New Canadian Visa Requirements

Beginning on July 14, 2009, Czech and Mexican nationals require a passport visa to travel to Canada, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced For the first 48 hours, such citizens may apply for entry on arrival in Canada. After 11:59 p.m. EDT July 15, 2009, a visa will be required. In the cases of both countries, citizens had previously been able to seek admission to Canada at a port of entry without first obtaining a visa.

Continuing to mount a strong defensive about imposing visa restrictions on visitors from the Czech Republic and Mexico, Immigration Minister Jason Kenney says the reality is the system is being abused. Kenney says Ottawa doesn't enjoy pulling the visa exemption but its based on the number of asylum claimants - which are high from both countries.

Mexico's government on Thursday said it would require visas of Canadian diplomats in retaliation for the Harper government's announcement earlier this week that Mexican visitors to Canada will immediately need visas to enter the country. Mexican foreign secretary Patricia Espinosa made the announcement after meeting Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon.
Espinosa said Mexico would not require visas of Canadian tourists.