Mexico Visa or Tourist Card? | Visiting Mexico by Air or Land

Mexico is one of the most popular vacation destinations this year, but if it’s your first time visiting, it can be confusing to understand what documentation you will need in advance of your trip. Today we’re going to explain the difference between the Mexican Visa and the Mexico Tourist Card, so you apply in advance for both or one of them as determined by your nationality.

Do I need a Mexican Visa?

Most travelers to Mexico will need to obtain a Mexican Visa and a Mexico Tourist Card ahead of their visit. It’s important to understand that the Mexico Tourist Card is not a visa, and therefore, you can’t obtain one instead of your visa. Visas for Mexico are necessary depending on which country issued your passport. There is a long list of countries who don’t require a visa, and these include the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada. Before traveling to Mexico, it’s essential to check with your nearest Mexican Consulate if you have any doubts about whether you need a visa to travel.

Who needs just a Mexico Tourist Card to visit Mexico?

Everyone planning to visit Mexico will need to apply for the Mexico Tourist Card, regardless of whether you need a visa to enter the country or not. Those individuals from countries such as the US, UK and Canada who are exempt from the visa will still need a Mexico Tourist Card to arrive into the country by land or air. The Mexico Tourist Card is officially called the Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM) and is mandatory for anyone traveling around Mexico as a tourist. It’s used as an official record for the country to document all visitors that enter via land or air. You may also have heard of the ETC, which is an Electronic Travel Authorization. This is only available for citizens traveling from Turkey, Ukraine or Russia, and is an electronic travel authority allowing entrance into Mexico.

About the Mexico Tourist Card

The Mexico Tourist Card is valid for a single entry into the country either by land or by air, so however you are entering, the documentation and application process will be the same. It is valid for up to 180 days from the date of your arrival when immigration stamps your passport. You’ll receive your approved application by email, and then you will simply need to print this off to show to border control upon arriving in the country. It’s important to note this card is only for leisure travel and tourism. Under no circumstances can you work or look for employment with the Mexico Tourist Card.

Remember that the Mexico Tourist Card does not act as your visa, and you will need to complete this application separately in order to visit as a tourist. Everyone who visits Mexico, including children, needs to have a Mexico Tourist Card upon arrival; therefore, parents or guardians can complete their children’s application for them. If you are planning a trip to Mexico, make sure you get all of your paperwork arranged in advance to ensure you don’t have any issues at the start of your vacation!

How to Apply for the Mexico Tourist Card

Here at Natvisa, we provide online applications for the Mexico Tourist Card. Applying online in advance ensures you have no hassle upon arrival into Mexico, and you will start your vacation in a relaxed manner. Your visa will be delivered by email ready for you to print out and show at the border. The application itself will take only minutes to complete, and you’ll simply select between land or air arrival to suit your trip requirements. You can apply up to six months in advance of your trip, and your Mexico Tourist Card will be valid for a stay of up to 180 days in the country. We take any hassle and stress out of planning your trip, and you’ll simply need to provide your personal details to complete the application.

Completing your application

When you come to complete your application with Natvisa, make sure you have your passport to hand and all the information about your upcoming trip to Mexico. This should include the date of your arrival and departure and any accommodation information. You won’t need to upload any documentation about your trip, so you’ll just need to have the information attainable from your saved emails. You’ll need to make sure you have a valid passport to apply, and it must be valid for at least six months following your trip. If you do need to renew your passport ahead of your visit, make sure you do that in advance of applying for your Mexico Tourist Card.

The final step of the application is paying the fee for the Mexico Tourist Card, which can be done by credit or debit card. After a few days, you’ll receive the Mexico Tourist Card into your email inbox, and you’ll be ready for your vacation! Make sure it’s printed off to show to the immigration officers upon arrival into Mexico. Any updates during the application process will be sent directly to your email address, so make sure you have entered this correctly on our site.

As with traveling anywhere during the current climate, it’s important to check any travel restrictions and quarantine regulations in your home country. When arriving into Mexico by air, you’ll need to complete a health declaration to pronounce you are fit to enter the country. Before booking your vacation, make sure you check any restrictions out to avoid any stress and hassle at the border.

Mexico is an incredible travel destination and is a favorite vacation spot for travelers from around the world. By preparing your required documentation and acquiring your Mexico Tourist Card in advance of your trip with Natvisa, you’ll be ready upon arrival to enjoy every moment of your vacation. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Mexico Tourist Card, don’t hesitate to contact us today, and we’ll be more than happy to help.