tourist card online mexico

Forma Migratoria Múltiple

Multiple Immigration Form (FMM)

General conditions.

The FMM applicant shall hold a valid and current passport or card passport (Tarjeta Pasaporte) in accordance with the international law regulations; in case the country of citizenship requires it, the passport must have a valid unexpired visa.

The applicant is aware that the card passport (Tarjeta Pasaporte) can only be used in the border crossings by land and for visiting the border zone; it might not be used to travel to the territory of the Mexican Republic or used for international air trips.

The applicant shall complete the information needed in the request of the FMM, as appears in his/her passport.

The applicant accepts under oath, that the information and documents provided are true; therefore, the applicant acknowledges herein that if any false information is provided, he/she could be subject to penalties in accordance with the applicable legal regulation.

Conditions of the Forma Migratoria Múltiple obtained by electronic means

The Forma Migratoria Múltiple can be obtained by electronic means through the Institute website, the foreigners, who enter to the country by land, can obtain it through the facilities aimed for the international transit of persons.

The applicant agrees that the status condition of stay that he/she shall obtain, by means of the information provided, only be as visitor without permission to work.

The applicant acknowledges herein that the FMM has a maximum validity of 180 calendar days and shall be valid for one entry only.

The applicant acknowledges herein that the validity term of the FMM shall start upon the migratory stamp is fixed, provided with, he/she should comply with the requirements to enter Mexico.

The applicant shall print and bring the FMM to the facility aimed for the international transit of persons where he/she wishes to enter through.

The applicant acknowledges herein that the fees paid to obtain the condition of stay, is not a guarantee to enter Mexico.

The applicant shall produce a valid and current passport or card passport (Tarjeta Pasaporte), as well as the FMM shall be produced at the time his/her enter is requested.

I have read and agree to the terms and conditions above.

Aviso de Privacidad Simplificado Registro para los procesos de Internación y Salidas del Territorio Nacional Mexicano

El Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM) a través de las Direcciones Generales de Control y Verificación Migratoria, Administración, así como Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicaciones, respectivamente es el responsable de los datos personales que sean recabados como parte de su registro en los procesos de internación y salidas del territorio nacional mexicano, con la finalidad de revisar se cumplan con los requisitos establecidos en la Ley de Migración y ordenamientos aplicables, comprobando la veracidad y congruencia de lo manifestado para su paso a territorio nacional con la documentación de los mismos, ejerciendo la facultad de autorizar o no el ingreso a la República Mexicana y la obtención de un tiempo y/o condición de estancia a su favor; documentar el flujo de entradas y salidas al país de los nacionales y extranjeros; generar el control migratorio por los lugares destinados al tránsito internacional de personas por tierra, mar y aire; hacer más ágil la internación a México; generar estadísticas; realizar el cobro de derechos que por los servicios migratorios se deriven y garantizar el tránsito y la estancia de los extranjeros en el mismo, así como la preservación de la soberanía y de la seguridad de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos. Los datos personales que nos proporcione, serán protegidos conforme a lo dispuesto por la Ley General de Protección de Datos Personales en Posesión de Sujetos Obligados, y demás normatividad que resulte aplicable.

El aviso de privacidad integral lo podrá consultar en la página institucional, dentro del apartado de Protección de Datos Personales, o bien, en la siguiente liga: http://www.inm.gob.mx/static/transparencia/pdf/avisos/Aviso_de_Privacidad_Internacion_y_Salidas.pdf .

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Entry Information

Personal information, identification document, place of residence, trip information, father, mother or guardian information, notification.

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¡important.

For your application, you need to make payment. Said payment must be made in the Portal de Servicios del Instituto Nacional de Migración (https://www.inm.gob.mx/spublic/portal/inmex.html). It is important to keep the following information to be able to reference your payment:

Immigration Form:

Document number:

Surname(s):

Nationality:

For more information, we suggest you carefully read the material available in the section on “Ayuda del Portal”.

Note: In order to generate the payment in the INM service portal, it is necessary to have an active account and the passport that you will register in your application.

Mexican Tourist Cards and How to Get One

Ben Pipe / Getty Images

Who Needs a Mexico Tourist Card?

How to get a tourist card in person, how to apply online, length of validity, what to do if you lose your card, how to extend your tourist card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mexico tourist cards ( Forma Migratoria Multiple, also known as FMT) are a government form declaring that the stated purpose of a visit to Mexico is tourism. Although more than one kind of Mexico visa exists, a Mexico tourist card essentially says the holder has the intention of vacationing in Mexico for no more than 180 days. The form requires minimal information including name, nationality, date of birth, the purpose for visiting, flight details, and the address of the place you'll be staying in Mexico. and address of stay in Mexico.

Travelers can think of it as a visa on arrival, as it functions in the same way, even though it's not technically a visa. Foreign nationals who will be working in Mexico are required to obtain a work visa from the National Immigration Institute (INM).

Be sure to hold on to your tourist card and keep it in a safe place, as you will need to hand it in when you are departing the country.

In the past, travelers who were remaining within the United States border zone for up to 72 hours did not need a tourist card. However, now the tourist card is required for most non-Mexican visitors to the country, including infants, who will remain for fewer than 180 days.

Exceptions are granted, however, to travelers staying in Mexico for fewer than 24 hours. As of August 2022, Cancun International Airport has done away with tourist cards and customs forms for most foreign visitors, including U.S. passport holders. The 180-day rule still applies, however; travelers will instead receive a stamp upon arrival, ensuring that they stay no longer than what's allowed.

If flying into Mexico, passengers will be given a tourist card and instructions for filling it out onboard their plane—the cost of a tourist card (about $25) is included in the fare, so travelers won't need to pay upon arrival. The card is stamped at customs/immigration in the Mexico airport, showing the visitor is in the country legally. Should your flight attendant not hand you a tourist card, you can pick one up at an immigration desk at a Mexico airport.

If you're driving , taking the bus , or walking into Mexico, the tourist card is given at the border inspection station/immigration office after showing your ID or passport proving your U.S. citizenship. Visitors need to go to a bank and pay the card fee, and it will be stamped to show the payment was made. The next step is returning to a border immigration office to have the card stamped again—proof the holder is visiting the country legally.

Tourists can also get a tourist card at a Mexico consular office or Mexico government tourism office in a U.S. city before heading to Mexico.

To ensure a smooth customs process, you may find it easier to complete your immigration online via the Mexico Tourist Card website . You can apply for one within 30 days of your trip; unlike tourist cards that you can get in person, these are free.

Once you've filled out the application, you will receive your card—which consists of an entry form and exit form—via e-mail. You will need to print both; upon arrival in Mexico, you will present them to an immigration official, who will stamp your exit form and write in the number of days that you are allowed to stay in the country. The official will keep the entry form, but you will need to hold onto the exit form for the duration of your trip.

The tourist card is valid for a maximum of 180 days or six months; however, the time actually given is at the discretion of the immigration official. Often, only 30, 60, or 90 days are granted. If you wish to stay in Mexico for longer than the time allotted on your tourist card, you will either need to leave and re-enter the country, extend your card, or apply for a tourist or work visa.

If you lose your Mexico tourist card, or it gets stolen, you will have to pay to replace it, which should be done as soon as possible. Go to the nearest immigration office in the country, or try the immigration office at the nearest airport, to pay a fine (reports vary from $40-$80) and receive a new card. It shouldn't take more than a few hours in total. Bring all relevant documentation, including travel tickets, receipts, and your passport should the officials request proof of length of stay.

Technically, it is possible to be deported from a country without a passport stamp or the proper visa and documents, but reports are rare that this step is taken for travelers who have misplaced their tourist cards. The majority typically pay a fine and are reissued a new card without issue.

If wish to travel around Mexico for a bit longer, and the immigration official cleared you for a stay of fewer than 180 days, you can apply for an extension at the National Institute of Immigration Office ; be sure to bring your passport and proof of income to your appointment. For those planning to stay longer than 180 days, you will need to apply for a tourist visa.

If you are a foreign citizen and are traveling to Mexico for pleasure or short-term business, you will need a tourist card. Exceptions are made to those arriving in Mexico by way of Cancun International Airport.

You can get a Mexican tourist card online, at a Mexico airport (or at a Mexico port of call if arriving by sea), or at your home country's Mexico embassy.

It depends on where you get yours. If you're flying, your airline may provide you with a tourist card, which is included in the cost of your ticket. You can also get a card for free online. If you're applying at an immigration office, however, it will cost you about $25.

U.S. Department of State. "Mexico International Travel Information." Accessed January 12, 2023.

iVisa. "How to Obtain a Mexico Tourist Card Online Quick and Easy." November 24, 2022.

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The FMM for Mexico Explained: How to Get a Tourist Card

By: Author Zachary Friedman

Posted on Last updated: January 19, 2024

Categories Mexico , Visas and Borders

Home » Mexico » The FMM for Mexico Explained: How to Get a Tourist Card

Mexico offers visa-free entry to those who hold passports from countries on its no visa required list. Instead of a Mexican visa, visitors must obtain an FMM tourist permit (Forma Migratoria Múltiple). This document allows you to stay in Mexico for the purpose of tourism or business for up to 180 days. The FMM currently costs 685 pesos or $38. If you’re staying for less than 7 days, it’s free. To get an FMM, you need a valid passport or passport card. This guide explains everything you need to know about the FMM for Mexico. I’ll explain what the FMM tourist card is, how to apply, the travel documents you’ll need, where it is issued, costs, eligibility, validity, and more.

I’ve also made this YouTube video that outlines the main points of the article.

The FMM Tourist Permit for Mexico Explained

Quick Info About the FMM Tourist Card

Cost- $687 pesos (about $38). Free for stays of 7 days or less
Validity- Up to 180 days. The number of days you’re granted will be written on the form.
Issued on arrival at the point of entry or online . The Mexico FMM is available at land borders, international airports, and most seaports.
Eligibility- Citizens of the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, European Schengen Area Countries, Japan, South Korea, and more. If your country is on this list , you’re eligible.
How to apply- Fill out the form with basic travel info. You will receive the form at the port of entry.
Required documents- A valid passport or passport card
Issued by INM (Instituto Nacional de Migración), a Mexican government agency

Important note

The Mexican government is currently phasing out the paper version of the FMM permit. It is being replaced with a passport stamp. Currently, some ports of entry still use the paper form. Some have transitioned to the stamp. The rules are all still the same. The eligibility, validity, and cost haven’t changed. If you’re given a paper form on arrival, fill it out as normal. If you don’t receive a paper form, the Mexican authorities will stamp your passport instead. I’ll update this article as additional information about this change comes out.

Table of Contents

What is the FMM Visitor’s Permit?
Eligibility and Who Needs an FMM
Required Documents
FMM Validity
How to Get an FMM

What is an FMM Tourist Permit?

The FMM Tourist Permit (Forma Migratoria Múltiple) is a travel document that allows those who are eligible to enter Mexico without a visa.

The FMM Visitor’s Permit allows you to stay in Mexico for up to 180 days. During that time, you can participate in tourism activities, do business, transit through the country, study, volunteer, or live anywhere in Mexico.

You are not allowed to be employed, work, or earn money in Mexico while visiting on an FMM permit. If you plan to work and earn money in Mexico, you will need to apply for a temporary resident visa and work permit.

The FMM is issued by the INM (Instituto Nacional de Migración), a Mexican government agency. You can obtain an FMM permit on arrival at the port of entry. All you need is a valid passport. Mexico also offers online FMM applications as well. You simply fill out the application form, print it out, and bring it with you to get stamped by immigration authorities when you arrive.

The FMM is also referred to as the Mexico tourist card. It is also sometimes called a Mexico tourist visa, even though it is not technically a visa.

Who is Eligible for an FMM Tourist Permit and Who Needs a Visa?

FMM tourist permits are available for visitors from countries on this list. If the country that issued your passport is on that list, you don’t require a visa to visit Mexico. The list includes the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Schengen area countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, most Latin American and Caribbean countries as well as many others. If your country is on the list, you only need an FMM permit to visit Mexico. You do not need a Mexican tourist visa.

In addition, to be eligible for an FMM you must be visiting Mexico only for purposes of tourism, business, volunteering, or studying. Your trip must last 180 days or less. If you plan to visit for another purpose or for a longer duration, you’ll need to apply for a Mexico visa in advance.

Regardless of your citizenship or residency, you are also eligible for an FMM tourist permit if you hold a valid permanent residency visa or a multi-entry visitor visa for the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Japan, or a European Schengen Area country.

You are not eligible for an FMM if you are a citizen of one of these countries. If the country that issued your passport is on this list and you do not have a valid visa to one of the above-listed countries, you need to arrange a visa in advance to enter Mexico.

You can apply for a visa at your nearest Mexican consulate or embassy. For more info on the application process, check out this Mexican government website.

If you plan to travel to Mexico for longer than 180 days or if you plan to work, study, invest, or get married in Mexico, you need to arrange a visa in advance, regardless of your citizenship. The most common type of visa for these types of trips is a temporary residency permit. There are several classes of temporary residency permits available for different types of trips. For example, some allow you to work and earn money while others don’t. For more info, check out my guide here.

If you already hold a temporary or permanent residency visa for Mexico, you do not need an FMM permit. You can present your residency visa at the port of entry instead.

Who Needs an FMM Tourist Permit?

Everyone entering Mexico for the purposes of tourism, business, studying, or volunteering needs an FMM tourist permit. Only temporary resident visa holders, permanent residency visa holders, and Mexican citizens can enter Mexico without an FMM permit.

Children under 2 years of age do not need to pay for an FMM. They will need a valid passport.

Before October 2015, there was an unofficial ‘free zone’ near the Mexican border where an FMM was not required if you were staying for 72 hours or less. This was never part of Mexico’s official immigration law but it was widely accepted.

