Feb 26, 2013, 9:39 am
Last edit by: Need
Please edit or add information to this wiki as necessary.
The immigration requirements herein apply particularly to US Citizens and residents, though Canadian requirements are similar and listed in a following post (#6). Citizens of other countries should use the TIMATIC link below to determine entry requirements for Mexico; TIMATIC is what the airlines use to see if you have met the entry requirements of your transit and destination countries (and whether you will board or not).
Visitors may be issued "Forma Migratoria Múltiple para Extranjeros", but most will arrive with FMMs printed previously. You can see the requirements for visitors to Mexico and have the FMM emailed to you at https://www.mexicotouristcard.com.
The document, abbreviated "FMM" or often called "TOURIST CARDS", are valid for UP TO 180 days (but check how many days you are given by the admitting immigration officer). You must retain the portion returned to you and turn it in upon leaving México. Lose it and you will be delayed (required to fill out paperwork) and fined.
Link to Mini-Guide for Passengers Arriving by Airplane (PDF, Spanish)
You can easily download the immigration form from the web, fill it out and turn it in. You’ll still need to retain one portion to turn it in on departure, and you’ll still have to fill out a separate customs form. See this thread.
These requirements could theoretically change at any time; please check with the INM link shown below, as this thread may not be up to date and relied upon for specific Mexican government requirements, though the OP will attempt to keep it up to date. PLEASE READ THE OP THOROUGHLY.
See this official page to learn what you can, and can not, import into Mexico
Updated 12/7/2022
While trying to fill out the FMM online, the following "New Advisory" showed up:
The immigration requirements herein apply particularly to US Citizens and residents, though Canadian requirements are similar and listed in a following post (#6). Citizens of other countries should use the TIMATIC link below to determine entry requirements for Mexico; TIMATIC is what the airlines use to see if you have met the entry requirements of your transit and destination countries (and whether you will board or not).
Visitors may be issued "Forma Migratoria Múltiple para Extranjeros", but most will arrive with FMMs printed previously. You can see the requirements for visitors to Mexico and have the FMM emailed to you at https://www.mexicotouristcard.com.
The document, abbreviated "FMM" or often called "TOURIST CARDS", are valid for UP TO 180 days (but check how many days you are given by the admitting immigration officer). You must retain the portion returned to you and turn it in upon leaving México. Lose it and you will be delayed (required to fill out paperwork) and fined.
Link to Mini-Guide for Passengers Arriving by Airplane (PDF, Spanish)
You can easily download the immigration form from the web, fill it out and turn it in. You’ll still need to retain one portion to turn it in on departure, and you’ll still have to fill out a separate customs form. See this thread.
These requirements could theoretically change at any time; please check with the INM link shown below, as this thread may not be up to date and relied upon for specific Mexican government requirements, though the OP will attempt to keep it up to date. PLEASE READ THE OP THOROUGHLY.
See this official page to learn what you can, and can not, import into Mexico
Updated 12/7/2022
While trying to fill out the FMM online, the following "New Advisory" showed up:
If you are flying IN and OUT of the following airports:
There are a few exceptions:
- Cancun International Airport (CUN)
- Cozumel International Airport (CZM)
- Los Cabos International Airport (SJD)
- Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR)
- Mexico City International Airport (MEX)
There are a few exceptions:
- If you are flying to/from ANY OTHER airport in Mexico NOT listed above, then you may still need to fill out the Immigration Form "manually" when you arrive or depart from another airport in Mexico.
- If you are visiting from a country that requires a VISA, then you still need to fill out the form. Please be aware that for the airports listed ABOVE you will need to fill out the form "manually" upon your arrival to Mexico.
- If you are NOT a "visitor," for example, a permanent resident in Mexico, then you still need to follow the normal arrival procedures as before.
Requirements for visiting Mexico 🇲🇽 as a tourist (FMM, "tourist card", visa, etc.)
Oct 1, 2013, 8:23 pm
#16
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
I'm coming from Britain on a UK passport, first into Mia, and then onwards to CUN by air, and finally going back to the UK direct from CUN. its a 2 week vacation in total.
I'm entering the US on the US Visa Waiver program. (i.e. I won't have a visa)
I'm assuming I just fill in the relevant customs/ immigration forms on the AA flight to CUN ?
