Mexico - Getting In

All U.S. citizens visiting Mexico for tourism or study for up to 180 days need a tourist card to enter and leave the country. The tourist card is free and may be obtained from Mexican consulates, Mexican tourism offices, Mexican border crossing points and from most airlines serving Mexico. If you fly to Mexico, you must obtain your tourist card before boarding your flight; it cannot be obtained upon arrival at an airport in Mexico. The tourist card is issued upon presentation of proof of citizenship such as a U.S. passport or a U.S. birth certificate, plus a photo I.D. such as a driver's license. Tourist cards are issued for up to 90 days with a single entry or, if you present proof of sufficient funds, for 180 days with multiple entries. Upon entering Mexico, retain and safeguard the pink copy of your tourist card so that you may surrender it to Mexican immigration when you depart. You must leave Mexico before your tourist card expires, or you are subject to a fine. A tourist card for less than 180 days may be revalidated in Mexico by the Mexican immigration service.

If you wish to stay longer than 180 days, or if you wish to do business or perform religious work in Mexico, contact the Mexican embassy or the nearest Mexican consulate to obtain a visa or permit. Persons performing religious work on a tourist card are subject to deportation. U.S. citizens visiting Mexico for no more than 72 hours and remaining within 20 kilometers of the border do not need a permit to enter. Those transiting Mexico to another country need a transit visa that costs a nominal fee and is valid for up to 30 days.

Embassy of Mexico

1911 Pennsylvania Ave., NW

Washington, DC 20006

Tel.: (202) 728-1600

http://www.embassyofmexico.org