Now, all foreign nationals entering Mexico needs an FMM unless they have a valid Mexican residency visa. Even if you’re only crossing the border to spend the day in Tijuana and staying near the border, you still need to stop and get an FMM.

Ideally, you should carry your passport and FMM permit with you when you’re out and about so you can present them if you’re stopped by the police or at a security checkpoint. Checkpoints are set throughout the country where you must present your FMM and passport to prove that you’re in the country legally.

While walking around cities I don’t like to carry my passport. I always worry about it getting lost or stolen. While in transit, I always keep my passport handy just in case.

What Documents Do I Need to Get an FMM Tourist Permit?

A valid passport. If you’re crossing the border by land or sea, you can use a passport book or passport card. If you’re flying in, you need a passport book. It must be valid when you enter and must remain valid for as long as you plan to stay in Mexico. Your passport must also have at least one blank page for a stamp. For more info, check out my guide: Do I Need a Passport to go to Mexico?
A completed FMM form. You get the form at the port of entry. If you’re flying to Mexico, a flight attendant may hand you the form during the flight. If you’re applying for your permit online, you fill the form out online. You’ll receive an acceptance email that you must print and bring with you to get stamped at the Mexican border.
594 Pesos (about $30) in cash. You pay this at the border upon entry or exit depending on where you enter. It’s best to bring pesos. Dollars may be accepted.

What Information is Required to fill out the FMM Form?

The FMM form requires basic travel information including:

Date of birth
Residency and nationality
Passport number
Purpose of your trip- tourism or business
Entry date and date that you plan to leave Mexico
How you’re entering- by air, sea, or land
Your destination in Mexico
The name and address of the place that you plan to stay in Mexico
Your signature

If you enter by air, you may get a slightly different form that asks for the flight number and airline that you arrived on.

How Much Does the FMM Tourist Permit Cost

If you’re staying in Mexico for less than 7 days, the FMM tourist permit is free.

If you’re staying in Mexico between 7 and 180 days, there is a 594 peso (about $30) fee for the FMM tourist permit.

You pay this fee in cash at a Banjercito bank window at the border. At some borders, you pay the immigration official who checks your passport directly.

How to Pay for the FMM Tourist Permit

Most borders accept payment in pesos or US dollars. You’ll get a more favorable rate if you pay in pesos. Some borders only accept pesos. It’s best to carry pesos just in case.

If you arrange your FMM permit online, you can pay the fee with a credit card or debit card. They accept Visa and Mastercard.

Some smaller land border crossings don’t have the facilities to accept the FMM fee. In this case, you will pay when you exit Mexico. You can also pay the fee at immigration offices that are located in cities and towns throughout Mexico as well as in all international airports.

After you pay your FMM fee, the banker gives you a receipt. You bring the receipt to the immigration official. They stamp the receipt, tear the FMM form in half, and hand your half back. You must keep the receipt as proof that you paid. If you lose it, you will have to pay the fee again when you exit Mexico because there is no proof that you have paid.

When you arrive by air or cruise ship, the FMM fee is often included in the price of your ticket. Check with your airline or cruise line before you travel so you don’t pay twice. Usually, the FMM will be listed in the ‘fees and taxes’ section of your ticket.

If you find that you’ve already paid for an FMM, carry a copy of your ticket with you for proof. When the Mexican authorities try to charge you again when you exit, you can show them that you have already paid. If you can’t prove that you’ve paid, you’ll be charged again.

How Long Can You Stay with an FMM Visitor’s Permit?

The FMM Visitor’s Permit is valid for up to 180 days (about 6 months) from the date that you entered Mexico. The number of days you get is up to the immigration agent issuing you the permit.

Sometimes the Mexican immigration authorities will ask you how many days you plan to stay in Mexico and then grant you that many days on your FMM. For example, if you indicate that you plan to stay in Mexico for 2 weeks, you may only be granted 2 weeks on your FMM. This means you can only stay in Mexico for 2 weeks. I recommend you always request 180 days. That way, you can stay longer if your plans change.

Your passport cannot expire before you plan to exit Mexico. For example, your passport must have at least 180 days of validity if you want an FMM that is valid for 180 days. Mexico does not require that your passport have 6 months of validity to enter, like most other countries. If your passport has 1 month of validity but you want to travel to Mexico for 1 week, you can.

When you pass through immigration, the official who checks your passport and FMM form will write the number of days you can stay on the visitor’s permit. It’s up to you to calculate the correct exit date so you don’t accidentally overstay. For example, if you enter Mexico on January 1, and are granted 180 days, you must exit Mexico by June 30. It’s important to remember that 180 days isn’t exactly 6 months because some months are longer than others. You must leave before the permit’s expiration date or you will be fined.

There are several cases where Mexican officials may grant you fewer than 180 days. For example, when entering Mexico on a cruise ship you often only get 21 days. When transiting through Mexico, you may only get 30 days. If you indicate on the FMM application that you only plan to stay for 2 weeks, the immigration official might only grant you two weeks. If you want the full 180 days, you can always ask. Usually, you’ll get it.

Caution: Do not tamper with the FMM form. I have read stories of travelers changing the date on their FMM to give themselves more days. Don’t do this. Your FMM form has a serial number that is recorded when you enter Mexico. The number of days you are granted is stored. You could get in trouble if you’re caught tampering with your FMM.

How to Apply for an FMM Tourist Permit?

You get the FMM Visitor’s Permit at the port of entry. This could be a land border, airport, or seaport. The process varies slightly depending on where and how you enter Mexico. In this section, I’ll outline the process of obtaining an FMM at each type of port of entry. I’ll also outline how to get the FMM online.

Entering by Land: Driving or Walking into Mexico

When driving across the border, you will need to park your car and go into the immigration and customs office (INM and Aduana) to get your FMM tourist permit.

While driving across the border, look for a sign pointing you to the ‘something to declare’ area. There will be parking available here. The immigration office is generally nearby. If you don’t see this area, you can ask around for immigration (inmigración in Spanish.) Alternatively, you can just drive across the border into Mexico, find a place to park near the border, and walk to the immigration building.

If you’re walking into Mexico, you can proceed directly to the immigration desk. There is no exit procedure for the U.S. There will be signs pointing you toward immigration and a path to follow. If you’re unsure, just walk toward Mexico and follow the crowd.

Once you find the immigration desk, you will be handed an FMM form to fill out. The forms are available in the immigration building. Be sure to bring a pen with you.

At some borders, an immigration officer may fill the FMM form out for you. In this case, they will ask you a few questions about your trip and copy your personal information from your passport.

After filling out the FMM form, hand it to the immigration official along with your passport. They will look over the form and run your passport through their computer.

The immigration official may ask you a few additional questions about your trip such as, how long are you going to stay in Mexico? Where are you staying? Do you have accommodation booked? What is your final destination in Mexico? What is the purpose of your trip? Where are you going? etc.

At most land borders, you pay your FMM fee when you enter the country if you’re staying longer than 7 days. After an immigration officer inspects your completed FMM form and your passport, you will take the FMM form to a Banjercito bank window near the immigration desk and pay the fee. The cashier will hand you a receipt. Next, you take your receipt back to the immigration official along with your passport. They will stamp your receipt and FMM form and the receipt. After that, you can proceed to customs and into Mexico.

Some small land border crossings do not have payment facilities. If you enter through one of these borders, you will pay your FMM fee when you exit Mexico. You can also pay the fee at an immigration office in Mexico or at all international airports.

Be sure to keep your FMM receipt. When you exit Mexico, you’ll have to prove that you’ve already paid for the FMM permit. If you can’t prove it, you will be charged again.

If you’re driving to Mexico, you’ll need to buy temporary car insurance. I recommend Baja Bound Mexican Insurance . They offer reasonable prices and friendly service. Click the link to get a free quote in just a couple of minutes.

Arriving in Mexico by Air

On most flights, a flight attendant will hand out FMM forms to everyone who needs one. You should fill it out before you land so you’re ready to go through immigration when you arrive. If you don’t get an FMM form on the plane, you can get one at immigration when you land. They will be sitting around on a table or someone will be standing around handing them out.

Once you land, follow the signs to immigration. You’ll present your passport and completed FMM form to an immigration official and they will stamp you into Mexico.

Mexican airports do not collect FMM fees from inbound passengers. This is because pretty much every airline includes the FMM fee in the price of the ticket. If you’re flying into Mexico, chances are you’ve already paid for an FMM.

Make sure you keep a copy of your ticket with proof that you have paid the FMM fee. This will usually be outlined in the ‘taxes and fees’ section of your ticket. If you can’t prove you’ve already paid, you will be charged a second time when you exit Mexico.

Tip: Once you get your FMM, place it in your passport. If you’re traveling long-term and you’re afraid you’ll lose it, consider stapling it or taping it to a page in your passport. You can do the same with your receipt.

Entering Mexico by Sea

If you’re entering Mexico on a cruise ship or your own boat, you can get an FMM at the first port of call. You’ll simply fill out the FMM form at the port and pay the fee. The process is basically the same as arriving overland.

If you’re arriving on your own boat, you should double-check to make sure the port where you plan to enter Mexico offers FMMs. You won’t have to worry about this if you’re arriving on a cruise ship. Cruise ships only dock at major ports.

If you’re bringing your own boat to Mexico, you also need to get a temporary vehicle importation permit (TIP) for the boat. You need to arrange this before you enter Mexican waters. You can’t get this document in Mexico.

If you’re entering Mexican waters but don’t plan to go to land, you’ll need a nautical Sportfishing FMM visitor’s permit. This document is also required if you plan to go fishing in Mexican waters. The process is a bit different from obtaining a normal FMM. You can get your nautical FMM online. For more info, check out this guide from Discover Baja.

Applying for an FMM Online

Mexico offers the option to apply for an FMM tourist permit online. This involves filling out a simple online application form and paying the fee with your Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card. Upon acceptance, you’ll receive an email with your FMM form. You’ll need to print this out and get it stamped at the border when you pass through immigration. You must enter Mexico within 30 days of getting your permit online.

For most travelers, it’s still better to get the FMM on arrival at the border. The reason is that you still need to stop at the border to get your immigration documents stamped, even if you applied online. You can’t just drive through. There is really no benefit to arranging your FMM permit in advance. You might save a couple of minutes waiting in line at the bank window.

The only time applying for an FMM online makes sense is if you’re also applying for a Temporary Vehicle Importation Permit (TIP) online. In this case, you’ll need to get your FMM online before applying for the TIP. For more info, check out my guide to the Temporary Vehicle Importation Permit.

You can apply for an FMM online here.

When you apply for your FMM online, you receive an email with your approved FMM document within a few minutes. You’ll need to print this document out and bring it with you to immigration to get it stamped and validated.

When applying online, you must use your FMM within 30 days. Otherwise, it expires.

Frequently Asked Questions About the FMM

Can i make multiple entries on an fmm tourist permit.

No. The FMM is a single entry permit. When you fly out of Mexico, you must surrender your FMM at immigration before boarding the plane. At this point, it is invalidated. You’ll have to buy a new one when you return to Mexico. When you re-enter, you’ll fill out a new FMM form and pay for another permit.

When you exit Mexico at the southern border to Guatemala or Belize or any northern border outside of Baja California, you will also have to surrender your FMM when you pass through immigration. At this time, it will be invalidated and you will have to get a new one when you return.

There is one exception where you can use your FMM for multiple entries. You can enter and exit the state of Baja California Norte overland as many times as you like until your FMM permit expires. This is great for people who want to take short trips over the border. The FMM used to be a single-entry permit. In 2015, the INM changed the rules to allow this one exception.

Can I Stay in Mexico for More than 180 Days with an FMM

No. If you plan to stay in Mexico for longer than 180 days, you should apply for a Temporary Resident Visa or Permanent Resident Visa. You must apply for these visas at a Mexican consulate or embassy before your trip. You can’t obtain them in Mexico.

Alternatively, you could leave Mexico before your FMM expires then return and buy a new one for another 180 days. This is often called a border run. To do this, you can travel overland to the US, Guatemala, or Belize and then cross back into Mexico. You could also fly to your home country or a third country, then return to Mexico.

How Long do I Have to Leave Mexico Before Returning for a New FMM?

There is no rule stating how long you must remain outside of Mexico before returning and paying for a new FMM permit. In most cases, you can exit and then re-enter immediately after if you want. It really depends on the immigration official. Most don’t care and allow you to cross right back over.

Some expats have lived in Mexico on an FMM tourist permit for years. They simply make visa runs to the border to get a new permit every 6 months.

With computerized entry and exit and facial recognition technology, it is possible for Mexico to track how much time you spend in the country on an FMM permit. If you exit and re-enter too many times, they could deny you entry at some point if an immigration official decides that you’re spending too much time in Mexico on an FMM.

Recently, Mexico has begun cracking down on people living in the country on FMM permits. They are issuing permits with fewer than 180 days. Some visitors are only getting 10-30 days upon entry. To get 180 days, you may have to provide some supporting documents such as proof that you’ve paid for long-term accommodation.

If you plan to stay in Mexico longer than 180 days or retire or live in Mexico, it’s best to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa. This gives you peace of mind knowing that you are staying in the country legally. You don’t have to worry about being denied entry.

Keep in mind that there is a financial requirement to get a Temporary Resident Visa. You’ll need to prove that you have enough income or assets to support yourself while in Mexico. Currently, you need to show that you have an income of about $2400-$2700 per month or around $45,000 in a savings or investment account.

What Happens if You Overstay an FMM Visitor Permit?

You need to leave Mexico before your FMM visitor’s permit expires (usually 180 days). If you don’t, you will be fined for overstaying. The fine depends on how long you overstayed. Mexico charges on a per-day basis. The maximum fine is around $350 (7000 pesos). As far as I know, the fine is the only punishment. Mexico won’t bar you from re-entering if you overstay.

