Visitor visa for Mexico
General Information
A visitor visa allows you to stay in Mexico for a period of up to 180 days if carrying out any unpaid activities. This includes tourism, volunteering, studying courses shorter than 6 months, transit and attending business meetings, among others, as long as you are absolutely sure that no monetary earnings will be derived from your activities in Mexico.



All visas are processed at the Mexican Embassy in Canberra (14 Perth Avenue, Yarralumla, ACT 2600). The physical presence of the applicant at the Embassy is an absolute requirement.



Do I need a Visitor Visa?
Australian passport holders do not require a visa to enter Mexico as tourists for a period of less than 180 days.

Citizens of the countries listed here do not require a Mexican visitor visa to enter Mexico for business, tourism, short studies (under 6 months) or transit.

You can check the list of the countries that do require a Mexican visitor visa here.

If you have a valid multiple entry US visa, you can use it to enter Mexico for up to 180 days without a Mexican Visitor Visa, as long as your US visa is valid during your stay and you do not work while in Mexico.



If you are a Permanent Resident of the following countries, you do not need a visitor visa to enter Mexico as a tourist/visitor, as long as you can provide proof of your permanent residence:

Canada

United States

United Kingdom

Japan

Any country of the Schengen Space

If you are a business person within the APEC region (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) and have a APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC), you do not need a visa to enter Mexico as a visitor/business for up to three months.



If the exemptions do not apply, you will need to apply for a Mexican Visitor Visa.



Requirements

1. Visa application form, which can be downloaded here.



2. Current passport with a minimum validity left of six months.



3. One passport size photograph with white background and visible facial traits (i.e. the hair not to cover the face)



4. Copy of valid Australian visa, either stamped or electronic (for non-Australian citizens), as proof that you are legally residing in Australia.

NOTE: All applicants must be legally in Australia at the moment of applying for a Mexican visa.

5. ONE of the following documents:

a) Bank statements of the last three months, counting backwards from the day of the appointment (for example, if the appointment is on March 15th, the statements have to cover at least from December 15th to March 15th). The average monthly balance must be over 300 minimum wages in Mexico City ($30,804 MXN, equivalent to approximately $2,300 AUD).

b) Payment slips of the last three months AND a letter of your employer stating that you’ve been working for that particular company or at least one year. The monthly income must be over 100 minimum wages in Mexico City ($10,268 MXN, equivalent to approximately $760 AUD). You must also show bank statements stamped by your bank showing the transfer of the salary into your account.

c) If you are currently studying in Australia, proof of enrolment at a university/school AND a document showing that you have a steady job, a pension or a scholarship, including your monthly income of the last three months (salary, allowances, pension or scholarship). The monthly income for students must be over 60 minimum wages in Mexico City ($6,160 MXN, equivalent to approximately $ 460 AUD).

d) Ownership of real state property in Australia for a minimum of two years AND a letter of your employer stating that you’ve been working for that particular company for a minimum of two years.

e) Ownership of real state property in Australia for a minimum of two years AND an official document stating the ownership or your participation in a business/company for at least two years.

f) If you are invited by an organisation, public or private institution in Mexico, you will need to show the following:
i. An invitation letter for an event or a non-remunerated activity. The letter must state your name and nationality, name of the organisation or institution, official registry number of the organisation, objective of the organisation, details of the activity or project intended in Mexico, as well as the estimated duration or dates of the planned activities. It also has to specify the commitment of the organisation to cover for your expenses whilst in Mexico. A copy of official ID with signature and photograph of the person signing the letter will be required.
ii. In order to show that the organisation that invited you has the financial solvency to cover your expenses, it is necessary to present a proof of investments or bank statements of the organisation with a monthly average of 1,000 of minimum wages in Mexico City ($102,680 MXN, equivalent to $7,600 AUD) during the last 12 months. Public and private institutions that are part of National Education System (i.e. schools and universities), won’t need to provide proof of financial solvency.
iii. Proof of professional skills, experience, abilities or necessary knowledge to perform the activities that you have been invited for.



g) If you have been accepted to study a short course in Mexico (under 180 days):

· Acceptance letter from any institution from the National Education System, to attend a course, study, research project, academic or professional program, for a term of 180 days or shorter. The letter must have the Institution’s letterhead and specify the following details of the applicant: full name and nationality, level and study program, name of the course you’ve been accepted to, estimated duration or dates of the academic activities as well as the cost of the course and the official registration number of the academic institution.

