Canada to require visas from Mexicans, Czechs

Ianus · 07-13-2009, 08:57 PM

I know many here have indicated Canada as a second option,but it looks like that could be more difficult as our Northern neighbour has instituted visa restrictions on Mexico's nationals.

Quote:

(AP) — TORONTO - The Canadian government announced Monday travelers from Mexico and the Czech Republic will now be required to have visas to get into Canada, effective Tuesday.

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said more than half the claims made from these countries are abandoned or withdrawn before a final decision is made on their status, an indication that many may be making false claims.

"In addition to creating significant delays and spiraling new costs in our refugee program, the sheer volume of these claims is undermining our ability to help people fleeing real persecution," Kenney said in a statement.

Canada lifted a visa requirement on the Czech Republic in October 2007. Since then nearly 3,000 Czech nationals have made refugee claims, compared with less than five in 2006, many of them Roma claiming discrimination at home.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Kohout said the action was unprecedented against a European Union member and a war ally in Afghanistan.

He indicated the Czech Republic is likely to impose visas on Canadians traveling to the country.

Canada's embassy in Prague says 653 refugee claims were made in the first quarter this year. Human-rights organizations have repeatedly accused the country of discriminating against its 250,000 Roma minority.

Refugee claims from Mexico have almost tripled since 2005, making it the top source country for claims for refugee status in Canada.

Kenney said only 11 percent of Mexican claims processed by the Immigration and Refugee Board in 2008 were accepted.

"The government of Mexico regrets the decision by the government of Canada, announced today, to impose visas on Mexican nationals traveling to Canada as tourists," said a release issued late Monday.

Government officials said they have been discussing the matter of fraudulent claims with Canada for the past few months and had hoped to resolve the matter through other means. The statement said Mexico will take action to modify the Canadian measure as soon as possible.

Canada will permit a 48-hour grace period, ending at 11:59 p.m. EDT (0359 GMT) Wednesday for travelers already in transit.

I don't know if this will make the Canadian version of a work permit or Permanent residency harder,but just a heads-up.

DreamBaybeh · 07-13-2009, 09:51 PM

Ugh, that sucks! Definitely puts a damper on many people's back-up plans.

In other news, I'm not from Mexico so w00t!

drvenom · 07-13-2009, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamBaybeh

Ugh, that sucks! Definitely puts a damper on many people's back-up plans.

In other news, I'm not from Mexico so w00t!

I wonder how Mexico will respond to this. That is, if there will be any political repercussions. This would be something cool to look at under a game theory scope.

VJB2 · 07-13-2009, 10:53 PM

That's a bummer.

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Canada to require visas from Mexicans, Czechs