Visas for Mexico: Tourist, Work and Resident Visas 

There are two categories of visitors to Mexico: free nationalities and restricted nationalities. Travellers who fall under free nationalities only need to fill in a form to enter Mexico, while those under restricted nationalities will need to acquire a visa prior to travelling in addition to the form.

Expats from the USA, Canada, Japan, the UK or any of the Schengen countries, among others, can visit Mexico without a visa. Foreign nationals who do require a visa to visit Mexico should apply at their nearest Mexican consulate before their trip.

Those who need a visa to enter Mexico will need to apply for a visitor’s visa well in advance. This is best done at least a month before the date of departure. Applications can be made online or at the nearest Mexican consulate or embassy. Supporting documents must be delivered in person. Visitor’s visas allow a stay of up to six months.

It isn’t possible to change visa categories while in Mexico so expats who decide to work in the country will need to exit Mexico to apply for the relevant work and residence permits.

Forma Migratoria Múltiple

Though commonly referred to as a visa, the Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM) is not a visa but a tourist card that is obtained by filling in and submitting a form at the border or online. All foreign visitors must obtain an FMM to enter Mexico.

The FMM should be kept safe as it will be needed to exit the country. The Mexican government has set up an online portal for obtaining an electronic FMM up to 30 days in advance of a visit.

To apply for a work permit for Mexico, expats must have a job offer in hand, as the employer is central to the application process.

Employers hiring foreign nationals must be registered with the National Immigration Institute and must obtain approval for any expat employees. Once approval is granted, a Unique Processing Number (NUT) will be issued. This number is used in the work permit application.

Holders of work permits will need a temporary resident visa, which is exchanged for a resident card upon arrival in Mexico.

Expats who want to live in Mexico must apply for a temporary resident visa at a Mexican consulate before arrival. Once in Mexico, the visa must be exchanged for a temporary resident card at the nearest immigration office within 30 days of arrival. The card is initially valid for one year and can be renewed for one, two, or three additional years. This is the most common visa for expats employed in Mexico who intend to live in the country for longer than six months but less than four years.

Expats can apply for a permanent resident visa after having lived in the country for four years on a temporary resident visa.

The permanent resident card requires no renewal and is for expats who plan to live in Mexico permanently. Permanent residents can work in Mexico without having to apply for a work permit.

After five years of legal residency in Mexico, expats can apply for Mexican citizenship.

UK citizens do not need a visa for short stays in Mexico for tourism, business, or other non-remunerated activities. Upon arrival, Mexican immigration authorities will determine the length of stay permitted, which can be for up to 180 days.

If you plan to work, undertake paid activities, study for an extended period, or reside in Mexico, you may need to obtain the appropriate visa before travelling.

Before moving to Mexico, ensure you're fully covered with a reliable health insurance plan. Explore our comprehensive international health insurance plans, designed to provide you with peace of mind abroad. Find out more about the Mexican healthcare system in our Healthcare in Mexico guide.