Foreign nationals

I am a citizen of another country and I want to visit Mexico.

Where and how can I get a tourist visa to visit Mexico?

You need to go to a Mexican consulate abroad to ask about the requirements and to take the necessary steps to get your visa. The requirements differ from country to country.

If you are a citizen of Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Island, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, United States of America or Uruguay, you don’t need a visa to enter Mexico, although you must present a valid passport and fill out an immigration form for tourists and business trips, which can be obtained in travel agencies, airlines or at the point where you enter Mexico.

"As an Irish/European Union passport holder, you may travel to Mexico on holidays  without a visa for a period of up to  180 days."

If you are a citizen of any other country and you live in Ireland, please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to get more information.

Requirements to apply for a tourist visa

1.    Valid Passport

2.    Application form duly completed.

3.    Three passport sized photos.

4.    Prove of economic solvency: Original letter from the enterprise where the applicant works, with monthly salary; Bank statements; Pay slips.

6.    Payment of fees made in cash.

How can I get permission to work in Mexico?

You must get permission from the INM to reside in Mexico and authorization to do paid work. You must demonstrate that you have a job offer from a Mexican business or institute.

Consult the requirements or go to any INM delegation in Mexico for more details about what is required.

What documentation do I need to study in Mexico?

You need to get a student visa from the INM by demonstrating that you are enrolled in a Mexican school and that you have sufficient financial resources to fund your stay.

Consult the section on requirements or go to any INM delegation in Mexico to find out about the specific requirements.

I am in Mexico as a tourist.

Can I extend my stay in Mexico?

You need to go to any INM office to request an extension of your visa. You need to have with you your valid passport and the tourist card you filled out. You will also need to prove that you can finance your stay and you will have to pay a fee to extend the visa.

This procedure takes only a few minutes.

Consult the section on requirements or go to any INM delegation in Mexico for exact information about this procedure.

I lost my tourist card. What do I do?

Go to any office or delegation of the INM to request a replacement. You will need to bring your valid passport and the report of the loss or theft that you made to the proper authorities. A fee is charged for the replacement document.

Consult the section on requirements or go to any of the INM delegations in Mexico for more specific information about what you need to do in this case.

I am a citizen of another country but I live in Mexico.

I want to stay in Mexico longer. What do I have to do?

You need to go to the INM and request an extension or renewal of your immigration document. To do this, you have to demonstrate that the original reasons for which you were granted the visa still exist.

Consult the section on requirements or go to any of the INM’s delegations in Mexico for more exact information about this procedure.

I lost my FM2 or FM3. How can I get a new one?

You must go to any INM office or delegation to request a new FM2 or FM3.

You will need to fill out an application and bring your passport and the report of the robbery or loss of the document that you made to the proper authorities.

You will also have to fill out a new FM1 format and pay a fee.

Consult the section on requirements or go to any of the INM’s delegations in Mexico for more exact information about this procedure.

Can I do any sort of work in Mexico?

If your immigration status is “No inmigrante” or “inmigrante” (non-resident immigrant), you need to get permission from the INM before you can work in an area that is different from the one that you were authorized for.

If your immigration status is “Inmigrado” (resident), you can engage in any sort of legal and honest work. All you need to do is inform the INM.

Consult the section on requirements or go to any INM delegation in Mexico for more specific information about this procedure

Can I bring my family to Mexico?

You need to request visas for your family at the INM so that they enter Mexico either as tourists or as your dependents. You need to demonstrate that they are first-degree, direct descendents (brothers or sisters, parents, uncles, nephews or nieces). You will also need to demonstrate your economic capacity.

Consult the section on requirements or go to any INM delegation in Mexico for more exact information about this procedure.

The governmental agency in charge of immigration control and policy in Mexico is the National Immigration Institute (INM in Spanish).

