Good news for Mexican travelers: Beginning Dec. 1, Canada will no longer require Mexican visitors to obtain a visa before traveling to the country. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the news during a North American leaders’ summit in Ottawa.
“Lifting the visa requirement will deepen ties between Canada and Mexico and will increase the flow of travelers, ideas and businesses between both countries,” Trudeau said in a statement.
In 2009, former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper imposed strict visa restrictions due to a tripling of asylum claims from 2005 to 2008, mostly from Mexican citizens. However, the current Canadian government aims to reduce asylum claims by relaxing restrictions on travel, a method that fosters collaboration and a stronger partnership between the countries, Trudeau says.
As part of the agreement, Mexico will open its markets to Canadian beef trade. A previous ban was due to a 2003 discovery of mad-cow disease in the country’s beef.
Travelers are still required to obtain a visa to visit Canada until the new policy goes into effect. Additionally, once the visa requirement is lifted, Mexican visitors will still need to apply for a work or study permit to engage in those activities in the country. If you have questions, please contact us.
