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Everything you need to know about the Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM) — from costs and procedures to insider tips from our sources at Mexico's National Migration Institute.
The Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM) is an admission document issued by Mexico's Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM). Although it's casually called a "tourist card" or "tourist visa," it is not officially a visa.
The FMM is issued to U.S., Canadian, and other eligible nationalities for tourism, business, or visitor purposes. It can be valid for up to 180 days and is required for every person entering Mexico — including children. There is no "tourist zone" or 72-hour exemption in Mexican immigration law. An FMM is required to travel anywhere in Mexico — including the Baja border region — regardless of how short your visit.
| Scenario | Cost | Maximum Stay |
|---|---|---|
| Stay of 7 days or less, entering by land | Free | 7 days |
| Stay of 8 – 180 days, entering by land | $983 MXN (~$55 USD) | 180 days |
| Entering by air (International flights into Mexico) | Included in airfare | 180 days |
| Entering by CBX (Bridge Crossing For Flight Passengers Only at Tijuana Airport TIJ) | $983 MXN (~$55 USD) | 180 days |
You have two options: apply online or get one at the border. Either way, your FMM must be stamped at an INM office at the border to be valid.
Get your FMM before you go through customs. Park in the declaration parking lot before crossing. If you have nothing to declare, inform the officials and collect your FMM first.
U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport or passport card. The FMM form asks for the following information as it appears on your passport:
Make sure you select the correct purpose of trip — either "business" or "tourist." Putting the wrong category could cause a problem with INM officials later.
For citizens of other countries, check the INM's official lists: Countries that require a visa · Countries that do not require a visa
By law, the FMM is technically valid for a single entry — the INM Circular and the online portal both state the FMM may be used for "una sola internación." However, the INM Regional Delegate is currently permitting multiple crossings — both pedestrian and vehicle — under a single FMM at Baja California land ports of entry, as long as the FMM has not expired. This means you can exit and reenter Mexico on the same FMM without obtaining a new one each time. Note that multiple entry use of the FMM only applies to land crossings and is not honored at CBX or for air travel.
Beyond the 180-day period, the FMM cannot be renewed or extended for standard tourists and business visitors. There is, however, no regulation that prohibits you from exiting Mexico after your FMM expires (or before) and then reentering to obtain a new FMM for another 180-day period.
The number of days granted on any FMM is at the discretion of the immigration officer (Article 43, Ley de Migración). You cannot extend an FMM for more days.
If you cross frequently, tell the officer that you need the FMM for the full 180 days and they should normally grant it.
At this time, officials are not checking for FMMs when driving across the border. However, there are can be immigration checkpoints on the highways. If you don't have a valid FMM, you may be turned around. You will also be required to present a valid FMM if you are crossing by foot - if you don't have one, you will need to have your passport or passport card and obtain one at the border crossing
Consistent checkpoint
At the state line
At the Baja California / Baja California Sur state line on Highway 1 near Guerrero Negro
At the base of the Rumorosa mountain on Highway 2; mainly check passenger buses, not private vehicles
At checkpoints, officers will check your immigration documents. If you don't have them, they'll verify your identity against their system. If you abuse the system, you won't be given another permit. Penalties are at the officer's discretion and can range from a warning (you are logged in the system) to being banned from reentry for a period or even physical deportation — which can involve detention. Enforcement at this level against U.S. citizens would be very rare.
According to the INM Regional Delegate, returning the FMM is not necessary in Baja California if you traveled by land. Although the back of the FMM says to return it, there is no procedure for how or where to return it when crossing by land.
The federal INM delegate in other regions may require that you turn it in and get an exit stamp. If you are not in the Baja Peninsula, check with your local INM office.
If you lose your FMM, visit the nearest INM office to obtain a replacement. Keep a note of your FMM number in case of loss or theft.
Take a photo of your FMM on your phone immediately after you receive it. Write down your FMM number and keep it in a separate location from the document itself.
Technically, yes. Mexican immigration law requires an FMM for all foreign visitors regardless of the length of stay. There is no 72-hour exemption in the law. If your trip is 7 days or less and you enter by land, the FMM is free.
Yes, for land crossings only. A passport card can be used to obtain an FMM at the border. However, a passport card cannot be used for air travel into Mexico or travel to the interior of the country by air.
Yes — no vehicle import permit (TIP) is needed for travel anywhere in the Baja California peninsula. However, you still need an FMM. See vehicle importation regulations for mainland Mexico.
No. The FMM for visitors without paid-activity permission (tourists and business visitors) is not renewable under the Lineamientos para trámites y procedimientos migratorios. Your options are to exit and reenter Mexico for a new FMM, or to apply for a change of immigration status (e.g., Residente Temporal) before your FMM expires.
Overstaying puts you in irregular immigration status. You may face fines, be logged in INM's system, and could have difficulty obtaining future FMMs. In serious cases, you could be detained and deported. If you realize you've overstayed, visit the nearest INM office to resolve your situation.
No. Tourist cards are no longer available at Mexican consulates. You can only obtain an FMM online or at an INM office at the border or airport.
Sources: INM (gob.mx/inm) · Ley de Migración · Reglamento de la Ley de Migración · INM Regional Delegate Interview · Ley Federal de Derechos
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