Visas and Services for Foreigners

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Important Announcements

The Embassy of Mexico in Canada informs the public that Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada do not require a visa to enter Mexico.

Canadian citizens must present a valid passport to prove their nationality. Mexican authorities do not require a minimum passport validity period; however, this document must be valid at the time of entry and for the duration of the intended stay in Mexico.

Permanent residents of Canada must present their Permanent Resident Card and one of the following documents: a valid passport or a Refugee Travel Document.

All foreign visitors, regardless of nationality, travelling to Mexico for tourism, business or in transit to another destination, are exempt from presenting a Mexican visa provided they hold a valid visa issued by any of the following countries: Canada, Japan, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, or any of the countries that make up the Schengen Area.

For more information, visit: https://www.inm.gob.mx/gobmx/word/index.php/paises-requieren-visa-para-mexico/

Legalization of documents

As of 16 June 2015, the legalization of report cards and/or diplomas issued by Canadian primary, middle and secondary-level institutions is no longer required for revalidation purposes in Mexico.

Note: Certificates and/or diplomas from higher education institutions still require legalization for revalidation in Mexico.

Immigration Regulations – Travel of Minors

On 2 December 2013, a Decree was published that amended the provisions of the Regulations of the Immigration Law regarding the travel of minors under 18; it entered into force on 24 January 2014.

FOREIGN MINORS (UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE) TRAVELLING TO MEXICO ALONE OR WITH A THIRD PERSON OF LEGAL AGE (GRANDPARENT, UNCLE/AUNT, ETC.) AS VISITORS (TOURISTS OR WITH A SHORT STUDY STAY OF UP TO 180 DAYS) DO NOT REQUIRE authorization or a letter of consent from their parents or guardians. Mexican immigration authorities will allow these minors to leave Mexico upon presentation of a valid passport.

The Government of Canada’s requirements for minors leaving or entering Canada can be found at the following page: http://travel.gc.ca/travelling/children

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Minors under 18 years of age (girls, boys, adolescents or under legal guardianship) who are Mexican nationals or foreigners with the immigration status of Permanent Resident, Temporary Resident or Temporary Resident Student, who are in Mexico and wish to travel abroad alone or accompanied by a person of legal age other than their parents, must present:

A notarized document in which those who exercise parental authority or guardianship authorize the minor’s departure from Mexico, granted before a Notary Public or Commercial Notary, or;
The document issued by the National Institute of Migration (INM), in the form published for this purpose, available at: www.inm.gob.mx

If the parents or guardians choose to authorize the minor’s departure from Mexico with a document granted before a Notary Public or Commercial Notary, this document must specify the means of transportation, destination and date of travel. If this document is issued abroad (Canada) it must be legalized at the Consulate or Embassy of Mexico in Canada. In addition, it must be accompanied by a translation into Spanish. Mexican offices abroad do not provide translation services.

Minors under 18 years of age travelling with at least one of their parents or guardians DO NOT require authorization or a letter of consent.

Criminal record

Immigration authorities may deny entry into the country if the applicant is subject to criminal proceedings or has been convicted of a serious crime under national criminal law or under the provisions of treaties or international conventions to which the Mexican State is a party, or if their record in Mexico or abroad could compromise national or public security, in accordance with Article 43 of the Immigration Law.

According to Article 194 of the Federal Code of Criminal Procedure, serious crimes include all those that have a significant negative effect on the fundamental values of society.

Serious crimes include, among others: homicide; terrorism and international terrorism; sabotage; piracy; genocide; prison escape; attacks on public roads; drug-related crimes; corruption of minors; child pornography; exploitation of minors; counterfeiting and alteration of currency; rape; highway robbery; trafficking of minors; smuggling of undocumented persons; aggravated theft; vehicle theft; extortion; crimes against the environment committed intentionally; enforced disappearance of persons; carrying weapons reserved for the exclusive use of the Army, Navy or Air Force; smuggling of weapons not reserved for the exclusive use of the Army, Navy or Air Force; smuggling and related offences; and tax fraud and related offences.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ENTRY PROCESS TO MEXICO

At the point of entry, Mexican immigration officers (INAMI) are the only authority that can accept or deny the entry of any traveller into Mexico, regardless of whether the traveller has previously obtained a visa or is exempt from obtaining one.