Is it really a requirement to have a prescription for standard meds such as BP tabs and statins ?
I'm entering the US on the US Visa Waiver program. (i.e. I won't have a visa)
I'm assuming I just fill in the relevant customs/ immigration forms on the AA flight to CUN ?
Is it really a requirement to have a prescription for standard meds such as BP tabs and statins ?
As to medications, it actually is a requirement, though it's not much enforced. The issue would be more challenging if it were for a controlled or prohibited medication in Mexico - anything with pseudoephedrine (or similar stimulants), for example, is very tricky because so much has been exported to Mexico for remanufacture into methamphetamine and other illicit drugs then smuggled back in to the USA. So the USA put the clamps on and Mexico changed its laws. (That having been said, quantities for personal use during your stay should not cause undue alarm.)
Last edited by JDiver; Mar 7, 2014 at 5:04 pm
Oct 2, 2013, 3:49 am
#17
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Tyrone,EU
Programs: Avios Hunter
Posts: 2,811
For the passport etc. if you are a UK citizen, stopping in the USA and going on to CUN with a return ticket and current UK passport, IATA TIMATIC says "Summary: Yes, The travel documentations held by the traveler are sufficient!" So, yes, you should be given the Mexican FMM and Customs forms at the MIA check-in desk (or in the airplane cabin - I'd ask, sometimes they may forget and then you have to hunt them down in CUN on landing).
As to medications, it actually is a requirement, though it's not much enforced. The issue would be more challenging if it were for a controlled or prohibited medication in Mexico - anything with pseudoephedrine (or similar stimulants), for example, is very tricky because so much has been exported to Mexico for remanufacturee into methamphetamine and other illicit drugs then smuggled back in to the USA. So the USA put the clamps on and Mexico changed its laws. (That having been said, quantities for personal use during your stay should not cause undue alarm.)
As to medications, it actually is a requirement, though it's not much enforced. The issue would be more challenging if it were for a controlled or prohibited medication in Mexico - anything with pseudoephedrine (or similar stimulants), for example, is very tricky because so much has been exported to Mexico for remanufacturee into methamphetamine and other illicit drugs then smuggled back in to the USA. So the USA put the clamps on and Mexico changed its laws. (That having been said, quantities for personal use during your stay should not cause undue alarm.)
Mar 21, 2014, 2:03 pm
#19
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: WAS
Programs: enjoyed being warm spit for a few years on CO/UA but now nothing :(
Posts: 2,505
This is probably best answered by JDiver, but its not a terrible situation. i have never had to do it but my understanding it that it really only involves extra time and a fee of about $30us.
If you really cant find it be sure you go to check in VERY early so that you have plenty of time to talk to La Migra to have them process you out and take your money.
If you really cant find it be sure you go to check in VERY early so that you have plenty of time to talk to La Migra to have them process you out and take your money.
Mar 22, 2014, 3:21 pm
#20
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 38
Thought I'd close out the query as I went to the airport today to sort it all ahead of flying Monday.
You have to fill in some forms declaring you lost it, complete another fmm, pay $306 MXN and also submit photocopies of your passport, entry stamp page and flight itinerary. Relatively painless.
You have to fill in some forms declaring you lost it, complete another fmm, pay $306 MXN and also submit photocopies of your passport, entry stamp page and flight itinerary. Relatively painless.
Mar 23, 2014, 3:19 pm
#21
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Thought I'd close out the query as I went to the airport today to sort it all ahead of flying Monday.
You have to fill in some forms declaring you lost it, complete another fmm, pay $306 MXN and also submit photocopies of your passport, entry stamp page and flight itinerary. Relatively painless.
You have to fill in some forms declaring you lost it, complete another fmm, pay $306 MXN and also submit photocopies of your passport, entry stamp page and flight itinerary. Relatively painless.
Mar 24, 2014, 10:58 am
#23
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: WAS
Programs: enjoyed being warm spit for a few years on CO/UA but now nothing :(
Posts: 2,505
Assuming you are a minor (under age 18), and a US citizen, and will be in Mexico for less than 180 days, according the document at the link below you will NOT need a notarized consent document to exit Mexico.
http://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/washingt...inors_2014.pdf
Have fun, enjoy your trip (smartly!)
