Mexico Tourist Card (FMM) | Your Guide on How to Apply and Other FAQs

Mexico should be at the top of the list for any traveler interested in historic wonders, vibrant culture, sublime food, beach life, and sooo much more. The country will entice you with its sights and sounds and leave you mesmerized until your return home. 

However, in preparation for your trip and before arriving in Mexico, there are a handful of things you need to bear in mind. This includes the very essential immigration requirements that must be fulfilled in order to be allowed entry into the country, including the Mexico Tourist Card.

Continue reading as I explain everything you need to know about the travel requirements when visiting Mexico. You will find details about the Mexico Tourist Card, who needs to apply, how much does it cost, and how to obtain one.

You will also find detailed answers to top questions regarding the Mexico tourist card. All of this has been provided below to make your journey that much more smoother and your Mexican vacation that much more enjoyable.

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What is the Mexico Tourist Card

All travellers visiting Mexico must fill out an official entry Immigration Form before their arrival in Mexico.

This tourist permit required to travel to Mexico is famously known as the “Mexico Tourist Card” and in Mexican, it is called the FMM (Forma Migratoria Multiple). 

This document is not a replacement for the traditional visa. However, it allows the tourist to visit Mexico for up to 180 days. You may reach any immigration office to apply for an extension of the Tourist Card, but chances are slim that you will be granted any additional stay in Mexico. 

Multiple entries are not allowed on the Mexico Tourist Card. 

Visitors must keep this document safe with them when traveling within Mexico to avoid delays and problems at the time of exit because this document will be required at the termination of your stay. 

Citizens of over 200 countries all over the world can apply for the FMM form for Mexico or the Tourist Card. This card is easy to obtain through an online application from the comfort of your home. 

Overall, the responsibility of issuing and controlling the Mexico Entry procedures lies with the INM (Instituto Nacional de Migracion). 

All the travelers/visitors must know that despite possessing a Mexico Tourist Card, no one is allowed to work in Mexico. To further ensure the implementation of this rule, the card clearly states that no salary can be claimed when traveling on this card in Mexico. 

How to obtain a Mexico Tourist Card

— Getting the FMM Form from Airlines

Besides many other methods to get the FMM form, many of the travelers feel confident to complete the form while on the plane.

The airlines which fly to Mexico will place the form at your disposal during the flight.

After filling in the application form, you need to present it to the service counters or immigration authorities upon landing in Mexico. Be sure to keep your passport in hand.

This is the only method of applying for the Mexico Tourist Card where you are exempted from paying any fee for the FMM. 

— Getting the Tourist Card at Arrival

You can also get the FMM (or the Mexico Tourist Card) upon arrival at selected border control locations in Mexico.

An FMM service counter is established at Mexican airports, from where you can get the form and deposit your application after filling it deliberately. The form comes as a double copy.

The immigration officer will rip the form in two pieces, give a copy to you, and keep the other for their records. In case you lose your half while traveling, you will be required to pay an additional fee.

— Online Application to Get the Mexico Tourist Card Before Your Travel 

If you intend to get FMM (Forma Migratoria Multiple) or the Mexico Tourist Card well before you travel to Mexico, you have the option to fill in an application form online for this purpose. This can be done here at the Mexico National Immigration Institute.

Most travelers prefer this method as it is not only easy but also requires minimal time for all the procedures. Contrary to other ways of procuring the FMM, this method releases you of worries of any inconveniences at the departure or the arrival airport. You are merely required to provide some basic (personal) information, your intended travel plan, and your duration of stay in Mexico. 

You have the choice of obtaining the Mexico Tourist Card in 24 hours by paying $20 or within 30 minutes by paying $60 via debit or credit card. 

You have to visit the Government of Mexico official site or the site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to obtain the FMM, but the general experience of people remains that the site not only remains buggy, but is also difficult to handle. Occasionally, language problems are faced at the user end, which adds to fatigue and time delays. 

That is why many tourists remain in search of good travel agencies and agents to get the FMM conveniently and without any worries.

— Recommended Method

The best method to get your FMM is through a reputable service provider, where you can get all the information you need before applying for the Mexico Tourist Card.

The user-friendly Natvisa site guides you through the process in a very convenient way. You will not be bugged by unnecessary ads and superfluous formalities while filling the form, paying the requisite fee, and submitting your details. 

Furthermore, this site is also extremely helpful as it provides detailed answers to the frequently asked questions including the requirements, COVID 19 entry requirements, and implications, and all the queries related to the FMM.

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Health Instructions for Travelers

To get the Mexico Tourist Card you will not be asked to provide the COVID – 19 test results but you may be required to provide the self-declaration form. The only case where you will be asked to provide a COVID negative certificate is when arriving in Mexico through a country other than the one from where you started your travel.

In addition, if you show any signs of illness at the airport, you may be subjected to regular quarantine under strict control. 

The world is suffering a severe wave of the COVID pandemic and huge responsibilities are to be shouldered by the travelers and the locals as well. All precautionary measures are to be ensured by all for ensuring the safety of everyone. To ensure this, the Mexico Questionnaire of Identification of Risk Factor in Travelers form has to be filled in by all those traveling to Mexico.

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