Entry and Visa Requirements

What you need to enter Mexico:

1. Proof of Citizenship (Original Birth Certificate with a raised seal, a valid passport or naturalization papers).  Note:  If you are using your birth certificate as your proof of citizenship, also bring a current photo ID, such as a driver's license.
2. Legal proof of a name change, if the last name on the birth certificate is different from your current name.  Only original documents are accepted, photocopies will not be approved.

The Mexican Tourist Permit

Citizens of countries such as the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Chile, Japan and almost all western European countries are not required to get a visa to enter the country as tourists.  The list of countries change from time to time so be sure to check current regulations via their website (www.embassyofmexico.org) or the nearest Mexican embassy or consulate.

The Mexican Tourist Permit (FMT) is Mexico's equivalent for a tourist visa.  This is issued by border officials, once proof of citizenship is approved.  If you are traveling to Mexico by plane, airlines usually provide you with the necessary forms that you can fill up while aboard Mexico.  Be sure to take care of this permit as you will not be allowed to get out of the country if you lose it.  Replacements can take from a few hours to up to a week.  Also, write down your FMT number and keep it with your travel documents, to facilitate FMT replacement in case you lose it.

The FMT is usually good for up to 160 days (6 months).  You may extend this time by requesting for an extension from an official immigration office in Mexico.

Please also note that in Baja California, the rules are a little different.  FMTs are issued for a maximum of 180 days a year and a maximum of 30 days per visit.  If you are entering by car through the border of Baja California, be sure to enter through Ensenada, Guerrero Negro, Mexicali, Tecate and Tijuana, as these are the sites where you can get an FMT.  If you plan to bring in your car into the country, the cities that issue such permits are only in Ensenada, La Paz, Mexicali, and Tijuana.

For those bringing minors without parents or with only one parent, please bring a notarized letter from the absent parent(s) that authorize the child to travel to Mexico.

Log into www.embassyofmexico.org for more details or specific situations.

Embassies & Consulates

United States

United States Embassy

Address:          Paseo de la Reforma 305, Mexico City
Telephone:       55 5080 2000or 555 511 9980
Hours:              Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Website:          www.usembassy-mexico.gov

United States Consulates

1. López Mateos 924-N, Ciudad Juárez

Telephone:             656 611 3000

1. Progreso 175, Guadalajara

Telephone:             333 268 2100

1. Av. Constitución 411 Pte., Monterrey

Telephone:             818 345 2120

1. Tapachula 96, Tijuana

Telephone:             664 622 7400

United States Consular Agencies

1. Acapulco                                 744 469 0556
2. Cabo San Lucas                      624 143 3566
3. Cancún                                    998 883 0272
4. Cozumel                                  987 872 4574
5. Hermosillo                               662 217 2375
6. Ixtapa Zihuatanejo                   755 553 2100
7. Matamoros                              868 812 4402
8. Mazatlán                                 669 916 5889
9. Mérida                                    999 925 5011
10. Nogales                                   631 313 4820
11. Nuevo Laredo                         867 714 0512
12. Oaxaca                                   951 514 3054
13. Puerto Vallarta                        322 222 0069
14. San Luis Potosí                        444 811 7802
15. and San Miguel de Allende      415 152 2357

Australia
Address:          Rubén Darío 55, Col. Polanco
Telephone:       555 1101 2200
Hours:             Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Canada
Address:          Schiller 529, Col. Polanco
Telephone:       555 724 7900
Hours:            Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Canadian Consulates:

1. Acapulco                     744 484 1305
2. Cancún                        998 883 3360
3. Guadalajara                 333 615 6215
4. Mazatlán                      669 913 7320
5. Monterrey                   818 344 2753
6. Oaxaca                       951 513 3777
7. Puerto Vallarta            322 293 0098
8. San José del Cabo       624 142 4333
9. Tijuana                        664 684 0461

Ireland
Address:          Bulevar Cerrada, Avila Camacho 76, 3rd floor, Col. Lomas de Chapultepec
Telephone:       55 5520 5803
Hours:              Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

New Zealand
Address:          José Luis Lagrange 103, 10th floor, Col. Los Morales Polanco
Telephone:       55 5283 9460
Hours:              Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

South Africa
Address:          Andrés Bello 10, 9th floor, Col. Polanco
Telephone:       55 5282 9260
Hours:              Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

United Kingdom
Address:          Río Lerma 71, Col. Cuauhtémoc
Telephone:       55 5242 850
Website:          www.embajadabritanica.com.mx
Hours:              Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.