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FAQs:
How to Enter and Exit Mexico

FAQs: How to Enter and Exit Mexico 2025

Updated March 29, 2023

Below are useful guidelines on what is required or recommended to make your visit to Baja and return home smooth.

What is a Mexican tourist card (FMM)?
The FMM is known casually as a Mexican tourist card or tourist visa (although it is not officially a visa). The FMM stands for Forma Migratoria Múltiple, and is an immigration form tourist need to legally visit Mexico. The FMM is easily obtained at INM (Instituto Nacional de Migración) offices in Mexico, for example at the border or online. Please visit our Mexican tourist card (FMM) page for more detailed information.
Do I need a Mexican tourist card (FMM)?
If you are visiting Mexico from the U.S. or Canada as a tourist or as a visitor, Mexican Immigration authorities legally require a Mexican tourist card (FMM). When driving across the border, authorities do not enforce getting an FMM, but it is still a legal requirement.

For citizens of other countries, it is best to contact a nearby Mexican consulate.

What documents do I need to get a Mexican tourist card (FMM)?
Mexican authorities require a valid U.S. or Canadian passport or a passport card to issue a tourist card (FMM).
Is my driver's license valid in Mexico?
Yes. Mexico recognizes licenses from other countries as well as international driver's licenses.
Do I need a vehicle permit to drive to Mexico?
There is no permit requirement for visiting the entire peninsula of Baja. There is a permit requirement to travel into mainland Mexico or if you will take the ferry from Baja to the mainland. Visit our vehicle permit page for more information on how to obtain a Mexican vehicle permit.
Will my health or medical insurance cover me in Mexico?
Maybe. Call your provider to understand what will be covered while you travel into Mexico. Low cost, daily international travel medical policies are available online from many reputable companies and may include emergency air evacuation coverage.
How can I cross into the U.S. faster and avoid the border line?
Join the SENTRI program, or get a passport card to use the Ready Lane, or get a Border Fast Pass. The SENTRI lanes are dedicated lanes for enrolled vehicles and passengers. The wait to cross, especially on weekends and rush hour, is greatly reduced. The Ready Lanes are also dedicated lanes only for holders of RFID technology cards, like the passport card, SENTRI, and others. The Border Fast Pass is a one use coupon that can be obtained from various venues such as hotels and medical centers in Tijuana, Rosarito and Ensenada that allows you entry to a special lane with less border wait. Read more about the Border Fast Pass.

Read more about each way in our article: Three Ways to Cross the Border Faster!

What personal items are allowed into Mexico?

According to Mexican customs officials (SAT Mexico), generally you may bring your personal luggage, personal belongings and other goods subject to a specific exemption limit when crossing by land. The current exemption is $300 for land travel.

For a detailed list of goods allowed into Mexico along with the latest exemption limit, visit SAT's article Luggage and Duty Exemption.

What goods are not allowed to take to Mexico? View SAT's articles: Restricted Goods and Goods You Cannot Bring to Mexico.

Read more about bringing personal items into Mexico and how to cross the border.

What is allowed to bring back to the U.S.?

Generally, you may bring back your belongings and up to U.S. $800 in items acquired outside of the U.S. Certain items like handicrafts are not counted towards the U.S. $800 exemption and can be brought across as long as they are for personal use.

For comprehensive information on what you may bring back, view CBP's article Are You Planning a Trip to Mexico from the United States?

You may be interested in our article: U.S. Customs and Border Protection regulations about returning to the U.S.

Is Mexican auto insurance legally required?
Yes. U.S. auto insurance policies cannot, by Mexican law, prove your financial responsibility to the Mexican authorities. Therefore, you need at least a liability only policy to fulfill the legal requirement in case of an accident. Full coverage policies are also available with optional partial theft and vandalism coverage. Get a quote or buy a policy.
May I take a rented vehicle into Baja and may I buy Mexican insurance through Baja Bound?

Maybe. Rental companies have different policies regarding taking their vehicles to Baja. It is important to follow their guidelines since they are the owner of the vehicle. There are plenty of agencies that will allow you to take a vehicle to Mexico. It is recommended that the rental contract states that the vehicle may go to Mexico.

Some rental companies offer the Mexican insurance through us and others will sell you a policy through a company that they partner with. It is important to ask the agency before purchasing insurance through Baja Bound.

View rental agencies we work with

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About Our Sources
We work hard to maintain the validity and accuracy of the information we provide in our Before You Go guide to traveling into Mexico, and coming back to the United States. We source our information through government websites and the direct relationships we have with community and government leaders both in the United States and Mexico. Our team is based in San Diego and crosses the US/Mexico border often. Additionally we are involved with advocating for a better border crossing experience through our work with the Smart Border Coalition and regional chambers of commerce. Please contact us with questions or corrections.
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Fast, easy and affordable if you need short term insurance when going to drive in Mexico!...

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Prior to my retirement, our family would travel to Mexico frequently. Since we would do so by car...