Vancouver International Airport / Aéroport international de Vancouver (YVR) today congratulated the Government of Canada on easing visa requirements for Mexican nationals. Beginning December 1, Mexicans will no longer be required to hold a Canadian visa and will generally, on the day of entry into Canada, be granted a six-month stay.
“Mexico is a vibrant and growing market for Canada and we are thrilled to see the visa requirements lifted,” said Craig Richmond, President and CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. “We welcome measures that open up Canada to more tourists and trade; making it easier to travel to and from our country.”
“Once the cumbersome regulations are lifted we anticipate visitor numbers from Mexico will increase,” said Richmond. “Whenever we ease entry requirements, add new flights or welcome larger aircraft, the entire province and ultimately country benefits from higher tourism spending, increased tax revenue and creation of new jobs.”
Five airlines offer non-stop service between YVR and Mexico: Air Canada, WestJet, Sunwing, Air Transat and Aeromexico. Together the companies offer service to eight destinations, on nearly 70 weekly flights, and more than 564,000 annual seats.
YVR’s newest Mexican service was launched in May 2015, when Aeromexico began daily, non-stop flights to and from the nation’s capital – complementing Air Canada’s existing service on this route. Vancouver Airport Authority estimated the new service would add 160 jobs to the B.C. economy and nearly $10 million in Gross Domestic Product.
In addition to welcoming more passengers to Vancouver, YVR also stands to increase its share of travellers connecting through the airport between Latin America and Asia. The shortest routes between Mexico and Asia pass over the Canadian and U.S. Pacific coastline and Mexican nationals will now be able to transit through YVR without a visa. This makes YVR one of the most convenient airports in North America when travelling from Mexico to megacities such as Seoul, Tokyo and Beijing. YVR competes with other west coast airports and North American hubs to lure airlines and travellers connecting between Mexico and Asia.
YVR encourages prospective visitors to Canada consult their nearby embassy or high commission, to learn entry requirements for their needs.