Immigration Considerations for Those Coming to Canada to Attend the FIFA World Cup

This summer, Canada has the privilege of being one of the host nations of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is slated to be held from June 11 to July 19. The tournament hosting duties are being spread across North America, as the United States and Mexico are also host nations. Canada is set to host 13 matches total, spread between Vancouver and Toronto.

FIFA expects there to be millions of visitors to the World Cup in general, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada expects Toronto and Vancouver to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors. Undoubtedly, many people from abroad will be attending the World Cup, and thus it is important for potential visitors to Canada to understand what they need to do to enter the country. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has warned potential visitors that having World Cup tickets does not guarantee that an application to enter Canada will be accepted. It is important for potential visitors to do their due diligence to determine whether they need to apply to come to Canada and what steps that application would entail.

Canadian Visitor Visas

Teams from the following countries will compete in World Cup matches in Canada: Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Panama, Croatia, Senegal, Iraq, Australia, New Zealand, Egypt, Belgium, Qatar, Turkey, and Switzerland. There are different requirements for citizens of different countries to enter Canada. For citizens of the listed countries and other countries who want to come to Canada to watch World Cup matches, it is important to understand the steps required to obtain permission to enter Canada. Canada offers visa-free entry to citizens of 54 countries, including Germany, Croatia, New Zealand, Australia, Belgium, and Switzerland, among the countries that are playing matches in Canada. That means citizens of those countries can travel to Canada without a visitor visa, but they will need to obtain an electronic travel authorization before boarding their flight.

Mexico to Canada Travel

Citizens of Mexico who want to come to Canada for the World Cup or for other reasons should note that they may need a visa to travel to Canada. This change took place relatively recently, so many travellers may not be aware of the change. As of February 29, 2024, the requirements for Mexican nationals who want to travel to Canada changed. Previously issued electronic travel authorizations are not considered valid and cannot be used to travel to Canada. Mexicans coming to Canada will need a visa to enter unless they meet all three of the following requirements:

• The visitor is using a valid Mexican passport to fly to Canada or to transit through a Canadian airport to another destination.
• The visitor is coming to Canada for a temporary stay (normally for up to 6 months).
• The visitor holds a valid US non-immigrant visa or has held a Canadian visitor visa in the last 10 years.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada warns potential travellers that electronic travel authorizations are for air travel only and have an electronic travel authorization is not the same as having a visitor visa. Mexican citizens planning to travel to Canada should be aware of the current requirements.

Visitor Visa Requirements

Citizens of countries that require visas to travel to Canada must apply for a visitor visa to be allowed entry. Certain requirements must be met for a foreign national to qualify for a Canadian visitor visa. These requirements include:

• The applicant must have a valid travel document, such as a passport.
• The applicant must be in good health. This means that the applicant must not be medically inadmissible.
• The applicant must not have a criminal or immigration conviction on their record. Having a conviction can lead to criminal inadmissibility.
• The applicant must be able to satisfy an immigration officer that they have sufficient ties to their home country that will require them to leave Canada at the end of their visit.
• The applicant must demonstrate they have financial support for the duration of their stay.

In addition to these requirements, some applicants may also need to submit to a medical exam, provide a letter of invitation from someone who is a resident of Canada, or submit biometrics such as fingerprints and/or photographs.

Differences in Processing from Country to Country

The FIFA World Cup is fast approaching, so those who want to come to Canada and need a visitor visa for entry are encouraged to apply sooner rather than later. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada provides estimates for the waiting times for various immigration applications, including visitor visas. As an example, the current processing time estimate for a visitor visa application from Panama is 21 days, whereas the processing time from Türkiye is estimated to be 33 days, and Senegal is 108 days. Thus, potential applicants from different countries need to check the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship processing time tool when planning a trip to Canada and applying for a visitor visa.

US and Mexico Immigration Considerations

There are other immigration considerations for those who want to travel to the US or Mexico for World Cup matches, as those countries have different immigration laws and standards when compared with Canada.

Canadian Travel to the US

Canadian citizens can travel to the US visa-free. However, Canadians are reminded that if they plan on staying in the US for more than 30 days, they have to register with the US Department of Homeland Security. This change was recent, so it is important for Canadians planning for longer stays in the US to be aware of the regulation change. The Canadian Government has posted advice for Canadians travelling to the US for the World Cup, which is worth checking out for would-be travellers.

Travel to the US

Citizens of other countries who want to travel to the US for World Cup matches must obtain a B1 or B2 visa, unless they are nationals of a country participating in the US Visa Waiver Program.  The visa application process involves completing a non-immigrant visa application form, paying the application fee, scheduling an interview, and answering questions from a consular officer.

Travel to Mexico

Canadians who plan to travel to Mexico are encouraged to check Canada’s page about advice for travelling to Mexico for the World Cup. Like Canada and the US, Mexico allows for Visa-free travel from certain countries, including Canada. However, nationals of countries not listed for visa-free travel will have to apply for visitor visas.

Don’t Miss Your Matches

The World Cup will draw an immense number of tourists to the US, Mexico, and Canada. Those tourists should plan to ensure they do not have issues with entry into the country where they plan to watch World Cup matches. It is better to plan and apply for necessary visas well in advance so that fans are not stuck with tickets to games they cannot attend. For help with applying for a visitor visa to Canada, do not hesitate to contact us.

Contact Garson Immigration Law for Assistance With Immigration to Canada

At Garson Immigration Law, we are exclusively dedicated to the practice of immigration law. We understand that waiting for your immigration application to be processed can be stressful. Our immigration lawyers can help successfully guide you through the immigration process and find solutions for your individual immigration needs.

We work to find effective solutions for our clients in all kinds of immigration matters, including permanent residence, inadmissibility, and US immigration. If you have any questions about an immigration application, do not hesitate to reach out to us online or by calling us at 416-321-2860.