Foreigners who require a visa (list of countries) and wish to enter Mexico for a period of up to 180 days, with the intention of performing activities in tourism, business, technical assistance, transportation, studies, or who are journalists, must present the corresponding requirements to the nearest Consular Office.
- Visa application form printed on one page, double sided, properly completed and signed.
- Passport or valid travel and identity document, original and a photocopy of the page containing the photograph and personal data.
- One photograph measuring 3.9 cm x 3.1 cm, face uncovered, no eyeglasses, frontal view, in colour and with white background.
- Original and a photocopy of the migratory document accrediting your legal stay in Canada (only for applicants who are not Canadian citizens).
- Payment of fees in cash for the processing of visa application for foreign passports (if applicable).
- Present supporting documents as indicated under one of the following categories:
a. Ties (Property, Employment)
1. Original and a photocopy of the deed to real estate duly registered under the name of the applicant and proof of stable employment, in both cases for a minimum period of two years, or
2. Original and a photocopy of the deed to real estate duly registered under the name of the applicant and a document proving ownership or shares in business, issued by the competent authorities of each country, in both cases for a minimum period of two years, or
b. Economic Solvency
1. Original and a photocopy of documents showing that the applicant has employment or a pension with a tax-free monthly income equivalent to $2,053.00 Canadian dollars during the past three months and proof of stable employment for a minimum period of one year, or
2. Original and a photocopy of investment receipts or bank account statements showing an average monthly balance equivalent to $6,160.00 Canadian dollars during the past three months, or
3. In the case of foreigners who are pursuing regular studies in institutions of higher education, they must present the original proof of studies and the original proof of stable employment, pension or scholarship with a monthly income equivalent to $1,232.00 Canadian dollars.
c. Letter of invitation from an organization or a public or private institution
1. The original letter from an organization or from a public or private institution inviting the foreigner to participate in a non-remunerated activity in Mexican territory. The letter must contain the following data:
- Full name and nationality of the applicant or interested party; Full name and nationality of the applicant or interested party;
- Company name or business name of the organization;
- Official registration number, if applicable;
- Purpose of the organization or public or private institution;
- Full address and contact information for the organization or institution;
- Information on the activity that will be performed or the project in which the foreigner will participate. The foreigner’s activity must be related to the purpose of the inviting organization or institution;
- Estimated length or approximate end date of the activity to be performed;
- Commitment to provide support for the foreigner during his/her stay in Mexico and to ensure that the foreigner returns to his/her country of origin or residence;
- A copy of the official identification with signature of the person signing the letter of invitation.
2. To prove that there are sufficient resources to meet the obligation referred to section viii of the above numeral, the inviting organization or private institution shall present the original and a copy of investment receipts or bank account statements showing an average monthly balance equivalent to $248,930.00 pesos during the past twelve months.
Public or private institutions belonging to the Mexican National Educational System do not need to prove economic solvency.
3. Documents by which the foreigner proves that s/he has the necessary experience, capacity, skills or expertise to carry out the activity for which s/he has been invited, original and a photocopy.
c. Scientific research or gathering of samples in Mexican territory or jurisdictional waters:
Once the applicant has obtained authorization from the competent national authorities for waters under Mexican jurisdiction, s/he must present:
1. A copy of the communication through which the Mexican diplomatic office in the applicant’s country of nationality or residence notifies the foreigner that the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) has received authorization from the competent national authorities, in the case of foreigners who wish to enter Mexico to participate in scientific research projects and/or collect samples in Mexican territory or waters under Mexican jurisdiction. The communication must contain the following information:
- Full name and nationality of the applicant;
- Business or company name of the public or private organization or institution inviting the foreigner;
- Information on the activity to be conducted or the project in which the foreigner will participate;
- Estimated timeframe or approximate end date for the activity to be carried out.
e. Studies
1. Original and a photocopy of the letter of acceptance from an institution belonging to the National Educational System to take courses, pursue studies or conduct research projects or undertake academic or professional training for a period of less than 180 days, on letterhead paper from the institution, specifying:
- Full name of the interested party;
- Level, degree and area of study the applicant intends to pursue;
- Name of the course into which s/he has been accepted;
- Start and end date of the course;
- Cost of student fees for the course or academic activity; and
- Contact data for the educational institution.
2. Economic solvency to cover the amount of school fees and room and board during the applicant’s stay in Mexico, proven by:
- Original and a photocopy of investment receipts or bank account statements showing an average monthly balance equivalent to $3,080.00 Canadian dollars during the past three months, or
- Original and a photocopy of documents showing that the applicant has a job, pension or scholarship with a tax-free monthly income greater than $2,053.00 Canadian dollars during the past three months.
Solvency may be proven by the applicant, the applicant’s parents, the applicant’s spouse, common-law partner or equivalent figure, the applicant’s guardian, a letter from the educational institution stating that the applicant has been awarded a scholarship, or with a document from a banking or financial institution stating that the applicant has been awarded financing.
Requirements to Prove a Common-Law Union:
A Common-Law Union is understood as being a relationship between a man and woman who live together outside the bonds of matrimony, in an ongoing and permanent fashion, for the period of time established by the legislation of the corresponding country. The couple does not need to have cohabited for the established term if there are children born of the union.
The applicant must present a Statutory Declaration or Affidavit signed before a Canadian Notary Public, stating that as of the date of the visa application the interested parties have cohabited publicly and continuously for a minimum of two years. This declaration must contain certified copies (certified by a Notary Public) of the official photo identification of the interested parties (passport, driver’s license), as well as documents demonstrating their common-law relationship (rental contract or financing to purchase a home signed jointly; joint property; joint bank or credit accounts; income tax return showing the common-law union; life insurance policy listing the common-law partner as beneficiary, etc.).
If the couple has children together, they should present the original birth certificate(s) of the child(ren). In this case, it is not necessary for the couple to have cohabited publicly and continuously for a minimum of two years. Nevertheless, they must show that they maintain a common residence by means of payment receipts for utilities issued under both names.
If the Statutory Declaration is signed before a Notary Public from a province outside the jurisdiction of the Representative Office carrying out the procedure, or outside the country, it must be legalized by the corresponding Mexican Embassy or Consulate. In the document is issued outside Canada, it must be apostilled or legalized, depending on the country.
Important Notes:
For activities other than those indicated in this document, it is recommended that you directly contact the consular office closest to your place of residence.
In the case of minors under 18 years of age, both of the minor’s parents or the minor’s legal guardians must sign the visa application form in the presence of the consular officer.
If one of the parents is absent, in order to obtain the visa the applicant must present the corresponding notarized authorization from the absent parent or a certified copy of the court ruling or official document giving full parental authority to the parent appearing to obtain the Mexican visa.
Issuance of the visa is subject to the outcome of the interview.
In the case of a spouse or common-law partner, first-degree relative (parent or child), or a person under legal guardianship, who is economically dependent upon the foreigner holding the Mexican visa without permission to conduct remunerated activities or visitor visa with permission to conduct remunerated activities, the person may simply prove the family relationship instead of satisfying one of the economic solvency options.
Applicants for this type of visa over the age of 65, who reliably prove their intent to visit Mexico for tourism purposes, do not need to satisfy one of the economic solvency options.
The spouse, common-law partner or equivalent figure of a Canadian national who proves economic solvency, must present a document showing the family relationship.
Immigration authorities may decide to refuse the request to enter the country if the applicant is subject to criminal process or has been convicted of a serious crime as defined by national laws on criminal matters or provisions in international treaties or conventions that the Mexican State is party to, or if the applicant’s background in Mexico or abroad could compromise national or public security, in accordance with Article 43 of the Migration Law.