The INM is part of the Ministry of the Interior (Segob). We recommend that you visit their web site for further information:

www.inm.gob.mx

Visas

Citizens from the following countries who wish to visit Mexico as tourists, in transit, on business, specialized work, journalists or to study DO NOT REQUIRE A VISA provided that:

    1. The duration of your stay does not exceed 180 days. 

    2. You will not receive any remuneration at all from a Mexican company   

COUNTRIES WHO DO NOT REQUIRE VISAS:

Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Latvia, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niue, Norway, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay. 

3. In addition, visitor who, regardless of their nationality, have a valid permanent resident card from Canada, Chile, Colombia, Japan, The United States of America, the United Kingdom or any of the countries in the Schengen Area, do not require a Mexican visa if they travel as tourists, in transit, for business, specialized work, journalists or to study for no more than 180 days.
4. Furthermore, it is not necessary to apply for a tourist, business or transit Mexican visa if you hold a VALID VISA for Canada, Japan, The United States of America, the United Kingdom or any of the countries in the Schengen Area -regardless of your nationality- . Immigration authorities in Mexico will ask for your visa for the above countries and a valid passport when you arrive.

To enter Mexico, visitors must fulfil the following requirements:

1. Hold a valid Passport. Mexican authorities do not require a minimum period of validity on the passport; nevertheless, this document must be valid for the duration of your stay in Mexico. However, other transit countries and airline companies usually require a validity of at least six months from your planned departure. If you have any questions regarding this issue you should check directly with your airline. For those travelers transiting via the United States of America, please check with the American Embassy (https://ie.usembassy.gov/) to verify if you need any additional documents to enter or transit the USA.
2. Visitors must obtain a landing card (Multiple Migratory Form, FMM form) from the airline (on the flight) or at any port of entry in Mexico and complete this form with his/her individual information. The immigration officer will stamp the FMT card upon arrival. PLEASE KEEP IT IN A SAFE PLACE AND DO NOT LOSE IT. YOU WILL BE ASKED FOR THIS DOCUMENT ON YOUR DEPARTURE FROM MEXICO. The Mexican migratory officers have the faculty to grant or deny entry into Mexico if the visitor does not fully comply with the migratory regulations.
3. The Immigration Authorities at the port of entry may request certain documents to prove the purpose of your visit depending on the reasons for your visit to Mexico:

• Tourist: Hotel reservation, itinerary and the return tickets to Ireland or to another country.
• Business: Letter in Spanish from your employer indicating that you are an employee and that the services you will provide in Mexico will be paid for by the company, or a letter of invitation from a Mexican public or private institution stating that you will be carrying out non-remunerated work in Mexico and indicating the purpose of the trip, estimated time of stay and confirming that they will cover your travel and lodging expenses while in Mexico.
• Student: Letter of invitation or acceptance from any institution pertaining to the Mexican National Educational System to take courses, participate in a research project or undertake academic training for a maximum period of 180 days.

Visitors on cruise ships

Visitors who travel on cruise ships that disembark at any Mexican port, and who reembark on the same ship to continue their voyage, do not require a visa, because all passenger aboard cruise ships get a collective permission for a period of 21 calendar days.

Important Note:

Immigration officers have the authority to refuse entry to Mexico if the applicant is subject to criminal proceedings or has been convicted of a serious crime in Mexico or abroad or if they consider that the applicant’s background could compromise Mexican national or public security.

From May the 6th 2024, nationals from Peru will require a tourist visa to enter Mexico

COUNTRIES WHO REQUIRE A TOURIST VISA TO ENTER MEXICO

Visitors not included in the above mentioned list have to comply with the following requirements to obtain a Tourist Visa:

