Mexico City Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
Mexico's visa policy is relatively liberal for short-term visitors. The country operates a visa-free system for most Western nations and many Latin American and Asian countries. Visitors enter on a tourist permit (FMM) rather than a traditional visa stamp.
Citizens of these countries can enter Mexico without a visa for tourism or business purposes. They receive a Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM) tourist card upon arrival.
Passport must be valid for the duration of stay. The FMM tourist card costs approximately 594 Mexican pesos (around $30-35 USD) and is typically included in airfare for flights to Mexico. Keep this card safe as you'll need to return it when leaving Mexico. Citizens of the US, Canada, UK, Japan, and Schengen area holding valid visas or permanent residence from these countries may also qualify for visa-free entry even if their nationality normally requires a visa.
Some nationalities must obtain electronic authorization before traveling to Mexico
Cost: Approximately $44 USD
This requirement may be waived if you hold a valid visa or permanent residence from the US, Canada, Japan, UK, or Schengen countries. Always check current requirements as this list changes periodically.
Citizens of certain countries must obtain a visa from a Mexican embassy or consulate before traveling
Countries requiring visas include many African nations, some Asian countries, and certain other jurisdictions. The visa requirement may be waived if you hold valid visas or permanent residence from the US, Canada, Japan, UK, or Schengen area. Check with the Mexican embassy in your country for specific requirements.
Arrival Process
The entry process at Mexico City International Airport is well-organized and clearly marked. International arrivals follow a standard procedure through immigration, baggage claim, and customs. During peak hours, the process may take 45-90 minutes; during quieter periods, it can be as quick as 20-30 minutes.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
Mexican customs regulations are designed to prevent illegal importation of goods while allowing reasonable personal items for travelers. All passengers must go through the traffic light system (semáforo) at customs—press the button and proceed based on the light color. Declare all items that exceed duty-free allowances to avoid fines or confiscation.
Prohibited Items
- Illegal drugs and narcotics - Mexico has strict drug laws with severe penalties
- Firearms and ammunition - without proper permits and authorization from Mexican authorities (SEDENA)
- Certain fresh fruits, vegetables, and plant materials - to prevent agricultural pests
- Raw meat and meat products from most countries - due to animal health concerns
- Endangered species products - including ivory, certain animal skins, and protected plants
- Counterfeit goods - including fake designer items and pirated media
- Pornographic material depicting minors - strictly prohibited with severe criminal penalties
- Electronic cigarettes and vaping devices - currently prohibited for import and sale in Mexico
- CBD products and items containing cannabis - despite some domestic legalization, import remains prohibited
Restricted Items
- Prescription medications - require prescription or doctor's letter, especially controlled substances like opioids, benzodiazepines, and ADHD medications. Quantities should be reasonable for personal use during your stay
- Professional camera/video equipment - may require temporary import permit if commercial in nature or value exceeds personal use thresholds
- Drones - require permits from Mexican civil aviation authority (DGAC) and must be registered. Recreational drones under 250g have fewer restrictions but check current regulations
- Plants and seeds - require phytosanitary certificates from SENASICA (Mexican agricultural authority)
- Pets - require health certificates, vaccination records, and microchip (see special situations section)
- Archaeological artifacts - cannot be taken out of Mexico; import of artifacts from other countries requires documentation
- Firearms for hunting or sporting - require advance permits from SEDENA (Mexican defense department), a complex process that must be completed before travel
Health Requirements
Mexico does not currently require proof of vaccination for entry for most travelers. However, health requirements can change, and certain vaccinations are strongly recommended for your protection while visiting Mexico City.
Required Vaccinations
- Yellow Fever - only required if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission (primarily certain countries in Africa and South America). Proof of vaccination must be presented.
