Mexican Tourist Cards & Visas

Do I need a tourist card or a visa to enter Mexico?

What type of visa, or if you only need a tourist card (FM-T) depends on your reason for visiting Mexico - Tourist, Business or Resident. If you are going as a tourist, read below for the requirements. You may need a tourist card depending upon where you are visiting and how long you will stay.

Tourists/Pleasure

If the reason for your visit is for pleasure or recreation, you may only need a tourist card (known in Mexico as an FM-T). Tourist cards can be obtained quickly, usually within minutes, from an authorized agency. U.S. and Canadian citizens do not require tourist card if:

• The visit is 72 hours or less
• AND
• The visit is within the limits of a "border zone" or tourist corridor established by the Mexican government. A border zone varies slightly from one Mexican border state to another, but is an area south of the U.S. border down approximately 20 to 30 kilometers (12.4 to 18.6 miles) into Mexico.

The tourist corridors are as follows:

• Tijuana – Ensenada
• Sonoyta – Puerto Penasco
• Cuidad Juarez – Paquime
• Piedras Negras – Santarosa
• Reynosa – China – Presa el Cuchillo

You should get a tourist card if you will be traveling south of any of the above corridors, or south of Mexicali on Highway 5. For non-American or non-Canadian citizens, please contact the Mexican consulate for the most current requirements.

It is important to note that in the case of Baja California even though you can take your vehicle to the end of the peninsula without a vehicle permit (see vehicle importation regulations) you must have a tourist card if you plan to travel south of Maneadero.

What type of ID and documentation do I need to bring with me?

• U.S. and Canadian Citizens
  If you are a U.S. or Canadian citizen you will need to have proof of citizenship and photo identification to present to the Mexican Government officials for them to issue the appropriate entry document. A passport is recommended. In some cases this can make the process faster and easier.

  OR

  One of the following with your photo ID:
  • Original or certified birth certificate
  • Naturalization Certificate
  • Consular Report of Birth Abroad
  • Certificate of Citizenship
  Valid types of photo ID:
  • Driver's license
  • Military ID
  • Canadians may present the Canadian ID Card
  Keep in mind that for those of you returning to the U.S., U.S. officials may ask for these documents to grant readmission. Driver's permits or voter registration cards will not work.

  If you are in need of a certified copy of your birth certificate, visit the National Center for Health Statistics website. They have a database full of information on who to contact to get one.

• Other Nationalities
  If you are a citizen of another country and traveling to Mexico from the U.S. the Mexican officials will need to see your valid passport and a U.S. Alien Registration card.

How do I obtain a tourist card (FMT)?

For the most part, tourists who drive across obtain their tourist card from an immigration office at a border crossing point. They are also available from Mexican consulates, some Mexican tourism offices, border zone airports, airlines flying to Mexico, and other ports.

Tourist cards cost $225.00 pesos (just over US $20) and can be issued for up to 180 days. It is advisable to have your card valid for 180 days even if you don't plan on staying in Mexico that long. It is easier to already have the time granted to you than extend your card later if you stay longer.

Before the tourist card is fully issued, you will be sent to the bank next door to pay for it and come back with the receipt to show the immigration official. The immigration office at San Ysidro and the bank are open 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Tourist cards are issued per person including minors and infants at this time, although this may change.

Tourist Card Tips:

• Make sure that the Mexican officials stamp your card.
• Keep your card in a safe place where you won't tend to lose it. It is better not to keep it on your person.
• Write your tourist card number down and keep it separate from your actual card. If you lose your card, this will help to expedite the situation with immigration.
• If you do lose your card, you will need to go to a local immigration office to obtain a new one.

Traveling with Minors

If a minor (person under 18 years old) is traveling with only one parent or another person it is necessary to bring a notarized letter signed by the absent parent(s) stating that the minor is permitted to travel with whomever they are traveling. If the parents are divorced, proof of sole and physical custody must be presented. If one parent is deceased, a death certificate is required.