Mexico visa and entry requirements

Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) publishes a list of countries and regions whose nationals do not need a visa to travel to Mexico as visitors without permission to do paid work (tourism), and says a visitor cannot exceed 180 days. A valid visa from Canada, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom or any Schengen country can be presented as an alternative to the Mexican visa, and a free electronic authorization (SAE) lets nationals of Ukraine, Turkey and Russia travel to Mexico by air without a paper visa.

Every fact on this page verified on or after: Aug 25, 2026· How this site works

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Visas & entry authorisations

Visitor Visa Without Permission to Work (Visa de Visitante)

Fee
56 USD
Processing
—
Stay per entry
180 days

Mexico's 2026 Federal Duties Law (Ley Federal de Derechos, art. 22, III d) sets USD 56.00 for receiving and studying the application and, where applicable, authorising and issuing ordinary visas in foreign passports. It lists the long-duration visitor visa without permission to work separately, at USD 54.00 (art. 22, III f).

Entry requirements

Passport validity

INM requires a passport or identity and travel document that is valid (vigente) at the immigration check; it states no minimum validity period.

Vaccinations

Not officially stated

No official source we read lists a vaccination certificate required for entry.

Travel insurance

Not officially stated

No official source we could read states a travel-insurance requirement for Mexico.

Verified Oct 3, 2026 · Source: gob.mx (opens in a new tab)

Onward or return ticket

Not officially stated

No official source we could read states that a return or onward ticket is required. INM says the immigration authority may ask you to prove the purpose of your trip, for example with a hotel reservation, return tickets or tour tickets, and to state the means of transport you will use to leave the country.

Verified Oct 3, 2026 · Source: gob.mx (opens in a new tab)

Proof of funds

Not officially stated

No official source we could read states a proof-of-funds requirement or amount. INM says the immigration authority may ask about your means of subsistence during your stay (except holders of a Mexican visa), your address and how long you will stay.

Verified Oct 3, 2026 · Source: gob.mx (opens in a new tab)

Arrival cards & declarations

Conditional
  • FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple) — land arrivals only — INM says that at international airports you do not have to present, fill in or carry an FMM: it is generated at entry, and your entry stamp carries the necessary information. If you enter by land, you must present a completed FMM at the immigration check. Canada's travel advice says air arrivals need to complete the digital FMM (FMMD) online upon arrival and keep a copy. inm.gob.mx (opens in a new tab)
Verified Oct 3, 2026 · Source: gob.mx (opens in a new tab)

Staying past your permitted stay

A foreigner who entered regularly and exceeded the period of stay first granted may apply to regularize their status, provided they apply within 60 calendar days after the authorized period expires. When regularization is authorized, a fine of 20 to 100 days of the general minimum wage in force in the Federal District is imposed.

Other compulsory government charges

  • Migration document fee for visitors without permission for paid activities (DNR) — 983 MXN per person per trip. Included in the air ticket.

    The INM fee table charges MXN 983 for the receipt, review and issue of the migration document of a visitor without permission for paid activities (DNR). The Canadian government says most foreign visitors must pay this migratory entry fee and that it is normally included in airline and cruise ship tickets. It says visitors arriving by land pay at the migration entry booth by card, at a bank after entry or online before arrival, and that visitors entering by land for tourism for no more than 7 days do not pay it.

    Exemptions: The Canadian government says visitors entering by land for tourism whose stay will not exceed 7 days do not pay it.

  • Migration services fee for international air passengers leaving Mexico (DSM) — 232 MXN per person per trip.

    The INM fee table charges MXN 232 for migration services at airports to passengers on international flights leaving Mexico (DSM). The UK government says a departure tax may be due when leaving Mexico by air or land, and that most airlines include it in the ticket price.

    Verified Oct 12, 2026 · Source: gob.mx (opens in a new tab) · Ley Federal de Derechos
  • Quintana Roo fee for foreign visitors (VISITAX) — 2.50 UMA per foreign visitor entering the State. Paid online before travelling.

    Foreign visitors entering Quintana Roo must pay a state fee of 2.50 UMA for the use of the State's public-domain property, through the means the Secretariat authorises through SATQ. Visitors entering through the State's southern border are exempt. Visitax is the State Government application for payments by foreign tourists. The UK government says the tax can be paid online before or during the stay, and proof of payment must be shown at the airport before leaving.

