Mexican natives, who have been living in the U.S. have to complete some document formalities before visiting their homeland. The Mexican Consulate recently announced Operation Paisano for the Mexicans, under which the Mexican Consulate will check their travel documents needed for travel to Mexico. These documents include government issued IDs, passports, and vehicle registration. Once thoroughly scrutinized, they will be allowed to enter Mexico.
If your visit is scheduled for less than 180 days, you don’t need a Mexican visa in any of the following cases. So, check if you –
- Are an American or a Canadian citizen
- Are a citizen or a lawful permanent resident from Canada, the USA, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Japan, and the Schengen Area countries.
- Hold a valid Visa for the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Japan, and the Schengen Area countries.
To know about countries and areas that don’t need you to have visa as documents for travel to Mexico, you can go to National Migration Institute / Países y regiones que No requieren visa para viajar a México | Instituto Nacional de Migracion.
It is mandatory to fill Multiple Immigration Form (FMM), whether to enter Mexico by land or air. The FMM records that you are a visitor in Mexico and allows your stay here for 180 days.
In case you face any challenges, the country’s authorities assist you.
Hector Carlin Castillo, with Mexican Consulate General in Laredo, said, “the suggestion here would be to contact the local authorities, but there’s an app on your iPhone or Android called Programa Paisano, and you can register any kind of incident you have on the way.”
If you will be visiting Mexico and are not its native, here are the documents required for travel to Mexico that you should have –
- A valid passport or a government approved travel document. Your passport doesn’t need to have a minimum validity period. However, your travel document must have the validity for the period of your Mexican trip.
- A duly filled in FMM. Make sure to keep the form safely as you have to show it when you will leave Mexico.
- As per the nature of your visit, Mexican immigration officers at the entry port may request you additional documents. These documents to travel to Mexico can be any of the following –
- Tourism: Hotel booking, return tickets, etc
- Business: A letter in Spanish from the foreign organization you are working with. It should signify that you work there and any Mexican company will not pay you.
- Technicians: A contract copy for the transfer of technology, brands, patents, technical training, machinery and equipment purchase, or anything regarding the production process of a company in Mexico
- Students: An invitation or acceptance letter from any institution as per the Mexican national educational system for courses, academic training, or research projects for up to 180 days
Once you fly to Mexico with the necessary documents, be careful as every destination has its share of challenges. The Mexican Consulate has stated that Mexican authorities are working to ensure the safety of travelers. However, it is good to stay informed.
The U.S. Department of State has issued a travel advisory to Mexico to ensure safety. Six states have a warning – do not travel to. These states include Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas.
So, it is wise to check the travel advisories for a safe trip to Mexico. There are regions that are safe but being watchful is important. Please refrain from visiting states that have level four, level three advisory.
Moreover, apart from carrying the documents needed for travel to Mexico, enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) with the local consulate.