FAQs: Mexico’s Visitor Visas and Visitor Permit, the FMM

This article contains a list of the most frequently asked questions and answers regarding matters related to Mexico’s visitor visas, and the visitor permit, the ‘Forma Migratoria Multiple,’ or FMM

FAQs about Mexico visitor visas and the FMM

Do I need a visa to visit Mexico?

Whether you need to apply for a visa before you arrive in Mexico depends on what country’s passport you hold, or other criteria. This article: Do I need a visa to visit Mexico describes the details.

If I normally require a visa to visit Mexico, but I have a visa to visit or live in the USA, do I need to apply for a separate visa to visit Mexico?

If the country you are a passport holder of is on Mexico’s ‘visa required’ list, and the United States of America has granted you a visitor’s visa or a residency visa —and that visa is current (not expired)— you can visit Mexico without the need to apply for a separate visa. You can find further details on this article.

How long can I remain in Mexico with a visitor’s permit (FMM)?

If you enter Mexico as tourist or business visitor, then the immigration official at the port of entry will grant you a maximum number of days to stay in Mexico when you arrive; this number of days will be written on the visitor’s permit for your reference and will not exceed 180 days.

If the official writes a number less than 180 days then your stay in Mexico will be limited accordingly; the FMM cannot be extended.  In all cases, the visitor’s permit will always expire after the number of days written on the permit: it cannot be extended or renewed and you must leave the country before it expires. You can find further details about this permit on our article Your Mexican Tourist Permit, FMM

How long do I have to remain outside of Mexico before I can return using a new Visitor permit (FMM)?

There is no time limit on how long you must remain outside of Mexico before returning under the auspice of a new visitor permit. (You could leave and return the same day.)

However, if you continually leave and re-enter in Mexico using a visitor permit, you will have your intentions questioned by an immigration official when you re-enter.  You can find further details about this permit on our article Your Mexican Tourist Permit, FMM

How do I replace a lost/stolen visitor permit (FMM)?

You can find the answer to this question on our article Your Mexican Tourist Permit, FMM

What do I do if I overstay on my visitor permit (FMM)?

You can find the answer to this question on our article Your Mexican Tourist Permit, FMM

If I have a previous criminal record, will this prevent me entering Mexico?

Whether you arrive in Mexico and complete a FMM (visitor permit) or have  visa sticker in your passport issued by a Mexican consulate, permission to enter Mexico is always determined by the Immigration Officer at the port of entry.

There is no way for Mexico to determine whether a person has a prior criminal record unless a foreign state has shared that information with Mexico beforehand.  (Mexico’s immigration system might alert border officials about ‘wanted’ criminals and other high-risk individuals who attempt to enter Mexico.)

Mexican consulates usually advise that people with a criminal record contact their own country’s authority and ask whether any background information has been shared with other countries.  If you have any doubts, we suggest you contact your nearest Mexican consulate for advice.

What visa do I need to get married in Mexico?
Are same-sex marriages allowed in Mexico?
Will my Mexican marriage certificate be valid in my home country?

You can find answers to all these questions on our Guide to Getting Married in Mexico.

I took my tourist visa (FMM) home with me because there was no one to give it to when I drove out of Mexico. What do I do?

If you were given a paper version of the Visitor Permit, and you took this home with you, you can find the answer to this question on our article Your Mexican Tourist Permit, FMM. Note that paper versions of the permit are being phased out and substituted for a stamp in your passport, so this issue is becoming less relevant.

Can I exchange my Visitor’s Visa (FMM) for a Residency Permit?

In a small number of specific circumstances you can exchange a visitor permit for residency permit in Mexico, but most people cannot exchange a visitor permit (FMM) for a residency permit.

If you are currently in Mexico and decide that you want to apply for legal residency here, you will most likely need to leave Mexico and apply via a Mexican consulate abroad.  See our article about routes to applying for residency in Mexico for more details.

Learn more about residency in Mexico

Mexperience publishes information and resources to help you learn about how to apply for and obtain legal residency in Mexico:

• Learn about the principal routes to obtaining legal residency
• Here are the latest financial criteria required to qualify for residency in Mexico
• Compare the difference between Temporary and Permanent residency
• Find the latest residency-related fees charged by Mexico’s government
• Our free Mexico Immigration Guide encapsulates essential information about visas and residency permits for Mexico.