VISA INFORMATION

Visa Aplication .

• Travelling as a Tourist
  • Canadian Citizens
  • Criminal Record
  • Landed Immigrants of Canada
  • Temporary residents in Canada (students, visitors, temporary workers) 
• Studying in Mexico
• Doing an Internship in Mexico
• Retiring in Mexico as a non-immigrant pensioner
• Conducting Business in Mexico
• Conducting Scientific Research Activities in Mexico
• Working in Mexico
• Journalist travelling to Mexico to cover a special event
• Residing in Mexico

Canadian citizens do not need a visa to travel to Mexico, but they do require a "multiple migratory form" (issued to tourists, transmigrants, visitors, business-people, and advisors), known as a tourist card. This may be obtained at any Mexican Consulate, during direct flights to Mexico, or at the Mexican port of entry by presenting:

• Valid passport (as proof of citizenship)

 

 Criminal Record 

Foreigners who wish to enter Mexico in any migratory category (tourists, students, residents, etc.) DO NOT require a POLICE CLEARANCE (Criminal Record) certificate.

Nevertheless, immigration officers may eventually deny entry to foreigners who have committed a serious crime, served a prison sentence or are currently on parole. (Article 106 of the Regulations of the General Population Law)

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Please note: immigration officers at the port of entry may request that the tourist show a return ticket and proof of economic solvency (credit card, traveller's cheques, etc) to cover expenses in Mexico.

Please be aware that foreigners visiting Mexico must pay a tax fee. When travelling by plane, the US$20.00 fee is included in the airplane ticket. When travelling by car, this tax will be charged at the port of entry.

LENGTH OF STAY

The maximum period for which Canadian citizens may stay in Mexico is six months; the immigration officer at the port of entry will determine the exact authorized period for each tourist, up to a maximum of six months.

Extensions must be requested at the National Institute of Immigration of the Ministry of the Interior or its local offices within the Republic by paying the application fee of the equivalent of US$20.00.

MINORS

Minors (any person under 18 years of age) must travel as any other Canadian citizen, with a valide passport.

CHILDREN TRAVELLING ALONE OR WITH ONLY ONE PARENT (Starting December 29, 2004)

When travelling alone or with only one parent, minors no longer need to present a parental consent form by both parents or by the parent that is not travelling.

However, in the case of shared custody, it is recomended that the parent travelling with the child obtain authorization from the other parent, although no proof will be required for travelling. .


NOTE: This is not a requirement of the Mexican government but one of the Canadian Government in order to allow Canadian minors to go out of their country temporarily accompanied by only one or none of their parents.

USEFUL LINKS:

Canadian Passport Office
Civil Registrar Ontario
Le Directeur de l'état civil
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Canadian Embassy in Mexico

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Landed Immigrants of Canada

The Embassy of Mexico in Canada informs that starting on December 1, 2003, landed immigrants of Canada do not require a visa. However, they do need a tourist card, which may be obtained at Mexican consulates, on direct flights to Mexico or at the Mexican airport, and they must travel with the following:

• Permanent resident ID card, Certificate of Identity or Refugee Travel Document. 
• Round trip tickets
• Proof of economic solvency (credit card, traveller's cheques, etc.)

Please be aware that foreigners visiting Mexico must pay a tax fee (derecho de no inmigrante). When travelling by plane, the US$20.00 fee is included in the airplane ticket. When travelling by car, this tax will be charged at the port of entry.

Minors (any person under 18 years of age) must travel as any other adult with his/her permanent resident card.

CHILDREN TRAVELLING ALONE OR WITH ONLY ONE PARENT (Starting December 29, 2004) When travelling alone or with only one parent, minors no longer need to present a parental consent form by both parents or by the parent that is not travelling.

However, in the case of shared custody, it is recomended that the parent travelling with the child obtain authorization from the other parent, although no proof will be required for travelling.