You can pay the fine at an immigration office or at an international airport. If you’re flying out of Mexico, you should take care of this fine a couple of days before your flight so you don’t risk missing it. Otherwise, you’ll want to show up for your flight a few hours early. The process could take some time.

If you overstayed your FMM by a couple of days, it’s usually not a big deal. You’ll simply pay a small fine and leave. If you overstayed by months, you’ll probably have to answer some questions.

What if you Lose Your FMM Permit?

If you lose your FMM Visitors permit while in Mexico, you need to visit a local immigration office and apply for a replacement before you can leave the country. The process involves filling out some forms and paying a replacement fee.

I don’t know exactly how much the current fee is. I have read reports ranging from $30 and $60 (around 500-1200 pesos). You can find immigration offices in many towns and cities across Mexico as well as in international airports.

If you go to the border without your FMM card, chances are you will be allowed to exit without it but you will have to pay a fee (or bribe.) I have heard that the charge is around $100 (2000 pesos).

If you go to the airport to catch a flight without your FMM, you’ll be sent to the immigration office in the airport to get a replacement. Be sure to leave yourself extra time if you have to do this so you don’t miss your flight.

If you’re planning to exit Mexico overland from the state of Baja California Norte, you’re in luck. You don’t need to bother getting a replacement because Mexico does not check passports when you exit and cross into the United States. You proceed straight to U.S. immigration. When you go to U.S. immigration, they do not look at the FMM.

What if You Kept Your Visitor’s Permit When You Left Mexico?

At some border crossings, there is nowhere to turn in your old FMM permit when you exit. For example, when crossing from Baja California to the U.S., there is no passport control when you exit Mexico. You just drive or walk straight to U.S. immigration. This means you keep your FMM document.

Legally, this is fine. As of 2015, you do not need to turn in your FMM when exiting Baja California overland according to the INM. You can re-use it for multiple entries until it expires then discard it. There is still a note on the back of the FMM that says that you must return the document.

The problem with this situation is that you won’t get an exit stamp to prove that you left Mexico. When you go to re-enter on your next trip, the immigration official checking your passport could question you as to why you don’t have an exit stamp. They could assume you overstayed on your previous visit. I have heard of people being fined in this situation but I have not been able to confirm whether or not this is actually true.

Unfortunately, there really is no solution to this problem. There is no official procedure as to how to go about returning your FMM if you exit Mexico overland at a border where you don’t pass through immigration to exit.

If you’re questioned, you’ll have to explain that you exited at the northern border where FMM forms are not collected and passports are not stamped upon exit. When you enter Baja, nobody will question you. When you fly to Mexico or enter at another part of the country, you could be questioned.

If you kept your FMM when exiting Mexico and have no plans to return before it expires, you can throw it away. If you plan to return to Mexico and enter through one of the Baja California crossings, you can use it again when you re-enter.

For those who are really worried about keeping their FMM and not getting stamped out, you can contact your nearest Mexican consulate, embassy, or INM office to ask them what to do. They may tell you to mail it somewhere. The process is unclear.

What if I Entered Mexico Without Getting an FMM?

It is possible to enter Mexico without going through immigration and getting an FMM. At the U.S. Mexico border, you can drive right across without stopping. Nobody will flag you down unless you look suspicious. You may feel tempted to drive through to avoid paying the FMM fee. There are a number of reasons why you shouldn’t do this.

If you’re caught in Mexico without a valid FMM, most likely you will be temporarily detained and then told to go back to the border to get one. If you made it hundreds of miles from the border, this would be a major hassle. The officer that catches you could also try to solicit a bribe or issue you a fine. If you’re trying to exit Mexico without an FMM, you may have to pay the immigration official a fee/bribe of around $100.

If you are driving your car in Mexico without an FMM, your insurance probably isn’t valid because you technically entered the country illegally. Check your policy. If you’re pulled over, the police could impound your car if they wanted to. It is also important to note that there are regular checkpoints throughout Mexico. At these checkpoints, the officers will ask to see your passport and FMM to make sure you’re in the country legally.

You also will not be able to board a flight in Mexico because an FMM is required. Even for domestic flights. If you were involved in a serious accident or experienced a medical emergency and you need to be evacuated by air to another city, you may experience a delay if you don’t have an FMM.

Of course, it is also the law. You need an FMM to legally be in Mexico as a tourist. It’s always best not to break the law in a foreign country. For these reasons, you should always take the time to get an FMM when visiting Mexico, even if you’re only crossing the border for the day.

Can I renew or extend an FMM?

No. FMM tourist permits can not be extended or renewed in Mexico. You must leave the country before your permit expires or you will be fined based on the number of days that you overstayed.

The only way to extend your stay is to leave the country and then re-enter and get a new FMM. This is officially called ‘leave to remain’. Alternatively, you could leave the country and apply for a temporary residency visa. Either way, you have to leave Mexico before the visitor’s permit expires. It is non-renewable.

Can I Exchange an FMM for a Residency Visa?

No. You must apply for a temporary residency visa or permanent residency visa outside of Mexico at a Mexican embassy or consulate.

There are a couple of exceptions to this. It is possible to exchange your FMM permit for a temporary residency visa in a small number of situations. In order to do this, you must meet a specific set of criteria.

You must be the spouse, child, or parent of a Mexican national or permanent residency visa holder. You must also meet the other requirements for obtaining a temporary residency visa. In addition, you may be able to apply for residency within Mexico if you are seeking political asylum.

Do I Have to Stop at the Border or Can I Get an FMM in Mexico?

Yes, you have to stop at the border to get a Mexican tourist card. You cannot get an FMM anywhere but an official port of entry (land border, seaport, or international airport). If you applied for your FMM online, you still have to stop at the border to get it stamped and validated.

In the past, you could drive across the border and travel into Mexico and get an FMM at an immigration office. This was easier and faster because you didn’t have to deal with stopping at a busy border crossing. Unfortunately, this is no longer possible.

Most border crossings are open 24/7/365 so there is no excuse for not stopping. Check the hours of the border before you plan to arrive just to be sure. At busy border crossings, you can also check the average wait time before you go. You can check border wait times on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website here.

Final Thoughts

The FMM permit makes it easy for U.S. citizens, Canadian citizens, and citizens of many other countries to visit Mexico without arranging a visa in advance. If you’re eligible, you can get your FMM on arrival at the border or airport in just a few minutes. All you need is a valid passport and enough cash to pay the permit fee. The only complication is that the process varies slightly depending on where and how you enter Mexico. Hopefully, this guide clears things up and makes planning your trip to Mexico a bit easier and smoother.

Have you visited Mexico on an FMM visitor’s permit lately? Share your tips and experience in the comments below!

Mexico Tourist Card (FMM) Ultimate Guide

If you’ve ever travelled to Mexico then you know that in order to get access into the country you will have to fill out and submit a “Mexico tourist card.”

The problem is not every airline will issue you one of these cards while you are on the plane and so in many cases you will have to wait until you arrive at the airport to fill it out.

Some Mexican airports, especially the popular ones such as Cancun, can receive an overwhelming amount of tourists hopping off flights which means that you will be trying to beat the crowds while filling out your Mexico tourist card.

That can be quite a stressful experience but luckily you can avoid some of that stress by taking care of your immigration card ahead of time.

In this article, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about filling out this form including how to do it and also give you some other tips.

Table of Contents

What is a Mexico tourist card?

The Mexico tourist card aka Official Entry Immigration Form (FMM) is an immigration form that must be filled out prior to your entry in Mexico.

It’s a form that you will submit to immigration once you arrive at the airport and is required for every person including children.

It is recommended to fill out the form and register online in order to make it more convenient for yourself when you are making your way through immigration at the airport.

Update: this form is no longer needed for US tourist visits to Cancun.

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

Are you eligible for a Mexico tourist card?

The first question that you need to answer is are you actually eligible for a Mexico tourist card?

If the following situations apply to you then the answer is yes.

You are a foreign citizen traveling to Mexico
You have a valid passport
You will travel to Mexico in less than 30 days
You will not stay in Mexico more than 180 days
You are traveling to Mexico for pleasure, vacation, or recreational purposes
You are NOT going to Mexico to seek employment

So if you are a standard American heading to Mexico for a nice week long vacation then you will fall into the category of being eligible for a Mexico tourist card.

I think the most important factor to consider is that you need to be traveling in less than 30 days in order to fill out the form and register.

Related: How to Easily Get to Tulum Mexico (for Cheap)

How to get a Mexico tourist card

You can now fill out your immigration form online via a very convenient and straightforward process.

Here is what you will need to fill out your form completely:

Contact information

Flight information.

Address or name of the hotel you were staying at

Email address

This will be basic information like your name and address.

For the form, you will need to provide your passport number along with dates such as the issue date and expiration date.

When filling out your passport details, Make sure that you have at least six months of valid time on your passport when visiting Mexico, regardless of how long you plan to stay in the country.

If your passport expires in under six months, you will have to fill out a manual form once you arrive at the airport. Also, according to some reports it’s possible that you may be denied entry into the country.

To be 100% on the safe side I would advise for your passport to have at least six months of eligibility left.

You will need to provide your flight number and airline.

This can be found on your boarding pass or when you check your itinerary via the airline’s website or app.

Look for a number that has two letters in front of it and then numbers following after that.

For example, if you were flying on United Airlines flight 125 your flight number would look like “UA125.”

When you input your details, typically you will input the airline separate from the number.

So using that UA125 example above, You would input your details as follows.

Airline: United Airlines
Number: 125

Hotel information

Many people often arrive at the airport with no idea about the address of the hotel and some people don’t even know the name of the hotel.

By filling out this form ahead of time you can avoid any confusion at the airport.

While it is not necessarily required to input the full address of your hotel and you could simply include the name, since you are filling this out ahead of time you might as well input all of the relevant information regarding the address.

It’s also always a great idea to have the address of your hotel saved somewhere in your phone or on a piece of paper just in case you need to reference that while traveling.

Your tourist card will be emailed to you so make sure that you have a working email address.

Tip: Sometimes there will be issues with the email system so it is recommended that you download and print the tourist card as soon as you have that option.

Finally, you will need to print off your tourist card. Make sure that your printer is working well so that you can avoid any issues with legibility.

Filling out the tourist cards

You can find a link to register for the Mexico tourist card here.

The first part of the process is filling out some basic information which I will break down below.

The form that you will be filling out will look like this:

Country of citizenship

This will be the country of your passport.

Port of entry

You will be able to select from a drop-down menu of different airports.

You should be able to find your airport on the menu if it is one of the major airports but if you are flying into a smaller city then you may have to just select “other.”

Here are the airports you will find:

Acapulco International Airport
Cancun International Airport
Cozumel International Airport
Guadalajara International Airport
Huatulco International Airport
Los Cabos International Airport
Manzanillo International Airport
Mazatlan International Airport
Merida International Airport
Mexico City International Airport
Puerto Vallarta International Airport
Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa Airport

Note that some airports may refuse to accept your online tourist card and might require you to submit a manual card. This might be more common at smaller airports.

Arrival and departure dates

You will need to select your arrival and departure dates which are the dates that you will actually be entering and leaving the country.

The dates should line up with your airline’s itinerary if you are flying.

Name or address of hotel

As stated above, supply your name or preferably the address of your hotel. You can likely just copy and paste the address from something like Google Maps.

Contact name

Simply input your name.

Total number of people traveling to Mexico

You will need to select the total number of individuals traveling to Mexico including yourself. This number should include all children and also infants.

Main contact email

Make sure you input a valid email address.

Simply enter in your postal or ZIP Code.

Things to consider

After you submit your details, there will be a confirmation page that goes over some of the key points of consideration.

Here is a summary of these points:

Every individual must fill out an individual tourist card
The cards are free for all passengers traveling by air with a major commercial airline
You can only apply for a tourist card within 30 days of your arrival to Mexico
Your passport must be valid for 180 days to apply for a card online otherwise she will have to fill it out manually when you arrive
The information on your application must exactly match the information on your passport
The flight information that you will input is only for your arrival flight
Sometimes there are issues with the email systems so you should download and print your card when given the option
After you download the first card you finish you will have the option to begin a new application
You can print your tourist card in color or black-and-white
You will print out two pages and do not cut or alter the forms in any way
On rare occasions, an immigration officer may not accept a tourist card and may require you to fill out a manual form.

In addition to the points above, be sure to retain the portion of the card that the immigration officer returns to you.

In many cases, you will need to show this stub when you depart the country. If you lose this then you might be delayed at the airport when departing and you might even get fined.

Finally, you will have to fill out a customs form when you arrive regardless of if you have already filled out your tourist card.

Related: Cabo vs Cancun: Which is Better for You?

Registration form

After you input your preliminary details you can then proceed to the next stage of registration. You will need to input some of the same details you already did but this is the final step to register.

You will begin by selecting the type of travel you are doing which could be air or land.

After you select your type of travel (let’s say you selected air) you will then need to input more details.

Tip: if you will be making multiple land crossings into Mexico you should consider applying for SENTRI ).

Once again, you will need to fill out the point of entry, which is the airport you are arriving to, your travel dates, airline name, and flight number.

You will then need to input your personal information which would include your name surname (which is your last name), gender, date of birth, nationality, and country of birth.

Then you will need to fill in the details regarding your identification document which in most cases will likely be your passport.

Select the type of document that you have and then enter in your document number which would be your passport number, country of issue which will be the US for a lot of readers, date of issue, and expiration date.

Keep in mind that the format for your dates is date, month, year.

Then we need to input your place of residence which would be the US and your current home address.

Next you will select the reason of your trip.

Then select the state and address that you will be staying at which would be the hotel.

Finally, provide your email address and submit the verification code.

Once you have finished processing your form, you can download and print it out and bring it along with you on your flight. It should also arrive in your email inbox.

