Do I Need A Passport To Go To Mexico? This question might sound funny when read out loud. We are here to guide you on the requirements needed to visit Mexico if you are planning to go there someday.

It is nice to note that Mexico is one of the world’s most visited countries. It was ranked seventh on the World Visitor Organization’s list of nations with the most foreign tourist arrivals in 2019. Mexico is only second to the United States in terms of annual visitors to the American continent.

Well, you need a passport to travel to any country in the world INCLUDING MEXICO. There’s an exception though; Children under the age of 16 are allowed to go to Mexico without a passport, and only by sea or land; children of all ages, when traveling by air, must do so with a valid passport.

They’ll require proof of identity and US citizenship instead of a passport, such as birth certificates or naturalization certificates.

The Mexican Coat of Arms is in the center of the front cover, with the official name of the country “Estados Unidos Mexicanos” (United Mexican States) surrounding the coat of arms. The name “Pasaporte” appears below the coat of arms, followed by the international biometric sign and “Mexico” (as the country is recognized). The Mexican passport has a variety of security elements, some of which are only visible under a black light.

A biographical information page and a signature page are included in every passport. On the right side of the passport shows a biographical information page and signature page illustration. Mexico’s passport is currently in the ‘G’ series.

Here is an example of the identification information page of the Mexican passport of the 2016 edition. A consulate in another country issued this passport.

• Passport holder’s photo (digital)
• Type (P)
• Country code (MEX)
• Passport number
• Surnames (include Father’s and Mother’s maiden names)
• Personalized names
• Nationality
• Observations
• Year of birth
• Personal identification number (CURP)
• Sex
• Location of birth
• Authority Date of Issue
• Expiration date:
• National insignia and a hologram picture in the center-right corner of the biographical page.

The photograph, full name, nationality, CURP, and signature of those who have custody of youngsters (18 and under) are also included in their passports.

The Machine Readable Zone concludes the biographical information page. The passport has 32 visa and passport stamp pages, each with the coat of arms of one of Mexico’s 31 states and Mexico City.

HOW CAN I GET A MEXICAN PASSPORT?

To get a Mexican passport, you will need to, first of all, meet the following requirements.

First-time candidates above the age of eighteen should do the following:

1. Schedule an appointment with any Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores (SRE) delegation or SRE-connected office.

2. Fill out the application for a regular passport book in black ink by hand and in print (Form OP-5). The application is available free of charge at any SRE branch or the Office of State or Municipal Liaison SRE.

3. Presenting an original and a photocopy of any of the following documents as proof of Mexican nationality:

A certified copy of the Mexican civil register office’s birth certificate. Birth registration should not be time-barred (must have occurred within the first three years of life), but if it is, see section “Additional Documentation for Birth Certificates with Untimely Registration,” which is known in Mexican law as “Registro extemporáneo.”

• A certified copy of your birth certificate from a consular office in another country.
• Copy of Mexican nationality certificate
• Declaration of Mexican nationality by birth certificate
• Naturalization Certificate; and
• Certificate of Citizenship Identity issued by the Secretary of the Interior.

4. Provide an original and a photocopy of any of the following official documents with the holder’s photograph and signature; the data should closely match those of the document confirming nationality:

• Cédula de Identidad Ciudadana issued by the Secretara de Gobernación
• Matrcula Consular (Certificate of Consular Registration, Consular ID card)
• Naturalization Certificate
• Certificate of Mexican Nationality
• Declaration of Mexican Nationality by Birth
• National Electoral Institute Voting Card
• A valid identity card issued by the Instituto Nacional de las Personas Adultas Mayores
• Professional Certificate
• Professional Degree
• Letter of Internship
• A valid identification card issued by the Instituto Nacional de las Personas Adultos Mayores.
• Medical credential from a public health institution or social security badge with a photo that has been sealed with the institution’s official seal. Even if the seal does not overlap the photograph, credentials in digital format can be accepted.
• Badges for retired or pensioned credentials granted by a social security institution must bear the official seal, as well as the signature and title of the person who issued them. Even if the seal does not overlay the portrait and the credentials are in digital format, they can be accepted.
• The Sistema Integral para la Familia issues a National Credential for Persons with Disabilities (DIF).
• Foreign embassies and consulates may accept identity documents issued in the country or region where they are located, such as driver’s licenses, passports, residence permits, or visas.

There are other important documents one needs to have when traveling to Mexico asides passport. One of them is the Forma Migratoria Multiple (FMM).

What Is A Forma Migratoria Multiple (FMM) And What Is Its Use?

FMM sure does sound strange but it is also a very important document for traveling to Mexico.

Mexico’s National Migration Institute (INM) issues the FMM as a travel document. It’s a tourist card that allows foreign visitors to enter Mexico by land, sea, or air.

Adults and children from the United States must obtain an FMM to enter Mexico. Unless you’re merely passing through the border zone and want to stay for less than 72 hours. You may be asked to show your FMM permit by INM officers outside of the border area, so bring it with you.

Thinking about how to get an FMM? Keep on reading!

How To Get An FMM Without Stress

You can apply for an FMM online or at the border while traveling to Mexico. You’ll have to wait about an hour for a copy to be ready to print if you use an online application. However, you must still have it stamped by Mexican immigration officials at the border. It only takes a few minutes to obtain one at the border.

You’ll need to present a passport book or card to get an FMM. Each visitor, including minors, receives their tourist card, so bring all of your identifying documents. The FMM card, which costs around $30 per person, must also be paid for. If you’re only there for seven days or less, it’s free.

The FMM is good for only one trip to Mexico. You’ll be compelled to surrender the card upon re-entry to the United States—keep it safe—and you’ll have to apply for another one on your next visit. Don’t be concerned if you misplace the card. Apply for a replacement straight away at a local immigration office.

You might ask, “Is VISA also needed to go to Mexico?”

If you’re a US citizen visiting Mexico as a tourist for less than 180 days, you won’t require a visa. Only your tourist card (FMM) and passport are required. The same is true for citizens of nations that do not require a visa to enter Mexico.

If you’re from a country that requires a visa to enter Mexico, you may be excused from the restriction if you hold a valid visa to Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, or other Schengen countries. If you have documentation of permanent residence in Japan, the United States, Peru, Chile, or a few other approved nations, you will also be exempt.

But what if you’re staying longer than six months or coming for a cause other than tourism, business, or transit? You will need to apply for a visa at a Mexican consulate or embassy in such a scenario.

There’s no reason why you shouldn’t love your trip to Mexico as much as they do. Bring your passport or other necessary papers at the border or airport before attempting to obtain a tourist pass.

If you’re driving into the country, bring your car paperwork as well. You’ll be on your way to a stress-free trip if you plan for everything relating to immigration.