Due to a surge in asylum claims from Mexico, IRCC Minister Marc Miller has announced a policy change, effective 11:30 PM EST on Thursday, February 29, that will require some Mexican nationals to obtain a visa to come to Canada.
Mexican citizens who already hold a U.S. non-immigrant visa or have held a Canadian visa within the past 10 years and are travelling by air on a Mexican passport will be able to apply for an electronic travel authorization (eTA).
Due to the fact that a large number of Mexican citizens currently hold US visas, most will continue to enjoy visa-free travel to Canada. Those who do not meet these conditions will need to apply for a Canadian visitor visa.
Mexican nationals accounted for 17 per cent of all asylum claimants in 2023, and most of their claims are either rejected by IRCC or withdrawn by the applicants.
The policy change also arose in response to calls from Quebec Premier Francois Legault, who claims that the costs associated with welcoming refugees to the province exceed $1 billion.
The application process for Mexican citizens seeking a work or study permit will not change. Mexican citizens who want to work in Canada will still have access to existing labour pathways, including the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and the International Mobility Program.