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Studying in Mexico

Canadian citizens or landed immigrants who wish to enrol in a Mexican school, college or university, either public or private, to commence, continue or finish studies, to earn credits or not; to conduct research to obtain a graduate certificate; to study Spanish, or to pursue any other studies that will not receive official recognition, must obtain a student visa.

In order to obtain a student visa the following documents must be presented at any of our consulates:

1. Valid passport (the passport should be valid for at least six months after you arrive in Mexico)

2. Visa Application .

3. Acceptance letter from the school or university in Mexico that the applicant wishes to attend.

4. Two recent, passport-size photos (1.5 sq. in., no eyeglasses).

5. Bank statement or letter from the student's parent, sponsor or legal guardian certifying that he/she will receive at least US$300.00 or its equivalent in Canadian dollars, per month. This document must be notarized and authenticated.

6. Minors (any person under 18 years of age) must present the visa application form signed by both parents; in cases where parents are not accompanying the applicant, a parental consent form that has been signed by both parents before a notary public must be submitted with the application form.

7. A consular visa fee in Canadian funds is required for some none Canadians with a permanent resident status.

Persons under temporary status in Canada, please contact our consulates.

NOTE:
Please consider that once you obtain your visa, it must be used in the next 90 days. Within 30 days of arrival in Mexico the student must register at the National Registry of Foreign Citizens, National Institute of Immigration of the Ministry of the Interior (Instituto Nacional de Migración, Secretaría de Gobernación), in Mexico City at:

Homero 1832
Col. Chapultepec Polanco
Del. Miguel Hidalgo
CP 11570 México D.F.

To register outside of Mexico City, please contact the regional offices of the Ministry of the Interior.

Please consider that you may need six (6) frontal and five (5) right profile photographs, 2"x 2", white background, no eyeglasses, for your registration.

Students are not allowed to work or engage in any remunerative or lucrative activity, unless an internship forms part of the study program.

Persons entering under a student visa who would like to engage in an internship program after their study program is completed, must change their migratory status at the Mexican National Institute of Immigration of the Ministry of the Interior National Institute of Migration of the Ministry of the Interior (Instituto Nacional de Migración, Secretaría de Gobernación), in Mexico City at:

Ejército Nacional #862
Col. Los Morales, Sección Palmas
CP 11540 México D.F.

To acquire this permit outside of Mexico City, the company must make the request through the regional offices of the Ministry of the Interior.

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Internships

Persons wishing to enter Mexico to participate in an internship program sponsored by any Canadian or Mexican institution, company or agency, or under any cooperation agreement, must obtain a visa at any of our consulates in Canada by presenting the following:

1. Visa Application .

2. A valid passport (good for at least 6 months).

3. A letter from the institution sponsoring the applicant. The letter should explain the purpose of the trip in addition to stating the obligation of the sponsor to cover the applicant's expenses.

4. In certain cases proof of economic solvency will be requested

5. Two recent, passport-size photos 2"x2", white background, no eyeglasses.

6. If granted the visa, you will have to pay a consular fee equivalent to US$98.00 in Canadian funds.

7. Non-Canadian citizens must present a copy of their landed immigrant card.

8. An additional visa fee in Canadian funds is required for certain nationalities.

We recommend that applicants contact our Embassy and present their documents at least three weeks before their trip. In some cases extra documents may be needed, and in others we will need to obtain authorization from the Mexican Immigration authorities.

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Requeriments to retiring in Mexico, as non-immigrant pensioner

 Current Mexican Immigration Law includes an immigration status for "Visitante-Rentista". This law applies to those foreigners who wish to reside temporarily or permanently in Mexico as pensioners and live on funds or pensions brought from abroad, or on any other permanent income obtained from Mexican fixed interest-bearing securities. Such persons are not entitled, however, to engage in any remunerative activity in Mexico. A foreigner meeting the requirements may acquire retiree status for a year, which must be renewed on a yearly basis. After five years, the individual may apply for permanent resident status as an immigrant.

