Mexico Visa Information

Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country located in North America. With its extensive borders, Mexico is the 13th largest and 10th most populous country on earth. Thanks to the diverse range of climates and innumerable attractions, Mexico is among the most popular travel destinations in the world.

If you're also amazed by the gorgeous nature, rich cultures, and magnificent history of Mexico, a trip to this unique country might be what you need. Of course, when planning your trip, you should also consider the Mexico visa process for a smooth journey. In this article we’ll discover Mexico visa requirements and how to get a Mexican visa.

Do I Need a Visa for Mexico? *

If you haven't traveled to Mexico before, you must be wondering: "Does Mexico require a visa?" Let's discover the answer together. Below, you can find a detailed explanation of which countries' citizens can visit Mexico without a visa.

NOTE: For the most up-to-date list of countries exempt from visa requirements, refer to the official list published by the Mexican government.

Citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States

Thanks to the bilateral agreements, you don't need to apply for a visa for Mexico from UK, US, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand for their visits up to 180 days.

Citizens of the EU, EEA, and other European Countries

Citizens of all EU and EEA countries, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and Switzerland can enter Mexico without a visa for their visits up to 180 days.

Citizens of Other Countries

The citizens of Argentina, Bahamas Barbados, Belize, Chile, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia, Hong Kong, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Monaco, Niue, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Singapore, South Korea, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, and Uruguay do not need a visa for Mexico. The citizens of all other countries need a valid visa to enter Mexico.

Visitors Holding a Valid Visa or Permanent Residency Card from Other Countries

Regardless of nationality, visitors who hold a valid visa or permanent residency card for Canada, Japan, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, or any of the countries comprising the Schengen Area can enter Mexico without a visa for Mexico. So, adding Mexico to your itinerary might be a great idea.

* You can click here to see the updated list.

How to Apply for a Mexico Visa?

If your country isn’t among the above-mentioned countries, you need to apply for a Mexican visa. Applying for a visa for Mexico is actually quite an effortless process. If your country has an official mission of Mexico within its borders, you can either call them or visit https://citas.sre.gob.mx to make an appointment at the relevant consulate. Once you make the appointment, all you have to do is collect the required documents and be present at the appointment.

Although one usually receives their Mexico visa within one to ten business days, the process might be longer than expected. As different purposes for visits may also incur different documentation, you should be aware that consular officials might require additional documentation throughout the process.

Citizens of Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey, on the other hand, are eligible for e-Visa. If you are a citizen of one of these three countries, you can visit the official electronic authorization service to apply Mexico visa online free of charge.

General Documents Required for Mexico Visa

When applying for a Mexican visa, regardless of the visa type, you should have several documents you must submit. Below, you can find general documents relating to how to get a Mexican visa:

• Mexico Visa application form,
• Your travel document - often a passport - and copy of the page with your personal details, photograph, & signature,
• One biometrical passport-size photograph - must be recent, without glasses, in color with a white background, and no larger than 39 millimeters x 31 millimeters,
• (If your permanent residency differs from your citizenship) proof of legal residency status,
• Proof demonstrating that the applicant has paid the Mexico visa fee.

All documents in a foreign language other than English must have a certified translation into Spanish.

Legalization of Documents for Mexican Visa

All official documents, such as birth or marriage certificates, issued outside of Mexico must be apostilled or legalized - depending on the country. You can click here to see the countries that signed the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents.

Mexico Visa Types

Do you need a visa to go to Mexico but cannot decide which visa to apply to? Discover the main types of Mexican visa and learn about who should apply for them.

Mexico Tourist Visa

A Mexico tourist visa is given for visitors planning to stay in the country for a maximum of 180 days (6 months). Visitors traveling to Mexico for tourism can apply for this visa type. This visa is also available if your journey to Mexico is a business trip or involves visiting a consulate – this visa type does not allow its holder to take up any form of employment. It should be noted that this visa doesn't entitle the visa-holder to work in Mexico.

