Mexico Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements for Tourists

Lone Parents and Unaccompanied Minors: Important note for lone parents traveling with their children to Mexico and unaccompanied minors.

Tourist Permits - FMT

Holders of a American, Australian, Canadian, British/EU Member Country*, New Zealand, South African and Israeli passports do not need a visa to visit Mexico. They may, instead, use a visitor's permit known as a FMT.

Holders of other passports (including holders of passports of one of the 10 New EU Member Countries*) should check with their local Mexican Consulate for details of any visa requirements that may be in force.

For participating countries (see first paragraph above) in place of a visa, a Mexican Visitor's Permit (known as a FMT) will need to be filled out. This is a simple form: pick one up from the check-in counter at the airport and fill it out on the airplane before you land. If the airline you are traveling with does not have any Mexican Tourist Permits at the check-in desk or on-board the plane, don't worry, you can get one when you land in Mexico and fill it out before you line up to have your documents checked and stamped by the officials at the airport.

Tourist Permit FMT Fee

Mexico charges a fee to all tourists and business visitors arriving in the country. The fee is approximately US$22, and the money collected is handed to the Tourism Ministry to promote Mexican tourism.

Airlines normally collect the permit fee on behalf of the Mexican government and include the cost within the total airfare (under 'taxes and surcharges') so in the majority of cases, there will be no need for you to pay the fee separately.

If you do not arrive in Mexico by airplane, then you will need to pay Mexico's tourist permit fee separately if you travel beyond the 35km 'free zone' after crossing the border into Mexico. If you do this, you will have to pay the tourist permit fee and complete the FMT Tourist Visa at the immigration check-point.

Passports Now Required for Air Travel to USA

As of January 23, 2007, all passengers -- including US citizens -- traveling to or through the USA by air will need to hold a valid passport. US Citizens are no longer able to use their birth certificate / driver's licence to enter the US by air from Mexico.
Related Blog Article: Passports Required for Air Travel to the USA.

Traveling to Mexico via the United States

As of January 12th, 2009, the United States government introduced new rules for travelers entering the country using the Visa Waiver Program (Wiki). From this date, persons wishing to enter the USA for a visit, or simply in-transit to another country (including Mexico) using the Visa Waiver, must pre-apply online for permission to travel to the United States.
Related Blog Article: Travel to Mexico via the USA

Passport Validity

The maximum period of time that a visitor may stay in Mexico without a formal visa is six months. Therefore your passport, regardless of country of origin, should be valid for a minimum period of six months, however long you intend to stay to avoid any potential problems at the port of entry.

Immigration authorities at the port of entry may allow or deny entry of any person into Mexico. If you have a passport that is valid for less than six months and you intend to stay in Mexico for a short period of time -- perhaps a vacation -- the Immigration Officer might allow you entry.

Notwithstanding this, we recommend that you and your family members hold passports valid for at least six months from the date you plan to enter Mexico.

Arriving to Mexico by Cruise Ship

If you are traveling on a cruise ship and dock at one of the Mexican ports, you DO NOT need to a tourist permit or visa to enter Mexico, regardless of which passport you hold. Special arrangements are made for passengers who visit Mexico temporarily from cruise ships which negate the need for tourist permits or visas.

Traveling in Transit Through Mexico

As of February 17, 2004 foreigners passing through one of Mexico's international airports to a third country no longer require a visa or any migratory documentation, provided that they remain at the airport and depart Mexico within 24 hours of arrival.

*From May 1st 2004, 10 New Member States Joined the EU: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Cyprus & Malta. Regulations for entry still vary by country, and holders of these passports should contact their nearest Mexican Consulate for details.

Also See: Entry Procedure at Mexican Ports

[Return to Menu]

Entry Requirements for Business

Mexico welcomes business visitors and makes the immigration procedure for short visits straightforward by means of a special section on the Tourist Visitor's Permit (FMT) as described above.

Short Business Visits: Up to 30 Days

If you are traveling on Business, or representing a company to conduct business in Mexico, and you are a holder of a U.S., Australian, Canadian, British/EU Member Country, South African, Israeli or New Zealand passport, you can use the same permit as that used by Tourists (as described above) - and fill out the section on it labeled for Business Travelers.