    Exemptions: Foreign visitors entering Quintana Roo through the State's southern border.

    Verified Oct 12, 2026 · Source: documentos.congresoqroo.gob.mx (opens in a new tab) · Ley de Derechos del Estado de Quintana Roo
  • Quintana Roo cruise passenger fee — 5 US dollars per passenger (the law writes the amount in words). Included in the air ticket.

    Passengers of tourist cruise ships whose vessel calls at a port in Quintana Roo must pay a fee of 5 US dollars for the use of the State's public-domain property when they buy their passage.

    Verified Oct 12, 2026 · Source: documentos.congresoqroo.gob.mx (opens in a new tab) · Ley de Derechos del Estado de Quintana Roo

Customs & currency

Mexico's customs agency says anyone entering or leaving Mexico with more than USD 10,000 (or the equivalent) in cash, cheques, payment orders or other documents must declare it to the customs authorities. Carrying the money is not an offence; failing to declare it is. Not declaring it is fined 20% to 40% of the amount above USD 10,000, and an undeclared amount over USD 30,000 is punished with 3 months to 6 years in prison and the excess passes to the federal treasury, unless the lawful origin of the funds is shown.

  • The Government of Canada says you must declare goods worth more than USD 500 and that Mexico has strict rules on the importation of weapons, vehicles, cigarettes and alcohol.
  • Canada's travel advice says that if you're 18 or older you can bring into Mexico up to 20 packs of cigarettes, 25 cigars or 200 grams of tobacco, 3 litres of alcoholic beverages and 6 litres of wine; if you bring more, even if you declare it or hand it over, you will have to pay a hefty import tax.
  • Australia's Smartraveller says it is illegal to carry firearms or ammunition without a permit, including in Mexican waters, and that if you need a firearm permit you should apply at a Mexican embassy or consulate before you arrive. Canada's travel advice says anyone entering Mexico with a firearm or ammunition without prior written authorization from Mexican authorities is subject to imprisonment.
  • The UK government says it is illegal to bring e-cigarettes, vaping devices and solutions into Mexico; customs officials will confiscate them and could fine or detain you.

Country in a nutshell

Currency
Mexican peso (MXN, $)
Cards & payments
Australia's Smartraveller says most international hotels and tourist facilities accept credit and debit cards, ATMs are widely available in cities and towns, US dollars are widely accepted in holiday resort areas, and you should carry cash if travelling to rural areas.
Safety — Exercise caution
The UK government advises against all but essential travel to all or parts of several states, including Zacatecas, Michoacán, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Chihuahua, and parts of Baja California and Guanajuato. It says sexual offences have been reported in tourist areas and advises taking care even in areas close to hotels, especially after dark.Verified Oct 3, 2026 · Source: gov.uk (opens in a new tab) · archived copy Aug 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Power plugs
A, B · 127V 60Hz
Emergency numbers
General emergencies: 911
Languages
Spanish
Time zone
UTC-8 to UTC-5 (some areas observe summer time)
Tap water
not for drinking. Use bottled

Best time to visit

No official source we could read gives seasonal guidance. The UK government says the hurricane season in Mexico normally runs from June to November and can affect the Pacific and Atlantic coasts.

Tips & warnings

The UK government advises against all but essential travel to parts of Mexico, listing the areas state by state.

INM says that at international airports you do not have to present, fill in or carry an FMM: it is generated at entry.

INM says a visitor cannot exceed 180 days, and that at international airports your entry stamp carries the necessary information.

Australia's Smartraveller advises drinking boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids and avoiding ice cubes in Mexico.