Coronavirus update

Due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, you may encounter additional requirements when entering the country. For example, you may be required to complete a health questionnaire.

In addition to contact and trouble information, it will ask you questions such as “have you been in contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus?”

It will also inquire about potential symptoms such as temperatures, coughing, headaches, and difficulty breathing.

Global Entry

If you would like to expedite your entry back into the US when traveling from an international destination, you should highly consider getting Global Entry.

It will allow you to bypass the main immigration line which can often be very long and you can also get expedited entry through customs as well.

If you have the right credit card, you can get it for free and it will be good for five years.

Obtaining a Mexico tourist card is a great idea because it will make your travels much more convenient when arriving at the airport.

It is easy to fill out the form and register and so I would strongly recommend anybody traveling to Mexico to go ahead and complete the registration online.

You might also be interested in the following article:

Is Cabo, Mexico Safe?

Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo . He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio .

Unfortunately, it isn’t as easy as you claim….or at least not in my case. I’m planning on flying into the Queretaro International Airport…but that isn’t offered in the Point of Entry drop down box….yes, I initially put in Other, but then it proceeds to the next page and again asks for Point of Entry where “Other” is not offered, nor is Queretaro International Airport. I see that Ing. Fernando Espinoza Gutiérrez Airport is offered as a selection, but as per Wikipedia…

“Ing. Fernando Espinoza Gutiérrez Airport (IATA: formerly QRO, ICAO: formerly MMQT) was located in Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico. This airport was inaugurated in 1955.[2] Due to the construction of the new Querétaro International Airport in 2004, the airport is no longer used. The buildings and land that formed the airport are now government buildings, and were donated to the Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro.”

…so what’s a guy to do??? So frustrating and this is only my first step on this journey…it’s not looking promising!!

I would like to be FULLY ready and prepared when we travel to Cancun next week. How do I know which forms/webistes are true and safe to submit. Is there a place I can print out a blank hard copy of a form and fill it out manually? Is it safe to submit it online? In the past, we have always been given the forms on the plane and had them filled out when we landed. We have had 3 trips canceled because of COVID so I know things have changed. Now facing possible cancellation again next week. Thank you in advance for any help to make our trip go smoothly. Also, this was a very good and informative webiste. Thank you!!!

Thanks, not all sights (even the government one) mentions “within 30 days” I was trying to fill out the application but it wouldn’t accept my arrival date. I’m just trying to get as much done as I can now to alleviate anxiety later… but I’ll wait a few more days to apply!

Privacy Overview

Guide to Mexico’s Tourist Card and Visas for Travelers

By: Author Laura Bronner

Posted on Last updated: December 9, 2021

Guide to Mexico’s Tourist Card and Visas for Travelers

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Are you planning to visit Mexico? If so, you may know that it’s a vast country with an incredible amount to see and do. This includes visiting Teotihuacan’s 1,800-year old Aztec Pyramid of the Sun , exploring the bustling, metropolitan capital Mexico City , and enjoying sunbathing and siestas on the beaches and resorts of the Mayan Riviera, south of Cancun .

You’ll also want to taste the local cuisine, such as quesadillas (a sort of hot, filled sandwich), empanadas ( hot pastries with a variety of fillings), as well as spruce up your Spanish. Say it with me – “¡Estoy pasándolo muy bien aquí!” (“I’m having a great time here!”)

Of course, before you can begin your Mexican adventure, first you need to get your travel documentation in order to be allowed to enter the country. The Mexico visa policy differs depending on your nationality:

If you’re from one of 67 countries or territories including the US, UK, EU, Australia, Canada, Japan or New Zealand, you just need what’s known as a Tourist Card (which is officially called the Forma Migratoria Multiple or ‘FMM’).
If you’re from Russia, Ukraine or Turkey, you require an Electronic Visa or e-Visa (officially called the Sistema de Autorización Electrónica or ‘SAE’) as well as the Tourist Card.
If you’re from any other country, including China, India, Indonesia or Brazil, you need both an FMM and to obtain a traditional paper visa from your nearest Mexican embassy or consulate.

In this post, we’ll look at each of these documents in turn, courtesy of online visa service Byevisa.com .

1. About Mexico’s Tourist Card ( Forma Migratoria Multiple )

All international tourists entering Mexico must acquire a Tourist Card prior to entry. To apply, you need a passport that’s valid for at least 6 months from your intended exit date from Mexico.

If you’re flying into the country, the Mexican government charges no fee for the FMM and you typically apply at the airport once your plane has landed. Alternatively, if you’re entering Mexico by land, either at the border with the USA or Canada, then there’s a cost of 29 USD.

On the application form, you fill in information including:

Your full name
Your gender
Your date of birth
Your country of birth
Your country of residence
Your home address
Your country of citizenship
Your passport’s country of issue
Your passport number
Your passport’s issue and expiry dates
Your purpose of travel
Whether you’re arriving by land or air
Your point of entry in Mexico
Your airline’s name (if applicable)
Your flight number (if applicable)
Your intended entry and exit dates
Your accommodation address in Mexico
Your email address
Your telephone contact number

To save yourself the time and effort of filling in the forms by hand and potentially queuing up at the border checkpoint, you can apply online in advance using a third-party service.

Once you obtain this document, you have 30 days to enter Mexico, after which you can visit for up to 180 days. The Tourist Card is a Single Entry travel pass – this means that if you enter Mexico, exit, and then want to enter again, you’ll need to apply for a new FMM.

¡Y ya está! (And that’s it!) With your approved FMM, you’re free to enter and enjoy your trip.

beaches are the best things to do in the riviera maya mexico

2. About Mexico’s e-Visa ( Sistema de Autorización Electrónica)

As we state above, if you’re from Russia, Ukraine or Turkey, you require both a Tourist Card and an e-Visa or SAE to enter Mexico.

This is a fully online system to obtain your travel permit using any internet-connected device. The Mexican government has set this up to allow citizens of these countries to acquire your visa without having to visit your nearest Mexican embassy or consulate, which is handy!

Please note that, if you’re a citizen of any of these three countries and you already have a valid visa from the UK, USA, Canada, Japan or Europe’s Schengen Zone, you don’t need a SAE to enter Mexico. You just need the Tourist Card and proof of your aforementioned visa.

Here are the requirements and conditions for the Mexican eVisa:

You require a valid passport to apply.
You’re permitted to visit for non-renumerated activities (so you can’t work for pay).
The SAE is only valid if you’re arriving by air. If you’re arriving by land or sea, you’ll need a traditional paper visa.
You must confirm that the airline you’re flying into Mexico with participates in the e-Visa system (consult with your airline about this).

The Mexican government charges no fee for the SAE. On the application form, you fill in similar details to obtain the Tourist Card (see above).

Once your application is approved, you must print your SAE to show to Mexico’s border officials when you arrive.

The eVisa is valid for 30 days from the date of issue to enter Mexico and, once you’ve crossed the border, you can stay for 180 days from your date of entry. It’s a Single Entry document, so you can enter and exit only once. ¡Buen Viaje! (Have a good trip!)

3. About Mexico’s Traditional Paper Visa

If you’re a citizen of any other country, such as India, China, or Brazil, then you require both a Tourist Card and a traditional visa to enter Mexico. To obtain this, you must visit your nearest Mexican embassy or consulate in your country.

the best public transportation in mexico city is walking!

You’ll need the following documents:

A filled-in visa application form for yourself and your travel companions.
A passport with at least six months’ validity remaining and three blank pages for stamping.
Two recent color passport-sized photographs.
A recent bank statement to prove your ability to financially support yourself in Mexico.
Your return or onward travel tickets out of Mexico.
Proof of your hotel reservation and other attraction bookings.
If you’re visiting friends or family, a sponsorship invitation letter.

The visa costs around 36 USD, although you should confirm this at the embassy. You need to apply in person because, as part of the application process, your biometric details will be taken and you’ll also be interviewed.

Similarly to the travel documents described above, your Mexican visa is valid for a Single Entry only for 180 days from the date you cross the border. Once you submit your application, if everything is in order, you can receive your valid visa in just two working days.

By now, we’ve given you a clear overview of how to acquire your Mexican travel permit, whether that’s just the Tourist Card, or also the SAE or paper visa.

So this gives you extra time to decide what you want to do more – visit the world-famous Tulum Archeological Site , enjoy the spectacular Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festivities in early November, or go snorkeling in Akumal . ¡Hasta siempre, amigos!

Handyvisas.com >

Mexico Tourist Card (FMM)

Check eligibility

The FMM Tourist Card , Known formally as “Forma Migratoria Múltiple” , is a requirement for all tourists visiting Mexico . Foreign nationals may also need to apply for an additional visa, depending on their nationality.

Mexico Tourist Card Information

The Mexico Tourist Card , officially called the FMM ( Forma Migratoria Múltiple ) is a mandatory entry requirement for all foreign nationals traveling to Mexico for the purposes of tourism, business, or leisure if arriving by land.

It was introduced by the Mexican Immigration Authority to keep an official record of all visitors to the country.

The FMM can be used for a single entry by land and is valid for a maximum of 180 days , starting from the moment the immigration seal is stamped (upon arrival in Mexico).

When crossing one of Mexico’s land borders, the Tourist Card can be obtained by completing a simple online application form prior to traveling.

This includes submitting some basic personal data, travel document details, and information about the planned trip to Mexico. The entire form takes a matter of minutes to complete .

The approved FMM is sent to the applicant by email and must be printed and presented at border control .

The Mexican Tourist Card can only be used to visit Mexico for the purposes of business, tourism, and leisure . It does not grant the holder the right to work or seek employment in the country.

The FMM is not a visa . Travelers from countries that are exempt from applying for a Mexican visa must still obtain a Mexico Tourist Card. Nationals of other countries must apply for the relevant visa for Mexico in addition to an FMM in order to visit.

All tourists must be in possession of an FMM, including children . Parents or legal guardians may complete the application on their behalf.

Passport (or passport card if arriving by land)

Current email address

Credit or debit card

Depending on nationality , an e-Visa or consular visa .

Mexico Tourist Card Requirements

In order to obtain an FMM, travelers must complete an application form before arriving at the Mexican land border.

In order to apply online for the Mexico Tourist Card, the foreign national must have the following items to meet the requirements:

Identification document (passport or passport card)
Email address to receive the approved Mexico Tourist Card
Payment method (valid credit or debit card )

Once received, the approved FMM must be printed . It is a compulsory requirement to enter the country by land. The traveler must present the printout at the Mexican border along with their travel document.

When entering Mexico, it is necessary to present the same travel document that the applicant used to register in the Mexico Tourist Card application.

It is important to remember that passport cards can only be used to enter Mexico via a land border crossing .

The Mexican Tourist Card is not the same as a Mexico visa . Although some foreign travelers are visa-exempt, they still need an FMM.

For others, both the Tourist Card and a Mexico visa are requirements to travel to the country.

The Mexico Tourist Card must be stamped when passing through immigration in order to be valid.

Countries Eligible for Mexico

Afghanistan
Aland Islands
Antigua and Barbuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
British Indian Ocean Territory
British Virgin Islands
Brunei Darussalam
Burkina Faso
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Christmas Island
Cocos Islands
Cook Islands
Czech Republic
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Dominican Republic
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
Federated States of Micronesia
French Guiana
French Polynesia
Guinea-Bissau
Ivory Coast
Liechtenstein
Marshall Islands
Netherlands
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Norfolk Island
North Korea
Northern Mariana Islands
Palestinian Territory
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Pitcairn Islands
Puerto Rico
Republic of Cyprus
Russian Federation
Saint Barthelemy
Saint Helena
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Martin
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Sierra Leone
Solomon Islands
South Africa
South Korea
South Sudan
Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Switzerland
Syrian Arab Republic
Timor-Leste
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
United States Virgin Islands
Vatican City
Wallis and Futuna

Complete the Mexico Tourist Card Application

To obtain a Mexico FMM, fill in the Mexico Tourist Card application form with personal details, passport data, and a few pieces of travel information. The form only takes a matter of minutes to complete.

Before submitting the application, make sure that all of the information supplied is correct and matches the details of your passport. This is essential, as even small errors can result in a delay in receiving the approved Tourist Card.

Confirm payment for the FMM for Mexico

In order to finalize the Mexican Tourist Card online application, confirm the secure payment method you will use to cover the processing fee.

It is mandatory to use a valid debit or credit card to pay the FMM fee, as other payment methods are not accepted for online applications.

Receive the approved Mexico FMM

Once processed, the approved Tourist Card for Mexico is sent to the current email address you provided when filling out the application form.

You will need to print a copy of the FMM document to present to Mexican border officials upon arrival, alongside your passport (if entering by air) or, alternately, passport card (if entering by land). Depending on your nationality, you may also be required to present a valid visa for Mexico to gain entry.

This content has been reviewed by

Ekaterina Powell

Us immigration attorney.

Ekaterina Powell is a U.S. attorney licensed in the State of California, working in the area of U.S. immigration law for over 12 years . She has been featured as one of the top immigration lawyers in her state and city several times and has contributed to notable industry publications.

Country policy

Check Mexico’s visa policy for all foreign travelers wanting to visit the country.

Visa requirements checker

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Mexico Visa FAQ

FMM Application

Mexico Tourist Card Questions

What is the Mexico Tourist Card?

The Mexico Tourist Card, or FMM, is a mandatory requirement for all foreign citizens visiting Mexico for tourism, leisure, and business if arriving by land.

Is the Mexico Tourist Card required if arriving by air?

According to the recent changes in Mexican laws, the FMM is no longer required if arriving at Mexican airports.

However, if you are from a country that requires a visa, you will still need to fill out the FMM form if flying in or out of Mexico.

How do I apply for a Mexico Tourist Card?

Travelers can apply for a Mexico Tourist Card online through a simple application.

What is the validity period of the Mexico Tourist Card?

