Mexico’s natural beauty, culture, and heritage are among the most common reasons it attracts many tourists. So, if you’re looking for a rich travel experience and considering Mexico, that’s a great choice. However, you may wonder how to get a visa for your trip. So, let’s examine the Mexican visa requirements and help you get yours.
It’s not difficult to get a Mexican visa if you’re clear on the purpose of your trip. The requirements are reasonable, and the process is simple.
Read this guide to learn the requirements and process of obtaining a Mexican visa for a seamless travel experience!
Table of Contents
Does Mexico Require a Visa To Visit?
Unless you’re a national of a visa-exempt country, you need a visa to visit Mexico. However, Mexico provides a visa waiver for all European Union citizens and citizens of 68 other countries.
As a citizen of these countries, you can visit Mexico for 180 days without a visa for business or tourism.
However, you’ll need a Mexican Tourist Card while visiting the country. You can get this card online before traveling or at a point of entry upon arriving in Mexico.
Also, you don’t need a different visa to visit Mexico if you already have a valid Schengen Visa. Similarly, a valid Japanese, Canadian, United States, or United Kingdom visa allows you to visit Mexico.
Further, you can travel visa-free to Mexico with a diplomatic passport of about 55 approved countries. APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) holders with the “MEX” code can also visit Mexico without visas.
Additionally, resident permit holders in European Union countries, Japan, the U.S., and the U.K. don’t need Mexican visas. Resident permit holders in Canada, Chile, Peru, and Colombia also enjoy this privilege.
So, Mexico does require a visa to visit unless you’re from a visa-exempt country.
Learn the 3 Main Types of Mexican Visa
Depending on the purpose of your trip to Mexico, you’ll need a specific type of visa. Even if you’re from a visa-exempt country, you’ll need a Mexican visa when staying for an extended period. Mexico offers three major visa types based on your visit duration.
Consider the three main types of Mexican visas.
1. The Mexican Tourists Visa
Mexico offers tourist visas to foreign nationals from non-visa-exempt countries who intend to stay in Mexico for a short while. The Mexican tourist visa is usually valid for 180 days.
You should apply for this visa if you’re visiting Mexico for tourism or business. A tourist visa is perfect for short visits, provided the purpose of your visit does not require or involve employment.
2. The Mexican Temporary Visa
The temporary Mexican visa serves foreigners intending to stay in Mexico for over six months but less than four years. Unlike the tourist visa, this visa serves people moving into the country, not just visitors.
There are four types of Mexican temporary visas, including:
- The Mexican Work Visa
- The Mexican Student Visa
- The Mexican Digital Nomad Visa
- The Mexican Family Visa
These allow you to stay in Mexico for no more than four years. If you intend to stay longer, you’ll need another visa.
3. The Mexican Permanent Resident Visa
Mexico issues permanent visas to foreign nationals who want to stay in the country permanently. So, if you want to relocate permanently to Mexico for any reason, this is the visa you need.
People also call this visa the Mexico retirement visa because it is popular among retirees. This visa grants permanent residency to its holder and, hence, has stricter requirements.
Understanding Mexico Travel Visa Requirements
After considering the types of visas available to Mexican visitors, you may wonder about the requirements for each category. Thus, this section discusses three Mexico travel visa requirements to reveal everything you need.
1. The Mexico Tourist Visa Requirements
The Mexican tourist visa allows you to visit the country for only 180 days. As a result, this visa has the least requirements.
Below are the ten requirements for a Mexican tourist visa:
- A completed Mexican visa application form.
- Proof of payment for the Mexican visa fee.
- A valid passport and photocopies of relevant pages.
- Passport-sized pictures.
- Cover letter.
- Proof of sufficient financial means.
- Employment status documents.
- Proof of accommodation.
- A booked return travel ticket.
- Additional travel documents revealing your travel purpose.
The ten documents are the Mexico tourist visa requirements.
Pro tips: When filing your application, remember to file these documents according to the embassy guidelines. Your documents must also be in English or Spanish.