To apply for a visa at any of our consulates Canadian applicants are required to submit the following:

• A completed Visa Application .
• A passport valid for at least one year.
• Two (2) identical, passport-sized frontal photographs.
• Proof of financial resources. Income must be equivalent to US$1,000 per month, per applicant, plus US$500 per dependant.
• Police clearance letter, issued by the applicant’s local police department.
• Consular fee of US$211 in Canadian funds. (This ammount covers the migratory card and the visa fees)
• Documents accepted as proof of financial resources (bank statements showing monthly interests, social security letter or pension receipts). The documents submitted must be notarized.

To renew an FM-3 migratory card

When the visa is granted, the applicant will receive an FM-3 migratory card. To renew this form, the person must contact the National Institute of Migration of the Ministry of the Interior (Instituto Nacional de Migración, Secretaría de Gobernación), in Mexico City at the address:
Ejército Nacional #862,
Col. Los Morales, Sección Palmas,
CP 11540, México D.F.

Outside of Mexico City, the renewal must be requested through the regional offices of the Ministry of the Interior


Household Goods

A person holding a retiree status may take his or her household goods to Mexico duty free, by obtaining a permit from the nearest Consulate to their place of residence. Household goods include: furniture, linens, books, clothes, scientific and art work (as long as these are not collections for exhibitions), etc. A vehicle is not considered a household good. However, please consider that a pensioner may bring a car into Mexico, by presenting a temporary import permit.

This permit must be obtained when bringing the goods into Mexico, but no more than six months after the retiree's first entry.

To obtain a temporary import permit the following documents must be presented:

• A list of the household goods, containing the label information and serial number of all electrical household appliances, in five copies.
• A letter addressed to the Mexican Embassy stating the retiree's last address and, if possible, his or her new address in Mexico.
• Documents proving that the applicant has a previous house (telephone or hydro statements, lease)
• The consular fee equivalent to US $128.00, in Canadian funds.

To Import a Vehicle

A person with a migratory status of "No-inmigrante rentista" may obtain a temporary import permit for one car for the duration of his or her migratory status, including its extensions.

To obtain a temporary vehicle import permit at Banejército (Bank of the Armed Forces), a pensioner must present the following:

• Valid driver's licence.
• Vehicle registration certificate or document certifying legal ownership of the vehicle.
• A fee of US$ 29.70 plus 15% local tax, which may be paid with an international credit card (American Express, Diner's Club, Visa or MasterCard) that has been issued in the name of the vehicle's owner
• If you do not have an international credit card, you must post a bond payable to the Federal Treasury by paying the appropriate fee.
• As an alternative to posting a bond, you may leave a refundable security deposit in cash at Banejército in an amount equal to the vehicle's value. This cash deposit will be recovered when the vehicle is removed from the country and the import permit is returned to the same port of entry through which the vehicle was brought into Mexico.

When the temporary import permit holder decides to cancel his/her migratory status or change his/her vehicle, and a credit card has been used to pay for the permit, the temporary import permit may be returned through any port of entry. Under Mexican law, a vehicle with an expired permit will be impounded subject to confiscation, and fines may be levied against the owner/driver. If a temporary permit was not cancelled and the retiree brings another vehicle, he/she may experience delays at the border and will pay a fine for the non-previous cancellation.

While in Mexico, please consider that only the permit holder's spouse, his/her parents, children or siblings may drive the vehicle if they are foreign residents or any other person if the permit holder is in the vehicle.

Taxes
An individual will be considered a resident of Mexico when he or she establishes a home there and is physically there for more than 183 days in a calendar year, in which case he/she is subject to pay income tax in Mexico, representing about 35% of his/her gross earnings.

A Canadian citizen may apply for this migratory status in Mexico at the National Institute of Migration of the Ministry of the Interior (Instituto Nacional de Migración, Secretaría de Gobernación), in Mexico City at:

Ejército Nacional #862,
Col. Los Morales, Sección Palmas,
CP 11540, México D.F.

