Mexico Entry Requirements
Mexico Vacation Central recommends that all visitors to Mexico enter and exit using a valid passport. Though not required for all visitors, legislation for the near future will require a passport. So if you haven’t gotten a passport already, and you still have time, you may want to start your paperwork for a passport now. In addition, most travelers who use a valid passport have less incidence of hassle and can better enjoy their vacation. Please note that a passport for US & Canadian citizens is not currently required to enter Mexico. However, a passport will be required for re-entry into your homeland country. Please check with your government travel advisory website to get the most up-to-date information.
Mexico Entry Requirements for US & Canadian Citizens
Note: If you are traveling with a valid passport, points 1 & 3 are eliminated. However, you may want to carry them with you, just in case.
1) A Photo I.D. -Examples are: Drivers License, Health Card with photo, Canadian I.D. card.
2) A Tourist Card / FMT - Folleto de Migracion Turistica – See bottom of page for more info -Visitors must hold a tourist card (FMT form). It is for single entry only and is issued free of charge and obtainable from travel agents, airlines, Mexican Consulates, Mexican international airports and border crossing points.
3) Valid proof of citizenship -Examples are: Original Birth Certificate, Citizen Card or notarized copy of naturalization papers .
Mexico Entry Requirements for:
Andorra, Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Belize, Bermudas, Brazil, Costa Rica, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Monaco, Norway, New Zealand, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Venezuela, Serbia & Montenegro:
1) A Valid Passport -Must have at least 6 months before it expires from the day of entry into Mexico.
2) A Tourist Card / FMT - Folleto de Migracion Turistica – See bottom of page for more info -Visitors must hold a tourist card (FMT form). It is for single entry only and is issued free of charge and obtainable from travel agents, airlines, Mexican Consulates, Mexican international airports and border crossing points.
3) Tickets and documents for a return or onward journey.
All other countries or anyone entering for work or study longer than 180 days:
1) A Valid Passport -Must have at least 6 months before it expires from the day of entry into Mexico.
2) Visa -Only obtainable through a Mexican consulate (in person or by mail).
3) Tickets and documents for a return or onward journey.
Re-Entry Requirements for US & Canada:
Again, please remember to check what your re-entry requirements are for your homeland country. You will need these documents to exit your country and re-enter, which is a completely separate issue from being able to enter Mexico (outlined above). You can check requirements for Canada & the US below:
Re-Entry Requirements for US Citizens
Travel by airThe first phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative which requires U.S. citizens traveling to the United States by air to have a passport remains in effect. All U.S. citizens must present a passport in order to board a U.S.-bound flight.
Travel by Land or Sea As of January 31, 2008, adult U.S. citizen travelers who are seeking to enter the United States by land or sea must present both (1) proof of citizenship and (2) proof of identity in order to be admitted into the United States. This requirement results from new provisions of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. Examples of acceptable proof of citizenship include a U.S. birth certificate, Certificate of Naturalization, or U.S. passport, either currently valid or expired. Examples of proof of identity include a passport, state-issued driver’s license or identification, or a SENTRI/NEXUS/FAST card. As of January 31, 2008, oral declarations of citizenship alone will no longer be acceptable for admission into the United States. Children ages 18 and under will only be required to present proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. US Citizens: Stay up-to-date by CLICKING HERE
Re-Entry Requirements for Canadian Citizens
If you are from Quebec, please check with your travel agent to make sure you have appropriate proof of citizenship if you are not traveling with a valid passport.
Canadian Citizens: Stay up-to-date by CLICKING HERE
Tourist Card / FMT
This document will most likely be provided to you by the airline with which you are travelling, or from Mexican Immigration upon entry into Mexico. It is permission from the Mexican Government that allows you to visit Mexico for a certain period of time (anywhere from the actual days you are in Mexico, all the way up to 180 days).
Do not lose or damage the bottom portion of your tourist visa which is returned to you after immigration inspection. You will need it when you are leaving the country and will have to hand it in when you check in. Without it, you may encounter delay of departure. If you lose it, depending on who you are dealing with, the process to obtain another one can be simple, difficult, or expensive. Do not lose it as you are also legally required to carry it with you and if you are ever asked to show your papers, this document can be more important than your passport. As a precaution, you might want to write down your tourist card number and keep it in a different place than your Tourist Card. Should you lose it, this will help the process out greatly. As with all travel documents, keep your Tourist Card in a safe place.
If you decide you would like to stay longer than the amount of time that the Immigration Officer granted you, you can visit the local immigration offices for an extension of up to 180 total days in Mexico.
Minors
Any person under the age of 18 is considered a minor for travel purposes. There are very strict regulations which govern international travel by minors into Mexico. As with adults, if the minor has a valid passport, travel can be easier for all those involved. Every minor must have a tourist card, proof of citizenship.
In order to combat international child abduction or the exploitation of minors, Article 215 of Mexico’s Ley General de Población requires that minor non-Mexican children leaving Mexico must be accompanied by both parents or guardians or be prepared to present written authorization to travel from the absent parent or parents. This document must include: -the name(s) of the authorizing parent(s), -the name of the child, -the name(s) of the adult(s) accompanying the child, and -the notarized signature(s) of the absent parent(s).
The child must be carrying the original letter – not a faxed or scanned copy – as well as proof of the parent/child relationship (usually a birth certificate) – and an original custody decree, if applicable.
If there is only one custodial parent, the accompanying adult should be prepared to present documentation to that effect (e.g, a court order granting sole custody to one parent, a death certificate for the absent parent, etc.).
Please check with your travel agent or state or provincial agency for up-to-date information. This information is provided as a guideline for informational purposes only. You are responsible for making sure, through proper agencies and authorities, that you have verified and hold the proper documents for entry and exit into and out of Mexico.
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Canadian passport holders must have a valid passport, or other proof of citizenship, such as an original birth certificate, and an official photo ID (driver's license is acceptable), plus marriage certificate if your name has changed. A visa is not required for stays of up to 180 days if in possession of a Tourist Card/FMT form issued. Travelers are required to have the necessary documents for further travel.
