Traveling to Mexico is an enriching experience for millions of tourists each year. However, recent changes in immigration regulations have created confusion and challenges for those who are not fully informed about the entry requirements. This article breaks down advisories for visas and everything you need to know to ensure a hassle-free entry into this wonderful country.
What is happening with the entry of tourists to Mexico and the access problems?
Recent changes have affected tourists’ entry to Mexico due to stricter measures to ensure security and compliance with immigration laws. Many visitors arrive in the country without being fully informed about the requirements. This can result in delays or even denial of entry. This problem has intensified with the growing demand for international travelers and Mexico’s need to control migratory flows.
Why is this happening?
The migration process to Mexico is at a key moment due to several interrelated factors. These factors include increased migration flows into the country, political and economic tensions in Latin America, and the influence of the United States as a final destination for many migrants.
Mexico has assumed a crucial role as a crossing point for migrants from Central America, the Caribbean, and more distant countries such as Venezuela, Haiti, and even Africa and Asia. Many see Mexico as a stepping stone to the United States. This has put pressure on the Mexican immigration system, which is not always prepared to handle the massive flow of people.
U.S. immigration decisions have a direct impact on Mexico. For example:
- “Stay in Mexico” program: this policy requires U.S. asylum seekers to remain in Mexican territory while their case is being processed, increasing pressure on Mexican border cities.
- Reinforcement of the U.S. southern border: Tighter policies have led to many migrants being stranded in Mexico, either because they are unable to cross or because they are waiting for their legal claims to be resolved.
In addition, Mexico and the United States have signed agreements to cooperate on migration issues. Such as the deployment of the National Guard on Mexico’s southern border and the strengthening of the National Migration Institute (INM).
Who needs a visa to enter Mexico?
The conditions of stay defined in Article 52 of the Immigration Law are:
- Visitor without permission to engage in paid activities (tourism, business, others).
- Visitor with permission to engage in paid activities.
- Regional visitor (Applicable in the southern states).
- Border worker visitor (Applicable in the southern states).
- Visitor for humanitarian reasons. – Visitor for adoption purposes.
- Temporary resident.
- Temporary student resident.
Those wishing to enter Mexico should apply at a Mexican consulate for the corresponding visa for their entry. In the case of tourism, business, or unpaid activities, a visitor visa without permission for paid activities should be applied for.
Remember that you cannot exceed 180 days (unless you have residency or a migratory procedure).
It is important that before traveling you find out if you require a VISA, what documents are required to process your VISA (which you can find on the corresponding embassy’s website), what other documents and information you need to enter and any other important details.
Also you can use the avisores companies that help with the management of visas. Below is a list of some of them.
Documents that serve as an alternative to the Mexican visa
- Document that proves permanent residency in Canada, the United States of America, Japan, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, any of the countries that comprise the Schengen Area, as well as in the member countries of the Pacific Alliance (Chile, Colombia, and Peru).
- Valid and current visa from Canada, the United States of America, Japan, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, or any of the countries that make up the Schengen Area.
- APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) approved by Mexico (only for entry via air, land, and sea for business travel).
- Certificate proving membership as crew of the aircraft arriving.
- Seaman’s book, if a crew member of a vessel arrives at a Mexican port on an international voyage. If the crew member comes by air to join a vessel docked in a national port, they must present, in addition to the seaman’s book, a document proving their enrollment, the details of the vessel, and the Mexican port where it is located.
What are the requirements that Mexico requests for tourists to enter?
To enter Mexico as a tourist, it is necessary to meet the following requirements:
- Valid passport or identity and travel document. Valid according to international law and validity for at least six months from the date of entry.
- Multiple Immigration Form (FMM). Properly filled out (only for land entries. At international airports, you do not have to present, fill out, or carry any FMM as it will be generated upon entry and through the intervention of the immigration authority. Additionally, your immigration stamp will have all the necessary information). You can find more about the FMM here. Your Multiple Immigration Form, which you can save on a device or print, serves as proof of your regular stay in the country.
- Visa (when it’s applicable). Certain countries require a tourist visa. This must be properly issued, valid, and current. Here you can find the countries that require a visa.
- Proof of economic solvency. This can include bank statements or credit cards.
- Travel itinerary. Flight and accommodation reservations.
- Proof of the purpose of the visit. Invitations, if applicable, or details of planned activities.
- Personal information and data. Place of habitual residence or origin, address, length of stay in the national territory, activities you engage in your country, means of subsistence during your stay, among others.
Important:
- Mexico allows you to enter with cash or financial documents worth up to ten thousand US dollars without paying taxes. If you exceed this amount, you must present a tax declaration at the respective international control point.
- Upon leaving the country, you are required to submit the Multiple Immigration Form. In case of loss, you must request a replacement at any INM Service Office that meets the necessary requirements. This process has a cost.
What happens if the tourist does not have their documents in order upon arrival?
Denial of entry and immediate deportation:
Immigration officials may deny them entry if they do not comply with entry requirements, such as the corresponding visa, valid passport or the Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM).
In this case, the traveler is sent back to the country from which he/she flew to Mexico. Deportation costs are usually borne by the passenger or the airline.
Detention at immigration stations:
Some tourists are held in stations of the National Migration Institute (INM) while is investigated their situation.
These centers are often overcrowded and conditions may not be ideal. This could generate a physical and emotional impact for those affected.
Additional costs and loss of time:
Stranded tourists face additional expenses, such as temporary accommodation, rebooking flights or hiring lawyers to resolve their situation.
This can also cause delays in their travel itineraries and affect their tourism or work plans.
Stigmatization and possible mistreatment:
In some cases, tourists without complete documents may experience prolonged interrogations or treatment they perceive as unfair. Although authorities must follow protocols, tensions at entry points can result in negative experiences for travelers.
This is mainly for the following reasons:
- Some tourists are not fully informed about the specific requirements for their nationality when traveling to Mexico. This is especially common in countries that require visas, such as India.
- Problems such as passport expiration, lack of a valid visa or lack of proof of economic solvency can lead to complications.
- Mexico allows entry to certain travelers with valid U.S., Canadian or Schengen visas. However, there is confusion when these visas are not valid or do not meet validity requirements.
- Changes in regulations can lead to a lack of awareness among tourists and tour operators, resulting in poorly planned trips.
Tourists are impacted in a number of ways:
- Psychological: Being stranded in a foreign country without documents can cause anxiety, frustration and fear for possible legal or economic consequences.
- Economic: Financial losses due to cancelled flight reservations, penalties and other unexpected costs.
- Physical: Staying in immigration stations or airports for long periods of time affects the health and general well-being of tourists.
How can tourists prevent it?
Verify requirements prior to travel: Consult Mexican embassies or consulates in your country can confirm what documents are needed.
Bring physical and digital copies: Have extra copies of your passport, visa and other essential documents to avoid unexpected losses.
Use the services of specialized agencies: Visa agencies or travel consultants can help tourists ensure they have all the necessary paperwork before traveling.
Review alternative visa policies: Those with U.S., Canadian or Schengen visas should check their validity before travel to avoid misunderstandings.
Where can I found the required information for entry?
You can find the Official information about entry requirements on the National Migration Institute’s portal, as well as information of interest through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Consulates and Embassies of Mexico.
It is advisable to check these sources before traveling to ensure compliance with current regulations.
Which countries require a VISA?
- Africa and the Middle East: Afghanistan, Angola, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Sudan, Lebanon, Iran, and Iraq, among others.
- Asia: China, Philippines, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Syria, Thailand, and Vietnam, among others.
- Europe and Eurasia: Belarus, Montenegro, Russia, Ukraine, among others.
- Latin America and the Caribbean: Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, and Venezuela, among others.
- Oceania: Micronesia, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu, among others.
Find the complete list here and Updates.
Important exceptions
Some exceptions facilitate entry to Mexico without the need for a Mexican visa:
- People with a valid visa from Canada, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, or any Schengen Area country.
- Permanent residents in Canada, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, or Schengen countries.
These visa exemptions for citizens with valid documents from certain countries highlight the importance of international cooperation issued by allied nations and supported by bilateral and multilateral agreements aimed at facilitating the flow of visitors.
Russian, Turkish or Ukrainian
If you are Russian, Turkish or Ukrainian and plan to travel by air, you can apply for an Electronic Authorization (AE), which is valid for 30 days and is valid for a single entry.
This electronic authorization allows you to enter as a visitor without permission to perform paid activities, without the need to apply for a Mexican visa.
Upon arrival in Mexico, an immigration agent will verify the documentation and authorize the corresponding number of days to stay in the country.
You should meet the following conditions in order to use the Electronic Authorization System (SAE) and obtain the authorization:
- Be Russian, Ukrainian or Turkish.
- Have a valid passport.
- Fill out an application at the following link: Click here.
If the application is authorized, you must print the voucher and present it the day of your flight at the airline counter, where a Federal Migration Agent will verify your documentation, i.e. the electronic authorization and your valid passport.
Otherwise, you will have to go to the Mexican Diplomatic Representation of the country where you reside to carry out the corresponding procedure to obtain the Mexican visa.
Another important aspect to be able to use the electronic authorization is that you must verify that the airline by which you will travel to Mexico participates in the SAE scheme.
If the entry is by land or by sea, you will need a Mexican visa according to the established procedures.
Advisores
Some of the companies that provide advice and support for visa applications are the following:
Global advisors:
Start Ops: Team of Mexican visa experts with years of experience in providing top-notch visa assistance services to clients worldwide.
DIAM: Inmigration Lawyers in Mexico, with more than 6,000 satisfied customers behind them.
IVISA: provides online visa application services, offering guidance and support to Chinese citizens planning trips to destinations such as Mexico and more.
VISA HQ: Offers visa services for travelers, including those from Singapore, facilitating the visa application process for various destinations, including Mexico.
CIBT visas: The fast and easy way to obtain a travel visa, passport, and other documents for travel anywhere in the world including popular destinations such as China, India and Saudi Arabia.
Some options for India:
- Itzeazy: A Govtech startup founded in January 2015. Its one stop solution for Govt. documents. It has head quarter in New Delhi and services are available in 12 cities of India.
- Xico India: Full-service Immigration Consultancy Firm with its office in New Delhi certified under MCA (Ministry of Corporate Affairs). Is engaged in offering online visa services to their respective clients.
- Passport Visa Consultancy: pioneers in visa services with an impressive track record of 8 years. Our expert teams cater to various visa needs, including Tourist Visas, Visitor Visas, Study Visas, Business Visas, and Immigration.
Important: Although the Mexican visa allows you to travel to the country, it does not guarantee entry into the national territory.
At the point of entry, the immigration authorities may ask you some questions to confirm the reasons for your trip, the duration and how you will cover the expenses during your stay. These authorities will verify the authenticity of the documents presented and the information declared, and will confirm that there is no express prohibition.
The reasons for your trip must match the type of visa.
Conclusion
Being informed about immigration requirements is essential to avoid inconveniences when entering Mexico. With proper preparation and always checking official information, tourists can enjoy a safe and hassle-free experience. Make sure to comply with all regulations and enjoy what Mexico has to offer: its vibrant culture, exceptional cuisine, and stunning landscapes.