Outside of Mexico City, the renewal must be requested through the regional offices of the Ministry of the Interior. The Institute may request the applicant to present documents such as birth and marriage certificates, as well as bank statements that have been legalized by the Mexican Embassy or Consulate.


Useful Links

Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs (Retirement)
Canada Pension Plan

If you have further questions, please contact this Embassy or the nearest Mexican Consulate.

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Visas for conducting business in Mexico

• Business trip for less than 30 days
• Business trip for more than 30 days

Business trip for less than 30 days

If you are a Canadian citizen and your visit to Mexico is exclusively for business purposes (business meetings, marketing, importation of Mexican goods to Canada, participation in trade exhibits, consulting and staff support), you do not intend to enter the local job market and your stay in Mexico will be for a maximum of 30 days, according to NAFTA you do not require a visa. Instead, you must obtain a business/tourist card at any of our Consulates in Canada or at the port of entry to Mexico, by presenting the following:

1. Proof of Canadian citizenship:

• Valid passport (the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade highly recommends Canadians travel with a passport), or
  
  
• Original birth certificate, citizenship card (naturalization certificate), notarized affidavit of citizenship (a statement under oath before a notary public) in addition to photo ID, such as a driver's licence.

2. A letter from your company explaining the purpose of the trip, stating that the employer will cover the employee's salary and expenses while in Mexico, and listing the companies and cities to be visited.

Please be aware that foreigners visiting Mexico must pay a tax fee. When travelling by plane, the US$20.00 fee is included in the airplane ticket. When travelling by car, this tax will be charged at the port of entry.

Business trip for more than 30 days

If you are travelling to Mexico exclusively for business purposes (business meetings, marketing, importation of Mexican goods to Canada, participation in trade exhibits, consulting and staff support) and your stay will be longer than 30 days, an FM-3 card must be obtained from the Mexican Consular office nearest the applicant's place of residence. This allows the applicant to remain in Mexico for a maximum period of one year with multiple entries. The duration of the FM-3 card may be extended.

To apply for an FM-3 card, please provide the following:

• A completed Visa Application .

• A valid passport (good for at least 6 months).

• A letter from the company addressed to the "Embassy of Mexico" requesting the visa for its employee. The letter should explain the purpose of the trip in addition to stating the obligation of the employer to pay the employee’s salary and all expenses. Please also include the companies and cities to be visited.

• A letter from the company in Mexico, explaining the specific activities to be performed by the applicant, and confirming the information provided by the sending company (regarding salaries, etc.)
  
  

• Two recent, passport-size photos (1.5 sq. in., no eyeglasses).

• A consular fee equivalent to US$98.00 in Canadian funds. (please consider that our consular fees change the first working day of the month, according to the rate of exchange between the US and Canadian dollars). See consular Fees.

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Conducting Scientific Research Activities in Mexico

The application to obtain a permit must be submitted by the Canadian Embassy in Mexico to the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores). This application must be presented through a diplomatic note six months in advance for maritime research and three months in advance for earth and air research.

The application must include the following information regarding the applicant and the research project:

• Full name
• Address
• Telephone number
• Institution or Corporation where she/he works
• Resume
• 2 passport-size photos

RESEARCH PROJECT

• Objective
• Justification/grounds for conducting the research
• Name of the head and auxiliary scientists; please indicate their areas of specialization and include their resumes
• Duration (indicate the start and finish dates for the research).
• Indicate if any Mexicans will participate. If so, include their names and planned activities
• Indicate the benefits for Mexico or the scientific community
• Boats, vehicles and equipment
• Geographical areas where the research will be conducted (specify the names and geographical coordinates)
• Methodology
• Attach any supporting letters issued by Mexican institutions
• Indicate the source of financial support for the project
• Indicate if any collection activity will be developed and the intended destination of the collected material
• Indicate if the project would be carried out within the framework of any treaty or agreement

The process to submit the permit application is the following:

The Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs receives the application and forwards it to the pertinent bodies and agencies, which then provide feedback or issue the proper authorization.

The Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs the Canadian Embassy of its decision.