Visa requirements by nationality

Visa requirements by nationality. Stay lengths are for ordinary tourist visits. Click a nationality for its full guide.
PassportsVisas & entry authorisationsMax stay
AfghanistanEmbassy visa—
AlbaniaEmbassy visa—
AlgeriaEmbassy visa—
AndorraVisa-free180 days
AngolaEmbassy visa—
Antigua and BarbudaEmbassy visa—
ArgentinaVisa-free180 days
ArmeniaEmbassy visa—
AustraliaVisa-free180 days
AustriaVisa-free180 days
AzerbaijanEmbassy visa—
BahamasVisa-free180 days
BahrainEmbassy visa—
BangladeshEmbassy visa—
BarbadosVisa-free180 days
BelarusEmbassy visa—
BelgiumVisa-free180 days
BelizeVisa-free180 days
BeninEmbassy visa—
BhutanEmbassy visa—
BoliviaVisa-free180 days
Bosnia and HerzegovinaEmbassy visa—
BotswanaEmbassy visa—
BrazilEmbassy visa—
BruneiEmbassy visa—
BulgariaVisa-free180 days
Burkina FasoEmbassy visa—
BurundiEmbassy visa—
Cabo VerdeEmbassy visa—
CambodiaEmbassy visa—
CameroonEmbassy visa—
CanadaVisa-free180 days
Central African RepublicEmbassy visa—
ChadEmbassy visa—
ChileVisa-free180 days
ChinaEmbassy visa—
ColombiaVisa-free180 days
ComorosEmbassy visa—
Costa RicaVisa-free180 days
Côte d'IvoireEmbassy visa—
CroatiaVisa-free180 days
CubaEmbassy visa—
CyprusVisa-free180 days
CzechiaVisa-free180 days
Democratic Republic of the CongoEmbassy visa—
DenmarkVisa-free180 days
DjiboutiEmbassy visa—
DominicaEmbassy visa—
Dominican RepublicEmbassy visa—
EcuadorEmbassy visa—
EgyptEmbassy visa—
El SalvadorEmbassy visa—
Equatorial GuineaEmbassy visa—
EritreaEmbassy visa—
EstoniaVisa-free180 days
EswatiniEmbassy visa—
EthiopiaEmbassy visa—
FijiEmbassy visa—
FinlandVisa-free180 days
FranceVisa-free180 days
GabonEmbassy visa—
GambiaEmbassy visa—
GeorgiaEmbassy visa—
GermanyVisa-free180 days
GhanaEmbassy visa—
GreeceVisa-free180 days
GrenadaEmbassy visa—
GuatemalaEmbassy visa—
GuineaEmbassy visa—
Guinea-BissauEmbassy visa—
GuyanaEmbassy visa—
HaitiEmbassy visa—
HondurasEmbassy visa—
Hong KongVisa-free180 days
HungaryVisa-free180 days
IcelandVisa-free180 days
IndiaEmbassy visa—
IndonesiaEmbassy visa—
IranEmbassy visa—
IraqEmbassy visa—
IrelandVisa-free180 days
IsraelVisa-free180 days
ItalyVisa-free180 days
JamaicaVisa-free180 days
JapanVisa-free180 days
JordanEmbassy visa—
KazakhstanEmbassy visa—
KenyaEmbassy visa—
KiribatiEmbassy visa—
KuwaitEmbassy visa—
KyrgyzstanEmbassy visa—
LaosEmbassy visa—
LatviaVisa-free180 days
LebanonEmbassy visa—
LesothoEmbassy visa—
LiberiaEmbassy visa—
LibyaEmbassy visa—
LiechtensteinVisa-free180 days
LithuaniaVisa-free180 days
LuxembourgVisa-free180 days
MacauVisa-free180 days
MadagascarEmbassy visa—
MalawiEmbassy visa—
MalaysiaVisa-free180 days
MaldivesEmbassy visa—
MaliEmbassy visa—
MaltaVisa-free180 days
Marshall IslandsVisa-free180 days
MauritaniaEmbassy visa—
MauritiusEmbassy visa—
MexicoFree movement—
MicronesiaVisa-free180 days
MoldovaEmbassy visa—
MonacoVisa-free180 days
MongoliaEmbassy visa—
MontenegroEmbassy visa—
MoroccoEmbassy visa—
MozambiqueEmbassy visa—
MyanmarEmbassy visa—
NamibiaEmbassy visa—
NauruEmbassy visa—
NepalEmbassy visa—
NetherlandsVisa-free180 days
New ZealandVisa-free180 days
NicaraguaEmbassy visa—
NigerEmbassy visa—
NigeriaEmbassy visa—
North KoreaEmbassy visa—
North MacedoniaEmbassy visa—
NorwayVisa-free180 days
OmanEmbassy visa—
PakistanEmbassy visa—
PalauVisa-free180 days
PalestineEmbassy visa—
PanamaVisa-free180 days
Papua New GuineaEmbassy visa—
ParaguayVisa-free180 days
PeruEmbassy visa—
PhilippinesEmbassy visa—
PolandVisa-free180 days
PortugalVisa-free180 days
QatarEmbassy visa—
Republic of the CongoEmbassy visa—
RomaniaVisa-free180 days
RussiaETA180 days
RwandaEmbassy visa—
Saint Kitts and NevisEmbassy visa—
Saint LuciaEmbassy visa—
Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesEmbassy visa—
SamoaEmbassy visa—
San MarinoVisa-free180 days
São Tomé and PríncipeEmbassy visa—
Saudi ArabiaEmbassy visa—
SenegalEmbassy visa—
SerbiaEmbassy visa—
SeychellesEmbassy visa—
Sierra LeoneEmbassy visa—
SingaporeVisa-free180 days
SlovakiaVisa-free180 days
SloveniaVisa-free180 days
Solomon IslandsEmbassy visa—
SomaliaEmbassy visa—
South AfricaEmbassy visa—
South KoreaVisa-free180 days
South SudanEmbassy visa—
SpainVisa-free180 days
Sri LankaEmbassy visa—
SudanEmbassy visa—
SurinameEmbassy visa—
SwedenVisa-free180 days
SwitzerlandVisa-free180 days
SyriaEmbassy visa—
TaiwanEmbassy visa—
TajikistanEmbassy visa—
TanzaniaEmbassy visa—
ThailandEmbassy visa—
Timor-LesteEmbassy visa—
TogoEmbassy visa—
TongaEmbassy visa—
Trinidad and TobagoVisa-free180 days
TunisiaEmbassy visa—
TurkeyETA180 days
TurkmenistanEmbassy visa—
TuvaluEmbassy visa—
UgandaEmbassy visa—
UkraineETA180 days
United Arab EmiratesVisa-free180 days
United KingdomVisa-free180 days
United StatesVisa-free180 days
UruguayVisa-free180 days
UzbekistanEmbassy visa—
VanuatuEmbassy visa—
Vatican CityEmbassy visa—
VenezuelaEmbassy visa—
VietnamEmbassy visa—
YemenEmbassy visa—
ZambiaEmbassy visa—
ZimbabweEmbassy visa—