Mexico Tourist Visa Requirements

In addition to the documents listed under the General Documents Required for Mexico Visa:

• One of the following documents proving financial sufficiency:
  • Bank statements of the previous 3 months demonstrating a monthly ending balance of at least 300 days of the current general minimum wage in México City (for savings or investments),
  • Employed applicants can submit the following documents:
    • A signed employer letter confirming at least one year of employment, including your name, position, start date, salary, and the last three months' paystubs demonstrating a monthly income of at least 100 days of the current general minimum wage in México City,
  • Retired applicants can submit the following documents:
    • A Social Security or pension letter and the last three months' bank statements or pension receipts demonstrating a monthly income of at least 100 days of the current general minimum wage in México City,
  • Students who do not have their own source of income can submit the following documents:
    • Verification of enrollment from your university, proof of employment, pension, or scholarship with a monthly income of at least 60 days of the current general minimum wage in México City,
  • Those aged 65 and above do not need to provide financial documents, but they must present a travel itinerary as proof of tourism in México,
  • The application forms of visitors below 18 years of age must be signed by their parents and submitted alongside the original and copy of the minor's birth certificate. If the minor is not accompanied by both parents, a power of attorney from the absent parent(s) issued by a Mexican consulate, along with their identification, is required.

Mexico Tourist Visa (Long Duration)

Similar to the standard Mexico visa for tourism, a long-duration tourist visa also entitles visitors to travel to the country for stays up to 180 days (6 months). Nevertheless, unlike the standard tourist visa, this visa is valid for 10 years. You can apply for this visa for travel and business purposes, yet you should remember that you cannot work in Mexico with this visa.

Mexico Tourist Visa (Long Duration) Requirements

The long-duration Mexico tourist visa is issued to individuals who frequently travel to Mexico but do not plan to reside in the country. The documents required for this visa are almost the same as those for the standard tourist visa. In addition to the documents required for standard tourist visa, applicants shall submit documents proving the following:

• Ample financial assets,
• Being a frequent traveler and visiting Mexico continuously,
• Being a prominent person,
• A Mexican national family member,
• A temporary or permanent Mexican-resident family member,
• Having ties to a family member of a diplomatic official,
• The employment relationship between the applicant and a company in Mexico, such as a partnership or working at an institution that requires the applicant to visit Mexico occasionally.

Mexico Temporary Resident Visa

Visitors who will stay in Mexico for longer than 180 days and shorter than 4 years may apply for this visa. The most common reasons for applying for this visa type include studying, staying with a Mexican national or resident, reuniting with a spouse, or making an investment. Alternatively, someone may visit Mexico with this visa to work in the country as long as they receive a work permit from the National Institute of Migration.

Mexico Temporary Resident Visa Requirements

Mexican visa for temporary residency requires the following documents in addition to the general documents:

• Documents demonstrating that you can finance your stay in Mexico, such as employment, pension, savings, or investments,
• Submit documents that demonstrate you fulfill one of the following conditions:
  • Conducting scientific research in Mexico,
  • Studying in Mexico,
  • Letter of invitation,
  • Having a close family member (such as a father, mother, sibling, spouse, child, stepchild, or partner) with Mexican citizenship or residency,
  • Possessing real estate within Mexican territory,
  • Having investments in Mexican territory.

Although this visa doesn't automatically allow one to work in Mexican territory, the holder of the visa may apply for a work permit once they are in Mexico.

NOTE: In the case of a job offer within Mexico, the company or employer must directly apply to the National Migration Institute for approval to work on behalf of the applicant. Once approved, the applicant may proceed with the visa process.

IMPORTANT: Temporary Resident Visa is valid for 180 days. However, the visa holder may apply for the Mexican residence card and reside in the country for up to 4 years.

Mexico Permanent Resident Visa

A permanent resident visa is applicable to foreign nationals who intend to travel to Mexico to become a permanent resident.

Mexico Permanent Resident Visa Requirements

In addition to the general documents applicants must submit the following documents for Mexico permanent resident visa:

• Documents demonstrating that you can finance your stay in Mexico, such as employment, pension, savings, or investments,
• Applicant must submit documents proving any of the following:
  • Being a retiree or pensioner,
  • Having a close family member (such as a father, mother, sibling, or child) with Mexican citizenship or residency.*

NOTE: Those who have a spouse or partner in Mexico will be issued a temporary residency visa. If they maintain the temporary resident status for two years, they may apply for a permanent resident card.

IMPORTANT: The visa holder must apply for the Mexican residence card within the following 30 calendar days of their entry to the Mexican territory.

2024 Mexico Visa Fees

You can check the visa type you’re planning to apply for and its fee on the official website of the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs.