mexico tourist visa in canada

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Some citizens of Mexico now require a visa to visit Canada

In response to an increase in asylum claimants from Mexico, Canada now requires some Mexican nationals to obtain a visitor visa to enter Canada temporarily.

This change is effective as of February 29, 2024. Previously, all Mexican citizens were eligible to receive an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to enter Canada.

Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

Who will now need a visitor visa?

All Mexican citizens will now need a visa to enter Canada unless they meet all three of the following criteria:

• They are entering Canada by air, or flying to Canada to transit to another destination;
• They are coming to Canada for a short-term visit (usually for stays up to six months in length); and
• They have either: held a Canadian visitor visa (or other temporary resident visa * ) in the past 10 years or a valid United States nonimmigrant visa at the time of their application and travel.

* Temporary resident visas include visitor, work, and study permit-related visas.

Mexican travelers to Canada should also be aware that if they had an eTA before 11:30 pm EST on February 29th, 2024, it will be canceled, and they will need to apply for a new permit. If these individuals are no longer eligible for an eTA after the new changes are implemented, they will now need to apply for a visitor visa.

How do these changes impact Mexicans already in Canada as visitors?

Visitors are temporary residents in Canada who do not have a study or work permit associated with their stay (usually these are travelers on business or tourist trips to Canada). These individuals will continue to be allowed to stay in Canada for the duration they were previously approved for.

However, their eTAs will be canceled. If these visitors wish to re-enter Canada after leaving, they will need to apply for a visitor visa, or a new eTA if they meet all the above eligibility criteria.

How do these changes impact Mexicans already in Canada on a work or study permit?

Mexican citizens already in Canada on a study or work permit will not have their eTAs canceled. These individuals will retain their previous eTA and may continue to travel on it if the document is valid.

If these individuals are applying for a new work or study permit, they will automatically be issued a visa or eTA (based on their eligibility) when their work or study permit is approved. They will not need to apply separately for a visa or eTA.

Note: In all instances, an eTA is for air travel only. Even if individuals have a valid eTA, they will need a valid visitor visa if they plan to travel to Canada by car, bus, train, or boat (including cruise ship, even if travelers do not leave the cruise ship).

What can Mexican citizens do if they had a valid study or work permit at the time of the change, but their eTA was still canceled?

These individuals may be eligible to have their eTAs reactivated. To find out if this is the case, they can:

• Send a web form request to Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC);
• Complete all required fields; and
• Include the code “EMVR2024” in the text box.

If these individuals are not eligible to have their eTA reactivated, they will need to submit a new eTA or visitor visa application, based on the new requirements.

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Canada Restores Visa Requirement for Mexican Visitors

The immigration minister said Mexico had not done enough to address the surge of asylum seekers arriving in Canada.

By Vjosa Isai

Canada announced on Thursday that it would require visas for Mexican nationals to enter the country, a move that comes amid a surge in asylum requests from Mexicans arriving in Canada.

The rule follows months of discussions between the two countries over the rise in the number of Mexicans entering Canada, including repeated attempts by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to address the issue with Mexico’s president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

Some provincial officials say a surge of asylum seekers has strained their resources and their ability to provide social services.

“We needed to give Mexico, because of our friendship, the chance to rectify things,” Marc Miller, Canada’s immigration minister, said at a news conference.

“This clearly was not done,” he added, “so we had to take a decision.”

The visa mandate, which will go into effect Thursday night, had been lifted by Mr. Trudeau in 2016 to boost tourism and as a sign of the close ties between the two countries.

Since then the number of Mexican asylum claims has soared, to roughly 24,000 last year from 260 eight years ago. About 17 percent of all Canadian asylum claims last year were filed by Mexican nationals.

Most asylum claims from Mexico are rejected, withdrawn or abandoned, Mr. Miller said, clogging up an immigration system already facing difficulties trying to cope with a mounting backlog of refugee claims. “It has ripple effects,” he said.

For some Mexicans who can afford plane tickets, flying to Canada has become an alternate route to the United States, allowing them to avoid the smugglers who control the paths to the U.S. southern border.

