eTA for Mexican citizens with a US visa: 2026 requirements
If you are Mexican and hold a valid US visa — or held a Canadian visa in the past 10 years — you can probably fly to Canada with an eTA instead of a visa.
In short: Mexican citizens who fly to Canada can apply for the eTA (CAD $7) if they hold a US non-immigrant visa that is valid on the day they apply or held a Canadian visa in the past 10 years. If you meet neither condition, you need a visitor visa.
Which Mexican citizens can apply for the eTA?
Since February 29, 2024, Canada again requires most Mexican citizens to hold a visa, but it kept the eTA for those who meet all of these requirements:
- You travel on a valid Mexican passport.
- You arrive in Canada by air (or connect through a Canadian airport).
- Your trip is temporary: tourism, visiting family or business, normally up to 6 months.
- And you also meet one of these two conditions: you hold a valid US non-immigrant visa, or you held a Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years.
The US visa: what counts
A US non-immigrant visa counts — the most common is the tourist and business visa (B1/B2). One important detail: the visa must be valid on the day you apply for the eTA, but it does not need to still be valid on the day you travel to Canada.
If you are a US lawful permanent resident (green card holder), you do not need an eTA: travel with your passport and valid proof of your status.
If you held a Canadian visa
If you held a Canadian visitor visa at any point in the past 10 years, you also qualify even without a US visa. It does not matter that the visa has expired; what counts is that you held it within that period.
Watch out for a common mix-up: having held an eTA in the past 10 years is not the same as having held a Canadian visitor visa. IRCC says so explicitly: only the visa counts.
By air only
The eTA only works for arriving by plane. If you plan to enter Canada by land or sea — by car, bus, train or cruise ship — you need a visitor visa, even if you qualify for the eTA.
Cost and validity
- Government fee: CAD $7 per person.
- Validity: up to 5 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
- It is linked to your passport: if you get a new passport, you need a new eTA.
- While your eTA is valid you can travel to Canada as often as you like, for stays of normally up to 6 months.
If you do not qualify
If you have no valid US visa and did not hold a Canadian visa in the past 10 years, you need a visitor visa (CAD $100 plus CAD $85 for biometrics). It is a separate, longer process, so it pays to start early.
Want us to check it for you?
We check that you qualify, verify your passport details and guide you through your eTA application. If you do not qualify, we tell you before we charge you.
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Frequently asked questions
Does my US visa have to be valid when I travel to Canada?
No. It must be valid on the day you apply for the eTA, but it does not need to still be valid on the day you travel.
Can I use the eTA if I drive into Canada from the United States?
No. The eTA is for air travel only. To enter by land or sea, Mexican citizens need a visitor visa.
I have a US green card. Do I need an eTA?
No. US lawful permanent residents are exempt from the eTA; travel with your passport and valid proof of your status.
How long does the eTA take?
Most are approved within minutes. In some cases IRCC asks for more documents and says so by email within 72 hours, so do not leave it to the last day.
Does the eTA guarantee I will be let into Canada?
No. When you arrive, a Canada Border Services Agency officer reviews your passport and documents and decides whether you can enter.
Official sources
- eTA for citizens of some visa-required countries
- eTA information for Mexican citizens
- eTA facts (validity, passport, entry)
- IRCC official fees
Updated: September 2026. Rules can change; always confirm on canada.ca before you travel.