Please review some of the questions you may be asked by consulting this document:

New Electronic Multiple Immigration Form for Air Travel (FMME Air)

Learn about the new Electronic Multiple Immigration Form for Air Travel (FMME Air) that facilitates and speeds up the registration of your entry into Mexico.

To obtain this form, you must:

Go to the following link: https://www.inm.gob.mx/fmme/publico/solicitud.html
Complete the application from any electronic device with Internet access.
Print the Multiple Immigration Form and keep it to be validated at the airport, where the immigration authorities must stamp it.

Once printed, the form will be valid for 30 days and will allow foreign visitors to remain in Mexico (without engaging in remunerated activities) for up to 180 days.

The traditional way of obtaining the FMM at points of entry remains in force. The FMME Air is an additional option that facilitates the process by allowing you to complete the form in advance from any country.

It is very important to keep the stamped portion of the FMM corresponding to the entry record, as it is proof of your legal entry into Mexico and will be required when leaving the country.

For more information, consult: http://www.gob.mx/inm/articulos/fmm-electronica-aerea?es-MX

If you have questions, please send an email to the following address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact the nearest Mexican consulate.

Visas for foreign nationals

List of countries that require a visa to travel to Mexico as a visitor without permission to engage in remunerated activities, such as tourism, transit, business:
https://www.gob.mx/sre/acciones-y-programas/visas-para-extranjeros-8036

Visitor Visa without permission to engage in remunerated activities

Applicable to foreign persons who intend to enter Mexico under the status of visitor without permission to engage in remunerated activities, for a period of up to 180 days.

Requirements:

Passport or identity and travel document that is valid under international law and current, original;
Original document proving legal stay, if the foreign person is not a national of the country where the visa is requested; and
Submit documents proving any of the following:
- Roots/ties.
- Economic solvency.
- Invitation from a public or private organization or institution.
- The person is a driver or operator of cargo transport and intends to enter the national territory solely for the purpose of loading or unloading goods.
- Humanitarian cause.
- Scientific research or collection of samples in national territory or the country’s jurisdictional waters, subject to prior authorization from the competent national authorities in waters of territorial jurisdiction.
- Studies.
- Participation in an event sponsored or supported by the Federal Public Administration, as well as by autonomous constitutional bodies for a maximum period of 180 days.

Fee: For receipt, application, and, where applicable, authorization of the visa 54.00 USD

Note: Amounts in Canadian dollars (CAD) may vary. Please check the current fees here: Consular fees schedule.

Appointment Request: Through the “MiConsulado” portal https://www.miconsulado.sre.gob.mx/ or https://www.miconsulado.sre.gob.mx/citas-consulares. Applicants must select the required procedure and request their appointment at the Embassy or Consulate of Mexico where they will appear.

Important information: Holding a visa does not guarantee entry into national territory. It only allows the foreign person to present themselves at the point of entry to request admission into the country. Entry or admission to Mexico is subject to the approval of health and immigration authorities at the points of entry to the country, known as immigration filters, who may at any time conduct an interview about the purpose of your trip and verify the requirements established in the applicable legal provisions (Article 37 of the Immigration Law and 60 of its Regulations).

Visitor Visa without permission to engage in remunerated activities (Long stay)

Applicable to foreign persons with ample economic solvency, frequent travellers, prominent persons, spouse or common-law partner or equivalent figure of a Mexican national or of a temporary resident or permanent resident, family member of a temporary resident or permanent resident, or of a diplomatic or consular official accredited in Mexico, and supervisors of a foreign company with a subsidiary in national territory or executive personnel of subsidiaries or commercial offices of Mexican companies abroad who wish to enter Mexico under the status of visitor without permission to engage in remunerated activities and who do not intend to reside in national territory.