1. Valid Passport
2. Application form duly completed.  [English][Español]
3. A recent passport-sized photograph.
4. Prove of economic solvency:
5. a)    Original work or study letter showing salary and length of time working or studying at the company or institution. If you are not in full time employment, you will need a letter from the person (sponsor) who supports you economically, provided that they are a family member and this must be proven with either a birth certificate or marriage certificate. You will also need photocopies of your sponsor´s current passport.
6. b)    All applicants will need their last three pay slips, the last three bank statements to which their salary is deposited, the last three saving account statements or the last three international credit card statements. If you are being sponsored by a family member you will need to show his or her above mentioned documents.
7. Proof of residency in Ireland. A photocopy of the Irish visa or residence permit is required (GNIB card)
8. Payment of fees in cash on the day of the appointment. (See Applicable Fees Section)

PROCESS:

1.  Book  your appointmentexclusively under the category of VISA in our online booking service MI CONSULADO click here
2.  Once you bookyour appointment, send us an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. including details of your trip.
3.  Send scanned copies of the above mentioned requirements 3 weeks before your appointment.
4.  If requirements are correct and interview on the day of the appointment is successful, visa will be issued the same day of the appointment.

Important Note:

Immigration officers have the authority to refuse entry to Mexico if the applicant is subject to criminal proceedings or has been convicted of a serious crime in Mexico or abroad or if they consider that the applicant’s background could compromise Mexican national or public security.

At the point of entry, Mexican immigration authorities may ask you some questions to confirm the reasons for your trip, the duration of your stay in Mexico and how you are financing your visit. Furthermore, the officers may require proof of accommodation, itinerary and return tickets to Ireland or to another country.

COUNTRIES WHO REQUIRE A BUSINESS VISA TO ENTER MEXICO

If you are not Irish or European citizens and you plan to do any of the following “Non Remunerated Activities” in Mexico for less than six months, you should request the following visa: “Visitante sin permiso para realizar actividades remuneradas”. This visa is valid for 6 months and allows multiple entries:

• To start or implement an investment project.
•   To give specialized or professional advice to public or private institutions.
•  To attend business meetings, lectures, courses or staff training.
•  To carry out an audit.
•  To repair or install machinery and/or software.
•  To design or start operations of a previously set up company (you must provide the contract).
•  To provide services on previously agreed contracts on technology transfer (skilled expertise), patents or trademarks.

Requirements:  

1. Valid Passport and photocopy of the pages where the personal details and holder's photograph are found.
2. Application form duly completed.  [English][Español]
3. A recent passport-sized photograph.
4. Original letter on headed paper from the Irish/foreign company where the applicant works, stating the applicants salary, technical ability and that the applicant is going to be paid by the Irish/foreign company (in Ireland) and is not going to receive any salary from a Mexican company or institution. The letter must specify that the applicant will be in Mexico for less than 6 months.
5. Original and copy of the document showing that the applicant possesses the experience, abilities, skills or knowledge needed to undertake the activities for which he/she has been invited to do in Mexico.
6. Last three pay slips; the last three bank statements to which their salary is deposited; and the last three saving account statements or the last three international credit card statements.
7. Original letter on headed paper from the Mexican company/institution inviting/requesting the professional services of the applicant. The letter must state the name of the prospective visitor, passport number, purpose of the visit and the length of stay. The letter must be accompanied by a photocopy of an official ID of the person who signed it.
8. Proof of residency in Ireland. A photocopy of the Irish visa or residence permit is required (GNIB card).
9. Payment of fees in cash, on the day of the appointment. (See Applicable Fees Section

PROCESS:

1.  Book  your appointment exclusivelyunder the category of VISA in our online booking service MI CONSULADO click here
2.  Once you bookyour appointment, send us an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. including details of trip.
3.  Send scanned copies of the above mentioned requirements 3 weeks before your appointment.
4. If requirements are correct and interview on the day of the appointment is successful, visa will be issued the same day of the appointment.

Important Note:

Immigration officers have the authority to refuse entry to Mexico if the applicant is subject to criminal proceedings or has been convicted of a serious crime in Mexico or abroad or if they consider that the applicant’s background could compromise Mexican national or public security.

At the point of entry, Mexican immigration authorities may ask you some questions to confirm the reasons for your trip, the duration of your stay in Mexico and how you are financing your visit. Furthermore, the officers may require proof of accommodation, itinerary and return tickets to Ireland or to another country.