The Mexico Tourist Card is valid for a maximum of 180 days, starting from the moment it is stamped by an immigration officer (upon entry to the country).

How long can I stay in Mexico with the FMM?

The length of time a visitor can stay in Mexico with the FMM is decided by an immigration officer upon entering the country. It can depend on the nationality and visa type (e.g. online e-Visa, embassy visa, or visa-free). The maximum length of time a foreign national can remain in Mexico after entering the country with the Mexico Tourist Card (FMM) is 180 days.

What happens if I overstay the period granted under the FMM?

If you overstay the time you were granted on your FMM, you will need to visit an immigration office or the immigration kiosk at the airport and pay a fine before you can leave the country.

Can the Mexican Tourist Card be extended?

The Mexican Tourist Card cannot be extended or renewed. If the immigration official at the port of entry writes a number fewer than 180 days on your FMM, you must leave Mexico within the time frame given to you by the official at the entry port.

Who is eligible for a Mexico Tourist Card?

All travelers of all nationalities are eligible to apply for a Mexican Tourist Card: it is a mandatory requirement to enter the country if the purpose of the visit is tourism, leisure, or business by land. It remains a mandatory requirement for air travelers if they come with a Mexican visa.

Foreign nationals who have a different purpose of visit, such as to perform paid work, seek employment, or relocate to Mexico, cannot use an FMM to enter the country.

Can you work in Mexico with the Mexico Tourist Card?

No, travelers with an FMM are temporary visitors to Mexico without permission to work.

How do I apply online for an FMM for Mexico?

Applicants can complete an online application form to obtain the FMM for Mexico. This involves submitting personal details, including full name, gender, date of birth, nationality, and address.

The applicant must also fill in their passport information (or passport card information if traveling to Mexico by land) and give certain details about their travel plans.

What do I need to make an application for the Mexico Tourist Card?

Applicants must have a valid passport (or, alternatively, a passport card if they plan to enter Mexico via a land border), a current email address, and a method of payment (credit or debit card) to apply for the Mexican FMM.

What can I do if I make a mistake in my application?

Small mistakes are the most common cause of Mexico Tourist Card applications being rejected. Therefore, it is important to take care when filling in the online form and double-check all the details before submitting it.

What happens if my Mexico Tourist Card application is rejected?

The most common reason for an FMM application to be rejected is small errors or inconsistencies in the information provided. If this is the case, travelers may re-apply online, taking care to submit all their details accurately.

Do I need a Mexico Tourist Card for all my children? Should I include them on my application?

Each individual traveler must be in possession of their own Mexico Tourist Card, regardless of age. Children cannot be included on their parents’ applications. Parents and legal guardians may complete dependents’ applications on their behalf.

Is the Mexico Tourist Card a Mexico visa?

No, the FMM is not the same as a visa for Mexico. All travelers require a Mexican Tourist Card to enter the country as a tourist by land, but visitors from some countries need a Mexico visa (online e-visa or embassy visa) as well. It is important to check the visa requirements for your nationality and ensure that you have all the travel documents you need.

Do I need to print a copy of the Mexico Tourist Card?

Yes, a copy of the Mexico Tourist Card must be presented along with the traveler’s passport at the Mexican border in order to enter the country.

How much does a Mexico FMM cost?

The total price of the Mexico Tourist Card is made up of 2 fees: a government fee and a service charge.

This small charge covers the processing of the application as well as any additional support and assistance needed in completing the online FMM form.

What ports of entry can I use with the Mexico Tourist Card?

The Mexico Tourist Card can be used to enter Mexico via land borders or by air for visa-subject nationalities. The method of arrival in the country must be specified on the online application form before traveling.

Tourists crossing a land border checkpoint with the Tourist Card have the option of using a passport card or a passport to gain entry into Mexico.

Is the Mexico Tourist Card valid for multiple entries?

No, the Mexican Tourist Card is only valid for a single entry to Mexico.

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Mexico Entry Requirements for U.S. Citizens

Mexico Visa Needed

(for stays of up to 180 days)

Tourist Card (FMM) Needed

(if traveling by land)

Mexico has a number of entry requirements that citizens of the United States must meet when visiting the country.

US citizens planning to travel to Mexico should first check if they require a visa to cross the border, according to the Mexican visa policy.

What U.S. Citizens Need to Travel to Mexico

American citizens must have a few essential documents to travel to Mexico. These include:

US passport
FMM tourist card (for land travel)
Mexican visa (if applicable)

A visa for Mexico may not be required for US passport holders. This depends on the period of stay and your reason for traveling.

U.S. passport requirements for Mexico

Your US passport must meet certain criteria when traveling to Mexico. It must not expire for at least 6 months after the date of arrival.

If your passport is due to expire sooner than this, renew it before getting the FMM and traveling to Mexico.

Do U.S. citizens need a Tourist Card for Mexico?

Americans must register for a Mexico tourist card to visit the country for the following reasons:

The tourist card required by visitors from the US is called the Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM) .

The FMM is not a visa. It’s an entry requirement for all foreign visitors, including Americans . It’s mandatory if you plan to travel more than 20 kilometers into Mexican territory and stay more than 72 hours.

A Mexican tourist card for United States citizens is a single-entry document. It becomes invalid once you leave Mexico. You need to get a new FMM for every trip to the country.

Do U.S. citizens need a Mexican visa?

Tourists and business travelers from the United States can stay up to 180 days visa-free in Mexico. Americans can also transit in Mexico for up to 30 days without a visa.

The same is true for non-US nationals who hold a valid US visa or Green Card . These documents must be brought as proof to gain visa-free entry to Mexico.

Citizens of the United States who plan to work, study, or engage in other non-tourist or business activities need a visa for Mexico .

Americans also need a visa to stay in Mexico for more than 180 days.

How Can U.S. Citizens Apply for a Mexico Tourist Card?

US citizens can now complete the tourist card form online. This saves time and the inconvenience of dealing with paperwork during their journey or at border control.

The streamlined electronic form greatly expedites the process of entering Mexico .

Mexico's Immigration Policy for U.S. Nationals

Citizens of the United States of America must comply with Mexico’s immigration policy when traveling to the country.

US nationals must :

Have the correct documentation
Comply with customs and border regulations
Leave Mexico within the time permitted (180 days for visa-free visitors)

Americans must not :

Bring any unauthorized or illegal items into Mexico
Overstay the terms of their visa or visa exemption

Do Americans need vaccinations for Mexico?

Mexico’s travel rules for US passport holders do not include any mandatory vaccinations .

However, the US CDC highly recommends being immunized against the following before traveling to Mexico:

Hepatitis A and B

Malaria is present in certain areas of Mexico. US nationals are advised to bring anti-malaria medication if staying in these regions.

What Do U.S. Citizens Need to Leave Mexico?

When leaving Mexico , you’re required to present the tourist card alongside your passport.

Therefore, it’s important to keep the slip of paper safe during the entirety of the stay in the country.

The validity of the FMM document for Americans begins from the moment it is stamped at the Mexican border . If the FMM is lost or stolen before arriving at immigration control in Mexico, you can obtain another form online.

If a validated Mexico FMM for US citizens is lost or stolen within Mexico, you should report the theft to local police. You must then include the subsequent police report in the application for a replacement tourist card. You can do this at an Instituto Nacional de Migración office within Mexico.

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico

The US Embassy in Mexico is located in Colonia Cuauhtemoc, Mexico City. The embassy provides a variety of services to American citizens in Mexico.

These include emergency assistance in cases of:

Loss of passport
Arrest of a US Citizen
Death of a US Citizen
International Parental Child Abduction

The embassy can provide emergency financial assistance and support to US citizens who are victims of crime. It is also authorized to issue certifications of US citizenship for eligible individuals born abroad to American parents, among other services.

Register with the U.S. Embassy in Mexico

It is now possible for US citizens and nationals to register with the nearest embassy or consulate when traveling in Mexico.

By registering with a US embassy in Mexico, travelers can:

Make informed travel plans based on information received from the embassy, such as safety and security advice.
Be contactable in the case of emergency: the US embassy will get in touch in circumstances such as a natural disaster or family emergency.
Help family and friends to get in contact in an emergency.

US passport holders can enrol when registering for the tourist card on this website . Simply select the Embassy Registration option on the payment page.

Login / New Account

Password requirements:.

Password must not have spaces.
Password must be between 6-20 characters
Passwords Match

Mexican Tourist Cards (FMM)

Mexican tourist cards (fmm) 2024.

Updated March 29, 2023

Tourist Card (FMM) Facts:

The FMM is a document issued by Mexico's INM (Instituto Nacional de Migración)
Casually called a tourist card or tourist "visa" although it is not officially a visa
Issued to U.S., Canadian and other nationalities for vacation or visitor purposes
Easily obtained at an INM office at the border or online. (If you get an FMM online, it is still required to stop at an INM office at the border for the official entry stamp. If applicable, you will also need to have a copy of your payment receipt.).
Requires a valid passport or passport card
The stamped FMM is valid for land travel throughout Mexico
Cost: $717.00 Pesos (appx U.S. $43) per person; FREE if the trip is 7 days or less and you cross by land
May be issued for up to 180 days

Traveling through San Ysidro/El Chaparral? See where to get a tourist card at the El Chaparral border crossing (San Ysidro/Tijuana).

Visit the online FMM application or read more on how to get an FMM online now.

FAQs about Tourist Cards (FMM):

What is the general procedure to get a tourist card (fmm).

Fill out a tourist card (FMM) form at the immigration office (INM) and walk to the nearby bank and pay for the tourist card
Or fill out the online tourist card (FMM) application and pay online with a Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card. Your online tourist card (FMM) will be ready to print within minutes. After printing your FMM form, it must be stamped by INM within 30 days to be valid
Whether buying the tourist card at an INM office or online, visit the INM office to get your tourist card (FMM) stamped/validated

When I drive across the border, will I be stopped to get an FMM?

What is a tourist card (fmm), what type of documentation do i need to obtain a tourist card (fmm), what information is asked on the tourist card (fmm) form.

Nationality
Date of birth
Passport number
Purpose of trip
How you are entering Mexico: air, sea, land

When is a tourist card (FMM) free?

How much does a tourist card (fmm) cost, is it possible to enter and exit baja multiple times with the same tourist card (fmm), what if i lose my tourist card (fmm), does the tourist card (fmm) have to be returned to inm, how do i obtain a tourist card (fmm).

Keep in mind that if you obtain your tourist card before crossing the border, you will still have to stop at the Mexican immigration office at the border to document your entry date and to have your tourist card stamped by immigration officials. Tourist cards are no longer available at Mexican Consulates.

Who may obtain a tourist card (FMM)?

For citizens of other countries view the INM's list of Countries and Regions That Require and Do Not Require a Visa To Travel to Mexico - but DO require an FMM.

Visit INM's website in Spanish for the most updated information: Countries That Require a Visa and Countries That Do Not Require a Visa.

When is a tourist card (FMM) required?

Previously it was believed there was a tourist zone/72 hour exemption, but this was never actually part of Mexican immigration law according to federal delegate Rudolfo Figueroa from INM (Mexican Immigration).

It is important to note that in Baja, even though you may take your vehicle to the end of the peninsula without a vehicle permit (see vehicle importation regulations ) you are required to have a tourist card (FMM) in order to travel anywhere in the state.

Went down to TJ June 11 2020 No problems going into TJ but the way back was a ordeal 6 hours in ... ne to get back into the USA but no issues with COVID or anything1/2 the people had masks on half did not. Thankfully I have not had occasion to need to file a claim in my many trips to TJ or Hermosillo. Never had a issue buying or getting a fair price from Baja Bound I also enjoy the newsletters they send from time to time.

Third time working with Baja Bound and they made it easy! Thanks!

Mexico Tourist Card Multiple Immigration Form - FMM

3 easy steps to apply for mexico tourist card/fmm:, what is fmm (forma migratoria múltiple) or tourist card.

FMM/Tourist card for Mexico is a travel document issued by the government to all tourists or foreigners wishing to come to Mexico.

Visitors must fill out an official entry immigration form (FMM) prior to their arrival. The Tourist Card is valid per person, regardless of age or length of stay in Mexico. The Mexican Immigration Authority keeps the information you submit on the Tourist Card as an official record of your visit to Mexico, allowing you to enjoy your stay and exit the country safely and easily.

Tourist Card Mexico Requirements

You are a foreign national visiting Mexico
You have a valid passport
You will set off for Mexico within 30 days
Your stay in Mexico will not exceed 180 days
The purpose of your visit to Mexico is pleasure, entertainment, and/or vacation
You’re not heading to Mexico to look for work

You DO NOT need a visa for Mexico if you are a citizen of the Schengen Region, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Japan, or if you have a valid visa or permanent residency permit for any of these countries. When visiting Mexico, however, you will still require a FMM document. See the list below of countries whose nationals require the FMM document for Mexico:

List of countries

South America

What do you need for an online FMM/Tourist card

Applicant’s contact information
Your passport information. Keep in mind that your passport should be applicable for at least six months from the date you enter Mexico
Your address or Hotel name in Mexico
Arrival and departure flight details
Your email address for receiving the Tourist Card
A printer to print the Tourist Card

How to apply for a FMM document

The online registration process is very efficient and straightforward. All you need for the online registration process is your passport, flights information, the address or name of the hotel where you will be staying, and a printer to print your Official Entry Tourist Card.

For your FMM to be valid, you will be attended by a federal immigration agent who will stamp your printed electronic FMM and authorize your entry into the national territory at the point of admission you chose . From that moment, you have 180 days to transit and visit Mexico. The page of entry (the first page from FMM) will be taken from a federal immigration agent.
Remember that you must keep the part that corresponds to the exit registration (the second page from FMM) in which the immigration entry stamp is recorded since it is evidence of your regular stay in the country and will be required when leaving Mexico.

