Mexico Entry Requirements for U.S. Citizens
Mexico Visa Needed
NO
(for stays of up to 180 days)
U.S. citizens must meet specific entry requirements to visit Mexico. These include a valid passport, the FMM tourist card, and, if visiting Quintana Roo, the Visitax. U.S. citizens must also complete a customs declaration. This page explains each requirement and what U.S. visitors need to enter and leave Mexico legally.
What U.S. Citizens Need to Travel to Mexico
American citizens must have a few essential documents to travel to Mexico for tourism, business or transit. These include:
- US passport
- FMM tourist card (for land travel)
- Mexico Visitax (if visiting Quintana Roo)
- Mexican Customs Declaration
- Mexican visa (if applicable)
A visa for Mexico may not be required for US passport holders. This depends on the period of stay and your reason for traveling. If you stay for less than 180 days and do not plan on working in Mexico, you can generally enter with just the FMM.
U.S. passport requirements for Mexico
Your US passport must meet certain criteria when traveling to Mexico. It must not expire for at least 6 months after the date of arrival.
If your passport is due to expire sooner than this, renew it before getting the FMM and traveling to Mexico.
Do U.S. citizens need a Tourist Card for Mexico?
Americans must register for a Mexico tourist card to visit the country for the following reasons:
- Tourism
- Leisure
- Business
The tourist card required by visitors from the US is called the Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM).
The FMM is not a visa. It’s an entry requirement for all foreign visitors, including Americans. It’s mandatory if you plan to travel more than 20 kilometers into Mexican territory and stay more than 72 hours.
A Mexican tourist card for United States citizens is a single-entry document. It becomes invalid once you leave Mexico. You need to get a new FMM for every trip to the country.
Do U.S. citizens need a Mexican visa?
Tourists and business travelers from the United States can stay up to 180 days visa-free in Mexico. Americans can also transit in Mexico for up to 30 days without a visa.
The same is true for non-US nationals who hold a valid US visa or Green Card. These documents must be brought as proof to gain visa-free entry to Mexico.
Citizens of the United States who plan to work, study, or engage in other non-tourist or business activities need a visa for Mexico.
Americans also need a visa to stay in Mexico for more than 180 days.
Do U.S. Citizens Need Visitax to Enter Mexico?
Yes, but only if you are visiting Quintana Roo. U.S. citizens traveling to Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, or any other destination in Quintana Roo must pay the Visitax.
This is a mandatory tourism tax required by the local government.
U.S. citizens can apply for the Visitax, if needed, through our simplified form:
How Can U.S. Citizens Apply for a Mexico Tourist Card?
US citizens can now complete the tourist card form online. This saves time and the inconvenience of dealing with paperwork during their journey or at border control.
The streamlined electronic form greatly expedites the process of entering Mexico.
How U.S. Citizens Can Fill the Mexico Customs Declaration Online
All travelers arriving in Mexico by air must complete a Customs Declaration form.
This includes American nationals. This document lists items you’re bringing into the country and helps guarantee that you comply with Mexican customs regulations.
U.S. citizens can easily fill out the declaration online in just a few minutes. You can save time by completing the form before your trip:
Apply for Mexico Customs Declaration
You’ll need to show the completed customs declaration when passing through border control in Mexico.
Mexico's Immigration Policy for U.S. Nationals
Citizens of the United States of America must comply with Mexico’s immigration policy when traveling to the country.
US nationals must:
- Have the correct documentation
- Comply with customs and border regulations
- Leave Mexico within the time permitted (180 days for visa-free visitors)
Americans must not:
- Bring any unauthorized or illegal items into Mexico
- Overstay the terms of their visa or visa exemption
Do Americans need vaccinations for Mexico?
Mexico’s travel rules for US passport holders do not include any mandatory vaccinations.
However, the US CDC highly recommends being immunized against the following before traveling to Mexico:
- Hepatitis A and B
- Measles
- Rabies
- Typhoid
Malaria is present in certain areas of Mexico. US nationals are advised to bring anti-malaria medication if staying in these regions.
What Do U.S. Citizens Need to Leave Mexico?
When leaving Mexico, you’re required to present the tourist card alongside your passport.
Therefore, it’s important to keep the slip of paper safe during the entirety of the stay in the country.
The validity of the FMM document for Americans begins from the moment it is stamped at the Mexican border. If the FMM is lost or stolen before arriving at immigration control in Mexico, you can obtain another form online.
If a validated Mexico FMM for US citizens is lost or stolen within Mexico, you should report the theft to local police. You must then include the subsequent police report in the application for a replacement tourist card. You can do this at an Instituto Nacional de Migración office within Mexico.
The U.S. Embassy in Mexico
The US Embassy in Mexico is located in Colonia Cuauhtemoc, Mexico City. The embassy provides a variety of services to American citizens in Mexico.
These include emergency assistance in cases of:
- Loss of passport
- Arrest of a US Citizen
- Death of a US Citizen
- International Parental Child Abduction
The embassy can provide emergency financial assistance and support to US citizens who are victims of crime. It is also authorized to issue certifications of US citizenship for eligible individuals born abroad to American parents, among other services.
Register with the U.S. Embassy in Mexico
It is now possible for US citizens and nationals to register with the nearest embassy or consulate when traveling in Mexico.
By registering with a US embassy in Mexico, travelers can:
- Make informed travel plans based on information received from the embassy, such as safety and security advice.
- Be contactable in the case of emergency: the US embassy will get in touch in circumstances such as a natural disaster or family emergency.
- Help family and friends to get in contact in an emergency.
US passport holders can enrol when registering for the tourist card on this website. Simply select the Embassy Registration option on the payment page.