U.S. immigration officials have recorded a large increase in the number of migrants, including Mexicans, crossing into the United States from Canada, though nowhere near the enormous numbers at the southern border.

“But they are significant,” Mr. Miller said. “And that’s something we have to manage as a partner with the U.S.”

Immigration has become a major issue in the United States ahead of the November election, and the Biden administration has made the tightening of the country’s borders a top political priority.

President Biden and Donald J. Trump, who is almost certain to be his Republican rival for the White House, were both scheduled to appear on Thursday in South Texas to discuss migration.

Mr. López Obrador told reporters on Thursday that his government respected Canada’s decision, but said that Canada could have sought “other alternatives,” without offering specifics.

He also issued a “small, respectful, fraternal reproach” to Mr. Trudeau, though he said that his government’s response would be “to act with prudence, with serenity.”

Not all Mexicans will be required to have a visa to travel to Canada. The rule excludes Mexicans who have had a Canadian visa within the past 10 years, or if they currently have a temporary U.S. visa. Travelers in this category need an electronic travel authorization, which is valid for up to five years.

Canada’s visa decision is the latest step in the country’s effort to address asylum claims made from regular ports of entry, like airports, and from unofficial border crossings.

Canadian officials in January also placed restrictions on foreign students , doubling the savings threshold new applicants must have to qualify for a study permit, after a surge raised concerns about pressures on housing.

After an agreement with the United States, Canada last year closed a popular land border crossing between New York State and Quebec, called Roxham Road , following a spike in migrants entering Canada there.

Some provincial leaders, including François Legault, the premier of Quebec, have criticized the federal government’s response and say it needs to provide more financial help to defray the costs of absorbing thousands of migrants.

About half of Canada’s 290,000 asylum seekers are in Quebec, the province’s immigration minister has said, and Quebec is asking the government for 1 billion Canadian dollars in assistance.

Emiliano Rodríguez Mega contributed reporting from Mexico City.

Vjosa Isai is a reporter and researcher for The Times based in Toronto, where she covers news from across Canada. More about Vjosa Isai

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Do you need a visa to go to Mexico?

Oct 24, 2023 • 4 min read

Find out if you can apply for a working holiday visa in Mexico © Thomas Barwick / Getty Images

Mexico is a vibrant country full of incredible culture and wonderful people – no wonder it's so continuously popular with visitors.

But navigating tourist permits, visas and officialdom can be daunting when you’re headed to a foreign country, especially one that revels in red tape. Have no fear! Here’s exactly what you need to know about entry requirements for  Mexico .

Who doesn't need a visa for Mexico?

Citizens of the US, Canada, EU, Israel, Japan and dozens of other countries are among those who do not require a visa to enter Mexico as tourists.

The same goes for any visitor, regardless of nationality, who is a permanent resident of or has a valid visa from the US (including an H1-B visa), Canada, the United Kingdom and any country in the Schengen Area or Pacific Alliance.

Notwithstanding visas, all foreign visitors must have  a passport with at least six months validity and a completed  Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM), Mexico’s tourist card or stamp.

Where do I get an FMM?

The paper version of the FMM is gradually being phased out across Mexico and replaced with a passport stamp. However, when needed, FMM forms are available at border crossings , international airports and ports ; if you’re flying to Mexico, the form will be provided to you on-board your aircraft. The FMM form can also be completed online , printed and presented to immigration officials.

Processing an FMM costs US$28, which is paid on the spot at borders and ports or is integrated into the cost of airline tickets under “fees and surcharges.”

Upon entering Mexico, immigration officials stamp the FMM or your passport, adding the number of days you’re permitted to stay. Officials can approve up to 180 days but often grant less. Be sure to ask for the number of days you’ll need to cover your visit!

When you leave Mexico, you must surrender your FMM, if it’s a paper version. Keep it safe. If you lose it, you’ll face a US$40 fine.

The requirements are a little different if you're entering Mexico by land:

• FMMs are free for visitors staying less than seven days
• FMMs are not required for visitors who stay less than 72 hours in the " Zona Libre " or "Free Zone" – the areas 20 to 26 km (12 to 16 miles) south of the US border
• If you're entering through the Zona Libre but are planning to travel beyond its limits, request an FMM form when crossing the border. If you forget, you’ll be stopped upon return to the Zona Libre and made to pay for the FMM. If departing Mexico from beyond the Zona Libre , you may be fined if you don’t have an FMM.

Visitors requiring a visa

Chinese, Indian, Russian and South African citizens are among those who are required to have a tourist visa to enter Mexico . In addition to having a valid passport, the following must be submitted in person at the nearest Mexican embassy or consulate:

• Visa application form
• A color passport photograph
• Proof of ties to an origin country (eg, a letter certifying employment or full-time study)
• Proof of economic solvency (eg, three months of bank statements or investments)
• Approximately US$51 fee (cash or bank transfers only)  

Appointments for tourist visas at Mexican embassies and consulates must be made online with the Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores . At the pre-scheduled time, the submitted documents will be reviewed, biometric data taken (photo and fingerprints) and an interview conducted by a consular agent.

Once approved, a tourist visa is valid for up to 180 days. Upon entry to Mexico, travelers with tourist visas must also have an FMM.

Can I extend my stay in Mexico?

It's no surprise that many visitors wish to extend their visa and see more of Mexico. How you do that will depend on the details of your particular visit.

If your FMM was issued for less than 180 days, you can request an extension at an immigration office . Be sure to apply well before your FMM expires! Documents needed include a valid passport, valid FMM, valid tourist visa (if necessary) and proof of sufficient funds to remain in Mexico for the intended length of stay.

If your FMM was issued for 180 days, you'll need to leave Mexico and re-enter – this triggers the issuance of a new FMM. Most travelers opt to visit a neighboring country for just a couple of days before returning.

Travelers with tourist visas should seek an extension or apply for a new visa at an immigration office. Be sure to start the process well before the visa expires, as it may take some time to process the paperwork.

Can I take a working holiday in Mexico?

Mexico offers a working holiday visa called a " Visa Temporal – Vacaciones y Trabajo ," wherein certain foreign nationals are permitted to accept paid work in Mexico for up to 180 days. Those include citizens, aged 18 to 30, from Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Germany, New Zealand, Peru and South Korea.

Extensions are not permitted and the visa cannot be converted into a work visa. To obtain this visa, schedule an appointment at your nearest Mexican embassy or consulate via the website of the Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores .

This article was first published Jun 30, 2021 and updated Oct 24, 2023.

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Visa Traveler

Exploring the world one country at a time

Mexico tourist visa: Requirements and application procedure

Updated: October 31, 2023

Mexico tourist visa requirements are clear and easy to understand. Mexico has a liberal visa policy offering visa EXEMPTION to many nationalities. Those who REQUIRE a visa are also exempt from visa if they hold a valid visa from the US, UK, Canada, Schengen or Japan. 

Mexico visa application is fairly simple. It costs $44 USD and takes about two business days to process. Mexico tourist visa is valid for 180 days, multiple-entry.

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MEXICO TOURIST VISA REQUIREMENTS BY NATIONALITY

Minimum passport validity required to enter Mexico

• Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival

Visa EXEMPT nationalities

180-day entry.

• Liechtenstein
• Marshall Islands
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Sint Maarten
• South Korea
• Switzerland
• Trinidad and Tobago
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States of America

Visa REQUIRED nationalities

• Afghanistan
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bosnia Herzegovina
• Brunei Darussalam
• Burkina Faso
• The central African Republic
• Congo (Dem. Rep. of)
• Congo (Rep. of)
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• North Korea
• North Macedonia
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Salomon Islands
• São Tomé and Príncipe
• Saudi Arabia
• Sierra Leone
• South Africa
• South Sudan
• Timor-Leste
• Turkmenistan
• Vatican City

Visa EXEMPT with a valid VISA from the US, Canada, UK, Schengen or Japan

Visa is NOT REQUIRED for ANY nationality holding a valid visa from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Schengen or Japan for stays up to 180 days as a tourist.

Example: You hold an Indian passport with a US B1/B2 visa, both valid for more than 6 months. You can enter Mexico using your India passport and US B1/B2 visa. No need to apply for a separate Mexico visa.

Visa EXEMPT with a valid PERMANENT RESIDENT CARD from the US, Canada, UK, any Schengen country, Japan or any Pacific Alliance country (Chile, Colombia, Peru)

Visa is NOT REQUIRED for ANY nationality holding a valid permanent resident card from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Schengen, Japan, Chile, Colombia and Peru for stays up to 180 days as a tourist.

Example: You hold an Egypt passport with a US green card, both valid for more than 6 months. You can enter Mexico using your Egypt passport and US green card. No need to apply for a separate Mexico visa.

Visa EXEMPT for cruise passengers

Visa is NOT REQUIRED for cruise passengers of ANY nationality entering Mexico at maritime ports as part of the cruise trip. 

Example: You are on a Caribbean cruise trip that will make a stop at Cancun, Mexico. You do not need any visa to enter Mexico at Cancun as part of your Caribbean cruise trip.

MEXICO TOURIST VISA APPLICATION PROCESS

Check if you need a Mexico tourist visa from the “Visa Requirements” section above. Alternatively, you can check if a visa is REQUIRED or EXEMPT on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico website.

Validity of Mexico tourist visa

Mexico tourist visas are valid for 6 months from the date of visa issue. Visas are usually multiple-entry.

Example: If your Mexico visa was issued on December 05, 2020, the visa will be valid until June 05, 2021.

When to apply for Mexico visa

You can apply for a Mexico visa up to 3 months in advance.

Example: If you plan to visit Mexico on April 15, you can apply for your Mexico visa on or after January 16.

How long can you stay in Mexico

The Mexico tourist visa allows you to stay up to 180 days in Mexico. 

In most cases, immigration officers give 180-day entry. But there may be occasions where you will be given fewer days. Check your FMM form for the number of days you’re allowed to stay. 

Example: If you entered Mexico on July 01, you will be allowed to stay till December 27. 

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE When asked at the port of entry, I usually say that I’m in Mexico for 1 month. But if necessary I continue staying longer. In one instance, I stayed close to 180 days and it wasn’t a problem leaving or re-entering Mexico.

Application procedure

Mexico tourist visa application is a 5 step process.

• Prepare documents required
• Schedule visa appointment
• Pay visa fee
• Attend visa appointment
• Pick up Passport

1. Prepare documents required

The following documents are required for Mexico tourist visa. 

• Completed Mexico visa application form
• One passport-size photograph
• Original passport
• Copy of the first and last page of your passport
• Original employment letter (must have been working for at least 1 year in the current company)
• Bank statements for the last 3 months
• Payslips for the last 3 months
• Copy of the visa/residence permit if applying in a third country (Example: if you hold an Indian passport and applying in the US, you have to provide a copy of your US visa)

1.2. Photo requirements

The photo must be 4.5cm x 3.5 cm with a white background, no glasses and the face covering 80% of the photo.

2. Schedule visa appointment

You must schedule your visa appointment at your nearest Mexican embassy or consulate using the MEXITEL visa appointment website. You cannot appear at the consulate without a prior scheduled appointment. 

First, you will have to create an account in MEXITEL. You will need the following details to create your account.

• Surname/Family Name
• Mother’s Last Name
• Primary Phone
• Phone Number

After creating your account, you will have to select the country and the consulate. You will then see the calendar with available dates. You can select the date and time that works for you and schedule the appointment.  

After you finish scheduling your appointment, you will receive a confirmation letter in your email. You must print this confirmation letter and carry it with you on the day of your appointment. 

The Mexican embassy in India made a nice step-by-step guide on how to schedule visa appointments using the MEXITEL website. 

NOTE Use Chrome browser if you can to schedule your appointment. MEXITEL website is not compatible with certain web browsers.

3. Pay visa fee

The Mexico tourist visa fee is $44 USD payable in local currency. You may end up paying a bit more or less due to the exchange rate. Keep in mind that the visa fee is non-refundable. 

