Properties for Sale in Mexico

Specific Requirements for Mexican Visas

Tourist Visa
Citizens of the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and much of Western Europe need no visa to enter Mexico as tourists for less than 180 days. Other Western Europeans can stay for 90 days. Non-US citizens travelling via the US, however, may need a US visa. Visitors entering by land are subject to a US$18.50 entry fee, which will be includeed in your ticket if arriving by air.
What every visitor does need is a valid passport and a tourist card (or FMT – folleto de migración turística). Tourist cards are free, and if you're flying direct, you should get one on the plane, or from the airline before leaving. A good travel agent should be able to arrange one for you, too. Otherwise they're issued by Mexican consulates, in person or by post. Every major US city and most border towns have a Mexican consulate; tourist cards and vehicle import forms are also available from all AAA offices in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. Finally, failing all these, you should be able to get tourist cards at airports or border crossings on arrival. However, if they've run out, you'll have to twiddle your thumbs until the next batch comes in, and if your passport is not issued by a Western country, you may encounter difficulty in persuading border officials to give you a card at all; it's therefore preferable to get one in advance. Entering from Belize or Guatemala, it's not at all uncommon for border posts to run out of tourist cards, or for officials to (illegally) demand a fee for issuing them.
Most people officially need a passport to pick up their tourist card, but for US and Canadian citizens all that's required is proof of citizenship (an original birth certificate or notarized copy, for instance, or naturalization papers), along with some form of photo ID (such as a driver's licence) . US and Canadian citizens can even enter Mexico without a passport if they carry such documents plus their tourist card with them, but it's not advisable, since officials checking your ID may not be aware of this right.
A tourist card is valid for a single entry only, so if you intend to enter and leave Mexico more than once you should pick up two or three. On the card, you are asked how long you intend to stay. You should always apply for longer than you need, since getting an extension is a frustrating and time-consuming business. You don't always get the time you've asked for in any case: in particular, at Mexico's borders with Belize and Guatemala to the south, you will probably only get thirty days (though they may give you more if you specifically ask), and entering via Chiapas state means you're likely only to get fifteen days (extensions unlikely). Especially if you are not from a rich country, you may also be asked to show bank statements or other proof of sufficient funds for your stay.
A tourist card isn't strictly necessary for anyone who only intends to visit the northern border towns and stay less than three days (though you still need a passport or photo ID) . In fact, the twenty-kilometre strip adjoining the US border is a duty-free area into which you can come and go more or less as you please; heading further south beyond this zone, however, there are checkpoints on every road, and you'll be sent back if you haven't brought the necessary documents and been through customs and immigration.
Don't lose the tourist card stub that is given back to you after immigration inspection. You are legally required to carry it at all times, and if you have to show your papers, it's more important than your passport. It also has to be handed in on leaving the country – without it, you may encounter hassle and delay.
Should you lose your tourist card, or need to have it renewed, head for the nearest immigration department office (Departamento de Migración); there are downtown branches in the biggest cities. In the case of renewal, it's far simpler to cross the border for a day and get a new one on re-entry than to apply for an extension; if you do apply to the immigration department, it's wise to do so a couple of weeks in advance, though you may be told to come back nearer the actual expiry date. Whatever else you may be told, branches of SECTUR (the tourist office) cannot renew expired tourist cards or replace lost ones– they will only make sympathetic noises and direct you to the nearest immigration office.
Visas, obtainable only through a consulate (in person or by mail), are required by nationals of South Africa and most non-industrialized countries, as well as by anyone entering Mexico to work, or to study or for more than six months. Business visitors need a Business Authorization Card available from consulates, and usually a visa too. Anyone under 18 needs written consent from their parents if not accompanied by both of them (if accompanied by one, they need written consent from the other).

Like many industrialized nations, Mexico has a comprehensive legal and statuatory Immigration Policy affecting Mexicans and foreign nationals.

What is Mexico's Immigration Policy?

Mexico's General Law of Population sets out the rights and obligations of foreigners, as well as the different statuses associated with foreign immigration.

In general, foreign nationals are welcome to visit Mexico for a defined period of time to take part in non-remunerative activities (e.g. a holiday), and requirements for remunerative visits or longer stays (beyond 180 days) require special permits from the Mexican Consulate.

