Changes to eTA and Visitor Visa Requirements for Mexican Citizens

Changes to eTA and Visitor Visa Requirements for Mexican Citizens

Starting at 11:30 PM (ET) on February 29, 2024, the following changes will apply to Mexican citizens travelling to Canada:

• 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

Please note, even if you have booked your travel to Canada or previously had a valid eTA, there is no guarantee that you will be approved for a new eTA or temporary resident visa (TRV).

How Visitors are Affected

If you are a visitor and you had an eTA or submitted an application for an eTA before 11:30 PM (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:

• Apply and be approved for an eTA under the new rules (see below), or
• Apply and be approved for a visitor visa

New Rules for eTA Eligibility

You are eligible for an eTA if you meet all of these 3 requirements:

• You are using a valid Mexican passport to fly to Canada or to transit through a Canadian airport to another destination.
• You are 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 required for air travel.  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.

If you are not eligible for an eTA, you will need a visitor visa.  If you are not sure which one you need, answer some questions to find out.

Study Permit and Work Permit Holders

If you have a valid work or study permit, your eTA will not be cancelled.  You will not have to apply for a new eTA and you can continue to use it to enter Canada as long as it is valid. 

An eTA is for air travel only.  Even if you have a valid eTA, you need a temporary resident visa (TRV) if you plan to travel to Canada by car, bus, train or boat.

Please Note – Some eTAs are being Cancelled Accidentally

If you have a valid study permit or work permit and currently have an eTA, please check the online eTA status tool to ensure that your eTA is still active.  If your eTA is listed as cancelled, you may be eligible to have your eTA reactivated.

To find out if you are eligible, please complete the following steps:

1. Send IRCC a web form request
2. Complete all the required fields
3. Include the code “EMVR2024” in the text box

For more information about the changes to eTA and visitor visa requirements for Mexican citizens, please refer to IRCC’s information page.