Immigration and Documentation,
Everything you need to know regarding entry requirements into Mexico.
There are 2 types of permits available:
1. Non Immigrant Permit-is for people who intend to visit Mexico for a specific period of time and then leave.
2. Immigrant Permit- this is for people who want to become permanent residents of Mexico.
There are many types of non-immigrant visas or permits available, these two are the most common:
FMT
Tourist Visa (FMT)- This is similar to the “Visa Waiver†in the US or the “Landing Card in the EU. You can obtain a tourist card either when you fly (the airline will give you this double sided form) or drive into Mexico (stop at the Aduana’s office) at any point of entry, or at your nearest Mexican Consulate. A tourist card can be good for up to 180 days. You can obtain a tourist card for a holiday in Mexico, scientific, sporting, or artistic activities as long as it not for profit. The tourist card is good for the holder only. Children must obtain their own card. You must keep the tourist card with you, your entire length of stay and you must return it upon exiting the country or you will pay a fine when exiting, approximately $40 USD, and you may get a lot of hassle. SO, DON’T LOOSE YOUR FMT!
Cost: $237 pesos is included in your fees when you buy your airline ticket, or you pay when you get the Aduana’s office.
Requirements: Passport and Round Trip Ticket, Note*** Your Passport must be valid for at least 6 more months than the date when you plan to leave Mexico!!
United States Passport Website
**Note** Business Visas:
On the FMT form, on the lower half, there is a place for business travelers to fill out their information. This usually gives you 30 days but it can be extended, by asking the immigration officer, at the airport or at your point of entry, for the maximum number of days which is 180.
Traveler in Transit:
If you are in route to another country but will be staying in Mexico a night or two, you can get a traveler in transit permit. This allows you to stay in the country for up to 30 days. It is not able to be renewed.
People from the following countries can obtain an FMT: Andorra, Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Belize, Bermudas, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Chile, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Monaco, Norway, New Zealand, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Serbia, and Montenegro.
Other countries, not listed, need a Visa to enter Mexico (see the Mexican Consulate in your country)
Nationals from the following countries need a special authorization from the Ministry of The Interior in Mexico to obtain a Visa: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cambodia, China, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, North Korea, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Syria, Taiwan, Turkey, and Vietnam. It usually takes 3-4 weeks for authorization.
What can I bring with me to Mexico with an FMT or Tourist Visa?
- Clothing, shoes, toiletry items, ( in reasonable amounts)
- Sports equipment, for 1 person
- Camera, and or Video camera and up to 12 rolls of film
- Binoculars
- 12†TV
- Laptop computer and necessary attachments
- Typewriter
- Suitcases to carry everything
- Up to 20 books and/or magazines
- 20 CD’s or DVD’s
- portable Radio or CD player
- Musical Instrument
- 20 packs of Cigarettes, 20 cigars, 200 grams of tobacco, and 3 liters of wine or other alcoholic beverage
- Various Objects worth up to $300 USD
- 1 tent and other camping equipment
- 2 tennis racquets
- 1 pair of skis
- 1 set of fishing tackle
- 5 kids toys
FM-3
Okay so you like Mexico and want to stay longer, now you need an FM-3. What’s an FM-3?
An FM-3 is a temporary, non-immigrant resident card. It allows you to remain in Mexico for up to 1 year. It can be renewed every year as long as you plan to reside in Mexico. When you have been in Mexico for 5 or more years, you can upgrade it to an FM-2 or simply continue to reapply for a new FM-3 and continue to renew it every year for another 5 years.
- **Note Journalists or anyone involved in the media can get a FM3 Correspondent’s Visa. This allows you to do your work as a correspondent. It can be renewed as long as you are continuing to work as a journalist.
- Ministers, Priests or any member of a religious association can get an FM3 by showing their qualifications to immigration authorities or their Mexican Consulate. They perform social work as well as their ministerial business
To get an FM-3 you need to apply at a Mexican Consulate in your country, or any Mexican Immigration office within Mexico.