There are two kinds of permit: Non-Immigrant and Immigrant:

• Non Immigrant Permits are for people who intend to visit Mexico for a specific purpose and then depart.
• Immigrant Permits are for people who wish to live in Mexico, short or long term.

You do not have to surrender your natural Citizenship to be granted full resident status in Mexico. Full resident status entitles you to all rights and benefits of a Mexican National (live, work, claim state benefits and to pay taxes) but you cannot vote in Mexican elections. These permits may also prohibit work in specific industries. These are limited, and relate to bar and waiter/waitress work.

This section describes the different types of Non-Immigrant an Immigrant Permits, and also discusses the issue of attaining Mexican Citizenship.

The information on this page is intended as a guide only, and you should seek professional advice in regard to Immigration matters, as well as make contact with the Mexican Consulate in your home country; details of local offices can be found from the Further Contacts Page in this section.

There are various classifications of Non-Immigrant visitors to Mexico - the main ones are listed below. For a description of the type, click on the title. Your local Mexican Consulate will be able to give you full details about how to apply (and in some cases, pay) for permits that are required in advance.

These are the equivalent of the "Landing Card" in the EU or "Visa Waiver" in the US that non-nationals need to fill out and have stamped when they enter to visit.

The Mexican Tourist permit is known at the "FMT"; it is very simple to fill out, and available from airlines and ports of entry. This permit allows visitors to remain in Mexico for a maximum period of 180 days, although immigration officials will only assign a maximum of 90 days, instructing visitors to extend it later. The permit can be extended to the maximum permitted stay if the original term granted (written on the form at the port of entry) was less than 180 days, by visiting one of the local foreign immigration offices, completing the paperwork and paying the administration fee.

The latest version of the FMT also contains a section for business travellers, who are entering Mexico temporarily to conduct business there. If you are travelling on business, complete the second half of the FMT. Business travellers are usually given 30 days entry as standard, although you can ask the immigration officer for more or extend it afterwards to maximum time allowed (180 days).

If you are in transit to another country, but will stay in Mexico for a short while, perhaps even just overnight, you can be issued with a traveller in transit permit, which allows a stay of up to 30 days and is NOT renewable. Available at all ports of entry to Mexico.

If you plan to visit Mexico on an extended stay for business reasons, then you are likely to be need one of these permits, although the normal FMT entry card (see Tourist Permits, above) now have a business section included for business travelers on temporary visits, so if your stay will only be temporary (see above) avoid the paperwork and administration charges involved with this permit and use the FMT instead.

For extended stays in Mexico, you must apply for the Visitors permit (usually an FM3) through your company and state what the purpose of the visit is, and how long it is likely to take. There are also some forms to fill out and a handling fee to pay. You can download the forms, and find out the latest fees and process by contacting your local Mexican Consulate. Visitor's Permits are issued for up to one year, and are renewable four times, for a maximum of one year each time - for a total maximum period of five years. See more information on Immigration Permits below.

If you want to study in Mexico, a non-immigrant permit which enables you to live and study in Mexico can be granted by the Consulate. You must be able to prove your ability to be self-sufficient by showing a certain amount of funds in a bank account. The exact amounts change yearly - check with the Mexican Consulate in your local area, details of Mexican consulates abroad are accessible from the Contacts page.

These people can apply for an immigration permit. Each case is considered individually and entry is at the Interior Ministry's discretion.

VIPs, Heads of State, persons on official visits, royalty, et al can be issued with special visitor permits that last for 6 months.

Special permits for foreigners visiting maritime ports and border cities. The permit allows a maximum stay of 3 days, and you must stay within the 35km 'border zone'.

If you arrive in Mexico without the proper documentation for normal non-immigrant entry (e.g. your passport was lost en-route) you can be issued with a Provisional Visitor Permit that allows you 30 days to get the required documentation together necessary for normal entry. A deposit or bond is required to guarantee that you will return to where you came from.

If you're involved in journalism or media, you can be issued with a Correspondents Permit, that enables you to carry out journalism work. The permit lasts for a year, but can be renewed as many times as required, provided that you are continuing your journalism work.

Religious Ministers or Members of Religious Associations can be issued with a permit that allows them to undertake religious duties and services, regardless of which religion it is, as well as social services. Persons wanting this permit will need to register and show their Ministry qualifications.