Requirements:

Passport or identity and travel document that is valid under international law and current, original.
Original document proving legal stay, if the foreign person is not a national of the country where the visa is requested.
Submit documents proving any of the following:
- Economic solvency.
- Frequent Traveller.
- Prominent person.
- Family member of a Mexican national.
- Family member of a foreign person who is a temporary resident or permanent resident.
- Family member of a diplomatic or consular official accredited in Mexico holding an ordinary passport.
- Supervisor of a foreign company with a subsidiary in national territory or executive personnel of commercial offices or Mexican companies abroad.

Fee: For receipt, application, and, where applicable, authorization of the visa 53.00 USD

Note: Amounts in Canadian dollars (CAD) may vary. Please check the current fees here: Consular fees schedule.

Appointment Request: https://www.miconsulado.sre.gob.mx/ or https://www.miconsulado.sre.gob.mx/citas-consulares.

Important information: Holding a visa does not guarantee entry into national territory… (same health and immigration filter conditions).

Visitor Visa without permission to engage in remunerated activities (Electronic Visa)

Applicable to the foreign person of a nationality that the Mexican State allows to process and obtain the visa through electronic means and records, when they intend to travel to Mexico by air to enter under the status of Visitor without permission to engage in remunerated activities.

Requirements:

Passport or identity and travel document that is current, valid under international law, and proves a nationality for which the Mexican State allows obtaining the Electronic Visa.
Complete the Electronic Visa application, providing the information required by the immigration authority.
Digital photograph of the applicant’s face without glasses, with a white background similar to the photo in the passport or identity and travel document, in .jpg, .jpeg or .png format, and with a size of 2 to 5 MB.
Image of the passport or identity and travel document data page in .jpg, .jpeg or .png format, and with a size of 2 to 5 MB, ensuring that the image remains within the parameters of the document’s data page and is displayed correctly.
Travel to Mexico by air.
The fee will be paid in accordance with Article 22 of the current Federal Fees Law.

Fee: For receipt, application, and, where applicable, authorization of the visa 54.00 USD

Note: Amounts in Canadian dollars (CAD) may vary. Please check the current fees here: Consular fees schedule.

Important information: Holding a visa does not guarantee entry into national territory… (same health and immigration filter conditions).

Visitor Visa to carry out adoption procedures

Applicable to foreign persons who intend to enter Mexico under the status of Visitor for adoption purposes and who are nationals or habitual residents of a member country of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption or of a country with which Mexico has entered into an agreement on the matter.

Requirements:

Passport or identity and travel document that is valid under international law and current, original;
Original of the adoptability report or pre-assignment issued by the National System for Integral Family Development, indicating information on the identity of the boy, girl or adolescent;
Original of the acceptance of the assignment of the minor and of the continuation of the adoption procedure issued by the Central Authority of the Receiving State, expressing its will and that of the applicants to continue with the adoption procedure; and
Payment of fees for receipt, review of the application and, where applicable, authorization of the visa in accordance with the Federal Fees Law.

NOTE: Within the following 30 calendar days from entry into national territory, the foreign person must obtain from the National Institute of Migration the visitor card for adoption purposes.

Fee: 54.00 USD

Note: Amounts in Canadian dollars (CAD) may vary. Please check the current fees here: Consular fees schedule.

Appointment Request: https://www.miconsulado.sre.gob.mx/ or https://www.miconsulado.sre.gob.mx/citas-consulares.

Important information: Holding a visa does not guarantee entry into national territory… (same conditions).

Temporary Resident Visa

Applicable to foreign persons who intend to enter Mexico under the status of temporary resident in order to remain for a period longer than 180 days and no longer than 4 years.

This type of visa allows the foreigner to work in our country, provided that the salary received is paid abroad. If there is a job offer in Mexico and the salary is received in national territory, the company or individual must first obtain, directly from the National Institute of Migration, the authorization for the issuance of the foreigner’s visa.

Requirements:

Passport or identity and travel document that is valid under international law and current, original;
Original document proving legal stay, if the foreign person is not a national of the country where the visa is requested; and
Submit documents proving any of the following:
- Economic solvency.
- Scientific research in Mexican jurisdictional waters.
- Invitation from an organization or public or private institution.
- Under an international legal instrument on mobility of persons.
- Family unity.
- Real estate in national territory.
- Investor.

