canivisit.com
Beta — verify with official sources⌘K
Home/from/mx/to/ca
🇲🇽MEXICO
🇨🇦CANADAMX-CA

Do Mexico passport holders need a visa to visit Canada?

Most Mexican ordinary-passport holders need a visitor visa (Temporary Resident Visa) for Canada. Since 29 February 2024, only those flying by air who also hold a valid U.S. nonimmigrant visa or a Canadian visa issued in the last 10 years may use the cheaper eTA instead. Mexican citizens are NOT visa-free for Canada. On 29 February 2024 Canada reimposed visa-like requirements: the partial visa exemption that let all Mexicans use an eTA was scrapped. Today the default pathway for a tourist is the Temporary Resident Visa (visitor visa, CAN$100 + CAN$85 biometrics). There is a narrower eTA fast-track (CAN$7, air travel only) but it is restricted to Mexicans who, at the time of travel, hold a valid U.S. nonimmigrant visa OR a Canadian visa issued within the previous 10 years. eTAs issued before the cutoff were cancelled. Anyone arriving by land, bus, train, car, or cruise/boat needs the visitor visa regardless of any U.S. visa. Because the eTA only covers a minority of travelers, the conservative default for a typical Mexican tourist is the visitor visa.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Temporary Resident Visa (visitor visa); eTA only if you hold a valid U.S. nonimmigrant visa or a Canadian visa from the last 10 years and fly by air
Maximum stay
Up to 6 months per entry (officer's discretion)
per entry
Entries
Multiple entry, typically valid up to 10 years or until passport expiry
from issue date
Visa fee
Visa CAN$100 + CAN$85 biometrics; eTA CAN$7
consular fee only
Processing time
Visa about 4-6 weeks from Mexico; eTA minutes to a few days
standard track
Validity
Visa up to 10 years / passport validity; eTA up to 5 years or passport expiry
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm which pathway applies to you
If you will fly to Canada AND hold a valid U.S. nonimmigrant visa or a Canadian visa issued in the last 10 years, you can use the eTA. Otherwise, or if arriving by land/sea, you must get a visitor visa.
· 5 minutes· Self-check
/02
Create an account and gather documents
For the visa, open an IRCC secure account or apply on paper. Prepare passport, photo, proof of funds, travel itinerary, employment/ties to Mexico, and purpose of trip.
· Passport valid for trip· Digital photo
/03
Complete the application and pay fees
Submit the visitor visa application online and pay CAN$100 plus the CAN$85 biometrics fee. For the eTA, complete the short online form and pay CAN$7.
· Credit card· Online form
/04
Give biometrics (visa applicants)
Book and attend a Visa Application Centre in Mexico to provide fingerprints and a photo. Biometrics are valid for 10 years.
· VAC appointment· Fingerprints + photo
/05
Wait for processing and decision
Track status in your account. eTA approval is usually near-instant; the visitor visa from Mexico typically takes about 4-6 weeks.
· Online tracking· Submit passport if requested
/06
Travel to Canada
Carry your passport with the visa label (or the eTA linked electronically to your passport) plus supporting documents. Final admission is decided by a border officer.
· Passport· Proof of ties/funds
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 10 complete
Mexican passport valid for the duration of your stay
required
Completed visitor visa application (or eTA form if eligible)
required
Digital passport-style photo
required
Proof of funds for the trip
required
Travel itinerary / return or onward ticket
recommended
Proof of ties to Mexico (job, property, family)
recommended
Valid U.S. nonimmigrant visa or prior Canadian visa (only if using eTA)
conditional
Biometrics appointment confirmation (visa applicants)
required
Letter of invitation or hotel booking
recommended
Proof of payment of government fees
required
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Visitor visa (TRV)CAN$100Per person government processing fee
BiometricsCAN$85Per person; valid 10 years
eTA (alternative, if eligible)CAN$7Air travel only; requires valid U.S. or Canadian visa
Visa Application Centre service feeabout CAN$45Charged by VFS Global / VAC, optional add-ons extra
Total estimateCAN$7CAN$230incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

eTA (if eligible)
Minutes to a few days
Air-only fast track for Mexicans holding a valid U.S. nonimmigrant visa or a Canadian visa from the last 10 years.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Visa reimposed in 2024
On 29 Feb 2024 Canada ended the blanket eTA exemption for Mexicans after a surge in refused/withdrawn asylum claims, restoring visa requirements.
High
/02
eTA cancelled for most
eTAs issued to Mexican passports before the cutoff were automatically invalidated unless the holder had a valid study or work permit.
High
/03
Land and sea arrivals excluded from eTA
Even eligible travelers must obtain a visitor visa if entering by car, bus, train, or boat/cruise.
Medium
/04
eTA limited to dual-visa holders
The cheaper eTA is only for those flying who hold a valid U.S. nonimmigrant visa or a Canadian visa from the last decade.
Medium
/05
Proof of ties scrutiny
Visa officers assess intent to leave Canada, so weak ties to Mexico can lead to refusal.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-30
Mexico to Canada route verified
Confirmed against IRCC that Mexican ordinary-passport holders need a visitor visa by default; eTA (CAN$7, air only) is available only with a valid U.S. nonimmigrant visa or a Canadian visa from the last 10 years. Verified fees: visa CAN$100 + biometrics CAN$85.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can Mexicans still travel to Canada visa-free?
No. Since 29 February 2024 the blanket exemption ended. Most Mexican citizens need a visitor visa; only a subset can use the eTA.
Who can use the cheaper eTA instead of a visa?+
My old eTA was approved before 2024. Is it still valid?+
I have a U.S. visa but I'm driving from the U.S. Do I still need a visa?+
How long does the visitor visa take from Mexico?+
How long can I stay as a tourist?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the Mexico passport

See something wrong on this page?
Policies change. If something looks off, tell us — we review every report within 48 hours.