Longer Business Visits: More than 30 Days

If you plan to work / live in Mexico for a time, you will need to apply for a business visit permit called a FM3. The permit is valid for one year at a time and enables the visitor to live, work and do business in Mexico, provided that certain criteria are satisfied. You can read more about the FM3 visa, and get more detailed information about long-term living and working permits on Mexperience by connecting to the Immigration Page that contains lots of information and advice about living and working in Mexico and that is part of our comprehensive Living and Working section.

Also: See the Business Center on Mexperience for full information about doing business in Mexico.

[Return to Menu]

Entry Requirements for Residency

People wishing to travel to Mexico to live, work, or retire must meet certain criteria to do so.

Mexperience has comprehensive sections of information dedicated to these topics of interest:

Living and Working in Mexico

Mexperience publishes extensive guides and information about living and working in Mexico. Connect to the Living and Working section for full details.

Retirement in Mexico

If you want to retire in Mexico, connect to the section about Retiring in Mexico for detailed guides and information.

[Return to Menu]

Entry Procedure at Mexican Ports

Most visitors to Mexico will arrive at an Airport, often Mexico City's International Airport, Benito Juarez or an airport at one of Mexico's main tourist areas, e.g. Cancun.

Upon arrival, you will need to have your documentation ready:

• Passport (we recommend it is valid for at least 6 months - see note above)
• FMT (Tourist / Business Trip Permit) from the airline or at the local port of entry, or other Entry Permit (e.g. FM3/FM2 Visa)
• Customs Declaration Form

Note: Tourist permit forms are available at airports in Mexico; if the airline you are traveling with does not offer them to you you can pick one up at the port of entry.

Clearing Immigration

Once you arrive, take your forms to the immigration area and line up in the lane signposted for foreign visitors. At the desk, an immigration official will inspect your documents, write the number of days on the Tourist Permit (maximum 180 days) that your permit will allow you to stay in Mexico, stamp your Tourist Permit and Passport, return a copy of the Tourist Visa to you and ask you to proceed to customs.

Loss of Mexico Tourist Permit

If you lose your tourist permit, you will need to visit the local Immigration Office (ask for the Oficina de INM - Instituto Nacional de Migracion), complete some forms, go to the local bank and pay the fee, and return to the immigration offices with a receipt from the bank to get a duplicate permit.

Extending Your Mexico Tourist Permit

When you enter Mexico, the Immigration Officer will write a number on your tourist permit which states the maximum number of days you are allowed to remain in Mexico. In most cases, the official will give you the full 180-day allowance. If the officer writes a lesser number on the permit (e.g. 90 days), you can have your tourist permit extended, for up to a maximum of 180 days from the date you first entered Mexico. To do this, you will need to visit the local immigration office, pay the tourist permit fee (again) for each extension of stay. Usually, the immigration office will extend the permit to its maximum allowance (180 days from date of entry). Also see Living and Working in Mexico (Immigration) for more details about Mexican Immigration Policy.

[Return to Menu]

Customs Procedures and Allowances

Once you have claimed any baggage, take it and your Customs Declaration Form to the exit gate, where you will be presented with a Red/Green Traffic Light.

Below the traffic light is a button, which you will be asked to press. If the light flashes green, you walk through without being inspected. If the light flashes red, your bags will be inspected, either casually or thoroughly.

Your Customs Allowances When Entering Mexico

The full list of allowable items is detailed on the customs entry form that you must sign at the port of entry. Allowances are subject to change without notice, but detailed below are the principal items followed by some tips about entry to Mexico.

