World Country Guide

Note
No brief account of the complex Mexican Passport/Visa regulations is likely to be fully successful and visitors are advised to use the following information for general guidance only. Non-compliance with visa regulations will result in fines and transportation (at the carrier’s expense) to the visitor’s country of origin.

Passports
Passport valid for at least six months after date of entry required by all except the following:
1. nationals of Canada and the USA holding a certified copy of a birth certificate/voter’s card and photo identification (eg driver’s licence or student ID).

Tourist Cards (FM-T)
Available only to nationals entering Mexico on holiday, for reasons of health, or to engage in scientific, artistic or sporting activities which are neither remunerative nor lucrative. Valid for the holder only. Other persons (including minors) travelling on the same passport must have their own card. The card is a single-entry document and is issued free of charge.
The following nationals are eligible for a Tourist Card:
(a) 2. EU countries for stays of up to 180 days (except nationals of Austria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic and Slovenia who can stay for up to 90 days);
(b) 3. Canada, Japan and the USA for stays of up to 180 days;
(c) Andorra, Argentina, Bermuda, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Singapore, Switzerland and Uruguay for stays of up to 180 days;
(d) 4. Australia, Iceland, Israel, Korea (Rep), Monaco and South Africa for up to 90 days;
(e) Venezuela for stays of up to 30 days.

Note
(a) The Consular office retains the right to request further evidence - such as return or onward tickets and proof of financial means - of the applicant’s intention to visit Mexico as a tourist whenever such intention has not been established to the Consul’s satisfaction. (b) Tourist Cards must be kept by the visitor during the entire length of stay as they will have to be presented and stamped on leaving. (c) Certain nationals who are eligible for tourist cards require either red or blue tourist cards. The colour of the tourist card will determine the exact application requirements.

Application to
Consulate or Consular section at Embassy; see Contact Addresses section. Also available on board the plane or at the point of entry in Mexico. However, in some cases personal applications may be required.

Application requirements
(a) Passport valid for at least six months from date of entry. (b) Return or onward ticket. (c) Proof of sufficient funds. (d) If applying by post, a covering letter giving dates of entry and departure. Postal applications must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope for recorded return delivery.

Visas
Required by all except holders of a Tourist Card or visa-replacing document. Nationals of the following countries require special authorisation before a visa can be granted:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Cambodia, China (PR), CIS, Colombia, Congo (Dem Rep), Croatia, Cuba, East Timor, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Grenada, Haiti, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Korea (Dem Rep), Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic of), Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Serbia & Montenegro, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Taiwan, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Yemen and holders of British Travel or Palestinian documents. Authorisation takes approximately three - four weeks. Please note that these nationals are also subject to special application requirements. For further details, contact the Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section.

Types of visa and cost
Tourist: 19.60. Business: 53 (non-lucrative) or 85.90 (lucrative). Visa prices fluctuate according to the exchange rate.

Validity
Tourist: One to six months (single-entry but can also be obtained for double and multiple-entry in particular circumstances). Business Visitor: Up to a maximum of one year. Each national has 90 days from date of issue to use the visa before it is defunct. Extensions for visas must be submitted 30 days before the expiration of the allocated visa.

Application requirements
Tourist: (a) Passport valid for at least six months from date of entry plus photocopies. (b) Completed application form. (c) One passport-size photo. (d) Original and photocopy of return, or onward, ticket. (e) Fee (payable by cash or postal order only). (f) Proof of sufficient funds to cover length of stay (eg last three bank statements, original work letter stating current salary and period of time working, or original letter from the person who supports the traveller economically with proof of relation, such as birth or marriage certificate. (g) Postal applications must be accompanied by a covering letter specifying the purpose of the trip and the dates of entry and departure. Applications should be made in a stamped, self-addressed envelope with recorded or registered delivery. (h) Letter stating purpose of visit, itinerary, date of departure, intended duration of stay plus a reference letter. Business Visitors Card: (a)-(b) and, (c) Two identical passport-size photos. (d) Letter from applicant’s employer accepting financial responsibility to cover the applicant’s stay, which also states the nature of business to be undertaken. (e) Letter from company in Mexico to be visited, explaining purpose of visit. (f) Fee (payable in cash, postal order or company cheque). (g) Postal applications must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope with recorded delivery.

Note
a) Non-British nationals seeking to visit Mexico on business are advised to check with the Consulate regarding visa requirements and fees. (b) Vaccinations against cholera and yellow fever are required by the Mexican Immigration Office if the visitor has been in an infected area two weeks prior to entry into Mexico. They are not required for transit passengers remaining in the airport.

Application to
Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section.

Working days required
Two in person; one week by post. Applications should be made in good time as it may take up to four weeks for some nationals.

Temporary residence
Application should be made to the Mexican Home Office with proof of sufficient funds to cover length of stay without working. Contact the Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy) for further details; see Contact Addresses section.