· Proof of financial solvency to cover the cost of tuition and living expenses. You will need to show proof of investments or bank statements with a monthly average income of 150 minimum wages in Mexico City ($15,402 MXN equivalent to $1,200 AUD approximately) during the last 3 months. Or documents showing that you have a steady job, a pension or a scholarship (for example, payslips), that shows a monthly income of at least 100 minimum wages in Mexico City ($10,268 MXN, equivalent to approximately $760 AUD) in the last three months. If the applicant is under 25 years old, the financial solvency, can be accredited the parents, partner or tutor. You can also present the academic institution’s letter that states that you have been granted with a scholarship or a letter from your financial institution that confirms you have the requested founds.

h) If you are travelling for a humanitarian cause, scientific research or recollection of samples in national territory, or to participate in an event sponsored by Mexican Federal Government, please send an email to consularaus@sre.gob.mx, to know the specific requirements for your visa.

IMPORTANT: Documents that are neither in Spanish nor in English need to be accompanied by a certified translation into Spanish. Furthermore, any official documents that are not issued by Australian authorities need to be legalized/apostilled.

6. Cover the visa fee by electronic transfer on the day of the appointment or in cash, exact change (no card payments are accepted).

How to apply
1. Choose a date and time for your appointment via MEXITEL: https://mexitel.sre.gob.mx/citas.webportal/pages/public/login/login.jsf. Note that you can change the language of MEXITEL by clicking on the flags on the upper right corner.

2. On the day of the appointment, you will be required to appear before the Mexican Embassy with your passport, visa application form and supporting documents for a consular interview. There is no visa processing done online or through post. If the applicant is a minor, the parents will need to appear as well, showing the minor’s birth certificate.

NOTE: The original passport, application, photograph and all supporting documents will have to be brought to the embassy on the day of the appointment

3. On the day of the appointment the documents will be reviewed, the biometric data (photograph and fingerprints) will be taken and there will be a consular interview. If the documents are complete and the consular interview is successful, the visa will be issued on the same day.

Consular Fees
· Consular fees are updated every month and you are required to check the updated fee before your appointment here.

· Visa fees, regardless if the visa is issued or denied, must be paid on the day of the appointment.

· Visa fees will have to be paid by electronic transfer on the day of the appointment or in cash, exact amount. Card payments are not accepted

Important information to take under consideration
· The requirements shown above are the minimum requirements to apply for a visa. It is strongly advised that if you have further evidence to support your visa application, you carry it with you on the day of your appointment.

· Submitting the minimum requirements of the visa application does not mean that the visa will be approved. Further information might be requested by the Consular agent in charge of processing your application

· Due to high demand, we advise that you start your tourist visa application at least ONE month ahead of your planned travel date.

· We strongly advise NOT to make any travel arrangements until a decision on your visa has been made. The embassy will not take any responsibility for any plane tickets purchased before your visa has been approved.

· If you are visiting Mexico sponsored by a Mexican public or private institution, please contact the Consular Section (consularaus@sre.gob.mx) to learn the requirements for your visa.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do I need an appointment to apply for visas?
Yes. It is essential that you make an appointment for all visa applications.

As an Australian or New Zealand citizen, do I need a visa to enter Mexico?
If you are an Australian or New Zealand Passport holder, you do NOT require a visa to enter Mexico as a tourist for a period of up to 180 days.

For other nationalities, please refer to the section Do I need a Visitor Visa?