Mexican Tourist Cards and How to Get One

A tourist card also called an FMM (“Forma Migratoria Múltiple,” previously referred to as an FMT), is a tourist permit that is required for all foreign citizen travelers to Mexico who will not be engaged in any type of remunerated work. Tourist cards may be valid for up to 180 days and allow the holder to remain in Mexico as a tourist for the allotted time. Be sure to hold on to your tourist card and keep it in a safe place, as you will need to hand it in when you are departing the country. Foreign nationals who will be working in Mexico are required to obtain a work visa from the National Immigration Institute (INM).

Border Zone

In the past, travelers who were remaining within the United States border zone for up to 72 hours did not need a tourist card. (The border zone, comprised of an area roughly 20 km into Mexico from the U.S. border and also included most of Baja California and the Sonora “free zone.”) However, now the tourist card is required for all non-Mexican visitors to the country who will remain for fewer than six months.

Woman walking along street, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico, North America

Tourist Cards

There is a fee of about $24 USD for a tourist card. If you are traveling by air or on a cruise, the fee for your tourist card is included in the cost of your trip, and you will be given the card to fill out. If you are traveling overland you can pick up a tourist card at your point of entry or from a Mexican consulate before your departure. In this case, you will need to make the payment for your tourist card at a bank after your arrival in Mexico.

Mexico’s National Immigration Institute (INM) now allows travelers to apply for a tourist card online up to 7 days before entering Mexico. You can fill in the form and, if traveling by land, pay for the tourist card online. If you’ll be traveling by air, the fee is included in your airplane ticket, so no need to pay again. Just remember that the tourist card must be stamped by an immigration official when you enter Mexico, otherwise, it is not valid. Apply for a tourist card online on the website of Mexico’s National Immigration Institute: online FMM application .

Upon arrival in Mexico, you will present the filled-in tourist card to the immigration official who will stamp it and write in the number of days that you are allowed to stay in the country. The maximum is 180 days or 6 months, but the time actually given is at the discretion of the immigration official (often only 30 to 60 days are granted initially), for longer stays, the tourist card would need to be extended.

You should keep your tourist card in a safe place, for example, tucked into the pages of your passport. Upon leaving the country you must surrender your tourist card to immigration officials. If you do not have your tourist card, or if your tourist card is expired, you may be fined.

Resultado de imagen de gringos en mazatlan"

If You Lose Your Card

If your tourist card is lost or stolen, you will need to pay a fee to get a replacement tourist card at an immigration office, or you may be fined when you’re leaving the country.

Find out what to do if you’ve lost your tourist card .

Extending Your Tourist Card

If you wish to stay in Mexico for longer than the time allotted on your tourist card, you will need to extend it. Under no circumstances is a tourist allowed to stay longer than 180 days; if you want to stay longer you will have to leave and re-enter the country, or apply for a different type of visa.

Find out how to extend your tourist card .

Source: trippsavy.com

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Mexico Tourist Card Online Application

Evisa.Express
Mexico Tourist Card Online

Mexico Tourist Card (FMM) Information

The Mexico Tourist Card (FMM) is an obligatory document to obtain prior to the planned travel to Mexico. The Forma Migratoria Múltiple allows its holders to enter the country by land. The tourist card serves as a single-entry permit that enables a stay in Mexico of up to 180 days !

All foreign visitors need a tourist card to visit Mexico for tourism purposes . This document ensures the country's government that each visitor's trip does not pose any threats.

Since 2015, all eligible travelers can submit an application online . Applicants receive the approved tourist card in the form of a PDF file . Prepare your valid passport and submit your application within minutes from home!

Our support team is here to guide all applicants through the 3-step online application process that can be completed on any working device with an internet connection .

Applications must be submitted at least 3 business days before the planned trip to get the FMM tourist card delivered on time. The FMM processing time may take up to 72 hours .

Mexico Tourist Card types

There is one type of FMM Mexico Tourist Card available for travelers from eligible countries.

The FMM card is a single-entry permit and allows a stay of up to 180 days (6 months) in the country.

List of eligible countries

To be able to obtain the FMM Mexico tourist card , you must have a valid passport and be a citizen from one of the following countries:

American Samoa
Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
The British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands
Christmas Island
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Cook Islands
Czech Republic
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Faroe Islands
Federated States of Micronesia
French Guiana
French Polynesia
Grande-Terre
Indian Ocean Territory
Liechtenstein
Marshall Islands
Netherlands
Netherlands Antilles
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Norfolk Island
Northern Mariana Islands
Pitcairn Islands
Puerto Rico
Saint Helena
South Korea
Switzerland
The Bahamas
Trinidad and Tobago
Turks and Caicos Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands
United Kingdom
United States
Wallis and Futuna

Mexico Tourist Card application

Traveling to Mexico requires having an FMM tourist card . This section explains the application process and offers a guide on how to submit a successfully approved form .

Click the 'Apply Online' button and follow these steps to complete the process:

Provide your data in the application form . Put your name, surname, birth date, nationality, basic travel details, passport information, and an active email address.

Cover the FMM fees using any method of online payment, choosing from several available. Next, check if you have received a confirmation number in your email box.

The last step is simply waiting for the approved tourist card to be delivered as a PDF file to your inbox . The maximum processing time is 72 hours from submitting the application.

Please note! It's crucial to thoroughly check the provided data to avoid delays or issues with FMM approval. Our team of visa experts will address any mistakes in the application form; however, it may elongate the process.

Mexico Tourist Card Validity

The Mexico Tourist Card stays valid for 180 days (6 months) from the date of issue. Make sure to enter the country within the validity period not to face any problems upon arrival.

Moreover, please check if your passport will not expire for a minimum of 6 months from the planned date of arrival.

That requirement is necessary to be met to have a positively approved application .

Transit information

No matter what is the purpose of your travel, you must get an FMM card to enter Mexico by land . Make sure to apply online at least 3 business days (72 hours) prior to your visit.

The approved card will be delivered directly to the applicant's email box in a PDF version .

Requirements on Arrival

Have you already submitted your application and now are preparing for your trip? Make sure to read this section to get all the necessary information.

Prepare the following documents and have them on hand upon entering Mexico:

a valid FMM Mexico tourist card
a passport that will not expire for at least 6 months starting from the intended date of your trip

Ports accepting the Mexico Tourist Card

A selected list of border crossing points accepts the Mexico Tourist Card . It's essential to choose one before your trip.

Take a look at the following list to select the appropriate port of entry:

Land Border Crossing Points:

Agua Prieta
Benito Juárez I (Reynosa Hidalgo)
Benito Juárez II (Reynosa Hidalgo)
Boquillas Del Carmen
Carmen Xhan
Chalán Díaz Ordaz
Ciudad Acuña
Ciudad Hidalgo - Suchiate I
Ciudad Hidalgo - Suchiate II
Conexión peatonal aeroportuario Tijuana - San Diego
El Berrendo
El Chaparral
Frontera Corozal
Las Champas
Las Flores (Nuevo Progreso)
Libertad (Paso Del Norte)
Mesa De Otay
Mexicali II
Miguel Alemán
Nogales Dos
Nogales Tres
Nogales Uno
Nuevo Amanecer (Reynosa III-Pharr)
Nuevo Laredo I (Miguel Alemán)
Nuevo Laredo II (Juárez - Lincoln)
Nuevo Laredo III (Comercio Mundial)
Porfirio Parra
Presa Falcón
Presa La Amistad
Puente Internacional "Anzaldúas" Reynosa- Mission
Puente Internacional I Puerta De México
Puente Internacional II Coahuila 2000
Puente Internacional Revolución (Río Bravo-Donna)
Puerta México (Matamoros II)
Puerto Palomas
San Jerónimo
San Luis Río Colorado I
San Luis Río Colorado II
Subteniente López
Unión Juárez
Zaragoza (Matamoros III)

Required documents for FMM Card

There is only 1 document that must be prepared before starting the online application process for the FMM tourist card to Mexico .

Make sure that you have the following:

Passport : with a minimum validity of 6 months past the planned date of the travel

Important Information

all tourists need a tourist card to enter Mexico without any issues
applications should be submitted at least 3 days before the travel
the FMM expires after 180 days (6 months) from issuing
Mexico tourist cards do not allow engaging in business activities
the tourist card serves as a single-entry permit
our support team is available to all travelers at every step of the application process
the FMM tourist card is accepted only at the selected land border crossing ports; make sure to choose one before your visit

Benefits of Evisa Express

Easy application process There are three easy steps to get your Tourist Card. Any issues during the application process can be addressed by contacting our support team
Qualified team of experts A qualified team oversees the processing of each and every application
Guarantee of service If an application is unable to be processed, reimbursement is provided according to the conditions set out by our Terms of Service

Evisa Express is an independent company that offers efficient and professional assistance in obtaining visas online. We are not associated with any governmental agency. See Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

FAQ about the Mexico Tourist Card (FMM)

The Mexico Tourist Card was introduced in 2015 by the National Immigration Institute of the country to ensure safe tourist flow. Since then, every traveler must have this document to cross the Mexico border. It allows a maximum stay of 180 days (6 months) and enables one entry during the validity period. Obtain yours online before you arrive in Mexico!

Travelers from every country worldwide must have the FMM Mexico Tourist Card upon their arrival. Please note! The FMM card is not a visa; if your country cannot enter without it, you must apply for an additional entry document before your travel.

Children also need to have the FMM card to visit Mexico . The application form should be submitted by their parents or guardians. The processing time may take up to 72 hours (3 business days); thus, apply a few days in advance to be appropriately prepared for your trip.

No one can enter Mexico without a valid FMM tourist card and a valid passpor t. Make sure to get yours to be able to stay in the country for up to 180 days (6 months). Luckily, the application process can be completed online from start to finish. Spare just a few minutes and use your phone, laptop, or any other device to submit the form.

The Mexico Tourist Card costs 49 Euro and enables its holders to stay in Mexico for up to 180 days. All foreign visitors must have a valid FMM card to cross the country's border. Travel for all tourism-related purposes and explore this beautiful country even for 6 months!

To pay the Mexico Tourist Card fee, all you have to do is select a method of online payment that will be most convenient. Use your credit or debit card, pay via PayPal, or try any other method. As soon as you complete this step, you will receive a confirmation number delivered to your email box.

The only documents needed for the FMM Card for Mexico are a valid passport that will not expire for at least 6 months from the planned date of the trip.

The application process for the Mexico FMM tourist card is as simple as it can get. After choosing the preferred entry point and the way of travel, fill the application form with some basic personal and travel details. Next, cover the fees and receive a confirmation number. Lastly, wait for the approved entry permit to be delivered!

The maximum time when FMM Mexico Tourist Cards get processed is 72 hours (3 business days) . Apply within a few days in advance to obtain the document without any delays. Moreover, please make sure that your application does not contain any errors.

As soon as your application gets approved by the Mexican government , you will obtain the document in PDF form . The FMMs are delivered to the traveler's email box; thus, it's crucial to provide an active email address while filling the form.

It's best to keep an additional copy of the FMM Mexico Tourist Card and have it ready to present upon arrival. The customs officials will check if each traveler has the appropriate entry permit. Print it out and save a copy to your mobile device.

The Mexico FMM Tourist Card stays valid for 6 months (180 days) . Please note! This document is valid only for a single entry. Apply for a new FMM card to return to Mexico. Additionally, all travelers must have passports that will not expire for the whole duration of the trip.

Should you need any further information regarding the FMM Mexico Tourist Card, do not hesitate to contact our support team via email or phone . Moreover, all applicants are free to visit the official Mexico government website at https://www.inm.gob.mx/fmme/publico/en/solicitud.html . The Frequently Asked Questions section above answers the most popular inquiries on the topic.

Three easy steps to get your Tourist Card

Apply online Fill out basic information on your citizenship and purpose for travel
Fill out remaining required information and make online payment We accept both credit and debit cards and other convenient methods of payment.
Check your email Once your payment is confirmed, the e-Visa will be sent to the email address you provided on your application
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There are some straightforward paperwork procedures to engage with when you arrive to, and depart from, Mexico. This article describes them

When you are arriving in or departing from Mexico, there are some straightforward paperwork procedures that you will need to engage with.

Specific entry and exit procedures exist for foreign visitors, foreigners with resident visas and resident cards, as well as Mexican nationals and naturalized foreigners.

This article describes the procedures you need to engage with when you arrive to, and leave from, Mexico.

Foreign visitors to Mexico

If you hold a passport issued by one of the many countries on Mexico’s “ no visa required ” list,* you don’t need to apply for a visa to visit Mexico. You can, instead, complete a Visitor’s Permit, also known as a FMM , at your port of entry.

There is a ~US$25 fee for the permit, which is usually included in your airfare’s “fees and taxes” if you fly in to Mexico; if you drive-in to Mexico, the fee is waived if you depart within 7 days of your arrival date. The visitor’s permit is valid for stays up to 180 days.

Paper FMM forms are being phased out and it’s likely that the FMM will be stamped into your passport instead.

However, if you are given a paper FMM when you entered Mexico, don’t lose the half of the form that is handed back to you at immigration as you’ll need it to exit the country.

If you lose the permit; or keep the permit when you leave; or over-stay the number of days limit written on the permit , you’ll face some additional procedures: see this article for details about those situations.

Automated lanes for TOURISTS entering Mexico

Airports in Mexico City and Cancún have automated kiosk lanes where TOURISTS may register their entry to Mexico by scanning their passport on a machine. The machine will give you a receipt with a QR code that you must scan with your smartphone to get a digital version of your FMM. You’ll need to do this before you leave Mexico.

You can only use these automated lanes if you are a passport holder of the US, Canada, Japan, UK and some other European countries; you are over 18; and you are not traveling with minors. See this government page for more details .