The payment method for the visa fee depends on the country and consulate. Some Mexican consulates accept cash payments within the consulate. Some require you to pay the fee at a designated bank in person or online prior to attending your appointment at the consulate. Check on your nearest consulate website for the exact procedure and fee.

4. Attend visa appointment

On the day of your visa appointment, you must appear at the Mexican consulate. If the consulate requires the visa payment to be made at the consulate, you will be instructed to pay the visa fee at the cashier. 

You will then meet the consular officer. You must present your passport, documents and visa fee receipt.

The consulate office will review your documents and capture your biometrics such as photos and fingerprints. They will ask you a few questions to assess your background and purpose of travel. 

If you are not eligible for the visa or do not meet the requirements, you will be told so. Your documents and passport will be returned back. This is not a rejection, so it will not hurt your future visa attempts for Mexico or any other country.

4.1. Visa processing time

Mexico tourist visa processing takes 2 working days. If there are too many applicants, the processing can take up to 10 working days. You will be told at the visa interview when to come back to pick up your passport.

05. Pick up passport

You have to go back to the Mexican consulate again in person to pick up your passport. 

Keep in mind that passports cannot be mailed back to you. You also cannot send anyone else to pick up your passport. You must go back in person to pick up your own passport.

After you pick up your passport, verify the name and dates on your Mexico visa to make sure everything is correct.

ENTERING AND LEAVING MEXICO BY AIR

Entering Mexico by air

A Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM) is a Mexican immigration form similar to an arrival/departure card, also called a Mexico Tourist Card. Normally, an FMM card will be given to you on your inbound flight. You must fill this FMM card before you enter the immigration and customs at the first port of entry in Mexico.

At your first port of entry in Mexico, you have to go through passport control. You will be asked about your purpose of travel, whether it’s your first time in Mexico, etc. Your passport will be stamped.

The number of days you will be allowed to stay will be marked on the FMM card. Usually, it’s 180 days but it can be less also. Verify the card right away to make sure you were given enough days for your trip.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE I have entered Mexico by air at Mexico City, Guadalajara and Cancun airports. I was always asked how long I plan to stay in Mexico. I was never asked to show proof of my return ticket or hotel bookings.

IMPORTANT You must retain the FMM card while you are in Mexico. If you lose, you have to pay a penalty on your exit.

As always, carry a copy of your return ticket and hotel booking just in case. If you are traveling on a one-way ticket, don’t forget to get proof of onward ticket .

Leaving Mexico by air

You have to return the FMM card to the airline staff on your exit. If you lose your FMM card, you must pay a penalty. To avoid any penalties and delays on your exit, make sure to keep the FMM card safe while you are in the country.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE I left Mexico by air at Mexico City, Guadalajara and Cancun airports. There was no exit passport control. The airline staff verified my FMM card at check-in and took it away at the gate before boarding.

ENTERING AND LEAVING MEXICO BY LAND

Entering Mexico by land

Grab and fill an FMM card at the immigration office. Present your passport, FMM card and cash for tourism tax. 

You will be asked about your purpose of travel, whether it’s your first time in Mexico, etc. Your passport will be stamped. The number of days you will be allowed to stay will be marked on the FMM card. Usually, it’s 180 days but it can be less in some instances. Check the FMM card right away to make sure you were given enough days for your trip.

TOURISM TAX All tourists entering Mexico must pay a tourism tax. If you are flying into Mexico, your airline fare will include tourism tax. But if you are entering by land, you must pay tourism tax at the immigration office. The tourism tax is $594 MXN. It must be paid in cash in Mexican pesos only, but at some borders accept USD.

Leaving Mexico by land

You must present your original passport, FMM card and proof of tourism tax paid to the immigration officer. 

If you have entered Mexico by air, check your airline booking for itemized price details. You should see a line such as “Tourism Tax”. You can print your booking and show this as proof of the tourism tax paid when leaving Mexico by land. If you do not see tourism tax in your booking, you can email the airline requesting an itemized invoice. If the airline can’t provide you with one, you MUST pay tourism tax when leaving Mexico by land. 

