On March 11, 2010, Citizenship and Immigration Canada updated the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. A number of travel documents are now considered unreliable and are unacceptable for entry into Canada. Passports supposedly issued by Somalia, non-machine readable passports issued by the Czech Republic, temporary passports issued by the Republic of South Africa and provisional passports issued by Venezuela are no longer acceptable when entering Canada.
Some visitors to Canada require a Temporary Resident Visa. Documents required for a Temporary Resident Visa application include valid travel documents, passport photos, application fees, proof of funds, proof of employment and letters of invitation. Visitors typically pay "$75 for a single entry visa, $150 for a multiple entry visa or $400 for a family (multiple or single entry)," according to Visiting Canada: Temporary Resident Visas.
Travelers from the United States and the United Kingdom do not need visas to enter Canada. However, a valid passport or travel document is required. Visitors may also be required to present proof that they have enough funds to support themselves during their stay and to cover the cost of leaving the country. Immigration officers may also require proof of intent to leave, e.g., a valid return plane ticket. Visitors who have been convicted of a crime may not be allowed to enter. Medical examinations may be required for travelers who plan to stay for more than six months.
In July 2009, the Canadian government imposed a visa requirement on Mexican visitors. Residents of Mexico who would like to enter Canada must apply for a Temporary Resident Visa. According to the "Toronto Star," it was hoped that the requirement would reduce the number of Mexican immigrants claiming asylum immediately upon arriving in Canada. Indeed, "Mexicans complain the visa restriction ends up harming the wrong people -- not bogus refugee claimants, but the roughly 250,000 legitimate Mexican travelers who visited Canada in the 12 months before the requirement was imposed." At the moment, many legitimate Mexican travelers find it difficult to visit Canada.
Detailed information on Canadian entry requirements, "including medical exams, working or studying in Canada, and what you are permitted to bring into Canada" can be found on the Government of Canada's Requirements to Enter Canada website. This interactive website allows users to find specific entry requirements based on their country of citizenship. Entry requirements can also change depending on which country travelers have last visited. All foreign travelers should contact a Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate before traveling to Canada.