Foreigners with a resident visa sticker in their passport

If you are arriving in Mexico with a resident visa stamp (sticker) in your passport provided by a Mexican Consulate abroad, you might need to fill out the Visitor’s Visa on arrival (see blue box above about phasing out of paper FMM forms).

Show the immigration officer the page in your passport with the residency visa stamp and double-check that the officer checks the box on the form that reads “Canje” (exchange) NOT “ Vistante .” (If the officer admits you as a visitor/tourist, this will cause problems when you attend the immigration office to exchange your resident visa stamp for a residency card.)

If you don’t have to complete the paper FMM form at your port of entry, the official will place a stamp in your passport, instead, and mark ‘Canje’ to indicate that you need to exchange your visa for a residency card. You then have 30 days to attend the immigration office and exchange your resident visa stamp for a residency card .

Foreign residents with resident cards

Foreign residents who are in possession of a Residente Temporal or Residente Permanente card (or one of the old FM3 or FM2 residency permits) need to present their passport and resident card to the Immigration Officer at the port of exit (e.g. airport or border crossing) before they depart.

You must use your residency card to exit and re-enter the country if you are legally resident in Mexico.

If you have lost or damaged your residency card , you need to apply for a replacement.

Some airports no longer issuing Exit Stamps

Readers have told us that some airports (Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara) are no longer issuing Exit Stamps to holders of residency cards. However, other airports (Mexico City) continue to issue Exit Stamps.

We recommend that if you hold a residency card and leave Mexico you continue to attend an INM office or kiosk at the exit port and ask for an Exit Stamp. You might be told that it’s no longer required.

There has been no official notice of a change of policy, but we will keep this page updated with new information as it becomes available. [January 2024]

Paper FMM forms being phased out

Until recently, residents always needed to complete a paper form (FMM) , which is used by the government to record statistics. Depending on what port you exit from, this may no longer be required and officer will simply stamp your passport. See also: Phasing out of paper FMM forms .

Returning to Mexico as a legal resident

When you return, you must present the immigration official with your resident card and the exit FMM form’s date-stamped copy issued to you at exit, or the exit stamp that was placed in your passport.

Note: If you re-enter Mexico as a tourist (Visitor) when you have residency in Mexico, you at are risk of losing your legal residency status.

Lost/missing FMM form: If you were given a paper copy of the FMM and lose the half that was handed to you when you left Mexico, you’ll need to re-complete a FMM when you return to Mexico and explain to the immigration official that you lost the half that was given to you when you departed.

Lost passport with exit stamp: If you had a stamp in your passport when you left Mexico and you lose that passport, explain this to the officer when you return to Mexico. If you update your passport, take the previous (cancelled) passport with the stamp in it to show the immigration officer.

Expired residency card: If you hold a temporary residency card, be sure to check its expiry date. If you leave Mexico with an expired card, it might be confiscated at the port of exit. If you are outside of Mexico when it expires, you have a limited time frame to return to Mexico to get it renewed. See this article for details .

Mexico is phasing out paper versions of the FMM

The paper versions of the FMM are being gradually phased out and replaced with a stamp in your passport.

Read this article for further details .

Mexican nationals and naturalized foreigners

If you are in possession of Mexican passport, you will need to complete a form before you exit the country known as the Formato Estadístico para Mexicanos (FEM). The government uses this to record statistics of Mexican nationals traveling abroad.

Lost visitor/tourist permit, lost residency card

If you are visiting Mexico as a visitor/tourist and you lose your visitor’s permit, you will need to attend a local immigration office (in a town or city or at the airport) to apply for a replacement; there is a fee of around US$40 involved—the local immigration office will advise you of the current replacement fee.

Lost passport with exit stamp: If you had a stamp placed in your passport when you arrived in Mexico and you lose that passport, visit the local immigration office to explain this and to get guidance.

Updated passport: If you had a stamp placed in your passport when you arrived in Mexico and you update your passport while you are in Mexico, take the previous (cancelled) passport with the stamp in it to show the immigration officer. If you don’t have the cancelled passport visit your immigration office for guidance.

Tourist permit replacement process: You will be required to undertake some paperwork and to pay the fee. This process can take up to an entire day of your time. Take good care of your visitor’s permit and, in the event of its loss, we recommend you allow a whole day in your schedule to secure a replacement.

Lost residency cards: If you are resident in Mexico and lose your residency card, learn about how to apply for a replacement residency card in Mexico .

*If you are a passport holder of a country that is not listed on the “no visa required” list, read this article for further information and advice about applying for a visa before you travel to Mexico.

Further information

Here is some further information you may find helpful:

For a summary of the documentation required to enter Mexico, see Documents required for travel and entry to Mexico
Many people don’t need to pre-apply for a visa to visit Mexico, but some do. Read Do I need a visa to visit Mexico? for details.
You can get full details about immigration procedures on your arrival in Mexico on our comprehensive guide to Mexico Entry Requirements .

Obtaining legal residency in Mexico

For information about long-term residency, including permits for living, retirement, and working in Mexico, read this article about typical routes to obtaining residency in Mexico and download a copy of our comprehensive Mexico Immigration Guide (eBook) .

Mexico in your inbox

Our free newsletter about Mexico brings you a monthly round-up of recently published stories and opportunities, as well as gems from our archives.

22 Comments

Dear Mexperience,

I am an American holding a Residencia Permanente. I live part time in Mexico. Could you tell me the Pros and Cons of obtaining Dual Citizenship? Thank you very much.

Hi Robert, See this article for details: https://www.mexperience.com/becoming-a-naturalized-mexican/

My husband and I have decided not to exchange our temporary residency cards for permanent residency cards. This is mainly due to our advanced age (81 and 72) and the fact that we only stay in Mexico a maximum of 4-5 months per year. We are currently in Mexico and our cards expire 3 weeks before we return to Canada. Do we need permission to leave the country?? We like to avoid visiting a busy INM office during a pandemic. Your advice is very much appreciated.

Hello Maryanne,

You can leave Mexico with an expired Temporary Residency card, however you will need to pay a fine at the airtport. (Note that you’ll have to go to the bank to pay the fine, so build-in extra time for that on your departure date.) The fine varies depending on circumstances and is a maximum of $8,000 Mexican pesos.

If you want to avoid the fine, you need to leave Mexico with a non-expired residency card, or if it’s expired, you need to enter into a renewal procedure.

You can find out more about expired permits here: https://www.mexperience.com/expired-mexico-resident-permit/

Traveling to Cancun in late February, 2021. My passport expires in late July, 2021. Is that sufficient or should I renew? Thanks

Hi Elizabeth

We recommend your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry. Admision to Mexico depends on the official at the border. If your passport does not have 6 months of valid time left, and you can provide evidence of your departure before the passport expiry date, the official may allow you in.

See the blue information box on this page for more details: https://www.mexperience.com/mexico-essentials/mexico-entry-requirements/#ReqTourists

So, if you have Schengen visa, do you still need FMM filled out ?

Hi Ana, all visitors arriving in Mexico need to complete a FMM, regardless of whether they have a Schengen visa.

My brother in law is a permanent resident of the USA and living in houston. What does he need to travel By plane into mexico City and back?

Hello, I entered mexico in texas at the pharr bridge. But when i got to the other side, there were no people. I had to stop at a lift gate arm, where it seemed my picture was taken by a machine, and then the gate arm lifted and I drove on through. I kept expecting to be stopped to have my passport stamped and pay my vehicle deposit and get my forma de immigration. But there was noone there and no where to stop and no signs. Before I knew it, I was in mexico driving down the highway on my way to oaxaca amd chiapas Was there somewhere I was supposed to go? I was trying to follow the law and procedures, but somehow i dont think I did. Am I breaking the law? What comsequences can I expect? What shoukd I do? Thank you

If your vehicle has no TIP https://www.mexperience.com/temporary-import-permit-tip-vehicles-mexico/

And you don’t have a FMM https://www.mexperience.com/your-mexican-tourist-permit-fmm/

And you have driven past the ‘free zone’ then you and your vehicle are not legally present in Mexico.

You need to drive your vehicle out of Mexico and get yourself a FMM and and TIP (see links above).

We have airline tickets leaving out of Tijuana and my sons passport will not be here in time will he be able to still get the FFM permit with only a drivers license and Birth Certificate? We’re US citizens

Hello Deann, your son will need a passport to enter Mexico, and to board a flight. You can find further information here: https://www.mexperience.com/documents-required-for-travel-and-entry-to-mexico/

I am hoping to get some clarification on whether a felon from the U.S. is able to travel to Cabo. I see conflicting opinions on this so maybe you are able to give me accurate information. Are criminal records from the United States checked upon entry at the airport?

Hi Ann, You can find the answer to that question on our Immigration FAQs page here: https://www.mexperience.com/mexico-immigration-visas-faqs/

My name is Julita . Holding philippine passport. I am legally married to a mexican but his living in US..we want to live in mexico what is the best for me to do, first i need a visa . How to apply . Please i need your help. Thank you

Our Mexico Immigration Guide (free eBook download) contains detailed information about the requirements and procedures as well as the criteria: https://www.mexperience.com/ebook/mexico-immigration-guide/

If you’d like assistance with your application, consider our Immigration Assistance service; our associate can provide consulting to talk about your individual situation, suggest the best approach for your application, and also provide practical assistance as you make your way through the process–details here: https://www.mexperience.com/lifestyle/living-in-mexico/relocation-consulting-request/

Hello Mexperience. I’m in the process of buying a property in CDMX. Can I fly into Mexico to take care of things related to this purchase between Aug 1 to 9? Also, I have dual citizenship. Which is the most recommended way for traveling, as Mexican or as American? I have both passports. Thank you and look forward for some info. Regards.

Hello Jaime, There are no restrictions when you fly to Mexico, but check with the airlines for schedules and and policies they have in place. You can enter Mexico with your US or Mexican passport. There are no restrictions on American passport holders entering Mexico by plane.

Can you drive to/from Mexico without passport if you have a permanent resident card in the US?

Hi Erik, according to the current rules you need either a passport (air/land) or passport card (land only) to enter Mexico. You can find more details on this Mexperience article: https://www.mexperience.com/documents-required-for-travel-and-entry-to-mexico/

This article shares advice about what to do when you forget to give back your FMM (Visitor Permit): https://www.mexperience.com/blog/your-mexican-tourist-permit-fmm/

Comments are closed.

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How to Obtain a Mexico Tourist Card

Are you planning to visit Mexico? Mexico's exotic culture, interesting history, and delicious gastronomy draw tourists from far and wide. However, you may require a Mexico Tourist Card to enter the country.

Who must apply for the Mexico Tourist Card

All travelers who want to enter Mexico for tourism, visiting family, doing business, or other short-term purposes that will be under or up to 180 days long require a Mexico Tourist Card, even if you are from a visa-exempt country.

Although, you won’t need this form if you enter through the following airports:

Cancun International Airport (CUN)

Cozumel International Airport (CZM)

Los Cabos International Airport (SJD)

Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR)

Mexico City International Airport (MEX)

However, if you are from a country that requires a Visa, you will still need to fill in the “Forma Migratoria Multiple” regardless of the Mexican airport you’re flying into.

You do not require a tourist card to transit through Mexico if you:

Stay at the airport between flights.

Leave the country within 24 hours of arriving.

Where can I get a Mexico Tourist Card?

Obtaining a Tourist Card is relatively easy. While you can get this card at the airport or the border, applying beforehand is more accessible, saves you stress, and speeds up the airport immigration process. Apply now

How to apply for a Mexico Tourist Card online

The easiest way to apply for a Mexico Tourist Card (Land or Air) is with us! We simplified the application process into three simple steps:

Complete the simple online form with the required information and double-check it’s correct.

Choose your preferred processing option and pay the Mexico tourist card fees.

Keep an eye on your email for your completed card. Download and print it.

When you arrive in Mexico, you must present the printed Tourist Card and your passport; the immigration officer will stamp your Tourist Card, and you are good to go.

We recommend applying a few days before your trip.

Apply for a Mexico Tourist Card today!

Common errors during the Mexico Tourist Card Application

Here are some common mistakes that travelers applying for a Mexican tourist card may make and tips on how to avoid them:

Confusing the Mexico Tourist Card with the Health Declaration: The tourist card differs from the Health Declaration, which travelers are no longer required to fill out when landing at a Mexican airport or entering a land border.

Not printing out the Tourist Card or getting it stamped at the port of entry: You must have a hard copy of the card when entering Mexico! Print both pages to present them during the immigration entry process at the border. Ensure they stamp them and show them again upon departing Mexico.

Making a mistake during the application: Remember that once you submit the Mexico Tourist Card application, you cannot edit it. Applying with iVisa helps avoid these issues, as our experts verify your answers before submitting the form.

Applying for one card when traveling in a group: Each person in the group will require a tourist card. You can easily apply together on iVisa by clicking “Add Another Person” during the online process.

Not checking the visa requirements: Sometimes, you may need a visa apart from the Mexico Tourist Card. Remember, this document is not a visa. Check the visa requirements with your nearest embassy or consulate.

Mexican passport renewal: Everything you must know

Mexico Tourist Visa for Citizens of El Salvador: Apply for the Mexican Visa Now

Mexico Tourist Visa for Brazilian Citizens: Apply for the Mexican Visa Now

iVisa is NOT affiliated with any government agency. This site does not provide legal advice and we are not a law firm. None of our customer service representatives are lawyers and they also do not provide legal advice. We are a private, internet-based travel and immigration consultancy provider dedicated to helping individuals travel around the world. You may apply by yourself directly on the various government websites. The source of information: https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/finlandia/index.php/traveling/visas

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When to File Your Adjustment of Status Application for Family-Sponsored or Employment-Based Preference Visas: May 2024

Are you seeking to adjust your status and become a U.S. permanent resident under a family-sponsored or employment-based preference immigrant visa? If you have not yet had a relative or employer file an immigrant visa petition on your behalf, please learn more about the Adjustment of Status Filing Process . If you already have a petition filed or approved on your behalf, you may have to wait for an available visa in your category (if applicable) before you can file your Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status . This page will help you determine when to file your adjustment of status application.

