Autonomous immigration filters at Mexican airports

 

   

The term refers to the technology used to perform self-service immigration control at some of Mexico's international airports. This technology is currently available in Terminals 1 and 2 of Mexico City International Airport, Terminals 3 and 4 of Cancun International Airport, Quintana Roo, Terminal 2 of San José del Cabo International Airport, Terminal A of Guadalajara International Airport, Terminal 1 of Puerto Vallarta International Airport, Jalisco, Terminal 1 of Querétaro Intercontinental Airport, and Terminal 1 of Tijuana International Airport, Baja California. Their location can be easily identified by the signage placed in these terminals, as well as by their glass exterior finish.

The purpose of the Autonomous Immigration Filters (FMA) is to allow passengers to complete their immigration procedures in a personal, orderly, simple, quick, and secure way.

 

 

What are Autonomous Immigration Filters?

They are a self-service airport immigration control assistance system with a purpose to allow passengers who meet the requirements for entry into the country to complete their immigration process in a fast, orderly, and secure way, in line with the Federal Government's anti-corruption policy. It allows Mexicans and passengers of 29 nationalities to enter Mexico using this system.

The use of Autonomous Immigration Filters is free and does not require prior registration or payment of any type of membership fee. The system also complies with security standards and maintains high levels of data and personal information protection. Passengers who use this technology experience significantly shorter waiting times.

What is the entry process like when using the Autonomous Immigration Filter (FMA)?

  1. Passengers must locate the corresponding line and have only their passport on hand.
  2. Open the passport to the page containing their photograph and personal details.
  3. Place your passport on the scanner and wait for the gates to open.Enter the gate; inside, a photograph will be taken to perform a facial verification of the passenger.
  4. A series of validations will be carried out on the biographical, biometric, and flight information.
  5. Finally, once the passenger has completed the process, a ticket with a QR code and a digital stamp will be issued.

The passenger must scan the QR code on the ticket and download the Digital Multiple Immigration Form (FMMd), which can be done later during their stay.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT AUTOMATED PASSPORT CONTROL

How do I know if my passport is electronic?

All electronic passports (also known as biometric passports) have a symbol on the lower part of the cover indicating this feature:

 

 

Who can use the FMA?

To use this technology, passengers must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  1. Have a regular electronic passport.
  2. Be over 18 years of age.
  3. Purpose for entering Mexico must be tourism. (Individuals with visas for study, work, family reunification, humanitarian reasons, ministers of religion, temporary Mexican residency, permanent Mexican residency, or who hold non-ordinary passports (diplomatic, official, service, special, or consular), crew members, or individuals who will be engaging in activities other than tourism are NOT eligible to use the FMA).
  4. Not traveling with minors.
  5. Have a regular electronic passport valid for more than 180 days from one of the following countries: Mexico, Germany, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, Slovakia, Spain, United States of America, Finland, France, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Romania, Republic of Korea, Czech Republic, Sweden, and Switzerland.

I am Mexican and I want an electronic passport. How can I get one?

The chip cannot be purchased separately as it is integrated into the passport. If you are Mexican, you must request an appointment on the official website of the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs of Mexico (SRE), as it is the only authority authorized to issue this document, or at the office responsible for issuing passports in your locality.

For more information, visit the official SRE website: https://citas.sre.gob.mx/

Do international travelers still have to obtain the Multiple Immigration Form (FMM)?

Yes, foreign visitors must scan the QR code on the ticket, download their Digital Multiple Immigration Form, and have it available upon departure from Mexico.

How long must my passport be valid for in order to use the FMA?

Your passport must be valid for at least 180 days from the date of entry.

Can everyone entering Mexico through these airports use the FMA?

No, only people traveling for tourism purposes and who meet the requirements for the FMA can use it.

Is it mandatory to scan the QR code printed on the ticket?

Yes, because this process provides you with the Digital Multiple Immigration Form, which contains all the information about your entry into Mexico. Keep in mind that it may be required when you leave the country.

Why should I keep the ticket?

The ticket contains unique and personal information about your entry into Mexican territory through an Autonomous Migration Filter and may be required when you leave the country.

Why can't minors use the FMA?

For the safety and protection of minors, as well as due to the difficulty they may have interacting with the device.

At which airports are the equipment/devices or FMA installed?

  • Mexico City International Airport (AICM)

Terminal 1

Terminal 2

  • Cancun International Airport, Quintana Roo (AICUN)

Terminal 3

Terminal 4

  • San José del Cabo International Airport, Baja California Sur (AISJD)

Terminal 2

  • Guadalajara International Airport, Jalisco (AIGDL)

Terminal A

  • Puerto Vallarta International Airport, Jalisco (AIPVR)

Terminal 1

  • Querétaro Intercontinental Airport, Querétaro (AIQ)

Terminal 1

  • Tijuana International Airport, Baja California (AIJ)

Terminal 1

 

What languages are available in the Autonomous Immigration Filters?

Spanish and English.

 

For further reference, please visit the pages mentioned in the following links:

  1. https://www.gob.mx/inm/documentos/que-son-los-filtros-migratorios-autonomos
  2. https://www.gob.mx/inm/es/articulos/conoces-los-filtros-autonomos-del-instituto-nacional-de-migracion-inm

 

 

Mayo 2025

D.R.@ 2025 Instituto Nacional de Migración, Secretaría de Gobernación

Homero 1832, Colonia Los Morales Polanco, alcaldía Miguel Hidalgo, CP 11510 Ciudad de México.

En colaboración interna con:

Dirección General de Control y Verificación Migratoria

Dirección General de Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicaciones

Dirección de Comunicación Social

Se permite la reproducción total o parcial sin fines comerciales, citando como:

Instituto Nacional de Migración, Secretaría de Gobernación (2025).

Filtros Migratorios Autónomos.

Hecho en México