New Visa Requirements for Mexican Citizens Travelling to Canada
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- As of February 29, 2024, most Mexican citizens require a visa to enter Canada, with exceptions for those qualified for an eTA.
- Applicants must submit documents like IMM 5257, IMM 5707, statutory declarations, invitation letters, and travel consent letters for minors.
- Many of the documents required must be commissioned to ensure validity.
- Non-official language documents must be translated by certified translators or accompanied by an Affidavit of Translation.
- NotaryPro provides quick, secure, and convenient online notary solutions in 7 minutes.
As of February 29, 2024, Mexican citizens will require a visa to enter Canada unless they meet certain criteria. Most electronic travel authorizations (eTAs) for Mexican passport holders are being cancelled.
Many of the documents required for a visitor visa application need to be authenticated. This blog breaks down which documents you’ll need, which need to be authenticated, and how to complete the process.
Can Mexican Citizens Apply for a New Electronic Travel Authorization?
Mexican citizens can reapply for an eTA if they meet all 3 of the below requirements:
- They are using a valid Mexican passport to fly to Canada or to transit through a Canadian airport to a different destination
- They are coming to Canada for a short visit (up to 6 months)
- They:
- Have held a Canadian visitor visa (temporary resident visa) in the last 10 years
- Currently hold a valid United States non-immigrant visa
Mexican citizens with a valid Canadian work or study permit are not impacted; their eTA will not be cancelled and they can continue to travel to Canada.
Mexican citizens already in Canada — without a valid work or study permit — may stay for as long as they are authorized. That said, their eTA will be cancelled, so if they leave Canada and wish to return, they’ll need a visa or a new eTA, if eligible.
If you do not meet the above requirements and plan to travel to Canada, you will need to apply for a visitor visa.
Documents Mexican Citizens Need to Obtain a Canadian Visitor Visa
All Mexican citizens who don’t meet the requirements for an eTA will need to get a visitor visa to enter Canada.
Those travelling to Canada by car, bus, train, or boat, (including a cruise ship) need a visa, as eTAs are only granted for air travel. Below is a list of documents required to obtain a visitor visa. For further details, see the official document checklist here.
- Application for Temporary Resident Visa [IMM 5257]
- Family Information [IMM 5707 or IMM 5645]
- Document Checklist [IMM 5484]
- Document Checklist – Applicants in Canada [IMM 5721] (if applicable)
- Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union [IMM 5409] (if applicable)
- Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] (if applicable)
- Authority to release personal information to a designated individual [IMM 5475] (if applicable)
- Invitation Letter (recommended)
- Travel Consent Letter for Children (if applicable)
Commissioning a Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union
A Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union helps establish the legal recognition of your common-law union for immigration purposes. Mexican citizens who wish to include their common-law spouses in their immigration applications must complete a Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM 5409).
In Canada, this legal document serves as evidence of a common-law relationship. By submitting this declaration, you and your partner affirm that you have been living together in a committed relationship (similar to marriage) without a formal marriage certificate.
A Statutory Declaration Of Common-Law Union must be commissioned by an authorized official, like a notary public. Draft up your Statutory Declaration with a free template today, and have it commissioned online, from the comfort of your home.
Travel Consent Letter for Minor Mexican Citizens Travelling Alone or With Just One Guardian
A travel consent letter serves as tangible proof that both parents or guardians consent to a child’s travel, preventing any complications. The Government of Canada strongly recommends having a travel consent letter. Immigration authorities often stop minors travelling with just one legal guardian or alone to ensure both of their guardians consent to their travel.
Failure to provide a letter upon request can result in significant delays, missed flights, and derailed travel plans. We offer a free, legally recognized Travel Consent Letter template — so you can fill out a few fields and draft one in minutes.
Having this letter commissioned adds credibility and authenticity to the letter, increasing the chances of it being accepted. We’re happy to help with that!
Drafting & Commissioning an Invitation Letter for Mexican Citizens
An invitation letter helps to support your visa application. The letter demonstrates that a visitor has a genuine reason for visiting Canada and that they have a host who will provide them with accommodations and financial support. The letter also shows that a visitor intends to return to their home country after their visit and that they will not overstay their visa.
To learn more, see our invitation letter guide. Commissioning this letter increases the chances of a successful visa application and demonstrates your commitment to providing accurate information. At NotaryPro, we offer convenient online notary solutions in under 7 minutes. Plus, you can draft your Invitation Letter by using our free, plug-and-play invitation letter template.
Translating Documents for a Visitor Visa Application
If your documents aren’t written in one of Canada’s two official languages (English and French), you will need to get them translated. Depending on who your translator is, they may have to complete a document called an Affidavit of Translation. This document enables your translator to swear that they are proficient in Spanish and English or French — and that their translation is accurate.
If your translator is a Canadian certified translator (in good standing with the Translators and Interpreters in Canada), they do not need to fill out an affidavit. If your translator is fluent in English or French, and Spanish — but is not a certified translator, they need to complete an Affidavit of Translation.
Check out our free Affidavit of Translation template. Getting this document commissioned is an essential step in ensuring its credibility; you can get an Affidavit of Translation commissioned online in minutes.
Authenticating Certified True Copies for a Travel Visa
A certified true copy is just what it sounds like — a copy of a document that has been verified to be a true copy of the original. If you’re using a photocopy of a document, it must be certified. An authorized official, like a notary public, must compare your original document to the photocopy, and certify that the photocopy is a true copy. Applicants and their family members cannot certify copies of their documents. The below list includes acceptable certifying officials in Canada:
- Judge, magistrate
- Justice of the peace
- Lawyer (member of a provincial bar association)
- Notary (in Quebec)
- Mayor
- Notary public
- Police officer (municipal, provincial or RCMP)
- Commissioner of oaths-provided that they have an official government agency appointment and a seal or stamp
Our notary professionals will compare the copies of your documents to your originals, and certify that the copies are legitimate. Certifying copies of documents must be done in person, find a notary near you here.
Completing Travel Visa Documents with NotaryPro
NotaryPro’s mission is to make online notary solutions simple, convenient, and secure. With our easy online booking platform, you can get instant service or choose a time that best fits your schedule. If you’re ready to get started, let us show you how easy it can be.