s changing
Starting at 11:30 p.m. ET on February 29, 2024,
- you will need to meet new requirements to be eligible for an electronic travel authorization (eTA)
- if you already have an eTA, it will automatically be cancelled unless you also have a valid work or study permit
- if you have an eTA application in progress, you will need to apply for a new eTA or for a visitor visa
- before you travel to Canada, you will need to apply for a new eTA (if eligible)
- if you’re not eligible for an eTA anymore, you will need to apply for a visitor visa to travel to Canada
These changes apply even if you already booked your travel. Having pre-booked travel plans or a previously valid eTA does not guarantee you will be approved for a new eTA or a visa.
How visitors are affected
Visitors are temporary residents who don’t have a valid work or study permit, such as tourists, students on a study term less than 6 months, or business visitors.
If you’re a visitor who had an eTA, or submitted an application for an eTA before 11:30 p.m. ET on February 29, 2024, you won’t be able to use it to travel.
Before you can travel to Canada, you need to either
Who can apply for an eTA under the new rules
You’re eligible for an eTA if you meet all of these 3 requirements:
- You’re using a valid Mexican passport to fly to Canada or to transit through a Canadian airport to another destination.
- You’re coming to Canada for a short visit (normally for stays of up to 6 months).
- You either
- have held a Canadian visitor visa (temporary resident visa) in the past 10 years or
- currently hold a valid United States nonimmigrant visa
An eTA is for air travel only. Even if you are eligible for an eTA, you need a visitor visa if you plan to travel to Canada by car, bus, train or boat, including a cruise ship (even if you don’t leave the ship).
If you’re not eligible for an eTA, you will need a visitor visa. If you’re not sure which one you need, answer some questions to find out.
What you need to board your flight to Canada if you have an eTA
When you fly to Canada, you must
- travel with the same passport you used to apply for your eTA. If you get a new passport after applying for an eTA, you must apply for a new eTA using your new passport.
- travel with your passport containing your work or study permit, if applicable.
We recommend you
- bring a printed copy and a digital copy of your eTA confirmation email
- bring your old passport if it contains either
- your expired Canadian visitor visa (temporary resident visa)
- your valid US non-immigrant visa
Who needs a visa
If you’re not sure if you need an eTA or a visa, answer some questions to find out.
A visitor visa is an official document that we put in your passport that shows you meet the requirements to travel to Canada.
It costs CAN$100; however there may be other costs that you need to pay such as a biometrics (fingerprints and photo) collection fee of CAN$85.
Most visitor visas issued by Canada are multiple-entry visas, which are valid for up to 10 years.
If you need a visa and are travelling soon
You can check our processing times to find out how long it might take to get your visa.
If you’re travelling soon, you should indicate in detail in your application the urgent and/or compelling reason for your travel. This information may be considered when your application is processed.
Requests for urgent/expedited processing are not guaranteed.
If possible, we recommend delaying your travel until your visitor visa application has been finalized. If you can’t get a visa in time, you will need to adjust your travel plans. IRCC won’t give refunds for lost travel expenses.
How other travellers from Mexico might be affected
Select your situation below for more information on how the changes affect you and what you need to do.
Mexican citizens already in Canada without a study or work permit
You can stay in Canada for as long as you are authorized to do so. If you have a visitor record, it will remain valid.
However, your eTA will be cancelled. If you leave Canada and wish to return, you need to have
- a visitor visa, or
- a new eTA that was issued after February 29, 2024, at 11:30 p.m. ET
Study permit and work permit holders
If you already have a valid work or study permit, we will not cancel your eTA. You don’t have to apply for a new eTA. You can continue to travel with it as long as it’s still valid. You can keep studying or working in Canada based on the validity and conditions of your permit. Visitor records will also remain valid.
If you’re applying for a new work or study permit, we’ll automatically issue you a visa or an eTA (based on eligibility) when your work or study permit application is approved. You don’t need to apply for a visa or an eTA separately.
An eTA is for air travel only. Even if you have a valid eTA, you need a visitor visa if you plan to travel to Canada by car, bus, train or boat, including a cruise ship (even if you don’t leave the ship).
You have a valid study permit or work permit and your eTA was accidentally cancelled after February 29, 2024, at 11:30 p.m. ET
You may be eligible to have your eTA reactivated. To find out if you are eligible
- complete all required fields
- include the code “EMVR2024” in the text box
If you are not eligible to have your eTA reactivated, you will need to submit a new eTA application based on the new requirements or a visitor visa application. If you’re not sure if you need an eTA or a visa, answer some questions to find out.
Dual citizens
If you’re a dual Canadian-Mexican citizen, you need a valid Canadian passport to travel to Canada.
If your second citizenship is from a visa-exempt country, other than Canada or the United States, you can apply for an eTA to fly to Canada using the passport of the visa-exempt country.
Lawful permanent residents of the United States (green card holders)
As a lawful permanent resident of the United States you don’t need a visa or eTA to travel to Canada.
When travelling to Canada, you must travel with your United States green card and a valid passport from your country of citizenship.
Mexican diplomatic passport holders
If you have a Mexican diplomatic passport, you can apply for an eTA if you meet the requirements under the new rules. If you’re eligible, you can use your personal or diplomatic passport to apply.
However, if you’re travelling to Canada for official or diplomatic purposes, you might need a visa. You can answer some questions to find out.
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