Canada to Lift Mexican Visa Requirements

In 2009, in the face of surging numbers of refugee claimants, Canada instituted a visa requirement for Mexican citizens to travel to Canada.

The Government of Canada is now set to terminate the visa requirement.

Effective December 1, 2016, Mexicans will no longer need a visa to seek temporary entry to Canada. This includes entry for the purpose of work, study, business visitation, or ‘ordinary’ visitation. 

Some notes about the impact of this measure:

• Following the removal of the visa requirement, Mexicans will require an Electronic Travel Authorization like virtually all other non-visa nationals
• Mexicans’ substantive rights under NAFTA remain unchanged. Mexicans are entitled to the full benefits of NAFTA including work permits under professional categories, and will now be able to seek these upon arrival at a port of entry.