Travel Visas to Mexico The visa policy of Mexico is generally pretty liberal in these current times where it seems in vogue for governments to attempt to raise revenue by charging ridiculous visa fees, multi-country immigration zones which give only a handful of days for each country, and short duration tourist visas. Mexico is a [...]
Published on January 9, 2010
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Travel Visas to Mexico
The visa policy of Mexico is generally pretty liberal in these current times where it seems in vogue for governments to attempt to raise revenue by charging ridiculous visa fees, multi-country immigration zones which give only a handful of days for each country, and short duration tourist visas. Mexico is a true beacon for the world traveler, as many can just show up and be given 180 days on arrival, which can be renewed by simply exiting the country and then returning. Partly due to this fact, Mexico has a lively long term traveler community.
Tourist visas
Tourists from the following countries can be given up to 180 day visas to Mexico upon arrival:
Andorra
Anguilla
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Barbados
Belgium
Belize
Bermuda
Bulgaria
Canada
Cayman Islands
Chile
Cyprus
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Faroe Islands
Finland
France
Germany
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Guam
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Republic of Korea
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Marshall Islands- Federated States of Micronesia
Monaco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Palau
Panama
Paraguay
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Romania
San Marino
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Tokelau
Trinidad and Tobago
Turks and Caicos Islands- United Kingdom
United States
U.S. Virgin Islands
Uruguay
Venezuela- Wallis and Futuna
Work Visas
Mexico’s visa policy beyond simple tourist visas gets a little more opaque. Many travelers claim that a tourist visa can be upgraded to a work visa, but this may be left up to the desecration of the issuing party.
Visa Extensions
Extended a tourist visa from within Mexico is a real hit and miss endeavorer, and often involves a little baksheesh. Most travelers find it easier to just do a visa run.
More information about travel visas
- Mexico visa overstay experience
- Do not overstay your travel visa
- How to get travel visas
- Read about travel visas on the travelogue
More information about Mexico
- Travelogue entries about Mexico
Mexico Travel Guide
Mexico Travel Guide
More Vagabond Journey.com Travel Guides
Ask questions or add comments about visas to Mexico
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About the Author: VBJ
I am the founder and editor of Vagabond Journey. I’ve been traveling the world since 1999, through 93 countries. I am the author of the book, Ghost Cities of China and have written for The Guardian, Forbes, Bloomberg, The Diplomat, the South China Morning Post, and other publications. VBJ has written 3728 posts on Vagabond Journey. Contact the author.
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4 comments… add one
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October 31, 2010, 11:33 pm
LinkMany nationalities can receive 180 day tourist visas upon entry, which can be renewed easily by doing visa runs to Guatemala, Belize, or the USA.
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November 15, 2010, 4:02 pm
LinkWell, the advantage of an FM3 is it includes a 1-yr visa, is a Mexican ID and it Mexicqn Senior Citizen Discount card, itself – Free. Actually, the FM2 confers Gringo’s a way to avoid Capital Gains Tax on property sales in Mexico and allows for a longer stay. The FM1 is the form they’re supposed to staple into your Passport, crossing the Mexican frontier and you know you get 6 months – the other ones you get a year. Not everybody needs an FM3 – just extranjero’s that don’t want to do visa runs every 6 months or want to buy a car there. You know – might see a VW Bug or a sailboat someplace in Mexico and the FM3 is the document needed first.
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November 14, 2011, 12:57 am
LinkI want to get a work visa but I’m afraid it will be super complicated. I just want to take advantage of the upcoming high season over here on the Yucatan coast but no one will hire me without papers. Ironic for an American finding it difficult to work without papers in Mexico huh? ha
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Link
Once you get away from the Yucatan things get way easier as far as work goes. In other states, such as Chiapas and Oaxaca I’ve known people who’ve gotten work visas pretty easy. Also, if you pay out a little a residency permit is not too difficult to get. Let me know how you make out.
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