How to Immigrate from Mexico to Canada

Are you ready for a new adventure in Canada? Join the flourishing Mexican-Canadian community in the Great White North. According to the 2021 Census, 155,380 Canadians (0.42% of the population) are fully or partially Mexican. The majority of Latin American Canadians were born in Mexico.

As a Mexican citizen, there are ample ways for you to visit, work and even live in Canada. Canada and Mexico have had great trade relations since 1994 when the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was established. The agreement doesn’t only regulate tariffs on imports and exports, it also makes it easier for Mexican citizens to enter Canada for leisure, employment, and immigration purposes.

However, this isn’t the only program that will help you make your move to the Great White North. This step-by-step guide will show you how to move to Canada

10 Steps to Immigrate from Mexico to Canada

Step 1 - Choose Where You Want to Immigrate

This may seem simple, but it is crucial since Canada's 13 provinces and territories have varied visa procedures, labour markets, and natural resources that may influence your decision.

If you have a family, you might consider moving to the French-speaking province of Quebec, which boasts some of the most excellent family assistance services. Alberta offers a good level of life, varied and inviting towns, and breathtaking scenery. Higher-income and benefits are available in British Columbia, whereas inexpensive housing is available in Manitoba. Currently, the Canadian provinces of Manitoba, Quebec, and Saskatchewan are the greatest places to work for individuals new to the country.

Step 2 - Research Canada’s Visa Programs

Research which immigration program is the easiest way for you to move to Canada from Mexico. There may be a visa option that is designed for your set of skills, experience, and education. Remember that Canada invites applicants based on the countries’ needs and not on a first come first served basis. There are over 100 immigration programs in Canada at the moment and each of them has its own unique requirements and processing times.

Step 3: Check if You’re Eligible for a Canadian Visa

There are several avenues you can take to visit, work or live in Canada. Depending on what you want to do, the process will be different. Our online services allow us to evaluate your eligibility by asking you some questions about your career and education wo you know exactly which visa to apply for. If you’re seeking a job, we also provide you with a CV to apply for a job. We also have an Expression of Interest (EOI) service which makes applying for permanent residency through Express Entry easier than before

Work in Canada

Canada United States Mexico Agreement (CUSMA)

In 2020, Canada once again partnered with Mexico and the United States of America to strengthen the ties and economies of the three countries. The agreement is very similar to NAFTA in that no LMIA is required, and the visa can be acquired at the Port of Entry in Canada. The stream has four main categories and assists in helping to find jobs for people in agriculture, digital trade, the automotive industry and several others.

Categories for CUSMA

  • CUSMA Professionals
  • CUSMA Intra-Company Transfers
  • CUSMA Traders
  • CUSMA Investors

Immigrate to Canada

You can make your stay in Canada more permanent by applying for permanent residency through two programs:

Express Entry

The Express Entry system is the best way to Immigrate from Mexico to Canada. The process takes around six to eight months and can be done if you’re living in Canada, or if you’re still in Mexico. However, there are a series of requirements that must be met in order to compete with other candidates who also want to enter Canada. In addition to qualifications and work experience, age plays an important role in determining the score you receive based on a ranking system. The higher the score, the greater your chances of getting permanent residency.

There are three possible streams you can pursue through this visa option


Express Entry Programs
Program NameRequirements
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)Degree or Qualification from tertiary institution
Language Skills Level 7
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)Trade qualification
Language Skills Level 4
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) 1 year of work experience in Canada

The Express Entry system is point-based and is dependent on many factors such as age, qualification, and language abilities. If your application is successful, you’ll be sent an Invitation to Apply (ITA), and you’ll be able to immigrate to Canada, if your ITA is successful, with Canadian permanent residency.

Provincial Nomination Program

If you want to immigrate to a specific Canadian province, you should apply using this visa category. The province proposes the interested party for permanent residence in the provincial nomination process.

To apply for this procedure, you’ll have to contact the province's designated immigration representative and submit a provincial nomination application.CanadianVisa.Org RCIC are able to submit the Expression of Interest on your behalf too, making the process easier than ever before.

Following this request, you must then apply to the Canadian Citizenship and Immigration Agency for permanent residency.

There are 11 provinces in Canada that fall under the PNP, each with its own benefits and requirements. Discover the best PNP programs and what you need to apply.

Step 4: Gather The Necessary Documents

Each visa will require different documents. Here is a simple list of documents you should have on hand when you start the application process to immigrate to Canada

It’s very important to check exactly which requirements are needed for each visa. Discover your eligibility today with a professional assessment.

Step 5 - Apply for Language Exams like IELTS and TEF

There are two primary tests you may take to demonstrate your ability to communicate in both English and French. The IELTS, CELPIP, TEF & examinations assess your reading, writing, listening, and speaking abilities.

In most circumstances, if you are immigrating to Canada, you should take the IELTS General test, as the Academic exam is not approved for most immigration programs in the nation. The exam lasts 2 hours and 45 minutes.

From Aguascalientes to Yucatan, several firms in Mexico provide exam locations. You may anticipate to pay between 3,230 and 5000 pesos for an IELTS, depending on which provider you use, such as IELTS Exam Net or the British Council.

This also applies to the TEF, where the Academic edition should be avoided unless your specific immigration program requires it. The test lasts 2 hours and 55 minutes, with the reading and writing components taking up the majority of the time.

Depending on the company you pick, the TEF might cost anywhere from 6132 to 8815 pesos.

When you receive your language results, they will be converted into IELTS scores using the CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark), which divides your scores into bands ranging from 0 to 9 for reading, listening, writing, and speaking.

