Peru announces that Mexican citizens will require visas in response to restrictions introduced by Mexico

(CNN) — Peru announced on Saturday that it would require visas from Mexican citizens in response to new restrictions introduced by Mexico the previous day. According to the Ministry of External Affairs.

“We faced the unilateral declaration of the government of Mexico to impose the requirement of temporary visas on Peruvian citizens who decide to visit their country, and apply the principle of reciprocity, a fundamental rule in relations between sovereign nations. Peru's requirement of visas will be imposed on Mexican citizens who decide to visit our country,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

The Foreign Ministry regretted Mexico's decision, saying it “undermines efforts to improve bilateral relations and undermines the programmatic commitments assumed in the Pacific Alliance for the free movement of people between the two countries.”

On Friday, the Mexican government announced entry restrictions starting April 20, following a significant increase in the number of Peruvians entering its territory with discrepancies in their documents and not appearing as tourists.

Mexico said the requirement will begin to apply on April 20.

Who does not need a visa?

Both countries have said there will be exceptions to their new requirements.

Peru announced that Mexicans with a Schengen visa (a space created by 29 European countries) from the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan do not need a visa, or “permanent residents do not need a visa.” Among the concerned countries and members of the Pacific Alliance”, the Ministry of External Affairs noted that the exceptions will be mentioned in the next order.

Mexico, for its part, has specified that holders of valid visas from the Schengen area, Canada, the United States, Japan and the United Kingdom do not require a visa. Permanent residents of Canada, Chile, Colombia, the United States, Japan and the United Kingdom will also be exempted, he said.