For further information please call the Embassy of Mexico in Canada at (613) 233-8988 ext. 234 or 236, the Canadian Embassy in Mexico at 01-800-706-29-00 or the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade at (613) 996-8885.

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Working in Mexico

Work permit (Canadian Citizens)

We appreciate your interest in working in Mexico. If you are looking for an employment opportunity in our country, please note that the Mexican Embassy does not offer any assistance in obtaining employment in Mexico. However, you may wish to consider the following options:

Individuals are responsible for conducting their own research (possibilities include contacting head-hunters, transferring to the Mexican branch of a Canadian company doing business in Mexico, or contacting Mexican companies directly). However, please be aware that Mexican immigration regulations limit the job categories to which foreigners may apply. Therefore, permits are restricted to positions in certain sectors experiencing labour shortages.

A company or any entity (school, hotel, etc.) interested in contracting a job-seeker's services must obtain the proper permit through the National Institute of Migration of the Ministry of the Interior (Instituto Nacional de Migración, Secretaría de Gobernación), in Mexico City at:

Ejército Nacional #862
Col. Los Morales
Sección Palmas
CP 11540  México, D.F.

To acquire this permit outside of Mexico City, the company must make the request through the regional offices of the Ministry of the Interior.

Canadian citizens who have been offered a position in a Mexican company or who are intra-company transferees, may enter Mexico as business people and begin performing remunerative activities, once the company's human resources department has obtained the proper migratory status for them; or they may obtain a visa through the Embassy if the Mexican company or branch requests a permit (Permiso de Internación) from the National Institute of Immigration prior to the employee entering Mexico, and asks that the visa be issued in Canada through the Mexican Embassy's Consular Section or any of its Consulates in Canada. This second option may also allow the Mexican Consulate to issue the permit for importing household goods.

Please be informed that your prospective employer may request that you present documents proving your academic and labour skills that have been legalized by the Mexican Embassy or Consulate.

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Journalist travelling to Mexico to cover a special event

Canadian journalists and correspondents visiting Mexico to cover a special event on behalf of the media must obtain an FM-3 migratory form from their nearest Mexican Consular Office. This migratory document allows the applicant to remain in Mexico for a maximum period of ninety days with multiple entries.

To apply for an FM-3 card, please provide the following:

• A completed Visa Application .

• A valid passport (good for at least 6 months).

• A letter from the employer addressed to the "Embassy of Mexico" requesting the visa for its employee. The letter should explain the purpose of the trip in addition to stating the obligation of the employer to pay the employee’s salary and all expenses. Please also include a list of the cities to be visited.

• Two recent, passport-size photos (1.5 sq. in., no eyeglasses).

• There is no consular fee.

• Non-Canadian citizens must present a copy of their landed immigrant card.

• An additional visa fee equivalent to US$36.00 is required for certain nationalities.

Residing in Mexico

Foreigners, family dependants, retired persons and/or pensioners, those seeking employment or to hold positions of trust, who would like to live in Mexico on a permanent basis, must obtain a permit from the Mexican Ministry of the Interior, National Institute of Migration (Secretaría de Gobernación, Instituto Nacional de Migración, Dirección de Inmigrantes e Inmigrados) located at: Ejército nacional #862, Col. Los Morales /Sección Palmas México, D.F. 11540. To acquire this permit outside of Mexico City, applications must be submitted through the regional offices of the Ministry of the Interior. It is possible to obtain information for the proper FM-2 migratory form through any of our consulates in Canada.

Because a variety of documents must accompany the application, all foreign documents must be legalized by the Mexican Consulate, and be accompanied by their official translation into Spanish by a certified translator.F It is advisable to contact the Mexican Consulate before sending the application in order to ensure that all of the requirements have been met. Please be advised that the Consulate does not provide translation services.

Immigrant migratory status may be granted to individuals who would like to become a permanent resident of Mexico in the future. This status is valid for a maximum of one year, and may subsequently be extended on a yearly basis for up to five years, provided that the conditions under which they were originally admitted have not changed. After five years of residence they may apply for permanent resident status (inmigrado).