NOTE: In any case, within the following 30 calendar days from entry into national territory, the foreign person must obtain the residence card that proves their legal stay and allows them to remain in national territory.

Fee: 54.00 USD

Note: Amounts in Canadian dollars (CAD) may vary. Please check the current fees here: Consular fees schedule.

Appointment Request: https://www.miconsulado.sre.gob.mx/ or https://www.miconsulado.sre.gob.mx/citas-consulares.

Important information: Holding a visa does not guarantee entry into national territory… (same conditions).

Temporary Resident Student Visa

Applicable to foreign persons who intend to enter Mexico under the status of temporary resident student. A foreigner with this status may request authorization from the INM to engage in remunerated activities.

Requirements:

Passport or identity and travel document that is valid under international law and current, original;
Original document proving legal stay, if the foreign person is not a national of the country where the visa is requested; and
Submit documents proving any of the following:
- Studies.
- Under an international legal instrument on mobility of persons.

Solvency may be proven by the applicant, by their parents or by whoever exercises parental authority or guardianship, provided they are not over twenty-five years of age, or with a letter from the educational institution certifying a scholarship or a bank/financial document certifying funding.

Note: The temporary resident student residence card must be processed within 30 calendar days from entry into national territory.

Fee: 54.00 USD

Note: Amounts in Canadian dollars (CAD) may vary. Please check the current fees here: Consular fees schedule.

Appointment Request: https://www.miconsulado.sre.gob.mx/ or https://www.miconsulado.sre.gob.mx/citas-consulares.

Important information: Holding a visa does not guarantee entry into national territory… (same conditions).

Permanent Resident Visa

Applicable to foreign persons who intend to enter under the status of permanent resident.

Requirements:

Passport or identity and travel document that is valid under international law and current, original;
Original document proving legal stay, if the foreign person is not a national of the country where the visa is requested; and
Submit documents proving any of the following:
- Retirees or pensioners
- Family unity
- Points system

Note: The residence card that proves your legal stay and allows you to remain in national territory must be processed before the National Institute of Migration (INM) within the following 30 calendar days from entry.

Fee: 54.00 USD

Note: Amounts in Canadian dollars (CAD) may vary. Please check the current fees here: Consular fees schedule.

Appointment Request: https://www.miconsulado.sre.gob.mx/ or https://www.miconsulado.sre.gob.mx/citas-consulares.

Important information: Holding a visa does not guarantee entry into national territory… (same conditions).

Types of Visas requested before the National Institute of Migration (INM)

Visitor Visa without permission to engage in remunerated activities, when requested for humanitarian reasons
Visitor Visa with permission to engage in remunerated activities, when requested due to a job offer.
Temporary Residence Visa, when requested due to a job offer or for family unity.
Permanent Residence Visa, when requested through the points system, for family unity, or by derivation of the recognition of refugee status.

In this section you can find general information about the types of visas that exist for foreign persons and that are initially processed before the National Institute of Migration:
https://www.inm.gob.mx/mpublic/publico/inm-tramites.html?h_dsplp02=es

Note: Once authorization has been obtained from the INM, the foreign person or interested party must go to the Embassy or Consulate of Mexico with the necessary requirements for the consular interview and issuance of their visa.

Fee (special case): Applies exclusively to the visitor visa with permission to engage in remunerated activities (Visa due to job offer).
Visitor with permission to engage in remunerated activities: 313.00 USD
For receipt, application, and, where applicable, authorization of the visa: 54.00 USD

Note: Amounts in Canadian dollars (CAD) may vary. Please check the current fees here: Consular fees schedule.

Appointment Request: https://www.miconsulado.sre.gob.mx/ or https://www.miconsulado.sre.gob.mx/citas-consulares.

Important information: Holding a visa does not guarantee entry into national territory… (same conditions).

Important information (applicable to all): Holding a Visa does not guarantee entry into National Territory. It only allows the foreign Person to present themselves at the point of entry to request Admission into the Country. Entry or admission to Mexico is subject to the approval of health and immigration authorities at the points of entry to the country, known as immigration filters (Arts. 37 of the Immigration Law and 60 of its Regulations).