REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION FOR ENTERING MEXICO

Effective immediately, Mexican Immigration authorities have begun increased enforcement of existing Mexican laws regarding proper documentation for travel to Mexico. U.S. citizens entering Mexico through any Juarez port of entry may be asked to present proof of citizenship such as a U.S. birth certificate, certificate of citizenship or naturalization, or U.S. passport along with a photo ID. Immigration officials may also inquire about the purpose of the traveler’s visit. Those conducting business or planning longer stays in Mexico will be asked to apply for the appropriate visa. The guidelines below provide information on the types of Mexican visas and the documentation required to obtain one. For further information or questions, please contact the nearest Mexican Consulate or the Mexican Embassy in Washington DC at the numbers listed. Have a pleasant trip!

MEXICAN TOURIST/VISITOR PERMITS

TOURIST PERMIT (FMT) - The FMT is a permit to enter Mexico for tourist/transit purposes for over 72 hours and less than 180 days. The requirements for this visa are as follows:

• Valid passport, certificate of naturalization or an original birth certificate and a valid government issued ID (a photocopy of the document that you present is also required)
• 1 front view, color, passport-size photograph.

This permit can be obtained at Mexican Embassies and Consulates within the U.S. and Canada, at the port of entry from Mexican Immigration Officials or through most airlines serving Mexico upon arrival. Cost of Tourist Permit FMT - The non-immigrant fee (DNI - Derecho de No-Inmigrante) to be paid for this visa (as of March 16, 2001) is $210.00 Mexican pesos - approx. $21.00 USD.

MEXICAN STUDENT VISAS

The Mexican Student Visa is issued to students attending school for over six months. If attending courses for less than six months, they may enter Mexico with a FMT (Tourist permit). The requirements for this visa are as follows:

• Valid passport (with a minimum of six months validity beyond intended stay)
• 6 front view, color, passport-size photographs.
• 6 right-side view, color, passport size photographs
• Acceptance letter from school that you plan to attend
• Letter of economic solvency stating you have a monthly income of at least $300.00 USD. If the letter is issued by parents or a private company, the document should be notarized and presented with a bank or job letter proving the economic solvency of the responsible person.

MEXICAN BUSINESS VISA REQUIREMENTS

Business Visa (FM3) - The FM3 is a permit to enter Mexico which allows a stay for up to 1 year. This permit can be obtained at Mexican Embassies and Consulates within the U.S. and Canada. The requirements for this visa are as follows:

• Valid passport (with a minimum of six months validity beyond intended stay) (plus a photocopy of the passport)
• 2 front view, color, passport-size photographs.
• Documents showing that the applicant is engaged in business activities in Mexico and that the information provided and the activity to be performed is authentic.
• Letter from the U.S. Corporation or business specifying the exact purpose of the trip, the activities to be performed, the cities or states and names of the companies that will be visited and that he/she will receive his/her income from the enterprise that he/she represents in the United States or Canada

COST OF FM3 PERMIT

Salary paid through the visiting Mexico enterprise: $1,680 Mexican pesos (aprox. $150 USD). Salary paid in the U.S. through the enterprise that he/she represents: $1,038 Mexican pesos (aprox. $92 USD). Bring proof of salary option at time of permit application If visiting different companies in the same city, a letter with the names of all the companies needs to be attached as the FM3 form only provides space for two companies’ names to be written. Additional documentation may be required when applying for this visa in the United States or Canada, so please contact the nearest Mexican Consulate directly before traveling.

 

IMPORTANT BEFORE LEAVING MEXICO - All Mexican Permits or Visas must be returned to a Mexican Immigration office at a Mexican Port of Entry upon final departure from Mexico or to a Mexican Consulate or Embassy no later than 5 days following the expiration date. An exit stamp should be obtained upon leaving Mexico. Failure to timely cancel your permit or visa may result in penalties or fines.