Mexico and Canada

[Montrealer]

Just thought I would let anyone thinking of finding a woman in Mexico.  That Mexicans do not need any type of visa for travel to Canada, only a passport is required for stays of 6 months or less.

In case there are any other Canucks out there, eh.

[utopiacowboy]

Damm, you're right. I had to check for myself because it just seemed so hard to believe. I guess they're counting on the snow and cold to keep the numbers down.

[Red Clay]

Wonder how many Mexicans are aware of that?

[utopiacowboy]

I notice that the Canadian embassy in Mexico City's web site does say that even though they do not need vias to visit Canada, Mexican citizens will still have to show the Canadian immigration officer at the port of entry that they are bona fide tourists.

[Montrealer]

The only thing the immigration officer asks is;

What are your reasons for travelling to Canada?

Answer - vacation

Where are you staying?

Answer - I was going to ask a taxi driver for a good hotel
Answer - I'm staying at my friends house
Answer - I met a man in a dating agency, and I am planning on visiting him / getting married / etc.

How much money do you have? (sometimes)

Answer - I have $500 and a credit card



The immigration officer rarely asks questions and seldom listens to the answers.  I know this from when I was married to a Mexican and after visiting her family she would return, or when her family visited us.

As far as many Mexicans knowing about it, I doubt it.  Otherwise we would have a larger Mexican community here in Canada.  But even if they did know about it, we have a much smaller amount of cash paying jobs to offer them that would be available in the US.  As Canadians, the majority, believe and don't mind so much paying taxes on income because of the great benefits we receive.

[utopiacowboy]

"we have a much smaller amount of cash paying jobs to offer them that would be available in the US. As Canadians, the majority, believe and don't mind so much paying taxes on income because of the great benefits we receive." What was that about? I'm Canadian and I'll skip the "benefits" thank you, in return for not paying confiscatory income taxes not to mention the GST.

[Montrealer]

The income taxes are about the same as in the US, and we don't have to deal with the IRS.  We have our own version of the IRS, but it's no where near as strict.

As for the GST, I could do without it also.  Between the GST and PST I often pay 15.5% additional on everything.  But in the long run it's worth it if it is only for our health care system.  Never having to pay for medical, surgery, etc.  In the US, this could run up to several thousand dollars depending the issue.  And then we have the pricing regulations on perscription medication which I know in the future will save me a ton.  It comes to usually less than 50% of what it would cost down there.  That's why so many seniors come up here to get there perscriptions filled.

There are numerous benefits to living in Canada, and you being Canadian I would think that you would recognize them.  Lately the biggest benefit for someone who travels alot is the simple fact that I'm not from the US.  I read an article a while back about how some Americans were applying for citizenship to Canada for just the passport.  And many Americans are now travelling with a Canadian sticker or patch or pin, so that they get treated better and people are not hostile with them.  I thought that was funny.

Sorry if my statement sounds anti-american, I assure you I am not, but I am pro-Canada.

[utopiacowboy]

While in fact the marginal tax rates for federal income taxes in the US and Canada are very similar, when you consider the added state and provincial income and sales taxes together with the GST, the overall tax burden in Canada is much higher than in the US. As a percentage of GDP, the US takes 26% while Canada takes 38%. Texas has no state income tax and my employer provides top notch health insurance. It costs me $5 to get a prescription filled.

While I retain my Canadian citizenship I am proud to be an American citizen and if forced to make a choice between the two countries, I would choose my adopted land. If you compare immigration statistics about an equal number of Canadians as Americans emigrate to their neighbor's country each year.

[A1A]

Actually quite a few Mexicans know they can travel easily to Canada.  The Canadian government and private companies recruit in Mexico.  A few years ago I dated a woman living in Mexico City, her son, in college at the time, was recruited by the Canadian government.  He turned them down because of the weather.

[Brazilophile]

UC and Monty,

There are many other non-pecuniary benefits to living in Canada.  While the US has better tax deductions (ie mortgage interest, proprty taxes), Canada has many more social advantages.

The public school systems are WAY better than in the US.  You don't need to send your chldren to private schools for them to get a quality education.

There is effective gun control in Canada so you don't need to be wary of potential drive-by shooting situations or as much gun play in night clubs.

In Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, public transportation is extensive enough that a car is not needed to commute to a job.

Due to the harsher weather, housing is built to higher standards than most places in the US.  Blizzards and ice storms do not bring down homes the way hurricanes and tornados do in the US.

The main non-pecuniary disadvantage to living in Canada compared ot the US, at least for me, is that it is so far away from Latin America.

[InnocentVixen]

I know this is an old thread, but thought I should add this post in case someone searched the archives...

Mexicans now require a visa to travel to Canada:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/releases/2009/2009-07-13.asp

[civilizedchaos]

Based on the experiences I've had with Mexicans who have come to Canada, the liberal entry policy is not necessarily an advantage. Met a few who were here studying in Toronto and they acted like their s*** doesn't stink.

They generally hang out with other Mexicans and have little interest in gringos. And those that are attractive know it.   

Mexico is not South America.

CC

[bcc_1_2]

Mexico is not South America.

CC

It's not Central America either. There are attractive girls down there and you can meet them. Between the crime along the border and the flu I don't think I'd personally want to go right now. But if you live in Canada it sounds like a cool deal.

[Dr. Gringo M.D.]

Mexico is a very different place. Many of those that can afford to fly to Canada (back when a visa was not needed) are of a different class than the poor Mexicans, and many are snobbish.  However, if you come to Mexico and go where the poorer people live (instead of seeing the richer ones that could afford to be your your backyard), you would see a difference.

As for Mexicans wanting to be around Mexicans, that is normal. There is a community in Mexico (Chapala) that is almost all Americans and Canadians. Everything is in English (even their own English newspaper - Guadalajara Reporter). The people here do not dislike Mexicans - but have simply evolved their own area becuase it is familiar and "easy".

Most foreigners in a host county will be more comfortable if you make the move to invite them out of their comfort zone, rather that venturing out on their own.

Based on the experiences I've had with Mexicans who have come to Canada, the liberal entry policy is not necessarily an advantage. Met a few who were here studying in Toronto and they acted like their s*** doesn't stink.

They generally hang out with other Mexicans and have little interest in gringos. And those that are attractive know it.   

Mexico is not South America.

CC