If you have foreign documents, employ a translator specialized in immigration translation services to translate them to Spanish. Then, submit the translated documents with the original copies.
2. The Temporary Mexico Visa Requirements
As established earlier, there are four types of temporary Mexican visas. While the requirements for all four are similar, a few differences exist. This section outlines the detailed requirements for a student visa as an example.
Here are the 13 requirements for a Mexican student visa:
- A completed Mexican visa application form.
- A valid passport and photocopies of relevant pages.
- Proof of payment of student visa processing fee.
- Passport-sized pictures.
- Duration of course with start and end dates.
- Acceptance letter from the institution addressed to the Mexican embassy.
- School’s contact information.
- Bank statements no later than three months.
- Cost of tuition fees.
- A booked flight ticket.
- Proof of sufficient financial means to cover your stay, such as a proof of scholarship.
- Birth certificate and ID of parents or legal guardian (for minors).
- Proof of legal residence.
Pro tip: If any school document contains a foreign language, make an academic translation before filing your application.
3. The Mexican Visa Requirements for Permanent Residency
Permanent visas allow you to stay in Mexico for as long as you desire. So, as expected, these have stricter requirements.
For example, only people traveling for family unity and those with a temporary visa are eligible for permanent residence.
Below are the five documents you need for a permanent Mexican visa:
- A completed visa application form.
- Proof of payment of visa fee.
- Your passport with photocopies of the relevant pages.
- Booked flight ticket.
- Other documents related to travel purposes such as proof of relationship when traveling for family unity.
Pro tips: Do not apply for a permanent visa if you’re not traveling for family unity. Instead, first, apply for a temporary visa and renew it to a permanent one close to expiry. That is one of the surest ways to gain permanent residence when relocating to Mexico.
Additionally, if you are wed in a foreign country, translate your marriage certificate before filing your application.
Application Procedure for a Mexican Visa
Thus far, this article has revealed everything you need for a Mexican visa, regardless of your travel purpose and duration. Now, how do you apply for a visa? Let’s find out.
Follow these four steps below to apply for a Mexican visa:
- Visit the Mexican embassy and set an appointment for visa processing.
- Obtain and fill out the visa application form at the embassy.
- Retrieved the required document.
- Submit your application at the embassy and pay the designated fee.
U.S. Visa Requirements for Mexican Citizens
Although the U.S. and Mexico are neighboring countries, Mexican citizens need a visa to visit the U.S. Alternatively, you can use a Border Crossing Card (BCC). Depending on the purpose of your visit, you may need an Immigrant or non-immigrant visa. So, consider the U.S. visa requirements for Mexican citizens:
Here are six general requirements for U.S. visas:
- A valid international passport.
- Proof of payment of visa fees.
- Passport-size photographs.
- Medical documents.
- Family documents.
- Court records and police clearance certificate.
Other specific documents add to the list depending on the visa type you’re applying for, reflecting your visit purpose.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCI) process your visa application. They enforce the visa requirements for Mexico citizens and other foreigners. However, the USCIS only reviews English documents.
So, if you have any document in Spanish, translate it. Employ a professional for an accurate and certified USCIS document translation.
FAQ
FAQ: Can I visit Mexico without a visa?
Yes, you can visit Mexico without a visa, provided you’re a citizen of a visa-exempt country like an EU country. Mexico also offers Visa waivers to more than 68 other countries.
Check the above sections to find details about these countries.
FAQ: How much does the Mexico visa cost?
The Mexican visa cost $53.00. You’ll pay this non-refundable fee when applying for a Mexican visa. That means, whether your application succeeds or not, you’ll not receive back your money.
FAQ: Can Mexicans visit the U.S. Without a visa?
Yes, Mexican citizens can visit the U.S. without a visa. However, the visitor must have a valid Border Crossing Card (BBC).
Also, Mexican diplomats and accompanying family members can visit the U.S. without a visa or BBC.
Summarizing Visa Requirements for Mexican Citizens
Thus far, you’ve learned everything about all Mexican visa requirements and the U.S. visa requirements for Mexican citizens. So, you know that the right documents and proper filing are key to a successful application.
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