Mexico tourist visa requirements are clear and easy to understand. Mexico has a liberal visa policy offering visa EXEMPTION to many nationalities. Those who REQUIRE a visa are also exempt from visa if they hold a valid visa from the US, UK, Canada, Schengen or Japan.
Mexico visa application is fairly simple. It costs $44 USD and takes about two business days to process. Mexico tourist visa is valid for 180 days, multiple-entry.
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Visa is NOT REQUIRED for ANY nationality holding a valid visa from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Schengen or Japan for stays up to 180 days as a tourist.
Example: You hold an Indian passport with a US B1/B2 visa, both valid for more than 6 months. You can enter Mexico using your India passport and US B1/B2 visa. No need to apply for a separate Mexico visa.
Visa is NOT REQUIRED for ANY nationality holding a valid permanent resident card from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Schengen, Japan, Chile, Colombia and Peru for stays up to 180 days as a tourist.
Example: You hold an Egypt passport with a US green card, both valid for more than 6 months. You can enter Mexico using your Egypt passport and US green card. No need to apply for a separate Mexico visa.
Visa is NOT REQUIRED for cruise passengers of ANY nationality entering Mexico at maritime ports as part of the cruise trip.
Example: You are on a Caribbean cruise trip that will make a stop at Cancun, Mexico. You do not need any visa to enter Mexico at Cancun as part of your Caribbean cruise trip.
Check if you need a Mexico tourist visa from the “Visa Requirements” section above. Alternatively, you can check if a visa is REQUIRED or EXEMPT on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico website.
Mexico tourist visas are valid for 6 months from the date of visa issue. Visas are usually multiple-entry.
Example: If your Mexico visa was issued on December 05, 2020, the visa will be valid until June 05, 2021.
You can apply for a Mexico visa up to 3 months in advance.
Example: If you plan to visit Mexico on April 15, you can apply for your Mexico visa on or after January 16.
The Mexico tourist visa allows you to stay up to 180 days in Mexico.
In most cases, immigration officers give 180-day entry. But there may be occasions where you will be given fewer days. Check your FMM form for the number of days you’re allowed to stay.
Example: If you entered Mexico on July 01, you will be allowed to stay till December 27.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
When asked at the port of entry, I usually say that I’m in Mexico for 1 month. But if necessary I continue staying longer. In one instance, I stayed close to 180 days and it wasn’t a problem leaving or re-entering Mexico.
Mexico tourist visa application is a 5 step process.
The following documents are required for Mexico tourist visa.
The photo must be 4.5cm x 3.5 cm with a white background, no glasses and the face covering 80% of the photo.
You must schedule your visa appointment at your nearest Mexican embassy or consulate using the MEXITEL visa appointment website. You cannot appear at the consulate without a prior scheduled appointment.
First, you will have to create an account in MEXITEL. You will need the following details to create your account.
After creating your account, you will have to select the country and the consulate. You will then see the calendar with available dates. You can select the date and time that works for you and schedule the appointment.
After you finish scheduling your appointment, you will receive a confirmation letter in your email. You must print this confirmation letter and carry it with you on the day of your appointment.
The Mexican embassy in India made a nice step-by-step guide on how to schedule visa appointments using the MEXITEL website.
NOTE
Use Chrome browser if you can to schedule your appointment. MEXITEL website is not compatible with certain web browsers.
The Mexico tourist visa fee is $44 USD payable in local currency. You may end up paying a bit more or less due to the exchange rate. Keep in mind that the visa fee is non-refundable.
The payment method for the visa fee depends on the country and consulate. Some Mexican consulates accept cash payments within the consulate. Some require you to pay the fee at a designated bank in person or online prior to attending your appointment at the consulate. Check on your nearest consulate website for the exact procedure and fee.
On the day of your visa appointment, you must appear at the Mexican consulate. If the consulate requires the visa payment to be made at the consulate, you will be instructed to pay the visa fee at the cashier.
You will then meet the consular officer. You must present your passport, documents and visa fee receipt.
The consulate office will review your documents and capture your biometrics such as photos and fingerprints. They will ask you a few questions to assess your background and purpose of travel.
If you are not eligible for the visa or do not meet the requirements, you will be told so. Your documents and passport will be returned back. This is not a rejection, so it will not hurt your future visa attempts for Mexico or any other country.
Mexico tourist visa processing takes 2 working days. If there are too many applicants, the processing can take up to 10 working days. You will be told at the visa interview when to come back to pick up your passport.
You have to go back to the Mexican consulate again in person to pick up your passport.
Keep in mind that passports cannot be mailed back to you. You also cannot send anyone else to pick up your passport. You must go back in person to pick up your own passport.
After you pick up your passport, verify the name and dates on your Mexico visa to make sure everything is correct.
A Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM) is a Mexican immigration form similar to an arrival/departure card, also called a Mexico Tourist Card. Normally, an FMM card will be given to you on your inbound flight. You must fill this FMM card before you enter the immigration and customs at the first port of entry in Mexico.