OTHER TYPES OF VISAS

If you would like more information regarding different type of visas (e.g. temporary resident visas, student visas, etc.)  please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We will answer your query no later than 48 hours after receiving your e-mail.

Legalizations

SYNOPSIS OF THE DIPLOMATIC NOTE ON THE

1961 HAGUE CONVENTION

On the 24th. of February 1999, the Department of Foreign Affairs in Ireland forwarded to the Embassy of Mexico in Ireland a "Diplomatic Note" in which it outlined the changes brought about in the authentication procedures for documents which have to be presented in countries other than those from where they originate.

Accordingly, The 1961 Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirements of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents, signed on the 5th. of October 1961, came into effect in Ireland on the 9th. of March 1999.

This Convention signifies that, from the 9th. of March 1999, documents' signatures which have been witnessed by notaries, commissioners for oaths or solicitors in Ireland and have to be presented in other countries party to the said Convention, solely require to have an apostille stamped and signed by the following Irish Government Department:

Consular Section
Department of Foreign Affairs
69-71 St. Stephen’s Green
Dublin 2

FOREING AFFAIRS

https://www.dfa.ie/travel/our-services/authenticating-documents/

From the 9th. of March 1999, signatures on documents from countries party to this Convention which are required for presentation in Ireland do not have to be legalized at Irish Embassies or Consulates.

APOSTILLE

The "apostille" of Mexican Public Documents must be done by the following Mexican authorities:

For public documents issued by federal entities

- If located in Mexico City, by the Dirección General de Gobierno de la Secretaria de Gobernación.

- If located in any other state of the Mexican Republic, by the state representatives of the Dirección General de Gobierno de la Secretaría de Gobernación.

For documents issued by the government of Mexico City by the “Dirección General Jurídica y de Estudios Legislativos del Departamento del Distrito Federal”.

For Documents issued by state governments, by the “Secretaría o Dirección General de Gobierno del Estado”.

The cited convention does not apply to the following documents: Those issued by diplomatic or consular authorities, Commercial or customs documents, Criminal documents

Marriage in Mexico

Foreigners wishing to get married in Mexico, must submit the following documents to the appropriate Mexican Registry Office, at least two days before the intended date of the ceremony.

1. Passports.
2. Valid Mexican entry document(e.g. tourist cards, visas, FM3, FM2).
3. Birth certificates**.
4. Minimum age of 18.
5. Fill an application at the Registry Office.
6. Present the appropriate certificate** if either party is divorced or widowed.
7. Pre-nuptial medical certificate must be obtained in Mexico.
8. Four witnesses with official identification.
9. Payment of fees at Civil Registry Office.
10. Complete the Pre-nuptial Agreement where, the parties must specify whether they wish to get married under the system of Joint Ownership Property (sociedad conyugal) or under a Non-joint Ownership Property (separación de bienes).

** All foreign documents listed above must be first translated into Spanish by a Registered Translator and then“apostilled” or legalised in their country of origin.

Irish documents to be “apostilled” have to be sent to:

PUBLIC OFFICE ADDRESS:

Authentication Section

Ground Floor

Knockmaun House

42-47, Lower Mount Street

Dublin 2, D02 TN83

Tel: 01 408 2174

Opening hours

Monday - Friday (excluding bank holidays)

9:30am - 12:30pm and 2:30pm - 4:00pm

The postal address for applications will continue to be:

Authentications Section, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 80 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, D02 VY53

Postal Address

Authentication Section

Consular Division

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

80 St. Stephen's Green

Dublin 2

D02 VY53

Cork

Consular Services Section

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

1A South Mall

Cork

T12 TA46

RECOMMENDATION: After the marriage, while in Mexico, it is advisable to obtain certified copies of the marriage certificate and “apostilled” them in order to attest their validity in Ireland. Please enquire about this procedure at the Registry Office in Mexico