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Immigration

Entering Mexico
Your first stop is at Mexican Immigration (Migración) where proof of citizenship is inspected, and tourist cards are validated. DO NOT LOSE YOUR TOURIST CARD COPY!

Visitors need three items to enter Mexico:

1. A Photo I.D. (such as a Driver's License)

2. #Tourist Card Tourist Card

3. A Valid Proof Of Citizenship

TOURIST CARD

This two part document is your "permission" from the Mexican government to visit Mexico. It is available free of charge, though sometimes difficult to obtain in large quantities. Rest assured, the airlines always have an ample supply upon check-in. Here are a few words of advice about tourist cards:

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• Do not lose the blue (used to be pink) copy returned to you after the immigration inspection. It must be returned to Mexican Immigration upon departure. Tip: write down your tourist card number and keep it with your travel documents. If the card is lost, having the number will help greatly.

• Keep your tourist card and travel documents in a secure place; do not carry them with you everywhere you go, unless traveling extensively from your point of arrival.

• You can ask to have your card validated for more time than you will actually need. Up to 180 days can be granted.

• Do not mutilate or deface your copy; it must be surrendered upon leaving the country.

PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP

(Note: information regarding entry requirements is subject to change without notice, and should be reconfirmed with the airline being used for international travel.)

• U.S. CITIZENS

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  • Passport- may be expired (up to five years) but not canceled; this is the most recommended document; secure and convenient.

  • Original Birth Certificate- hospital copy is not acceptable; must have an official stamp from the state of birth. A notarized copy of the official document is also acceptable. NOTE: married women with a different last name should carry a marriage license or notarized affidavit with their married name.

  • Notarized Affidavit of Citizenship-O.K to enter Mexico, but not recommended due to possible problems with U.S. Immigration upon return.

  • U.S. Naturalization Papers- certificate or laminated card (must be an original; photocopy not acceptable).

• CANADIAN CITIZENS

  • Canadian versions of the above documents are acceptable; notarized affidavits must be executed in Canada.

• MEXICAN CITIZENS

  Here the rules are a little more lenient, though Mexican nationals must have some official document proving Mexican birth. Any one of these documents should suffice:

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  • Passport (Pasaporte): may be expired but not canceled.

  • Birth Certificate (Acta de Nacimiento): must be an original.

  • Consular Registration Form (Matricula Consular).

  • Military Service Card (Cartilla Militar): must be an original.

  • Voter's Registration Card (Cedula de Empadronamiento).

  • If none of the above are available refer the customer to the nearest Mexican Consulate from the list.

  • Remember, Alien Residents must have proof of U.S. residency to return to the United States.

• OTHER NATIONALITIES

  Contact the Mexican Consulate or airlines serving Mexico for details. These regulations change periodically. At a minimum, foreign citizens will need a valid passport. Some nationalities are required to obtain a consular visa from the Mexican Consulate.

• FOR STUDENT VISAS AND BUSINESS VISAS

  Contact the Mexican Consulate in your area.

• MINORS

  Any person under 18 years of age is considered a minor. Very strict regulations govern travel by minors into Mexico.

• If traveling alone, the minor must have a notarized consent form signed by both parents.

• If traveling with only one parent, the minor must have a notarized letter of consent signed by the parent not traveling.

• If traveling with only one parent and the other parent is deceased or the child has only one legal parent, a notarized statement must be obtained as proof.

• Airlines will also require the name, address and phone of the person meeting the unaccompanied minor upon arrival in Mexico.

• EXCEPTION: Mexican children often will have a stamp in their passports that says "Articulo 421." This allows the child to travel with only one parent and without a notarized statement.