 |  |
Everything you need to know about the Forma Migratoria Múltiple — from costs and procedures to insider tips from 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 "free zone" or 72-hour exemption in Mexican immigration law. According to the federal INM delegate, 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 (commercial flight) | Included in airfare | 180 days |
| Entering by air (private/charter flight) | $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 you cross through. If you don't have anything to declare, tell them that and get 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 can create problems at checkpoints.
For citizens of other countries, check the INM's official lists: Countries that require a visa · Countries that do not require a visa
Request the full 180 days even if your trip is shorter. It's easier to already have the time than to try to extend it later. The number of days granted is at the discretion of the immigration officer.
By regulation, 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 in Baja California is allowing reentry under the same FMM at Baja California ports of entry, up to its expiration date.
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.
This applies only to land crossings. You will need a new FMM every time you go through CBX (Cross Border Xpress) or if you enter by air.
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). If you cross frequently, tell the officer that you need the FMM for the full 180 days and they should normally grant it. If your crossing pattern suggests you're living in Mexico rather than visiting, an agent can deny you a new permit.
At this time, officials are not frequently checking for FMMs when driving across the border. However, there are immigration checkpoints on the highways. If you don't have a valid FMM, you may be turned around.
Consistent checkpoint
At the state line
At the Baja California / Baja California Sur state line
At the base; mainly checks 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, but you are on the record.
According to INM, 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
Updated 2026 © Baja Bound Insurance Services, Inc. · CA License 0D25373
Easy to use interface with multiple insurance options for daily, 6 months or yearly. Pick and...
Quick and easy insurance, works great. Love the directions on the website to assist getting back...
This was another trip for me to Baja. It was better than ever. I was really trusting Baja Bound...
