Mexico Entry and Travel Requirements

Mexico Entry Requirements define all the rules that visitors to Mexico must meet to enter the country issues-free. These requirements also specify the documentation that must be obtained prior to the planned travel, as well as some Covid-19 additional measures implemented temporarily due to the outbreak of the pandemic. 

One of the most essential documents that one must have to enter Mexico is a valid passport with a minimum validity of 6 months from the planned date of entry. Some travelers will also need a visa. 

The Mexico visa policy states which nationals can enter Mexico visa-free and which countries are required to obtain a visa or another travel permit. Depending on the traveler's nationality, duration of planned stay in Mexico, and certain travel purposes, different types of Mexican visas may be required. 

Citizens of less than 70 different countries may enter Mexico visa-free for short-term stays, up to 1 month for tranist or 6 months for tourism or business-related purposes. 

One of the mandatory documents for all travelers to Mexico is the FMM tourist card. The card is required from everyone arriving in Mexico by air or land, whether coming from a visa-exempt country or not. Forma Migratoria Múltiple does not replace a visa. If travelers must obtain a visa, they must hold both the FMM and a relevant visa too. 

Mexico has lifted all covid-related restrictions, including pre-departure testing, quarantine, or the necessity to complete the health declaration form.

Nevertheless, all travelers should check the remaining entry and travel requirements concerning the visa policy and other documents that may be required to travel to Mexico without any issues. 

Who can enter Mexico?

Mexico is currently open to all foreign travelers arriving for non-essential and essential reasons. Incoming visitors do not have to be fully vaccinated, nor do they have to take Covid-19 tests before departure.

Please note! Random health screenings and temperature checks may be performed upon entering Mexico.

Documents check-list for entering Mexico

• The Mexico Tourist Card (FMM)
• a passport valid for a minimum of six months

You may also need:

• a valid visa (some nationals)
• travel insurance with Covid-19 coverage

Mexico Travel Requirements

The Mexican Government is not demanding in its entry requirements allowing foreign nationals to visit Mexico with only one obligatory document - the Forma Migratoria Múltiple, i.e., the Mexico Tourist Card.

You do not have to be fully vaccinated for Covid-19, nor take any tests before departure or on arrival.

The Mexican Government has also eliminated the need for travelers to complete the Mexican Health Declaration since March 2022.

Travelers from some countries not eligible for a visa-free entry to Mexico will need to apply for a regular visa at the Mexican Embassy or Consulate.

We also advise all travelers to get travel insurance whenever going abroad to be prepared for everything that may happen during their trip.

Testing, Vaccination, and Quarantine Requirements

There are no testing nor vaccination requirements upon visiting Mexico. Non-vaccinated travelers are welcome to visit Mexico for different non-essential and essential reasons.

Incoming travelers may expect to undergo a health screening or a temperature check upon their arrival performed by Mexican customs or other officials.

Traveling from Mexico

Mexican nationals or those with a residency status must adhere to the applicable entry requirements they plan on visiting. Make sure that you have a valid passport before departing and check if there are any additional documents or travel authorizations you will need to apply for before leaving.

Please note! Any Mexican national or dual citizen traveling abroad from Mexico with children whom they are not parents or legal guardians of must apply for a special permit to leave Mexico.

Traveling to Mexico

Traveling to Mexico during the Covid-19 pandemic does not require meeting special requirements, especially since from March of 2022, incoming visitors do not need to fill out the Mexican Passenger Locator Form.

The only document that's currently obligatory is the Forma Migratoria Múltiple (the Mexican Tourist Card). Some travelers may also need to apply for a visa or an electronic travel authorization document, depending on their nationality.

The Mexican Government has also imposed a set of restrictions applicable when staying in Mexico that differs based on a traffic light system with four colors:

• green - minimal to no restrictions with no mobility limitations, masks are still mandatory when using public transport and recommended in closed spaces
• yellow - all economic and social activities are resumed at a 75% capacity with masks obligatory in closed spaces and public transport and recommended in open spaces when there's no possibility to maintain social distance
• orange - all economic and social activities may be performed but are limited to 50% capacity, masks are obligatory in all public spaces
• red - stay at home whenever you can and wear masks in all public spaces, only essential activities are allowed

Currently, all regions in Mexico are marked with either yellow or green, hence local restrictions may differ.

Entry Rules for Children

There are no specific entry rules for children visiting Mexico. The only document required is the FMM form, which is obligatory for entry to Mexico no matter the traveler's age.

If the country the underage traveler visiting Mexico is from is not listed as eligible for visa-free, substitute visa, or the Electronic Authorization System entry, it may be necessary to obtain a regular visa from a Mexican Embassy or Consulate as well.

Please note! Mexican authorities may ask for proof of your relationship with your child when leaving Mexico, especially when your surname is different.

Transit through Mexico – rules during the Covid-19 pandemic

Since the current entry rules to Mexico are not necessarily affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, so are the applicable transit requirements.

Travelers who plan on transiting through Mexico do not need a visa if they meet the below-listed requirements:

• their layover will not exceed 24 hours
• they will stay within the transit area at the airport
• they will not enter the territory of Mexico

The only document needed for transit stays in Mexico is the FMM Tourist Card that's mandatory upon any visit to this country.

Mexico visa requirements

Mexico has a quite liberal visa policy allowing citizens of most countries to enter on a visa-free basis. Still, citizens of some countries need to get a Mexico visa before departure.

Visa-free

38 countries and all European Union member countries are listed as those eligible for visa-free travel to Mexico.

Travelers from visa-free countries can visit Mexico for up to 180 days for all leisure, business, and transit-related trips.

Visa required

Citizens of countries not listed as visa-free or eligible for the Electronic Authorization System must apply for a regular visa at one of the Mexican Embassies or Consulates in their home country.

Substitute visa

Travelers who need to get a regular visa before departure may visit Mexico visa-free, as long as they have:

A valid visa for:

• Canada
• European Union and Schengen Area countries
• Japan
• United Kingdom
• United States

Permanent residence of:

• Canada
• Chile
• Colombia
• European Union and Schengen Area countries
• Japan
• Peru
• United Kingdom
• United States

Electronic Authorization System

The Mexican Government enables four eligible countries to use the Electronic Authorization System, making it possible for such travelers to obtain a single-entry travel authorization to Mexico online.

The electronic travel authorization is issued in the form of a single-entry permit allowing a stay of up to 180 days in Mexico. The issued document stays valid for up to 30 days.

The electronic travel authorization for Mexico is only available for travelers visiting Mexico by air for leisure, business, or transit reasons.

Eligible countries:

• Brazil
• Russia
• Turkey
• Ukraine

The FMM Form

Since 2015, every incoming visitor to Mexico must register their travel online by completing the Forma Migratoria Múltiple (the Mexico Tourist Card).

The FMM Form is obligatory to have upon visiting Mexico. Make sure to apply for your FMM online no later than 72 hours of the planned departure to receive the approved document on time.

Processed FMMs are then delivered to travelers via email in PDF form and serve as single-entry permits allowing its holders to stay in Mexico for up to 180 days.

Passenger Locator Form for Mexico

The Covid-19 pandemic forced the Mexican Government to introduce additional safety measures, including the online Passenger Locator Form.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is not obligatory to have to enter Mexico. However, it is highly advisable to get travel insurance whenever going abroad for peace of mind and safety during your stay abroad.

The ongoing pandemic has further proven how important it is to stay safe during international travels. Consider getting insurance with Covid-19 coverage before setting off for your next trip.