This article comprehends all the useful information for knowing the Visa obligations and entry requirements for Mexico. Embarking on a journey to Mexico promises a tapestry of cultural richness, breathtaking landscapes, and lively traditions that captivate global tourists. Navigating through the entry process, foreign visitors must familiarize themselves with the distinct prerequisites and immigration protocols in place. Fear not! This article elucidates the fundamental conditions for entering Mexico, ensuring a seamless experience for tourists.
Basic Entry Requirements:
1. Valid Passport: A prerequisite for all foreign citizens is a current and valid passport.
2. Pre-Application Visas: Mexico does not issue visas upon arrival, underscoring the importance of completing immigration procedures beforehand.
Exemptions from Mexican Visa Requirement:
Certain foreign citizens, equipped with specific documents, are exempt from the Mexican visa requirement. These include:
- A valid multiple-entry visa from the United States.
- Permanent residency card from Canada, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, or any Schengen Area country.
- Approval of the APEC Business Traveler Card (ABTC) by Mexico.
- Also for Finnish residents holding a “P” or “Permanent” residence permit. It’s important to mention that this exemption does not extend to temporary residents, Finnish permit types “a” or “b,” Estonian temporary residence permit holders, or individuals with Alien passports; they must acquire a Mexican visa.
Mexican Visa Exemptions for staying up to 180 Days:
- Passport holders from Finland and Estonia (excluding Alien’s passports) are exempt from visas.
- Nationals from listed countries, such as Argentina, Australia, Canada, and others, can enjoy visa-free entry. Check the comprehensive list on the Migration National Institute or continue reading.
- British citizens from various territories, including Bermuda, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, and more, holding passports indicating “Overseas British Citizen” or “Overseas British Subject,” are eligible.
- Special attention to passport holders from the Republic of Colombia – pre-registration is mandatory.
Migratory Entry Requirements:
Upon arrival, foreign visitors may need to furnish the following information to immigration authorities:
1. Passport or Valid ID: Submission of a valid and current passport or identification.
2. Personal Details: Provision of information as requested by immigration authorities.
3. Travel Justification: Tourists may be required to present evidence of economic solvency, hotel reservation, return ticket, and proof of residence.
4. Stay Particulars: Providing information regarding the duration and address of the stay in Mexico, backed by a round-trip ticket and a confirmed hotel reservation.
5. Activity Insights: Offering details about planned activities in Mexico and those in the home country.
6. Economic Solvency: It is recommended to possess an international credit card.
7. Formalities and Exit: An immigration officer, upon entry, will stamp a migratory form, which must be retained and submitted upon departure from Mexico.
Countries and Regions Requiring Visas to Enter Mexico
Nationals from the following countries and regions must obtain a visa to enter Mexico as Tourists, Transmigrants, or Business Visitors. However, individuals with a valid and current visa from the United States of America or those proving legal permanent residence in the United States, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the countries within the Schengen Area are exempt from this requirement.
Visa Required
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Saudi Arabia
- Algeria
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Belarus
- Benin
- Bolivia
- Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Brunei Darussalam
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Bhutan
- Cabo Verde
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Chad
- China People’s Republic
- Colombia
- Comoros
- Congo
- Congo, Dem. Rep. (Zaire)
- North Korea
- Ivory Coast
- Cuba
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- United Arab Emirates
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Russian Federation
- Fiji Islands
- Philippines
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Guinea Bissau
- Equatorial Guinea
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- India
- Indonesia
- Iraq
- Iran
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kyrgyzstan
- Kiribati
- Kuwait
- Laos
- Lesotho
- Lebanon
- Liberia
- Libya
- Macedonia
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Maldives
- Mali
- Morocco
- Mauritius
- Mauritania
- Myanmar
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Nepal
- Nicaragua
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palestine
- Papua New Guinea
- Peru
- Qatar
- Central African Republic
- Sahrawi Arab Dem. Rep.
- Rwanda
- Solomon Islands
- Western Samoa
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Saint Lucia
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Seychelles Islands
- Sierra Leone
- Syria
- Somalia
- Sri Lanka
- South Africa
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Swaziland
- Thailand
- Taiwan
- Tanzania
- Tajikistan
- East Timor
- Togo
- Tonga
- Tunisia
- Turkmenistan
- Turkey
- Tuvalu
- Ukraine
- Uganda
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Vietnam
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Visas can be obtained at any of the more than 130 Mexican consulates worldwide. Please refer to the updated information at Countries Requiring Visas.
Countries and Regions NOT Requiring Visas to Enter Mexico
Nationals from the following countries can enter Mexico as Tourists, Transmigrants, and Business Visitors without a visa requirement.
- Germany
- Andorra
- Anguilla
- Netherlands Antilles
- Argentina
- Aruba
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahamas (Commonwealth)
- Barbados
- Belgium
- Belize
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- Cyprus
- South Korea
- Costa Rica
- Denmark
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- United States of America
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Greenland
- Guadeloupe
- French Guiana
- Hong Kong (People’s Republic of China)
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Iceland
- Azores Islands
- Bermuda Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Cocos Islands
- Cook Islands
- Faroe Islands
- Guam Islands
- Falkland Islands
- Mariana Islands
- Marshall Islands
- Christmas Island
- Niue Islands
- Norfolk Islands
- Pitcairn Islands
- Reunion Islands
- US Virgin Islands
- Wallis and Futuna Islands
- British Virgin Islands
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macao (People’s Republic of China)
- Mayotte
- Malta
- Martinique
- Micronesia
- Monaco
- Montserrat
- Norway
- New Caledonia
- New Zealand
- Netherlands (Holland)
- Palau
- Panama
- Paraguay
- French Polynesia
- Poland
- Portugal
- Puerto Rico
- United Kingdom of Great Britain
- Czech Republic
- Romania
- American Samoa
- San Marino
- Saint Helena
- Singapore
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- British Indian Ocean Territory
- Tokelau
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
Consular Seal Required
Individuals from the following countries do not need a visa but must obtain a consular seal in their passport to enter Mexico as Tourists, Transmigrants, and Business Visitors.
- El Salvador
- Jamaica
- Malaysia
Do I need a Visa For Entering Mexico?
You can check this List of Countries Requiring Visa for Travel to Mexico as Visitors without Permission to Engage in Remunerated Activities, such as Tourism, Transit, Business
Types of Visas
- Visitor Visa without Permission to Engage in Remunerated Activities: Tourism, Transit, Business Travel, Correspondent for a Media Outlet, Among Others.
- Visitor Visa without Permission to Engage in Remunerated Activities. Long Duration (10 Years)
- Visitor Visa for Adoption Procedures
- Temporary Residence Visa
- Temporary Resident Student Visa
- Permanent Residence Visa
- Visas Whose Processing Must Be Initiated in Mexico before the National Institute of Migration (INM):
- Visitor Visa with Permission to Engage in Remunerated Activities, when Requested due to a Job Offer.
- Temporary Residence Visa, when Requested by Family Unit, Provided that the Family Member Entitling Them to the Visa is in Mexican Territory.
- Permanent Residence Visa, when Requested by Family Unit or as a Derivation of Refugee Status Recognition. For Both Cases, the Family Member Entitling Them to the Visa Must Be in Mexico.
You must consider that aving a Visa does not Guarantee Entry to National Territory. It Only Allows the Foreign Person to Present Themselves at the Entry Point to Request Entry into the Country.
Entry or Admission to Mexico is Subject to Approval by Sanitary and Immigration Authorities at Entry Points to the Country, Known as Immigration Filters, Who May at Any Time Conduct an Interview about the Purpose of Their Trip and Verify the Requirements Established in the Applicable Legal Provisions (Article 37 of the Migration Law and 60 of its Regulations).
Visa To Transit Through Mexico
Foreign nationals whose nationalities require a visa to travel to Mexico must carry the corresponding visa, even if they are in immediate transit through airports.
As of October 22, 2023, this requirement must be met to board any flight destined for Mexico. The Government of Mexico reiterates that, in accordance with Article 37 of the Migration Law, foreign nationals whose nationalities require a visa to travel to Mexico must carry the corresponding visa.
This provision also applies to foreign nationals intending to transit through Mexican international airports, who must have a visa for “visitor without permission to engage in remunerated activities”.
Foreign nationals intending to transit and make connections through Mexican airports must carry the corresponding visa before departure from their country of origin to board any flight destined for Mexico.
Mexican visa will not be required for: foreign nationals traveling to Mexican territory under the migratory facilitation measures provided for in Article 26 of the Guidelines for migration procedures and processes in force, namely:
- a) Individuals holding a document certifying their permanent residence in Canada, the United States of America, Japan, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, any of the countries that make up the Schengen Area, as well as the member countries of the Pacific Alliance.
- b) Individuals holding a valid and current visa for 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.
For more information, please consult the official government website
In conclusion, navigating the entry requirements ensures not only compliance but also a heightened sense of anticipation for the extraordinary experiences that await in the vibrant and diverse landscapes of Mexico.