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE I left Mexico by land at Ciudad Cuauhtemoc near the Mexico/Guatemala border. I had a receipt of my tourist tax, so I presented my tourist tax receipt, FMM card and passport. The immigration officer took away the tourist tax receipt, and FMM card and stamped my passport with an exit stamp. It took about 5 minutes at the immigration office.

ENTERING AND LEAVING MEXICO BY SEA

Entering Mexico by sea

TOURISM TAX All tourists entering Mexico must pay a tourism tax. If you are flying into Mexico, your airline fare will include tourism tax. But if you are entering by sea, you must pay tourism tax at the immigration office. The tourism tax is $594 MXN. It must be paid in cash in Mexican pesos only, but some maritime ports accept USD.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE I entered Mexico by sea at Chetumal near the Mexico/Belize border. I grabbed an FMM card, quickly filled and lined up at the immigration counter. It took a while to get through the immigration as there were many on the boat and there was only one immigration officer. I paid $533 MXN for tourism tax and received a receipt of payment. 

Leaving Mexico by sea

If you do not have a tourism tax receipt or your airline booking doesn’t indicate it clearly, you will have to pay tourism tax when leaving Mexico by sea.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE I left Mexico by sea at Chetumal near the Mexico/Belize border. I did not have a receipt for my tourism tax paid, so I had to pay the tourism tax at the port. I did not receive a receipt for tourism tax paid since I’m exiting and the receipt will not be useful anyway. The immigration procedure took about 10 minutes.

Mexico visa requirements are clear and easy to understand. Mexico offers visa EXEMPTION to many nationalities. Any nationality holding any visa from the US, UK, Canada, Schengen or Japan is also visa EXEMPT. The Visa application procedure is fairly easy, and quick and costs $44 USD.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WITH VISA TRAVELER

I highly recommend using these websites to plan your trip. I use these websites myself to apply for my visas, book my flights and hotels and purchase my travel insurance.

01. Apply for your visa

Get a verifiable flight itinerary for your visa application from DummyTicket247 . DummyTicket247 is a flight search engine to search and book flight itineraries for visas instantly. These flight itineraries are guaranteed to be valid for 2 weeks and work for all visa applications.

02. Book your fight

Find the cheapest flight tickets using Skyscanner . Skyscanner includes all budget airlines and you are guaranteed to find the cheapest flight to your destination.

03. Book your hotel

Book your hotel from Booking.com . Booking.com has pretty much every hotel, hostel and guesthouse from every destination.

04. Get your onward ticket

If traveling on a one-way ticket, use BestOnwardTicket to get proof of onward ticket for just $12, valid for 48 hours.

05. Purchase your insurance

Purchase travel medical insurance for your trip from SafetyWing . Insurance from SafetyWing covers COVID-19 and also comes with a visa letter which you can use for your visas.

Need more? Check out my travel resources page  for the best websites to plan your trip.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

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New visa rules for Mexican nationals: Your questions answered

Also, will temporary foreign workers and international students be affected.

‘A lot of collateral damage’ in Canada’s new visa rules, Mexican nationals say

Social sharing.

This story idea came from audience members, like you, who got in touch with us. Email us your questions. We are listening: [email protected].

Dozens of you emailed us asking questions about the newly reimposed visa regulations for Mexican nationals and how they could impact your travel plans.

We're here to answer those questions, now that Mexican travellers will need to apply for a visitor visa or for a new electronic travel authorization ( eTA ) to enter Canada.

What if I already had a visitor visa or an eTA? Is it still valid?

The short answer is that your visitor visa will remain valid, but your eTA won't be.

All eTAs issued to Mexican passports before 11:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 29, 2024, are no longer valid — except those linked to a valid Canadian work or study permit. That means you will need to apply for a new eTA to travel to Canada by air.

If you plan to travel to Canada by car, bus, train or boat, including a cruise ship (even if you don't leave the ship), you will need to apply for a visitor visa.

To be eligible to apply for an eTA, Mexican citizens will need a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa or have held a Canadian visa in the past 10 years.