Stay lengths are for ordinary tourist visits. Click a nationality for its full guide.

No official page we read states the rule for 1 nationalities, so the table leaves them out: Kosovo.

United States6 of 199 passports visa-free · 42 eVisa/ETAGuatemala87 of 199 passports visa-freeBelize106 of 199 passports visa-freeBrazil103 of 199 passports visa-free · 3 eVisa/ETAArgentina91 of 199 passports visa-free

Frequently asked questions

Do US citizens need a visa for Mexico?

No. INM's list of countries and regions whose nationals do not need a visa to travel to Mexico includes the United States of America, and INM says a visitor cannot exceed 180 days. Canada's travel advice says that if you enter by air, an immigration official will stamp your passport and note the number of days you are allowed to stay.

I have a US visa — do I still need a Mexican visa?

No. INM lists a valid visa from Canada, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom or any Schengen country among the documents a foreign national can present as an alternative to the Mexican visa, and says a visitor cannot exceed 180 days.

Is the FMM tourist card still required?

Only if you enter by land: INM requires a completed FMM for land entries, and says that at international airports you do not have to present, fill in or carry an FMM, as it is generated at entry and your entry stamp carries the necessary information. Canada's travel advice says air arrivals need to complete a Multiple Digital Migratory Form (FMMD) online upon arrival and keep a copy.

What is Mexico's SAE electronic authorization?

The SAE (Sistema de Autorización Electrónica, or electronic visa) lets nationals of Ukraine, Turkey and Russia travel to Mexico by air without obtaining a paper visa from the Mexican embassy. It is free, granted for one trip with one entry and a stay of up to 180 days, and the approved application is valid for 30 days to travel and enter Mexico.

How long can I stay in Mexico as a tourist?

INM says a visitor cannot exceed 180 days. Canada's travel advice says that if you enter by air, an immigration official will stamp your passport and note the number of days you are allowed to stay in Mexico.

Sources & verification

Every fact on this page is compiled from and periodically re-checked against these official sources:

Something wrong or out of date? Tell us, with the official source