Inmigration Information to enter Mexico

To enter Mexico, participants must comply with Mexican immigration procedures. All foreign citizens must hold a current and valid passport —valid for at least 6 months.

Please, bear in mind that under no circumstances the government of Mexico issues visas at its ports of entry.

1. Exemption of visa to enter Mexico

Foreign citizens who hold a valid passport and any of the following documents do not require a visa to enter Mexico:

1. Document that demonstrates permanent residence in Canada, United States of America, Japan and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, or in any of the countries of the Schengen Area.
2. Current and valid United States of America visa.
3. APEC Travel Business Card approved by Mexico.
4. Certificate proving that its holder is a crewmember of the aircraft in which he or she arrives.
5. Seaman’s book, if the holder is a crewmember of the boat that arrives at a Mexican port in international travel. If the holder arrives by air in order to enroll at a ship anchored in a national port, he or she must show, in addition to the seaman’s book, the document that certifies the enrollment, and the information on the boat and the Mexican port in which the latter is anchored.

Immigration requirements for foreign visitors that might be requested by Mexican immigration officers upon arrival:

1. Current and valid passport or identity document.
2. Personal information requested by immigration officers.
3. Reasons for travelling. This information must be in accordance with the issued visa, in case the latter is necessary. If you are travelling as a tourist, you will be asked to submit proof of economic solvency, as well as the hotel reservation (preferably paid in advance). You might also be asked to provide evidence of your place of residence and of origin.
4. Address and length of stay in national territory. It is important to show the round trip airline ticket to the country of origin and to demonstrate that the hotel reservation is consistent with the dates of stay in the country.
5. Information related to the activities that will be performed in national territory, as well as to those that are currently performed in the country of origin.
6. Economic solvency for the length of stay in national territory. It is highly advisable to have an international credit card.

Upon arrival in Mexico, the immigration officer will stamp your visitor’s permit, which you must keep because you must give it back to the Immigration Office when you leave the country.

2. Holders of diplomatic, official, service and ordinary passports

Citizens from countries and national economies that are host to the Forum members do not require a visa to enter Mexico. However, if they have a different nationality it is highly advisable to contact a Mexican Consulate in order to apply for the visa.

You can see the list of countries and regions that require a visa to enter Mexico in the following website: http://www.inm.gob.mx/gobmx/word/index.php/paises-requieren-visa-para-mexico/

3. Requirements to apply for a visitor’s visa without permission to conduct gainful activities (tourist / business visa)

To obtain a Mexican visa for your ordinary passport, you must fulfill the following requirements:

1. Current and valid passport or identity document, in original and photocopy.
2. One photo — frontal view, color, white background, no glasses. Size: minimum, 32 mm x 26 mm; maximum, 39 mm x 31 mm.
3. Original and photocopy of the document that certifies the legal stay, if the foreign person is not a citizen of the country in which he or she is applying for the visa.
4. Submit the following documents, as appropriate, to certify that the foreign visitor will not conduct gainful activities in the country:

a. Residence:

1. Original and photocopy of a realty deed duly registered in the name of the applicant and proof of stable employment with a minimum length of one year.
2. Original and photocopy of a realty deed duly registered in the name of the applicant and document certifying property or participation in business issued by the competent authorities of the country with a minimum length of two years.

b. Economic solvency:

1. Original and photocopy of bank accounts or proof of investment with a monthly average balance equivalent to USD $2,500.00 during the last six months.
2. Original and photocopy of documents that demonstrate that the applicant has a job or pension with a monthly income free of taxes equivalent to USD $2,500.00 during the last six months.

c. Invitation letter:

1. Original letter issued by a public or private organization or institution inviting the person to participate in an unpaid activity in national territory. The letter must contain the following information:

   1. Full name of the applicant and nationality;
   2. Name of the organization or institution that extends the invitation;
   3. Registry number and aim of the organization or private institution;
   4. Full address and contact information of the organization or institution;
   5. Information on the activity or the project to be performed by the foreign person. The activity must relate to the aims of the organization or institution that extends the invitation;
   6. Estimated length or approximate finish date of the activity to be performed;
   7. If applicable, the commitment to provide financial support to the foreign person during his or her stay in Mexico and to take care of his or her return to the country of origin or residence, and
   8. Photocopy of an official identification with the signature of the person who extends the invitation.

2. Original and photocopy of the documents certifying that the foreign person has the experience, capacity, abilities and knowledge necessary to perform the intended activity.
3. Delegates who are being financed can present a letter that states that an organization will be covering all their traveling expenses. By submitting this letter, it will not be necessary to provide any other information related to the economic solvency.

For more information, please contact the Mexican consulate closer to your place of residence or to the place where you are planning to submit your application. To identify the consulate, please visit the following websites:

List of Mexican Embassies abroad:

https://www.gob.mx/gobierno/mexico-en-el-mundo

List of Mexican Consulates abroad:

https://www.gob.mx/gobierno/mexico-en-el-mundo

List of Foreign Missions established in Mexico:

https://directorio.sre.gob.mx/index.php/representaciones/misiones-extranjeras-acreditadas-en-mexico