An estimated 60 per cent of people travelling from Mexico will not actually need a visa under the new rules, because they qualify for an eTA, according to the federal government. 

In most other scenarios, a visitor visa would be required. If you are not sure whether you need a visitor visa or an eTA, use this tool  from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to find out.

How long does it typically take to get an eTA or visitor visa? 

Most people get their eTA approved in a matter of minutes, but if you are required to submit additional documents, it could take several days to process, according to the IRCC .

As for visitor visas, Mexican citizens should expect to wait up to 40 days to get theirs approved. IRCC processing times are updated regularly, and you can use this tool to check them.

• New visa rules for Mexican nationals turn families, tourists into collateral damage, loved ones say
• Canada bringing back visa requirements for Mexican nationals to curb asylum seekers

Will temporary foreign workers or international students be affected?

If you are a Mexican citizen in Canada on a temporary foreign worker visa or a student visa, you don't have to worry about these new changes.

You already have a valid visa, and your eTA won't be cancelled — you can continue working or studying until your permit expires. 

If you have applied for a new work or study permit, you will automatically be issued a visa or eTA based on your eligibility. 

Can I apply for an eTA when I land in Canada?

No, you will need your eTA or your visitor visa before you check in for your flight .

With files from Rhianna Schmunk

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Mexico Entry Requirements for Canadian Citizens

Mexico Visa Needed

(for stays of up to 180 days)

Tourist Card (FMM) Needed

(if traveling by land)

Unlike nationals of some other countries, Citizens of Canada do not need a visa to enter Mexico but they are required to complete a Mexican tourist card if traveling by land. Commonly known as FMM ( Forma Migratoria Múltiple ), this is a mandatory requirement for all travelers who visit the country, including Canadians.

It is of the utmost importance that Canadians know the procedure to apply online for a Forma Migratoria Múltiple , as well as the prerequisites that they must abide by in order to be considered eligible.

Do Canadians Need a Mexican FMM?

Although Canadian citizens are visa-exempt when traveling to Mexico, they do need to hold a Mexican tourist card (FMM) when arriving at a land border. This travel document, along with their valid passport, is all Canadians need to enter the country.

Mexican authorities typically screen incoming travelers as part of their security protocols to protect both visitors and Mexican citizens. This is why nationals of Canada need an approved Mexican tourist card when accessing the country by land.

Entry Requirements to Mexico From Canada

Even though Canadian passport holders may travel to Mexico legally without a visa, they will still have to carry a valid passport issued by the Canadian government to identify themselves.

The Canadian passport must also be valid for at least six months (180 days) after the proposed arrival date in Mexico.

One of the key Mexican entry requirements is that citizens of Canada must have an approved tourist card if arriving by land. When crossing the border, Mexican officers will keep a part of the travel document, while Canadians will hold the other part (slip of paper) , which must be kept with them during the whole trip to present when exiting Mexico.

An approved Mexico tourist card for Canadians is valid for a single entry only. In other words, in the event that travelers leave Mexico and then want to re-enter, they will have to apply for another Mexican FMM.

On the other hand, the FMM is valid for 180 days in total . If holders from Canada would like to extend their stay, another FMM application will have to be completed online.

Mexico Tourist Card's Application Form for Canadian Nationals

It is now possible to get the FMM online from Canada rather than on the journey to Mexico. This new electronic system has made the process much quicker and easier for Canadians to enter the country.

Citizens from Canada may now complete the FMM application form online .

To do so, applicants from Canada must abide by the following:

• Have access to an internet connection - any electronic device, such as a tablet, laptop, or mobile phone, can be used
• Provide an accessible and current email address to receive key FMM information
• Submit personal information such as Canadians’ full name, date and place of birth, and contact details
• Give travel details such as passport information (number, expiry and issuance date) and purpose of their travel
• Respond to routine questions related to Canadian travelers’ health and criminal record, if any
• Pay the Mexican FMM processing fee with a valid credit or debit card

It is recommended that nationals from Canada double-check the information provided to avoid any error or missing details.

Once all these steps are completed, the FMM is sent by email. Applicants can expect to receive their tourist card to Mexico in up to 24-48 hours , although most FMM cards are approved within a few hours.