The NCLC, or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien, will be used to translate your TEF scores.

Our IELTS course will help you prepare for the most important english exam of your life, and boost your chances of getting top points on the CBL

Step 6 - Find Your NOC Code and Level

If you plan to work in Canada, you need to know how to find your NOC 2021 TEER code and level to see which visa programs you can apply for with your current job.

The process is quite easy for this. All you need to do is go to the IRCC website and type in your job description, for example, as a Truck Driver, you belong to TEER 3, and its five-digit code is 73300.

Step 7 - Get Ready for Your Medical Exam

In most cases, you will not need to have a medical exam if you plan to visit and stay in Canada for less than six months.

But if you plan to come to Canada for an extended stay, you will need to have a medical exam done by a doctor who is on the board of physicians in Canada. Your medical exams are valid for one year only and cannot be used for your application after this time.

For most medical examinations you will need to bring:
A legal form of identification like your ID, passport or other valid legal documents;
A report for any medical conditions you have currently or any recent x-rays;
Your glasses or contact lens;
The medical report form IMM 1017E; and
4 recent photographs if your doctor does not use the eMedical system

Step 8: Do Your Biometrics

Biometrics are a security system put in place by Canada to help monitor and identify the people who visit or stay in Canada. This is done through fingerprint identification and facial recognition. There are various VFS global offices in Mexico where you can do your biometrics. 

Step 9: Apply For Your Visa

Now that you have gathered all the information needed to immigrate to Canada from Mexico, you can submit your application. If you’re still in Mexico, you can apply online through the Express Entry System under the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Federal Trade Worker Program. You’ll have to make an online profile and submit all your documentation through the online portal. If you’re applying for a Provincial Nomination Program, there are three ways you can do so:

  1. Via a paper-based approach where you apply to the province for a nomination that is not part of the Express Entry pool<
  2. You can contact the province where you intend to live and work and apply for a nomination through the Express Entry System.
  3. When creating your Express Entry Profile, you may also select the provinces you're interested in visiting.

If you need assistance with this process, you can count on our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) to guide you every step of the way.

Step 10 - Learn About eTA

Electronic Travel Authorizations are a useful way to have a short term stay in Canada for work, study or vacation purposes. Please note that you only need this if you arrive in Canada by air, not when you travel overland or by sea.

A good thing about the eTA is that it is valid for five years and lets you visit Canada for up to six months, if approved by the Canadian border services. However, you're not able to work or study with en eTA.

All you need to apply for an eTA is:
A valid debit or credit card;
Your passport;
Online application form found on the CIC website; and
A valid email account

Just make sure that your passport does not expire soon, as your passport number is linked to your eTA, so if your passport expires in six months, your eTA will no longer be valid.

Why Are Mexicans Choosing to Immigrate to Canada?

Canada is renowned for being the most politically stable and liberal government country worldwide. With being ranked the 11th highest economy globally, offering thousands of high paying jobs as well as being the top 10 safest countries in the world, it is no wonder why so many people from all over the world are choosing to immigrate to Canada.

This, along with the fact that Canada has an exceptionally high standard of life, including free public healthcare and public education, are some of the many reasons why thousands of skilled and semi-skilled foreign workers are moving to one of the most dynamic, diverse, and multicultural communities in the world. Mexicans in Canada enjoy many benefits including public healthcare and education for their children.

Canada is safe, and welcoming

Canada is not only known to be exceptionally welcoming but has one of the most diverse communities in the world. In 2021, there were over eight million foreign-born permanent residents in Canada, accounting for around 21.5 percent of the overall population.

Job security and Benefits

When you choose to immigrate from Mexico to Canada, you will not only be opening up doors to high-paying jobs but the security and many benefits that come along with it too.

Our services include a tailored CV when you apply for our elbility assessment. It includes all your NOC work experience, making job searching in Canada so much easier

High level of education

Canada is one of the world’s most educated countries, with over 2.17 million post-secondary students currently enrolled in universities and colleges nationally.

How We Can Help You

Now that you know how to move to Canada you can take the next step. Whether you want to visit, work temporarily or immigrate to Canada, contact us today and get in touch with a professional. Knowing what to apply for and how to apply may be difficult with so many various immigration regulations, laws, and visa options. Fortunately, we collaborate with a team of RCICs (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants) that can help you with the immigration procedure.

FAQs

Is Canada a safe country?

One of the benefits of being in a first-world country such as Canada is the peace of mind that comes with knowing you're in a location with one of the lowest crime rates in the world. This is not to say that you need not be cautious when visiting, or working and living in Canada because dangerous locations exist in any country, but, you may relax about some security concerns. Mexicans in Canada can look forward to living in a politically peaceful place. Canada’s safety-levels are world class.

How can I study in Canada?

Mexicans can also enter Canada with a study permit. You will have to enter the country, the student from Mexico must possess an eTA. You can then request a study permit if you meet the following requirements:

  • Be enrolled in a designated learning institution or DLI
  • Have a valid passport.
  • Provide proof of funds to cover your studies
  • Include an explanatory letter detailing why you want to study in Canada.

Where in Canada should I go?

Canada is a beautiful, large country! There are 13 provinces altogether, each with its own vegetation, entertainment, and work opportunities. Because every province has its own strength, where you go will depend on what that province needs or is famous for.

If you want a skiing holiday, visit Alberta. If you’re an accountant seeking the hustle and bustle of the city, British Colombia has one of the biggest cities in Canada: Vancouver. Perhaps you want to immigrate to Canada with your family and trade in Mexico City for the relaxed lifestyle you can find in New Brunswick.

Discover what makes each city and province unique.