President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has calmly received the official announcement of the Canadian government to re-apply for visas from the night of February 29 from Mexican citizens wishing to enter the country and that, he assures, will only be 40% of compatriots regarding . However, he claimed that other measures could be considered to resolve the Canadian authorities' findings due to the increase in asylum applications in recent months. “If any [hacerle] a small fraternal and respectful reproach to the Prime Minister [Justin Trudeau] because we helped them and he knows it, so it was accepted that Canada took part in the free trade agreement because President Trump didn't want it,” he said in his morning conference this Thursday.
The president took the news relatively calmly and took the opportunity to point out that the Canadian government could have opted for other types of measures: “It's good that they were moderated, in any case we think there are other options , others.” Alternatives could have been looked for; However, you have made this decision and we respect the decision of other governments. We will look for alternative options, we cannot break off relations with Canada,” he said.
As of February 29, 2024 at 11:30 p.m. Eastern Time, Mexican citizens will require a visa to enter Canada unless they meet certain criteria.
🧵⬇️ pic.twitter.com/ZHkgW9Wwk1
– Canada in Mexico (@EmbCanMexico) February 29, 2024
The Mexican Foreign Ministry responded in a statement with information about the travel regulations that will come into force this Thursday at 10:30 p.m. (Central Mexico time), concluding that the country regrets the decision and believes that There were previously other options to achieve the application of the measure. “In recent weeks, Mexico has sent two high-level missions to Canada to reiterate the importance of protecting people who are victims of fraud, human trafficking, human trafficking and disinformation programs,” they emphasize.
“As of February 29, 2024, Mexican citizens who hold a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa or have had a Canadian visa in the last 10 years and are traveling by air with a Mexican passport may apply for an electronic travel authorization,” the Government of Canada points out in a statement Letter in which she justified the measure by arguing to support travel and connections between both countries and to protect the integrity of their immigration system.
The application process for Mexican citizens applying for a work or study permit will not change. Those looking to work in Canada will continue to have access to a variety of existing employment opportunities, including the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and the International Mobility Program. Anyone who already has a visa for the USA only needs to process the electronic travel authorization (ETA), the entry permit for short visits and tourism or business trips. The ETA is a requirement for entry into this country, costs seven Canadian dollars (120 Mexican pesos) and is valid for five years once issued.
Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller also confirmed his government's decision in a press conference: “Today at 11:30 p.m. Mexican citizens must apply for a visa to enter Canada or obtain an electronic travel authorization if they have a valid American non-immigrant visa or have had a Canadian visa for the past 10 years and are traveling by air with a Mexican passport.” The Mexican government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has made it clear that it reserves the authority to act in accordance with the Canadian government's actions.
According to official figures, more than 25,000 Mexicans applied for asylum last year. Fewer than 3,000 petitions have been approved, about 2,500 have been rejected and another 28,000 are still pending and have not yet been accepted into Canada's foster care system. There were fewer than 7,500 applications from Mexicans in 2022, about a quarter of those filed a year later.
On hold: Mexico's participation in the North American summit
The official introduction of the visa requirement for Canada follows the position of López Obrador this Wednesday, when he threatened not to attend the next summit of North American leaders with Trudeau and the American Joe Biden, in response to investigations by the US anti-drug agency on alleged connections between drug traffickers and members of their inner circle. “If there is no respectful interaction, I won’t take part,” he said.
The diplomatic meeting is scheduled to take place in Quebec, Canada, in April. “It will be very difficult to hold a summit, but not because of us, but because of the campaigns,” López Obrador added this Thursday after the announcement by the Canadian government. “There is no reaction from our side that could affect relations, apart from how the political season goes. It is very difficult to hold a meeting because there are also elections in the United States and I am also on the way there. “, concluded the President.
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