MEXICO VISA INFORMATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
1. TOURIST VISA - This applies to people who wish to visit Mexico past the Border Zone or for more than 72 hours in the Border Zone.
2. VISA / FM3 FOR TEMPORARY RESIDENT - This applies to those wishing to live in Mexico.
3. VISA / FM3 FOR GENERAL BUSINESS - This applies to purchasing agents, importers and exporters who will attend board or directors' meetings of Mexican companies, conduct business that requires notarial certification or institute any legal proceedings in court.
4. VISA / FM3 FOR TECHNICIANS & ENGINEERS - This applies to technicians or engineers who intend to repair or install machinery, or train personnel, or take tools or machinery to Mexico.
5. STUDENT VISA REQUIREMENTS - This applies to foreign students who plan to study in Mexico.
Tourist Visa
Mexico has a tourist fee they charge visitors. If you are either staying in Mexico longer than 72 hours or traveling past the Border Zone you will need to pay the 190 peso Tourist Card fee. The card, known as the Migratory Tourist Form (FMT) is valid for six months (180 days) with multiple entries. Make sure you ask for the full 180 days even is you plan to stay only a short time. You never know if you may return in those 180 days.
In Baja California, the border zone has been extended to San Quintin, on the Pacific side and San Felipe, on the Sea of Cortez. Sonora state is in the process of extending it's border zone too. In mainland states along the border, this includes a 16-20 mile zone south of the border. Some areas have "tourist corridors" such as Baja, please check with the Mexican Consulate in your area.
According to the law you must have the Tourist Card on you while traveling (make a copy if possible in case original is lost). You can pick up a card at the border, just stop at immigration as you cross into Mexico, parking is available. You must have either a current passport or original birth certificate with current ID. Baja California and Sonora sometimes only require a current ID, but it's wise to check with the consulate first.
Some insurance companies and travel clubs may be allowed to issue Tourist Cards in the U.S., please check with them first.
Immigration will not take money for the card, you must go to a bank (there is usually one next to Customs). You can also pay the fee at any bank in Mexico, where upon they will stamp your Tourist Card paid. You must then go back to immigration, or the next immigration office in the next town you visit, and have them stamp your card as valid. Make sure you do this right away, do not wait until your trip is half over. Your best bet is to take care of all of this at the border.
NOTE: If you are arriving by airline or cruise, your Tourist Card fee will be charged in the cost of your package or fare, and they will give you your tourist card to fill out for Customs when you land. [ top ]
VISA / FM3 FOR TEMPORARY RESIDENT
For persons wishing to reside or retire in Mexico.
1. VALID PASSPORT AND ONE PHOTOCOPY.
Passport must have at least 6 months of validity remaining. If person is a legal resident of U.S., a copy of the front and back of the alien registration card is also required.
2. LETTER FROM THE BANK THAT PROVES A MINIMUM MONTHLY DEPOSIT OF ONE THOUSAND ($1,000) DOLLARS PER DEPENDENT OR COPIES OF YOUR BANK STATEMENTS FOR THE LAST 6 MONTHS THAT PROVES YOUR MONTHLY DEPOSIT COVERS THE AMOUNT STATED ABOVE.
3. TWO (2) PASSPORT FRONT VIEW PHOTOS
NO AUTOMATIC MACHINE PHOTOS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
4. COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM
5. Payments are paid in cash only - no money orders, company, personal or cashier's check will be accepted.
NO RENEWALS ARE DONE AT THE MEXICAN CONSULATE.
You must get in touch with the Mexican Immigration dept. 30 days prior to expiration date.
NOTE : Applications accepted at Mexican consulates.
Applicants must apply in person between 8 and 12 noon.
Please allow document to take at least 24 hrs. for processing [ top ]
VISA / FM3 FOR GENERAL BUSINESS
For Sales & Purchasing Agents, Importers, Exporters, for attending board or director's meetings of Mexican companies, to conduct business that will require notarial certification, and for persons participating in any legal or court proceedings or appointments to American consulates in Mexico.