Can I provide proof of economic solvency for someone else’s visa application?
You can only provide proof of economic solvency for yourself, your spouse and/or your children under 18 years old. If you are currently holding or applying for a Mexican visitor visa, your spouse/children will need to include as part of their visa applications either the marriage certificate (for spouses) or birth certificate (for children), along with the rest of the supporting documents, including the bank statements or payslips under your name for the last three months (read the Requirements section)

My family and I would like to visit Mexico. Do all members of the family need to come to the embassy?
Yes. All applicants must submit their original documentation in person. If the applicant is under 18 years of age, he or she must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Documents that are neither in Spanish nor in English need to be accompanied by a certified translation into Spanish. Furthermore, any official documents that are not issued by Australian authorities need to be legalized/apostilled.

Can I work in Mexico on a visitor visa?
You cannot work in Mexico on a visitor visa.

Are there any additional requirements to enter Mexico as a tourist?
No fixed amount of money or return ticket is needed to enter Mexico. However, be aware that upon your entrance, immigration officers might ask to provide evidence that you have a) enough money to support yourself during your stay, and that there is b) sufficient reason to believe that you will leave the country, if entering as a tourist.

Ultimately, it is the decision of the immigration officer to allow or refuse entrance to Mexico, even if you carry with you a valid visa.

What is the FMM and do I need it prior to my travel to Mexico?
The Multiple Migratory Form (FMM) is a document completed by every foreigner entering Mexico that serves as a proof of their legal stay in the country.

If you are travelling by air, it will be given to you by the airline when entering the country. It can also be obtained at the counters of the airport, before passing through Migration. If you are entering by land, it will be given to you at the point of entry.

You will need to keep the FMM with you during your stay in Mexico and give it back when leaving the country, either to the airline (when leaving by air) or to the Migration authorities (when leaving by land).

If you are entering by land, when you fill your FMM you will be required to pay $500 pesos for the migratory fee. If you are entering by air, the cost is already included in your flight ticket.

Although you will receive a FMM upon entry into Mexico, you can also fill out and print the electronic FMM up to 30 days prior to your travel into Mexico: https://www.inm.gob.mx/fmme/publico/en/solicitud.html.

What should I do if I lost my FMM?
You should contact the nearest office of the National Migration Institute (INAMI) to request a replacement form. More information here (in Spanish): https://www.gob.mx/tramites/ficha/reposicion-de-documento-migratorio/INM819

Can I extend or renew my visitor visa?
No, visitor visas cannot be extended or renewed without leaving the country at the end of the 180 days period.

Can I convert my visitor visa to a work visa while in Mexico?
No. You must first find a Mexican employer that is willing to sponsor your temporary residence visa (with work permit) application at the National Institute of Migration (INAMI). The employer must request the visa on your behalf to the INAMI. You can remain in the country during processing but once it is accepted by the INAMI, you will have to leave the country, obtain your visa at any Mexican embassy or consulate, and return to the country with the temporary resident work visa on your passport.

If my flight to Mexico has a layover in the US, do I need a US visa?
Be aware most flights departing from Australia into Mexico have layovers in the United States, so in most cases you will need to apply for a US visa (even if it is only for transit). For further information, contact the consular authorities of the United States.

If a multiple entry US visa is granted (this includes transit visas), you will be able to use it to enter Mexico (this does not apply for ESTA or electronic authorizations for travel into the US).

Do I need a student visa if I am going to Mexico on exchange or for a short study program?
If you have an Australian passport, you do not need a visa to enter Mexico to undertake study or courses only if the total length of the stay in Mexico does not exceed 180 days. However, if your studies will exceed 180 days, you will need to apply for a student visa. A student visa would only be issued if the letter from the educational institution in Mexico clearly states that the length of your studies exceeds the 180 days period.

If I want to conduct business in Mexico, do I need a business visa?
If you are a business person within the APEC region (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) and have a APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC), you do not need a visa to enter Mexico as a visitor/business for up to three months.

My passport is about to expire. Can I apply for a visa?
Your passport must be valid for at least six months after date of entry in Mexico. This applies for all visas, including business visas, tourist visas, temporary residence visas and student visas.

How can I apply for a transit visa?
There are no transit visas for Mexico. If you have a flight with a layover in Mexico, you will need to either a) have a valid Mexican visa b) hold a passport issued by a country listed here or c) comply with one of the exceptions to enter Mexico without a visitor visa. For more information, refer to the section Do I need a Visitor Visa?

Information Source: https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/
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