Jun 16, 2014, 11:41 am
#24
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 1
I Have Two Mexican FMM Tourist Cards
Hello everyone,
I drove across at Tijuana and got a FMM card valid for 180 days (I was opening a MXN bank account and needed it for that reason, otherwise I never bother getting one when I drive across). I drove back into the U.S. about a month later and then I flew from the U.S. to Mexico, whereupon landing I got another FMM card. That second one was only valid for 60 days.
So now I have 2 FMM's in my possession, the first issued one will last until Oct 2014, and the second one until July 2014. I wasn't planning on leaving Mex until October, so would there be a problem with me just staying in the country and giving them my original FMM w/180 days when I fly out in October?
Thanks!
I drove across at Tijuana and got a FMM card valid for 180 days (I was opening a MXN bank account and needed it for that reason, otherwise I never bother getting one when I drive across). I drove back into the U.S. about a month later and then I flew from the U.S. to Mexico, whereupon landing I got another FMM card. That second one was only valid for 60 days.
So now I have 2 FMM's in my possession, the first issued one will last until Oct 2014, and the second one until July 2014. I wasn't planning on leaving Mex until October, so would there be a problem with me just staying in the country and giving them my original FMM w/180 days when I fly out in October?
Thanks!
Jun 23, 2014, 6:08 pm
#25
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Hello everyone,
I drove across at Tijuana and got a FMM card valid for 180 days (I was opening a MXN bank account and needed it for that reason, otherwise I never bother getting one when I drive across). I drove back into the U.S. about a month later and then I flew from the U.S. to Mexico, whereupon landing I got another FMM card. That second one was only valid for 60 days.
So now I have 2 FMM's in my possession, the first issued one will last until Oct 2014, and the second one until July 2014. I wasn't planning on leaving Mex until October, so would there be a problem with me just staying in the country and giving them my original FMM w/180 days when I fly out in October?
Thanks!
I drove across at Tijuana and got a FMM card valid for 180 days (I was opening a MXN bank account and needed it for that reason, otherwise I never bother getting one when I drive across). I drove back into the U.S. about a month later and then I flew from the U.S. to Mexico, whereupon landing I got another FMM card. That second one was only valid for 60 days.
So now I have 2 FMM's in my possession, the first issued one will last until Oct 2014, and the second one until July 2014. I wasn't planning on leaving Mex until October, so would there be a problem with me just staying in the country and giving them my original FMM w/180 days when I fly out in October?
Thanks!
Jul 2, 2014, 6:59 am
#26
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 2,400
Just a question. On tripadvisor, reading lots of threads about people being denied access to Mexico because of past drug law violations in the US, as well as DUI. I know this is common in Canada, but never heard of Mexico turning people away. Anyone with first hand knowledge? I trust FT more than TA.... 
Jul 2, 2014, 10:38 am
#27
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Just a question. On tripadvisor, reading lots of threads about people being denied access to Mexico because of past drug law violations in the US, as well as DUI. I know this is common in Canada, but never heard of Mexico turning people away. Anyone with first hand knowledge? I trust FT more than TA....
Jul 2, 2014, 12:39 pm
#28
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 2,400
Thanks. Guess I will follow it for a while and see what happens. I have seen literally dozens and dozens of people get turned back from Canada for past DUI convictions. Hoping it does not get that bad.
Jul 2, 2014, 2:24 pm
#29
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
I think Canada and the USA have more efficient data sharing and a greater uniformity than Mexico in border posts having access to the data. I'm not saying anything about whether it's good or bad, because it is what it is, but rather commenting on how likely the filters are apt to work (say arriving at MEX vs. using the station at San Ysidro, never mind places like Sonoita or stations away from the border on major highways).
Aug 6, 2014, 9:53 am
#30
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO/SMF
Programs: Holder of six "persona non-grata" awards
Posts: 1,914
Cash to exit MEX?
Poked around but couldn't find any recent information. The last time I was in Mexico City was over 25 years ago. I remember having to frantically search/find a place inside the airport that would cash a Traveler's Check into pesos in order to pay an airport exit fee. 
Am I correct in assuming that the exit cost from MEX is already included in my airline ticket and that I needn't do anything elese?
Thanks.
Am I correct in assuming that the exit cost from MEX is already included in my airline ticket and that I needn't do anything elese?
Thanks.