How to get Mexico visa? The requirements to enter Mexico depend on your nationality. Having legal residence in certain countries also makes things easier for you and can free you from the visa, such as Latin American and European countries, since they have agreements with Mexico that exempt their citizens from the visa process.
As in other countries, the officials in charge of controlling entry into Mexico perform a filtering function in which only travellers who comply with their immigration laws and who, in their opinion, are not travelling for hidden reasons enter.
So if you are wondering do I need a visa to go to Mexico, then keep reading because here we tell you everything.
Countries that do not require a visa to travel to Mexico
If you come from any of the Mexico visa free countries, that means that you can enter Mexico as a tourist, but you cannot legally work there. Still, you are exposed to some of the following requirements to enter the country:
1. National identity document and passport with a minimum validity of 6 months.
2. Airplane tickets out of the country within the authorized period of 180 days (open tickets or reservations are not allowed).
3. Confirmed hotel reservations or invitation letter from a friend or relative where the address is specified.
4. Reason for the trip. In the case of being a tourist, you must have an itinerary with reservations which you can do in advance online. If your reason is to attend conferences or take courses, you must also have documents that prove your attendance at these places.
5. Tourist card known as FMM in Spanish (Forma Migratoria Multiple). You must show it at your entry since the immigration officers keep half of that document, and you will have to show it again when you leave the country, so do not lose it.
Keep in mind that cell phone use at the airport is not usually allowed, so take all your printed documents. Also, if you want to know how much is Mexico visa fee, then do not worry.
Mexico Tourist Visa: What do you need to know?
If you come from a country that is not on the above list, you must be wondering do I need a visa to go to Mexico? So the answer is yes. This means that to get the Mexico tourist visa, and you will have to follow the next steps:
1. You must schedule your Mexico visa appointment first.
2. Check the requirements according to your travel reason.
3. Print the double-sided Mexico visa application form (1 sheet).
4. Meet all the requirements.
5. Go to your appointment at the Mexican Embassy or Consulate of your country on the day and time indicated. You must present the proof of appointment confirmation at the entrance of the Consular section.
Mexico Visa Application: Requirements
The day you will have the Mexico visa appointment, in addition to bringing the duly completed Mexico visa application to the Mexican Embassy of your country, you must bring the following documents:
- Original passport and copy (valid for a minimum of 6 months at the time of travel)
- National identity card and resident card copies in case you are not in your country of origin
- A colour photo, white background, uncovered face, without glasses, size 4.5 x 3.5 cm
- Financial solvency: Original and copy of the documents that demonstrate that you have a job or pension with monthly income and proof of stable employment with a minimum of one year of seniority
- Original and copy of proof of investments or bank accounts with an average monthly balance
Who can get this visa?
Tourists, transmigrants, business people, students, technicians, scientists, artists and athletes, minister of worship or religious associate, correspondents and others. On the other hand, this visa has valid for 180 days, and according to the Mexico visa policy, the cost of Mexico visa is between USD 15 to 35, depending on where you are coming from.
Mexico Student Visa: Less than 180 days or short-term visa
How to get Mexico visa if you want to study in this country for no longer than 180 days? Just check the following requirements:
- Passport with a valid validity of 6 months and its copy
- National identity document or resident card in case you are living in a country other than yours, and its copy
- A recent passport size photo with a white background (must be recent)
- Complete and print the Mexico visa application form
- Original and copy of the acceptance letter from an institution belonging to the Mexican Educational System to carry out courses, studies or research projects or academic or professional training on the institution's letterhead, specifying:
- Applicant's full name and nationality.
- Level, degree and area of study that the applicant intends to carry out.
- Name of the course or academic activity in which the applicant has been accepted.
- Start and end date of the course or academic activity.
- Tuition cost for the course or academic activity.
- Identification data and official registration of the institution.
- Economic solvency to cover the amount of tuition, accommodation and living expenses accredited by original and copy of investments proof or bank accounts with a balance
According to the Mexico visa policy, the cost of student visa for less than 180 days has a cost of USD 35, but it can be less. Also, all the processes can take around 15 working days, but you can get it faster too.
Mexico Student Visa: More than 180 days or long-term visa
How much is Mexico visa fee for those who want a student long term visa? The cost of Mexico visa for more than 180 days is between USD 15 to 35, and the processing time can take around 20 working days (but sometimes, you can get it before).
This visa can be applied by foreigners who will travel to Mexico to carry out courses, studies, research projects or training in educational institutions belonging to the National Educational System whose duration is not more than 1 year (you cannot work). However, the visa is renewed in Mexico annually if the stay is longer than one year and as long as the studies are continued.
In this case, after having an appointment, you will need to present the following documents in the Mexican Embassy or consulate of your country:
- Passport with a valid validity of 6 months and its copy
- National identity document or resident card in case you are living in a country other than yours, and its copy
- A recent passport size photo with a white background (must be recent)
- Complete and print the Mexico visa application form
- Original and copy of the acceptance letter from an institution belonging to the Mexican Educational System to carry out courses, studies or research projects or academic or professional training on the institution's letterhead, specifying:
- Applicant's full name and nationality.
- Level, degree and area of study that the applicant intends to carry out.
- Name of the course or academic activity in which the applicant has been accepted.
- Start and end date of the course or academic activity.
- Tuition cost for the course or academic activity.
- Identification data and official registration of the institution.
- Economic solvency to cover the amount of tuition, accommodation and living expenses accredited by original and copy of investments proof or bank accounts with the balance
Important: The economic solvency proof may be accredited by the person applying for the visa, by one of your parents or by whoever exercises parental authority or guardianship, provided that you are not older than 25 years, or by means of the original letter from the institution/university that certifies that you have been the beneficiary of a scholarship.