To get one:
- Submit a letter in Spanish addressed to the immigration authorities ( check with your nearest Mexican Consulate about this). The letter should state your full name, current address, a request to change your current status from FMT to FM-3 and statement saying that you have all the necessary paperwork to move forward.
- A Passport
- Your original and current Tourist card or FMT
- Proof of income. This figure is based on 250 times the current minimum wage, in Mexico City, at the time when you apply. Currently it is $12,642.50 pesos but this changes frequently so be sure to check with Mexican Immigration or a Mexican Consulate. The proof should be a bank statement, or a letter from your consulate that you receive Social Security, a pension or a stock dividend. The amount is half for each dependent. There is an administrative fee of $ 1,172.00 Pesos. ** Note if you own your own house in Mexico the monthly income requirements are reduced by half. You must have either the deed or bank trust statement and it must be notarized. **Note, Often people take the amount required and withdraw it from their bank account and redeposit it again to show the requisite amount necessary to qualify for their FM-3
- You must have your original marriage certificate authorized and translated at a Mexican Consulate if your spouse is also applying for an FM-3
- You must also have a letter signed by you and 2 Mexican witness’s stating that you are a good citizen and don’t cause problems in your community. Each witness must submit a copy, front and back, of their photo id, (Drivers license or Voters card).
- Then make 3 copies of the above information and submit 2 copies, to immigration. All will be stamped with the date it was received. Keep one of the copies for yourself.
- You will be notified that your application was accepted or denied.
- Once it is accepted you need:
Black and white passport photos- (4×4 cm) 4 front shots, 3 right profiles. No glasses or jewelry and hair needs to be swept off your forehead.
A SHCP-5 Form- needs to be filled out. You can pick one up at any Mexican Immigration office or Stationary Store.
FM-3 authorization letter- the original and 2 copies
2 copies of every page in your passport
FM-1 form, that you received with your authorization letter. Include the original and 2 copies, keep 1 extra for yourself. Make sure the information is correct because this is the information that will be on your FM-3 book.
**Note** You must submit all of this information within 45 days of receiving the authorization letter to the person whom you are working with in immigration.
**Note** If you are planning on working in Mexico, make sure your employer helps you make all the arrangements necessary to allow you to get your working papers or check with the nearest Mexican Consulate as to what is required.
**Note** If you got your FM-3 at a Mexican Consulate in your country , be sure to register it within 45 days of arriving, in Mexico, at a local immigration office.
**Note** Your FM-3 allows you to keep your car in Mexico for up to one year then it must be renewed each year.
FM-2
Okay, now you want to stay a really long time in Mexico and make Mexico your permanent residence. You have renewed your FM-3 faithfully for the last 5 years now you can apply for an FM-2. An FM-2 gives you residency status. This is the first step for anyone applying for Mexican Citizenship. You must have an FM-2 for 5 consecutive years before applying for citizenship. If you are thinking you want to apply for “immigration†status or citizenship then apply for an FM-2 instead of FM-3 so all your time counts towards citizenship. Because the time you have with an FM-3, doesn’t count towards citizenship.
When you are granted residency status in Mexico, you do not have to give up citizenship to your home country.
You can keep your primary passport and travel in and out of your country or remain their permanently.
It is suggested that you hire a Mexican attorney to deal with the paper work as it is very involved.
As with an FM-3 you need proof of income and the amount changes constantly. It is based on
400 times the minimum wage in Mexico City as of September 2007, it was $16,600 pesos per person
and $32,200.00 for a couple. Again the proof is with bank statements, pension or social security statements.
If you own your own house in Mexico then the income requirements are reduced by half.
The cost for your FM-2 application is $1,904.00 Pesos.
Investors- If are willing invest 26,000 times the minimum wage in Mexico City, then you can apply for residency in Mexico.
Mexican Citizenship- You must be living in Mexico for a minimum of 5 years under the status of FM-2. If you are married to a
Mexican national you may be allowed citizenship without the 5 year residency requirement.