Immigrant Permits are issued to foreign nationals who have the intention of gaining permanent residency in Mexico. Under immigrant schemes, you are permitted to reside in the country, provided that you fulfil certain criteria (as specified by the type of permit) for a period of up to one year.

The permit must be renewed annually for a further four years in order for you to be able to apply for full residency status. If you wish to remain in Mexico as a "resident alien" after five years, you must apply for full residency status (there is a specific procedure to follow), and have this accepted. Once your application has been accepted and your "FM2" has been issued (see below) you are entitled to full rights and responsibilities as any other Mexican Citizen, with the exception of the right to vote.

Upon receiving this status, you will receive a document that looks like a Mexican Passport (called a "FM2") -- newer versions look like a driver's license -- which enables you pass through Mexico's borders as if you were a Mexican National. You do not need to surrender your national passport, which you'll use when you return to your home country: either for visits, or when returning home to dwell. If you stay outside of Mexico for longer than 2 years, or for 5 years in any 10 year period, you will lose your resident status in Mexico.

Listed below are the kinds of people who can apply for Immigrant Permits, with a view to taking up permanent residency in Mexico:

If you are over 50 years of age, and want to engage in "non remunerative activities" and you are receiving funds from abroad (from a pension or other investments or fixed income) at least to the value of ***400 times the daily minimum daily wage per month* and a further 200 times daily minimum wage per month for each dependent (e.g. spouse, children) then you can apply for a Retiree Immigration Permit.
*Multiples liable to change without notice

*** The average daily wage in Mexico is currently MX$48.70 a day (aprox. US $4.7), although the IMSS's (Social Security) register, with 13.5 million members, showed that the average pay in January 2006 was MX$197 (aprox. US $18) per day.

You can receive an immigration permit if you are willing to invest your capital in Mexico. You investment can be directed at industry or services, and must equal a minimum of 26,000 times the minimum daily wage in Mexico City*.
*Multiples liable to change without notice

If you are a qualified professional, you can have your certificates validated by the Mexican Consulate and apply for an immigration permit to live in Mexico. You must be sponsored by a company who must satisfy the authorities that you are essential to their operative requirements.

These people can apply for an immigration permit. Each case is considered individually and entry is at the Interior Ministry's discretion.

Acquiring Mexican Citizenship is an involved process, and it is not easy to do. As a minimum, you must have been living in Mexico for 5 years (2 years under special circumstances) and have resident status. Marriage to a Mexican national may allow Citizenship without the residency requirement. For matters concerning the acquisition of Mexican Citizenship, seek professional advice and contact your local Mexican Consulate.

Which Permit is Right for Me?
Non Immigrant

When you do NOT want to seek permanent residence in Mexico

For vacations and casual trips to Mexico: just fill out and use the tourist permit, available from the airline you travel with or the port of entry.

For work placements: If you plan to live in Mexico for a period of less than 5 years, then a Visitors Permit, renewable annually, is probably your best option.

For Other Activities: you should acquire a permit commensurate with your activity - e.g. Student, Journalist.

Immigrant, Economically Active

When you want to acquire permanent residency AND you want to work there

You will need to satisfy the requirements for entry (e.g. professional, sponsored by a company, etc), or be able and prepared to invest at least 40,000 times the minimum daily wage in Mexico City (see above).

Immigrant, Not Economically Active

When you want to acquire permanent residency but DO NOT want to work there

If you are of retirement age (50+), and have at least US$1,500 or equivalent income per month, then a Retiree permit will be your easiest route.

If you are not of a retirement age (below 50) and want to live but not work in Mexico, you will need to contact the Mexican Consulate. Provided that you can prove a permanent steady income in line with the regulations, you may be granted an FM3 permit to live in Mexico, which would be eligible for conversion to an FM2 in 5 years. You will need to state what you intend to do there, e.g. early retirement due to health, etc.

The average daily wage in Mexico is currently MX$48.70 a day (aprox. US $4.7), although the IMSS's (Social Security) register, with 13.5 million members, showed that the average pay in January 2006 was MX$197 (aprox. US $18) per day.

Mexican Government Web Site:

http://www.gob.mx/

Immigration Information:

http://www.gob.mx/wb/egobierno/egob_migracion_y_naturalizacion

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