When to File

Use the Visa Bulletin charts below to determine when to file your adjustment of status application.

To use the charts:

Find your visa type in the first column (on the left) of the appropriate chart (Family-sponsored or Employment-based).
Stay in that row and move directly to the right to find the corresponding date under the country of your birth (as listed in the boldface columns across the top).
If the date on the chart is current (“C”), or your priority date is earlier than the date on the chart, you may file your adjustment of status application, if otherwise eligible to do so.
“U” means unauthorized; for example, numbers are not authorized for issuance.

Your priority date is generally the date when your relative or employer properly filed the immigrant visa petition on your behalf with USCIS. If a labor certification is required to be filed with your immigrant visa petition, the priority date is the date the labor certification application was accepted for processing by the Department of Labor.

About the Visa Bulletin

DOS publishes current immigrant visa availability information in a monthly Visa Bulletin . The Visa Bulletin indicates when statutorily limited visas are available for issuance to prospective immigrants based on their individual priority date.

On Nov. 20, 2014, the Secretary of Homeland Security directed USCIS to work with DOS to:

Ensure that all immigrant visas authorized by Congress are issued to eligible individuals when there is sufficient demand for such visas, and
Improve the Visa Bulletin system for determining when immigrant visas are available to applicants during the fiscal year.

Additionally, in July 2015, the Administration issued its report on Modernizing and Streamlining Our Legal Immigration System for the 21st Century (PDF) . This report included detailed recommendations to revise and update the monthly Visa Bulletin to better estimate immigrant visa availability and provide needed predictability to nonimmigrant workers seeking permanent residency.

USCIS, in coordination with DOS, revised the procedures for determining visa availability for applicants waiting to file for adjustment of status. The revised process will better align with procedures DOS uses for noncitizens who seek to become U.S. permanent residents by applying for immigrant visas at U.S. consulates and embassies abroad.

This revised process will enhance DOS’s ability to more accurately predict overall immigrant visa demand in determining the cut-off dates for the Visa Bulletin. This will help ensure that the maximum number of immigrant visas are issued annually as intended by Congress, and minimize month-to-month fluctuations in Visa Bulletin final action dates. Additional goals are outlined in the White House report, Modernizing and Streamlining Our Legal Immigration System for the 21st Century (PDF) .

New Visa Bulletin Charts

The Visa Bulletin will now have two different charts because of the revised procedures. DOS will post two charts per visa preference category in the DOS Visa Bulletin. The charts are:

Application Final Action Dates (dates when visas may finally be issued); and
Dates for Filing Applications (earliest dates when applicants may be able to apply).

When USCIS determines there are immigrant visas available for the filing of additional adjustment of status applications, the Dates for Filing Applications chart may be used to determine when to file an adjustment of status application with USCIS. Otherwise, the Application Final Action Dates chart must be used to determine when to file an adjustment of status application with USCIS.

In coordination with the DOS, USCIS will monitor visa numbers each month and post the relevant chart on this page under When to File.

Determining Visa Availability

USCIS considers several factors to determine if there is a greater supply of visas than the demand for those visas. To determine visa availability, USCIS will compare the number of visas available for the remainder of the fiscal year with:

Documentarily qualified visa applications reported by DOS;
Pending adjustment of status applications reported by USCIS; and
Historical drop off rate of applicants for adjustment of status (for example, denials, withdrawals and abandonments)

COMMENTS

Mexico Tourist Card
Foreign citizens traveling to Mexico are issued an Official Entry Immigration Form (FMM) also known as Tourist Card. The online registration process is FREE, very convenient, straightforward, and to complete the process all you need is your passport and travel information. THE TOURIST CARD IS PER PERSON INCLUDING CHILDREN AND DIPLOMATIC PERSONNEL.
Instituto Nacional de Migración
El Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM) a través de las Direcciones Generales de Control y Verificación Migratoria, Administración, así como Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicaciones, respectivamente es el responsable de los datos personales que sean recabados como parte de su registro en los procesos de internación y salidas del ...
What Is a Mexican Tourist Card and How Do I Get One?
How to Get a Tourist Card in Person. If flying into Mexico, passengers will be given a tourist card and instructions for filling it out onboard their plane—the cost of a tourist card (about $25) is included in the fare, so travelers won't need to pay upon arrival. The card is stamped at customs/immigration in the Mexico airport, showing the ...
The FMM for Mexico Explained: How to Get a Tourist Card
Mexico offers visa-free entry to those who hold passports from countries on its no visa required list. Instead of a Mexican visa, visitors must obtain an FMM tourist permit (Forma Migratoria Múltiple). This document allows you to stay in Mexico for the purpose of tourism or business for up to 180 days. The FMM currently costs 685 pesos or $38.
Mexico Tourist Card (FMM) Information
You can apply for the Mexico Tourist Card online. Many decide to apply online to avoid long queues at the border. You also avoid having to carry cash for the tourist card fee. The online application can be completed in less than an hour. The FMM online requirements are the same as those for travelers who apply in person.
Mexico Tourist Card (FMM) Ultimate Guide
The Mexico tourist card aka Official Entry Immigration Form (FMM) is an immigration form that must be filled out prior to your entry in Mexico. It's a form that you will submit to immigration once you arrive at the airport and is required for every person including children. It is recommended to fill out the form and register online in order ...
Learn About Your Mexico Visitors Permit, FMM
If you arrive in Mexico by land, you will need to get a visitors permit at the port of entry; If you fly to Mexico, air crews on international flights might hand-out the visitor permit forms before the flight lands; although note that paper forms are being phased out;; Paper forms might be available at some Mexican airports, near the immigration desks, otherwise the immigration official will ...
How to Get a Mexico FMM Tourist Card • Off Path Travels
It varies depending on your method of entry, but to get an FMM tourist card for Mexico, you'll need the following: Passport (valid for the next 180 days) Completed immigration form (FMM) You may also be asked to show proof of tourist-related activities, such as hotel reservations, return flight, or tour itinerary.
Mexico Tourist Visa
A Mexico Tourist Card can be issued for a maximum of 180 days but it is the immigration officers at the point of entry who decides the number of days you are given. They can give you an FMM for 30, 60, or 90 days as opposed to the full 180. You must leave the country before the Mexico Tourist Card expires.
How to Get the Mexico FMM Form (Forma Migratoria Multiple)
The Mexico FMM Form is a paper foreign nationals must acquire if they travel to Mexico. The National Immigration Institute approves and provides this Tourist card with the objective of tourism. Visitors may procure the FMM Form either when they reach Mexico or they can get it online. The FMM Form cannot be used in place of a visa; hence ...
Official Cancun Airport Tourist Card Information for passengers
If you are visiting Mexico you need a Tourist Card which is an Entry Immigration Form that details information about your visit to Mexico. The Tourist Card is per person regardless of age and how long you will stay in Mexico. The information you provide in the Tourist Card is kept by the Mexican Immigration Authority as an official record of ...
Guide to Mexico's Tourist Card and Visas for Travelers
1. About Mexico's Tourist Card (Forma Migratoria Multiple) All international tourists entering Mexico must acquire a Tourist Card prior to entry. To apply, you need a passport that's valid for at least 6 months from your intended exit date from Mexico. If you're flying into the country, the Mexican government charges no fee for the FMM ...
How to Get Mexico Tourist Card: A Simple Guide
A Mexico tourist card, also known as a Forma Migratoria Multiple (FMM), is an official document that allows visitors to legally enter and stay in Mexico for tourism purposes. It is a mandatory requirement for most travelers, including citizens of visa-exempt countries.
Mexico Tourist Card for Land Arrivals
The Mexico Tourist Card allows a single entry with a maximum stay of 180 days, and the duration of stay permitted is determined by the immigration authorities upon arrival. If a traveler wishes to stay in Mexico beyond the granted duration, they must apply for a different type of visa or immigration status that aligns with their purpose of stay
Apply Online for a Mexico Tourist Card (FMM)
When crossing one of Mexico's land borders, the Tourist Card can be obtained by completing a simple online application form prior to traveling. This includes submitting some basic personal data, travel document details, and information about the planned trip to Mexico. The entire form takes a matter of minutes to complete.
Mexico Entry Requirements for U.S. Citizens
What U.S. Citizens Need to Travel to Mexico. American citizens must have a few essential documents to travel to Mexico. These include: US passport. FMM tourist card (for land travel) Mexican visa (if applicable) A visa for Mexico may not be required for US passport holders. This depends on the period of stay and your reason for traveling.
Mexican Tourist Cards (FMM) 2024
Tourist Card (FMM) Facts: The FMM is a document issued by Mexico's INM (Instituto Nacional de Migración) Casually called a tourist card or tourist "visa" although it is not officially a visa. Issued to U.S., Canadian and other nationalities for vacation or visitor purposes. Easily obtained at an INM office at the border or online.
Tourist Card Mexico
FMM/Tourist card for Mexico is a travel document issued by the government to all tourists or foreigners wishing to come to Mexico. Visitors must fill out an official entry immigration form (FMM) prior to their arrival. The Tourist Card is valid per person, regardless of age or length of stay in Mexico. The Mexican Immigration Authority keeps ...
Mexican Tourist Cards and How to Get One
Mexico's National Immigration Institute (INM) now allows travelers to apply for a tourist card online up to 7 days before entering Mexico. You can fill in the form and, if traveling by land, pay for the tourist card online. If you'll be traveling by air, the fee is included in your airplane ticket, so no need to pay again.
Mexico Tourist Card
The Mexico Tourist Card (FMM) is an obligatory document to obtain prior to the planned travel to Mexico. The Forma Migratoria Múltiple allows its holders to enter the country by land. The tourist card serves as a single-entry permit that enables a stay in Mexico of up to 180 days!. All foreign visitors need a tourist card to visit Mexico for tourism purposes.
Procedures for Entering and Leaving Mexico
Lost visitor/tourist permit, lost residency card. If you are visiting Mexico as a visitor/tourist and you lose your visitor's permit, you will need to attend a local immigration office (in a town or city or at the airport) to apply for a replacement; there is a fee of around US$40 involved—the local immigration office will advise you of the ...
How to Obtain a Mexico Tourist Card
The easiest way to apply for a Mexico Tourist Card (Land or Air) is with us! We simplified the application process into three simple steps: Complete the simple online form with the required information and double-check it's correct. Choose your preferred processing option and pay the Mexico tourist card fees. Keep an eye on your email for ...
When to File Your Adjustment of Status Application for Family ...
I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support; I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal; I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition; I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status

Multiple Immigration Form (FMM)

Conditions of the Forma Migratoria Múltiple obtained by electronic means

Entry Information

Multiple Immigration Form saved correctly.

Mexican Tourist Cards and How to Get One

Who Needs a Mexico Tourist Card?

The FMM for Mexico Explained: How to Get a Tourist Card

Quick Info About the FMM Tourist Card

Important note

What is an FMM Tourist Permit?

Who is Eligible for an FMM Tourist Permit and Who Needs a Visa?

Who Needs an FMM Tourist Permit?

What Documents Do I Need to Get an FMM Tourist Permit?

What Information is Required to fill out the FMM Form?

How Much Does the FMM Tourist Permit Cost

How to Pay for the FMM Tourist Permit

How Long Can You Stay with an FMM Visitor’s Permit?

How to Apply for an FMM Tourist Permit?

Entering by Land: Driving or Walking into Mexico

Arriving in Mexico by Air

Entering Mexico by Sea

Applying for an FMM Online

Frequently Asked Questions About the FMM

Can I Stay in Mexico for More than 180 Days with an FMM

How Long do I Have to Leave Mexico Before Returning for a New FMM?

What Happens if You Overstay an FMM Visitor Permit?

What if you Lose Your FMM Permit?

What if You Kept Your Visitor’s Permit When You Left Mexico?

What if I Entered Mexico Without Getting an FMM?

Can I renew or extend an FMM?

Can I Exchange an FMM for a Residency Visa?

Do I Have to Stop at the Border or Can I Get an FMM in Mexico?

Final Thoughts

Mexico Tourist Card (FMM) Ultimate Guide

What is a Mexico tourist card?

Are you eligible for a Mexico tourist card?

How to get a Mexico tourist card

Contact information

Email address

Hotel information

Filling out the tourist cards

Country of citizenship

Port of entry

Arrival and departure dates

Name or address of hotel

Contact name

Total number of people traveling to Mexico

Main contact email

Things to consider

Registration form

Coronavirus update

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Guide to Mexico’s Tourist Card and Visas for Travelers

1. About Mexico’s Tourist Card ( Forma Migratoria Multiple )

2. About Mexico’s e-Visa ( Sistema de Autorización Electrónica)

3. About Mexico’s Traditional Paper Visa

Mexico Tourist Card (FMM)

Mexico Tourist Card Requirements

Countries Eligible for Mexico

Complete the Mexico Tourist Card Application

Confirm payment for the FMM for Mexico

Receive the approved Mexico FMM

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Country policy

Visa requirements checker

Mexico Visa FAQ

What is the Mexico Tourist Card?

Is the Mexico Tourist Card required if arriving by air?

How do I apply for a Mexico Tourist Card?

What is the validity period of the Mexico Tourist Card?

How long can I stay in Mexico with the FMM?

What happens if I overstay the period granted under the FMM?

Can the Mexican Tourist Card be extended?

Who is eligible for a Mexico Tourist Card?

Can you work in Mexico with the Mexico Tourist Card?

How do I apply online for an FMM for Mexico?

What do I need to make an application for the Mexico Tourist Card?

What can I do if I make a mistake in my application?