Requirements:
1. VALID PASSPORT AND ONE PHOTOCOPY OF PASSPORT
Passport must have at least 6 months of validity remaining. If the person is a legal resident in the U.S.A., a copy of the front and back of the Alien Registration Card (green card) is required.
2. LETTER ADDRESSED TO THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF MEXICO BY THE AMERICAN COMPANY HE/SHE REPRESENTS, ON THE OFFICIAL COMPANY LETTERHEAD STATING THE FOLLOWING:
A. Specific activities/purpose to be conducted in Mexico.
B. Time requested and length of stay in Mexico.
C. The applicant will receive no salary while in Mexico.
3. PROOF THAT THE COMPANY EXISTS BY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
A. Letter of Credit from the bank.
B. Copy of the Current Business Registration (license)
4. TWO PASSPORT FRONT VIEW PICTURES IN COLOR.
NO AUTOMATIC MACHINE PHOTOS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
5. COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM
6. Payments are paid in cash only - no money orders, company, personal or cashier's check will be accepted. [ top ]
VISA / FM3 FOR TECHNICIANS & ENGINEERS
Applies to technicians or engineers who intend to repair, maintain, or install machinery; train or advise personnel; or to take tools or machinery into Mexico.
Requirements
1. VALID PASSPORT AND ONE PHOTOCOPY OF PASSPORT
Passport must have at least 6 months of validity remaining. If person is a legal resident of U.S., a copy of the front and back of the alien registration card (green card) is also required. Check with a Mexican consulate (see below) if from another nation.
2. LETTER ADDRESSED TO THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF MEXICO BY THE AMERICAN COMPANY HE/SHE REPRESENTS, ON THE OFFICIAL COMPANY LETTERHEAD STATING THE FOLLOWING:
A. Specific purpose of the trip in Mexico.
B. That applicant's salary will be paid in the U.S.
C. Time requested and length of stay in Mexico.
3. A LETTER OR LETTERS FROM THE COMPANY / COMPANIES IN MEXICO, ADDRESSED TO THE COMPANY IN THE U.S.A., REQUESTING THE SERVICE OF THE TECHNICIAN OR ENGINEER AND THE ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED.
4. TWO (2) PASSPORT FRONT VIEW PHOTOS IN COLOR.
NO AUTOMATIC MACHINE PHOTOS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
5. COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM.
6. FEES: are paid in cash only - no money orders, company, personal or cashier's check will be accepted.
7. A COPY OF THE COMPANIES BUSINESS LICENSE. MUST NOT BE EXPIRED.
IF REQUESTING A RENEWAL, CURRENT DOCUMENTS AND PHOTOS MUST BE PRESENTED AGAIN. [ top ]
STUDENT VISA REQUIREMENTS
For foreign students wishing to study in Mexico.
1. VALID PASSPORT AND ONE PHOTOCOPY.
2. LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE FROM THE SCHOOL OR UNIVERSITY.
The school must be authorized to receive foreign students by the Ministry of the Interior. The letter must be recent (30 days) and must show the semester or academic year of study.
3. LETTER OR FINANCIAL SOLVENCY.
Proof of financial solvency issued by a bank or notarized letter from parents stating applicant will receive a monthly income of $300 US dollars during his/her stay in Mexico.
4. SIX (6) PASSPORT FRONT VIEW PHOTOS AND FIVE (5) RIGHT SIDE PHOTOS IN COLOR.
NO AUTOMATIC MACHINE PHOTOS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
5. ENCLOSED APPLICATION DULY COMPLETED
Detailed information on the school tuition, calendar, etc. should be obtained directly from them. Please check with consulate as language school stays may not apply. [ top ]
Important Notice: Please Note that these regulations are changed on a regular basis by the different governments, Southtravels.com can not be liable for any information that could have been changed since we checked it. It is the responsibility of each passenger to check the different conditions of entry to the desired country. |
