Visa Requirements

FMT Visa - Short Term Business Visitor
If you are planning on entering Mexico as a Business Visitor for less than thirty (30) days, you need the following documents to apply for a Mexican visitor’s permit, or an FMT: 

• A valid passport (preferred) or

• A certified copy of the birth certificate accompanied by a photo ID; and

• A visa if required.  For a complete list of country of origin that Mexico requires a tourist visa Specific Country Details.

• A letter from your employing company stating the purpose of the visit and the length of the stay, and stating that they will guarantee payment of all salaries and expenses and that these expenses will not be paid by someone in Mexico.

You can pick up a FMT application (be sure to fill out the business section of the FMT application) at the following locations:

• Any US Mexican Consulate’s office or an Embassy
  

• A travel agency (if you are using one)
  

• The check in counter at the airport or in the airplane in route to Mexico
  

• The border (if you are traveling by automobile)
  

• Any other port of entry

You will turn in your application, along with $22.00 (US) fee payable to any Mexican bank.  The immigration officer at the port of entry will direct you to the closest bank, which is usually in the same building.  Most airlines collect this fee for the Mexican government and include it in your airfare, so you may not have to pay it separately.  Most FMT’s issued for business purposes are limited to (30) days, although you can request a longer stay, not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) day. Please note that you must return your FMT upon leaving Mexico, so be sure not to lose it during your stay.  If it becomes lost or stolen, please report to the nearest Immigration office (usually located in Airports, Port of entry, Borders).  Be prepared to show proof of citizenship (passport or birth certificate) and your return airplane ticket if traveling by air. Related Forms: FMT example Front Page,  Back Page 

If staying more than 180 days, but LESS than a Year

FM3 Visa
If you are planning on living and working in Mexico for more than the 180 day maximum for a FMT visa, you will need an FM3 visa .   An FM3 is a non-immigrant visa.   This allows you to live and work in Mexico and is valid for up to one (1) year at a time.  You can reapply for an FM3 visa after the year has expired.  After five years, you may want to consider applying for an FM2, or permanent visa. 

In order to apply for an FM3 Visa you will need the following documents:

• A valid passport with a minimum of six months from expiration from the date of entrance
  

• Two recent front view passport size photos
  

• You will turn in your application, along with $22.00 (U.S.) payable to any Mexican bank.  The immigration officer at the port of entry will direct you to the closest bank, which is usually in the same building.

Additional requirements

For Businessmen:

If you are planning on entering Mexico to participate in business activities such as attending conferences or meetings, negotiating contracts, consulting or survey Mexico for entrepreneurship possibilities and plan on staying for no more than one hundred eighty (180) days, you need the following documents in order to apply for a multiple entries visa at the local Consulate General of Mexico office:

• A letter in Spanish from your employing company stating the purpose of the visit and the length of the stay,  stating that they will guarantee payment  of all salaries and expenses and that these expenses will not be paid by someone in Mexico.  This is not considered “working” in Mexico, because your salary is being paid by your company located in your home country.

For Technicians:

If you are planning to enter Mexico to work as a technician for a Mexican company for a period not more than one (1) year, you will need the following documents in order to apply for an entry visa at the Consulate General of Mexico:

• A letter in Spanish from your employing company stating the purpose of the visit and the length of the stay, stating that they will guarantee payment  of all salaries and expenses and that these expenses will not be paid by someone in Mexico.
  

• A letter from the Mexican company you plan to work for stating that you are a specialized technician for a specific type of work and that your services are a necessity, addressed to the company in your home country that you currently work for.
  

• A letter from the Mexican company you plan to work with stating your name and the length of your visit addressed to the Consulate General of Mexico .

For Investors:

If you are planning on entering Mexico with the main purpose of investing your time and/or money, you must meet the following requirements:

• Proof that your investment must be directed towards industry or services.
  

• You must be willing to invest a minimum of 26,000 times the Mexican minimum daily wage of $52.08 pesos (as of 01/09).

For Professionals:

If you are a qualified professional, you can apply for an FM2 visa based on the following requirements:

• You will have to provide the authorities with all the papers that can to prove that you have the knowledge and skills to perform the specific professional activities.
  

• The applicant must demonstrate that the skills are not met in the workforce in Mexico. 
  

Related Forms: FM3 Form , FM1 Form 
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FM2 Visa
For those individuals that are planning on living and working in Mexico on a permanent basis, you must apply for an Immigrant Visa, or an FM2. After holding an FM2 visa for five (5) consecutive years, you can apply for immigrant status.  Any time accrued by using an FM3 visa does not count toward the required five (5) years.  You may apply for an FM2 visa while in possession of an FMT or FM3 visa.

To obtain an FM2 application, please contact your nearest immigration office in Mexico or the nearest Consulate General of Mexico office in your country.

You will also need a completed FM1 Form to fill out for your FM2 Visa.

Related Forms: FM1 Form