Do I need a visa for Mexico?

Nationals from 69 countries don't need a visa to travel to Mexico, including those from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. While you don't need a visa, you do need a valid passport and a Mexican tourist card/tourist permit to stay in the country for up to 180 days. Additionally, you don't need to obtain a visa for a variety of other reasons, including if you're already holding a visa for Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, or for a Schengen country.

The fees associated with both depend on the visitor’s nationality, how they are entering country and for what length they are staying.

How can I get a tourist card/permit?

The Mexican tourist permit is not a visa and is obtained by filling in a multiple immigration form (FMM). This form can either be completed online before departure or once you’ve arrived in Mexico, where it will be stamped by Mexican immigration and must be kept until departure.

The fee for a tourist permit is approximately MXN 500 (USD$27), which will be included in the cost of your ticket if you are arriving by commercial flight. If arriving by land, you will need to arrange to pay the fee with immigration unless you are staying for less than seven days, in which case it is free. Most border crossings will have banks where you can pay the fee immediately.

Visa requirements

The countries that need to obtain a visa and a Mexican tourist card/permit before arrival to Mexico currently include, but are not limited to, China, South Africa, and India, and this can be done either online (for specific countries) or at your nearest Mexican embassy or consulate.

Applying for an e-visa

To ensure the e-visa application process goes smoothly, you'll need a valid ID (usually a passport) which you'll upload electronically as part of the process. You'll also pay for the visa at the time of application, which can be done by debit or credit card and is usually around USD$36 but this can depend on your nationality. If you're eligible, applying for a visa online is recommended as it's the easiest and most convenient way to ensure legal travel in Mexico.

Applying for a visa via Mexican embassy or consulate

If you can't apply for a visa online, more supporting documentation is needed for you to submit an application via a Mexican embassy or consulate successfully. This documentation can include:

itinerary information, including accommodation reservations
return flight details
a recent passport-sized photo
financial statements proving you have enough money to stay in Mexico for the duration of your holiday

If you submit your application via a Mexican embassy or consulate, the visa fees can only be paid in cash.

It could take up to two days for your visa to be approved, but we still recommend starting the process once you've booked your holiday to avoid delays or interruptions to your travel plans. Once your visa is approved, you can stay in Mexico for up to 180 days.

The page is for general information only and may be subject to change. It is your responsibility to obtain the relevant visa and travel information required for entry, departure and travel to each country or region you visit on your trip. You should confirm these with the relevant embassies and/or consulates.

Last updated: 14/06/2023

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