Also See: Mexico Residents Shopping Abroad

• Personal Luggage: including new and used goods for personal use to include clothes, footwear, personal hygiene and beauty items which, according to the form: 'reasonably respond to the duration of the trip and that due to its quantities may not be used for commercial purposes';
• Two photographic or video cameras and twelve rolls of film or videotapes;
• Two mobile phones or pagers;
• One used or new laptop; one used or new printer; one projector;
• Two used or new items of sports gear;
• One CD player or portable music player; one DVD player;
• One musical instrument;
• Three surfboards; four fishing rods; a pair of skis;
• Twenty packs of cigarettes and twenty-five cigars OR 200 grams of tobacco (over 18's only);
• Three liters of liquor AND three liters of wine (over 18's only);
• There is a US$300 tax exemption on items you import (in addition to those already listed above) when you enter the country by means or air or maritime transport; the exemption is reduced to US$50 if you travel in by land, except at Easter, Summer Holidays and Christmas time, when the land exemption limit is increased to US$300.

Tip: See the Mexican Customs Web site at www.aduanas.gob.mx for full details about customs allowances.

Bringing Prescription Drugs to Mexico

You are allowed to bring prescription drugs into Mexico provided that you have the accompanying documentation which proves a medical need. If you or a member of your family are taking prescription drugs, be sure to take the prescription/doctor's note with you, which includes the patient's name and the name of the medication(s) to prove medical need of the drugs you are carrying in case your luggage gets inspected.

Tips About Entry in to Mexico

• Don't bring anything that obviously looks like you're planning to resell goods; for example, five laptop computers. These items will get heavily taxed or confiscated;
• Items for personal use will be allowed, new or used, but only in quantities that are commensurate with the definition of 'personal use.' If you are carrying large quantities of anything, or if the Customs Inspector believes you are trying to commercialize any of the goods you are carrying, then you may be interviewed further;
• Don't attempt to smuggle any narcotics - not even small amounts of 'soft' drugs, e.g. cannabis/marijuana. You may be required to present documentary evidence for any powerful prescription drugs you need to carry on your person (i.e. doctor's prescription) - see note above about prescription drugs;
• Narcotic offences (use of, import, export, dealing) are likely to land you in a Mexican prison (not pleasant) for many years. Don't expect your consulate to bail you out because it won't be able to. 20-25 year prison sentences for drug and serious firearm-related offences are not uncommon in Mexico;
  
• A foreign firearms license is not valid in Mexico; if you own a gun don't take it to Mexico with you. The only exception is a firearm used for hunting purposes; but you will need to apply for a special permit - contact your local Mexican Consulate. Being in possession of lethal knives and firearms of all types is a Federal crime in Mexico: caught in possession of a firearm can land you in very serious trouble - even if you have a license for it that was issued in your home country.

What You May Bring Home from Mexico

Customs allowances into your home country will depend on where you live.

If you are planning to do a lot of shopping in Mexico, you should check at the information desk at (air)port of departure in your home country for the latest duty-free allowances.

Most goods classed as art and craft work are free of import taxes and you can bring as many home as many as you like, priovided the quantities would be considered 'for personal enjoyment'. Check with your local port/customs authorities for details.

The following items are are typical of duty-free allowances in most industrialized countries:

• 200 Cigarettes;
• 50 Cigars or 250g of Tobacco;
• 2 Liters of wine;
• 1 or 2 Liters of Liquor (depending on country);
• 60cl of perfume;
• In addition to the above: a dollar/euro amount of goods, ranging from about $300-$500, depending upon the country. If you go over monetary limit, duty and tax is usually payable on the whole amount not just the sum above the limit;
• Exact rates and amounts vary by country/trading block. Check with the information desk at your home country's port of departure for the latest details on allowances

Ground Transport

Once you have arrived in Mexico and cleared immigratin and customs, you have various ground transportation options available to you. Read the guide to Arrival in Mexico for complete information and advice.

Leaving Mexico and Consular Contacts

Leaving Mexico

In case you missed the note above, here it is again:

Loss of Mexico Tourist Permit

If you lose your tourist permit, you will need to visit the local Immigration Office (ask for the Oficina de INM - Instituto Nacional de Migracion), complete some forms, go to the local bank and pay the fee, and return to the immigration offices with a receipt from the bank to get a duplicate permit.

Embassies and Consulates

• Directory of Mexican Consulates Abroad
• Directory of Foreign Consulates in Mexico

[Return to Menu]