At your first port of entry in Mexico, you have to go through passport control. You will be asked about your purpose of travel, whether it’s your first time in Mexico, etc. Your passport will be stamped.
The number of days you will be allowed to stay will be marked on the FMM card. Usually, it’s 180 days but it can be less also. Verify the card right away to make sure you were given enough days for your trip.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
I have entered Mexico by air at Mexico City, Guadalajara and Cancun airports. I was always asked how long I plan to stay in Mexico. I was never asked to show proof of my return ticket or hotel bookings.
IMPORTANT
You must retain the FMM card while you are in Mexico. If you lose, you have to pay a penalty on your exit.
As always, carry a copy of your return ticket and hotel booking just in case. If you are traveling on a one-way ticket, don’t forget to get proof of onward ticket.
You have to return the FMM card to the airline staff on your exit. If you lose your FMM card, you must pay a penalty. To avoid any penalties and delays on your exit, make sure to keep the FMM card safe while you are in the country.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
I left Mexico by air at Mexico City, Guadalajara and Cancun airports. There was no exit passport control. The airline staff verified my FMM card at check-in and took it away at the gate before boarding.
Grab and fill an FMM card at the immigration office. Present your passport, FMM card and cash for tourism tax.
You will be asked about your purpose of travel, whether it’s your first time in Mexico, etc. Your passport will be stamped. The number of days you will be allowed to stay will be marked on the FMM card. Usually, it’s 180 days but it can be less in some instances. Check the FMM card right away to make sure you were given enough days for your trip.
TOURISM TAX
All tourists entering Mexico must pay a tourism tax. If you are flying into Mexico, your airline fare will include tourism tax. But if you are entering by land, you must pay tourism tax at the immigration office. The tourism tax is $594 MXN. It must be paid in cash in Mexican pesos only, but at some borders accept USD.
You must present your original passport, FMM card and proof of tourism tax paid to the immigration officer.
If you have entered Mexico by air, check your airline booking for itemized price details. You should see a line such as “Tourism Tax”. You can print your booking and show this as proof of the tourism tax paid when leaving Mexico by land. If you do not see tourism tax in your booking, you can email the airline requesting an itemized invoice. If the airline can’t provide you with one, you MUST pay tourism tax when leaving Mexico by land.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
I left Mexico by land at Ciudad Cuauhtemoc near the Mexico/Guatemala border. I had a receipt of my tourist tax, so I presented my tourist tax receipt, FMM card and passport. The immigration officer took away the tourist tax receipt, and FMM card and stamped my passport with an exit stamp. It took about 5 minutes at the immigration office.
Grab and fill an FMM card at the immigration office. Present your passport, FMM card and cash for tourism tax.
You will be asked about your purpose of travel, whether it’s your first time in Mexico, etc. Your passport will be stamped. The number of days you will be allowed to stay will be marked on the FMM card. Usually, it’s 180 days but it can be less in some instances. Check the FMM card right away to make sure you were given enough days for your trip.
TOURISM TAX
All tourists entering Mexico must pay a tourism tax. If you are flying into Mexico, your airline fare will include tourism tax. But if you are entering by sea, you must pay tourism tax at the immigration office. The tourism tax is $594 MXN. It must be paid in cash in Mexican pesos only, but some maritime ports accept USD.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
I entered Mexico by sea at Chetumal near the Mexico/Belize border. I grabbed an FMM card, quickly filled and lined up at the immigration counter. It took a while to get through the immigration as there were many on the boat and there was only one immigration officer. I paid $533 MXN for tourism tax and received a receipt of payment.
You must present your original passport, FMM card and proof of tourism tax paid to the immigration officer.
If you do not have a tourism tax receipt or your airline booking doesn’t indicate it clearly, you will have to pay tourism tax when leaving Mexico by sea.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
I left Mexico by sea at Chetumal near the Mexico/Belize border. I did not have a receipt for my tourism tax paid, so I had to pay the tourism tax at the port. I did not receive a receipt for tourism tax paid since I’m exiting and the receipt will not be useful anyway. The immigration procedure took about 10 minutes.
Mexico visa requirements are clear and easy to understand. Mexico offers visa EXEMPTION to many nationalities. Any nationality holding any visa from the US, UK, Canada, Schengen or Japan is also visa EXEMPT. The Visa application procedure is fairly easy, and quick and costs $44 USD.
WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI
Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.
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Purchase travel medical insurance for your trip from HeyMondo. HeyMondo offers a 5% discount to Visa Traveler readers (use the link above), and covers all medical and travel emergencies during your trip.
Need more? Check out my travel resources page for the best websites to plan your trip.
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Having Trouble Navigating Visas?
Hi! I'm Thirumal Motati. I've been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. I've obtained several tourist visas, including the most difficult ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times.
I'm here to help you navigate the visas and travel the world.
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