Recommended Vaccinations
- Hepatitis A - recommended for all travelers due to potential food and water contamination
- Hepatitis B - recommended for travelers who may have intimate contact with locals or require medical procedures
- Typhoid - recommended for travelers eating outside major restaurants and hotels
- Routine vaccinations - ensure you're up to date on MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus), polio, and influenza
- Rabies - consider for travelers with extensive outdoor activities or animal contact
- COVID-19 - while not required, staying current with COVID-19 vaccinations is recommended
Health Insurance
Mexico does not require proof of health insurance for entry, but travel health insurance is STRONGLY recommended. Mexican healthcare facilities often require payment upfront, and quality private care can be expensive. Ensure your policy covers medical evacuation. US Medicare and most domestic health insurance plans do not cover care in Mexico. Many credit cards offer travel insurance, but verify coverage details before your trip.
Important Contacts
Essential resources for your trip.
Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Minors (under 18) traveling to Mexico have specific requirements. If traveling with both parents, bring the child's birth certificate showing both parents' names. If traveling with one parent, the non-accompanying parent should provide a notarized letter of consent in Spanish or English, including passport copies and contact information. Solo minors or those traveling with non-parents (grandparents, other relatives, friends) must have notarized consent letters from BOTH parents plus copies of parents' IDs. Mexico takes child trafficking very seriously, and these documents may be checked at immigration. For divorced or separated parents, bring custody documents. If one parent is deceased, bring the death certificate. Some airlines have additional requirements for unaccompanied minors.
Dogs and cats can enter Mexico with proper documentation. Required: (1) Health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian within 5 days of travel, stating the animal is healthy and fit to travel; (2) Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 15 days but not more than 12 months before entry (puppies/kittens under 3 months may be exempt); (3) Microchip is strongly recommended and required by some airlines; (4) Import permit may be required for certain breeds or more than two pets. The health certificate and vaccination records must be originals. Airlines have their own pet policies regarding cabin vs. cargo travel and carrier dimensions. Mexico City's altitude can affect pets, so consult your veterinarian. Birds and exotic animals have additional requirements and may require CITES permits.
The FMM tourist card allows stays up to 180 days, though immigration officers may initially grant fewer days. If you need to extend your stay beyond what was granted, visit an Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM) office BEFORE your authorized stay expires. Bring your passport, FMM card, proof of financial means (bank statements showing at least $1,000 USD equivalent per month), and proof of accommodation. Extensions are granted at the officer's discretion and may require a fee. For stays longer than 180 days, you'll need a temporary resident visa (Residente Temporal), which must be applied for at a Mexican consulate in your home country before traveling. This visa is suitable for retirees, students, workers, or those with family ties in Mexico. Overstaying your authorized time can result in fines and difficulty with future entries to Mexico.
Most business activities (meetings, conferences, negotiations) are permitted on the standard FMM tourist card under 'business visitor' status. You cannot receive payment from Mexican sources or engage in direct employment. For work requiring payment from Mexican entities, you need a temporary resident visa with work authorization, obtained through a Mexican consulate before travel with sponsorship from a Mexican employer. Bring business cards, letter from your employer explaining the purpose of visit, and conference registration if applicable. Business visitors can stay up to 180 days but should clearly state 'business' as the purpose when entering.
Short-term courses or Spanish language programs under 180 days may be possible on a tourist FMM, but regulations are strict. For formal academic programs, exchange programs, or any study exceeding 180 days, you must obtain a temporary resident student visa before traveling. Apply at a Mexican consulate in your home country with acceptance letter from the Mexican educational institution, proof of financial means, and other required documents. The institution may need to be registered with Mexican immigration authorities. Student visas allow multiple entries and can be renewed annually.
Mexico has become popular with digital nomads, but there's no specific digital nomad visa. If you're working remotely for a foreign company (not Mexican clients/employers), you can enter on a tourist FMM for up to 180 days. Technically, you should not be 'working' in Mexico, but enforcing this for remote work is impractical. For stays longer than 180 days, apply for a temporary resident visa based on financial solvency (showing sufficient income/savings) at a Mexican consulate before traveling. Many digital nomads do 'visa runs' (leaving and re-entering), but repeated short stays may raise questions with immigration. Be discreet about working remotely when entering Mexico—state you're a tourist.