Mexico Entry Requirements for Canadian Citizens

Mexico Visa Needed

NO

(for stays of up to 180 days)

Tourist Card (FMM) Needed

YES

(if traveling by land)

Apply for a Tourist Card

Unlike nationals of some other countries, Citizens of Canada do not need a visa to enter Mexico but they are required to complete a Mexican FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple), a Customs Declaration form, and if Canadian citizens want to travel to the Quintana Roo area, they will also need the Visitax. These are mandatory requirements for all travelers who visit the country, including Canadians.

mexico entry requirements from canada

What Documents Do You Need To Enter Mexico From Canada?

There are a number of required documents for Canadians to travel to Mexico:

  • FMM Tourist Card
  • Canadian passport valid for 6 months
  • Customs Declaration

Read on to learn how to apply for each of these documents so that you’re ready to travel to Mexico with zero issues.

Do Canadian Citizens Need a Visa for Mexico?

No, Canadian citizens do not need a visa to visit Mexico for tourism or business stays of up to 180 days.

However, if you plan to work, study, or stay longer, you’ll need to apply for the appropriate Mexican visa before travelling.

Do Canadians Need a Mexican FMM?

One of the key Mexican entry requirements is that citizens of Canada must have an approved FMM tourist card if arriving by land.

Details of the FMM for Canadians:

  • Required if arriving by land
  • Not a visa, but still mandatory for many travellers
  • Valid for up to 180 days (for tourism or business)
  • Single entry only: apply again if you leave and re-enter
  • Cannot be extended: You must apply for a new one if staying longer

Although Canadian citizens are visa-exempt when traveling to Mexico, they do need to hold a Mexican tourist card (FMM) when arriving at a land border.

When crossing the border, Mexican officers will keep a part of the travel document, while Canadians will hold the other part (slip of paper), which must be kept with them during the whole trip to present when exiting Mexico.

Mexico Tourist Card’s Application Form for Canadian Nationals

It is now possible to get the FMM online from Canada rather than on the journey to Mexico. This new electronic system has made the process much quicker and easier for Canadians to enter the country.

Citizens from Canada may now complete the FMM application form online.

To do so, applicants from Canada must abide by the following:

  • Access our simplified application form.
  • Submit personal information such as Canadians full name, date and place of birth, and contact details.
  • Give travel details such as passport information (number, expiry and issuance date) and purpose of their travel.
  • Respond to routine questions related to Canadian travelers’ health and criminal record.
  • Pay the Mexican FMM processing fee with a valid credit or debit card.

It is recommended that nationals from Canada double-check the information provided to avoid any error or missing details.

Once all these steps are completed, the approved FMM is sent by email. Applicants can expect to receive their tourist card to Mexico in up to 24-48 hours, although most FMM cards are approved within a few hours.

Mexico Customs Declaration Requirements for Canadian Travelers

All Canadian travelers are required to fill out a Mexico Customs Declaration before entering the country. This form is required for all arrivals, regardless of how much you’re bringing with you.

It’s easy to overlook this step, especially with all the other pre-trip tasks. That’s why we’ve made the process simple for Canadian travelers.

Our online form is designed to be quick, clear, and mistake-free. Canadian citizens can complete the Mexico Customs Declaration using the following simplified form:

Apply for Mexico Customs Declaration

When Do Canadians Need to Pay the Visitax for Mexico?

If your travel plans include Cancún, Playa del Carmen, or anywhere else in the state of Quintana Roo, you’ll need to pay the Visitax. This is a tourist fee required for international visitors, including Canadian citizens.

With our service, there’s no need to search through confusing websites or wonder if your form was submitted properly. We have streamlined the process through our simplified Visitax form for Canadian:

Apply for Visitax

We also double-check every submission to help avoid errors that could delay your entry or cause issues at the airport.

Register with the Canadian Embassy in Mexico

Nationals of Canada traveling to Mexico are advised to register with the Canadian Embassy in Mexico City. This can be done by completing a quick form online, while applying for a Mexico FMM through this site.

Registration of Canadians Abroad is a service that provides important information about current events in Mexico or internationally if this could affect the individual’s travel plans.

For example, Canadians registered with the Embassy of Canada in Mexico City will be contacted in the following circumstances:

  • Personal emergencies at home (the Canadian Embassy to Mexico will help citizens’ families to contact them)
  • International emergencies that could impact the journey home
  • Civil unrest
  • Natural disasters

In emergencies, the Embassy will contact Canadians in Mexico who have registered and can help them get in touch with family and friends at home.

Travel Advisory for Mexico from Canada

The Canadian government recommends that its citizens who travel to Mexico to:

  • Stay in tourist areas
  • Remain vigilant against petty crime
  • Keep an eye on local media during their stay
  • Be vigilant when driving on major highways
  • Avoid traveling at night

Canadians traveling to Mexico are particularly advised to avoid the following areas due to common incidents of violence and crime:

  • Chihuahua
  • Colima, excluding Manzanillo city
  • all Coahuila, except the southern part of the state at and below the Saltillo-Torreón highway corridor
  • Durango, except Durango City
  • Guerrero, except for Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo and Taxco
  • Highway 45 between León and Irapuato in Guanajuato and the area south of this
  • Lagunas de Zempoala National Park and Xoxocotla in Morelos
  • Michoacán, except for Morelia
  • Nuevo León, except for Monterrey
  • Sinaloa, except for Mazatlán
  • Sonora, except for Hermosillo and Guaymas/San Carlos and Puerto Peñasco
  • Tamaulipas
  • Tepicin and the area within 20 km of the border with Sinaloa and Durango in Nayarit
  • Zacatecas

As when traveling to any foreign destination, Canadians should be aware that while most travel to Mexico is trouble-free, they should take safety precautions to ensure a smooth trip. Signing up for the embassy registration mentioned above can help to achieve this.