Immigrants who would like to change their migratory status to that of permanent resident may not be outside of Mexico for periods of time that, totalled, exceed eighteen months over five years. Immigrants who remain outside of Mexico for more than two consecutive years will loose their migratory status, unless they are granted an exception by the Mexican Ministry of the Interior.

• Employment

The Mexican Embassy does not offer any assistance in obtaining employment in Mexico. Individuals must conduct their own research (possibilities include contacting head-hunters, transferring to the Mexican branch of a Canadian company doing business in Mexico, or contacting Mexican companies directly).

However, please consider that Mexican Immigration Regulations limit the job categories to which foreigners may apply.

Therefore, permits are restricted to certain positions experiencing shortages in the labour force. The company interested in contracting the job-seeker’s services must obtain the proper permit through the National Institute of Migration.

• Position of trust

A Mexican company or commercial entity already operating in Mexico may file an application for an entry permit on behalf of the prospective employee.

The company must prove to the Mexican migration authorities that its size and financial capacity merit the employment of the foreigner as its president, treasurer, general manager, etc., and that it has complied with the ratio of ninety percent Mexican employees to ten percent foreigners.

Mexican Consulates do not assist foreigners in contacting companies in Mexico for this purpose.

• Professionals

Certain professionals, such as lawyers, medical doctors, engineers, etc., may be granted entry permits as immigrants in exceptional cases, provided they present evidence that their academic degree or diploma has been registered and a licence to practice in Mexico has been issued.

Professors who are authorities in their field and who will not replace Mexican experts may qualify for an entry permit, provided that certification from the Mexican Ministry of Education has been issued to that effect, and that the application is filed by an official or private institution of higher education in Mexico.

• Technicians

An established company or business enterprise must request entry for technicians. The company must submit evidence that their services are needed because Mexican or foreign technicians already employed cannot provide the company with the specialized services required by said company.

The foreign specialist will be required to train a minimum of three Mexican employees in his/her speciality.

• Family dependants

Spouses or close relatives of a Mexican citizen or a foreigner already admitted as an immigrant may request an entry permit by proving their relationship to the spouse or relative to the Mexican migration authorities.

Spouses or relatives already in Mexico must submit evidence of sufficient financial resources to support the incoming relative, since they are only permitted to work in Mexico in exceptional cases.

Children and siblings of the applicant must be minors, adults with disabilities, or registered students.

• Investors

Persons who qualify for this category are foreigners who wish to invest capital in Mexican industrial plants or enterprises needed by Mexico, and they are subject to the limitations stipulated by the laws and regulations of foreign investments.

The minimum amount of investment in Mexico City and the surrounding areas is the equivalent to 26,000 times the current, daily minimum wage in Mexico City, which is approximately $43.00 pesos.

This amount may vary or may be increased according to the dollar-peso exchange rate. In order to obtain a permit, the applicant must submit the following documents: a deposit receipt from the Mexican Development Bank (Nacional Financiera S.N.C.) to guarantee that the investment will be made within the time limit specified by the National Institution of Migration, under penalty of forfeiture; a certified copy of the company’s certificate of incorporation; a certificate from the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs in which the corporate name and address have been registered for consideration; a photocopy of its last tax return; and the registry certificate from the National Registry of Foreign Investment at the Chamber Association or the corresponding entity.

Because of legal complexities involved in the process, it is foreigners are strongly advised to secure the counsel of an experienced Mexican attorney.

• Retirees

Foreigners who receive a pension from a foreign government or another form of income on a permanent basis, whether it be from investments abroad or in Mexico, may qualify for an immigrant entry permit. Income from abroad is not taxed. Income earned in Mexico is subject to taxation. Some persons prefer to deposit or to purchase certificates of deposit at a Mexican bank or at Nacional Financiera, S.N.C. for an amount that renders sufficient interest to cover living