Canada has launched three new visa application centres in Mexico, aiming to improve services for those interested in traveling to the country.
The new visa centres that opened at the end of May 2024, are located in Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara, Visa Guide. World reports.
As noted in an official statement, the new VACs will first offer services only, with additional services to be introduced later.
Then we will work to expand the range of services to include transmitting and tracking passports or other documents. In the meantime, applicants can continue to access the full range of services at the existing VAC in Mexico City.
Mexico Now Has 4 Canadian Visa Application Centres
With the inauguration of these three new centres, Mexico now hosts a total of four VACs placed in the country’s three largest metropolitan areas, as further noted in the statement.
According to authorities, such a move will strengthen ties between the countries, among other things.
This will make it easier for Mexican nationals to provide biometrics to come to Canada if required, and support travel and people-to-people ties between the two countries, while also preserving the integrity of Canada’s immigration system.
IRCC further explained that applicants can schedule biometric appointments at any of these four centres as soon as they get their biometric instruction letter.
It was further highlighted that VACs are managed by private companies under contracts with the Canadian government and as such, these companies do not represent the government.
Canada Imposed Visa Requirements on Mexicans Due to Surge in Asylum Seekers
In February 2024, the Canadian government introduced visa requirements for citizens of Mexico.
Such a measure followed repeated calls from Quebec Premier François Legault to federal authorities, urging them to tackle the increasing number of asylum seekers in this province.
Prior to this decision, he urged the government to act, noting Quebec’s challenge of accommodating nearly 160,000 asylum seekers.
The United States also asked Canada to impose visa requirements to Mexican nationals following the surge in illegal crossings.
In 2023, the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada recorded more than 25,000 asylum seekers from Mexico.
With such a figure, Mexico emerged as the main source of asylum requests to Canada.
Source: https://visaguide.world/news/canada-opens-3-new-visa-application-centers-in-mexico/
