Mexico Entry Requirements
Entry requirements for Mexico vary depending on the traveler’s nationality. The vast majority of foreigners must obtain a visa before entering Mexico. Currently, only 69 countries enjoy visa-exempt status for Mexico.
Whether they need to get a visa or not all visitors entering Mexico by land must obtain and complete an FMM (Forma Migratoria Multiple, or Tourist Card) before they can enter.
Countries with Entry Requirements to Mexico
No matter the country that issued a traveler's passport, all those entering Mexico are required to submit an FMM.
All foreign nationals must be granted a Mexican visa before visiting the country unless they belong to one of the following categories:
- They hold a passport issued by one of the 69 countries enjoying visa-free travel to Mexico.
- They already have a valid visa for one of the Schengen countries, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, or the United States.
- They are permanent residents of one of the Schengen member states, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Japan, Peru, the United Kingdom, or the United States.
- They have a valid APEC Business Travel Card (APBTC) with the ‘Mex’ code on the back and come from Australia, Brunei, Chile, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam.
If you do not meet any of the above requirements, you will need a visa for Mexico. Some of the countries that need it would be:
What Documents Are Needed for Entry to Mexico?
The type of documents that are required in order to obtain permission to enter Mexico varies. However, all travelers must complete the Mexico Tourist Card before they can enter Mexico.
Travelers who are not visa-exempt for Mexico also need to obtain a visa in advance of travel. Visa requirements vary on the type of permit one is applying for.
Essential documents for all visas include:
- A valid, eligible passport
- A visa application form completed in all of its parts as accurately as possible
- If the traveler to Mexico has the Quintana Roo area as a destination, it will be necessary to apply for Visitax.
- It is necessary to fill out the Mexico Customs Declaration online in order to expedite the customs process.
An electronic travel permit (officially called Sistema de Autorización Electrónica or SAE) is the easiest and quickest way to get permission to enter Mexico. To complete a SAE application, only the above documents are required and can be uploaded in digital format from anywhere in the world thanks to the online system.
Documents required for a Mexico entry permit: offline applications
Depending on the type of visa one is applying for, there are a variety of documents that a prospective visitor may need to submit. The reason for these document requirements is usually to prove the applicant’s plans, motivation to travel, financial capacity, and more.
Find below a list of supporting documentation covering several Mexican visas that can only be obtained offline.
Please note that it is a general list only, and that specific information should be obtained from a Mexican embassy or consulate before starting an application.
- Itinerary information including hotel reservations
- Travel plans such as a return plane ticket proving the applicant’s intention of remaining in Mexico only temporarily
- A recent, passport-sized photograph
- Financial information demonstrating the traveler’s ability to support themselves during their time in Mexico (this can be submitted in the form of cash, bank statements, credit cards, etc)
- Health information such as evidence of vaccinations and/ or medical insurance cover
- Invitation letter from a Mexican citizen or entity
- Official business letter stating the reason for the applicant’s travel
- Invitation letter from a Mexican institution to attend official events
- Invitation letter from an institution part of the National Education System stating the foreigner’s purposes and length of studies in Mexico
Foreign citizens should also note that while the electronic authorization can be paid for online via debit or credit card, most visas require the payment of an application fee in cash directly at the embassy.
Passport Requirements for Mexico
All foreign citizens must hold a valid and eligible passport if they wish to enter the Mexican territory. For all visitors, the passport must:
- Be valid for at least 6 months after the intended date of entry
- Contain blank pages to receive entry/exit stamps
Travelers crossing into Mexico by land are able to use either a valid passport book or passport card to enter the country.
Those who need a visa to enter Mexico must make sure that their passport data exactly matches the information provided in the visa application form.
Should the applicant’s passport fail to satisfy these criteria, the visa will be denied or canceled.
Please note that the passport provided during the application process and the granted visa are directly linked. Should the passport expire before the travel permit, both will become invalid and the traveler will have to apply again once a new passport is issued.
Foreign nationals will be asked to show their passport in several occasions including:
- When applying for the Mexico visa
- At the airport (travelers may be refused boarding if they fail to show their passport (and visa, if applicable) together with their plane ticket)
- At the immigration check at the Mexican border
- At checkpoints across the country
Although not all non-Mexican citizens need a visa, all foreigners must have a valid passport with them as they visit the country.