Benefits for Canadians when applying online for a Mexican FMM

Applying online and beforehand for a Mexican tourist card allows Canadian applicants to avoid long queues at the border of Mexico . It also means that travelers do not need to carry money on their person to settle the tourist card fee. Instead, the payment can be made online.

The online option is, therefore, deemed more convenient, secure, and straightforward. The completion of the electronic FMM application form will only take 20 minutes or less for Canadians. Short-stay travelers do not need to apply for a Mexican visa from an embassy if they have an approved tourist card.

Register with the Canadian Embassy in Mexico

Nationals of Canada traveling to Mexico are advised to register with the Canadian Embassy in Mexico City. This can be done by completing a quick form online, while applying for a Mexico FMM through this site.

Registration of Canadians Abroad is a service that provides important information about current events in Mexico or internationally if this could affect the individual’s travel plans.

For example, Canadians registered with the Embassy of Canada in Mexico City will be contacted in the following circumstances:

• Personal emergencies at home (the Canadian Embassy to Mexico will help citizens’ families to contact them)
• International emergencies that could impact the journey home
• Civil unrest
• Natural disasters

In emergencies , the Embassy will contact Canadians in Mexico who have registered and can help them get in touch with family and friends at home.

Travel Advisory for Mexico from Canada

The Canadian government recommends that its citizens who travel to Mexico to :

• Stay in tourist areas
• Remain vigilant against petty crime
• Keep an eye on local media during their stay
• Be vigilant when driving on major highways
• Avoid traveling at night

Canadians traveling to Mexico are particularly advised to avoid the following areas due to common incidents of violence and crime :

• Colima, excluding Manzanillo city
• all Coahuila, except the southern part of the state at and below the Saltillo-Torreón highway corridor
• Durango, except Durango City
• Guerrero, except for Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo and Taxco
• Highway 45 between León and Irapuato in Guanajuato and the area south of this
• Lagunas de Zempoala National Park and Xoxocotla in Morelos
• Michoacán, except for Morelia
• Nuevo León, except for Monterrey
• Sinaloa, except for Mazatlán
• Sonora, except for Hermosillo and Guaymas/San Carlos and Puerto Peñasco
• Tepicin and the area within 20 km of the border with Sinaloa and Durango in Nayarit

As when traveling to any foreign destination, Canadians should be aware that while most travel to Mexico is trouble-free, they should take safety precautions to ensure a smooth trip . Signing up for the embassy registration mentioned above can help to achieve this.

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Canada will reimpose some visa requirements on Mexicans, official says

FILE - A Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer informs a migrant couple of the location of a legal border station, shortly before they illegally crossed from Champlain, N.Y., to Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, Quebec, using Roxham Road. Canada’s government is reimposing some visa requirements on Mexican nationals visiting Canada, an official familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024. Quebec’s premier has been urging the federal government to slow the influx of refugees which he says has been straining resources. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

• Copy Link copied

TORONTO (AP) — Canada’s government is reimposing some visa requirements on Mexican nationals visiting Canada, an official familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Quebec’s premier has been urging the federal government to slow the influx of refugees which he says has been straining resources.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak ahead of the Thursday announcement. The official said the new rules will take effect late Thursday and they won’t mean a complete return to pre-2016 rules. Canada’s immigration minister is expected to announce details.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government lifted the visa requirement for Mexican visitors in late 2016, removing a major irritant in relations between the two countries.

But Canadian Immigration Minister Mac Miller has said asylum claims from Mexico have shot up since Canada lifted the visa restriction in 2016. Canada getting rid of visa free travel from Mexico is also expected to reduce the number of illegal crossings of Mexicans into the U.S. from Canada.

In 2023, Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Board had 17,490 claims from Mexico, making up 19% of claims referred that year. A year prior, the number was 7,483 making up 12% of claims.

Previously, refugee service providers in Montreal have said that Mexican families are fleeing violence, insecurity and a lack of jobs in Mexico.

Canada only grants asylum to people it believes cannot safely live in any part of their home country because officials are unable or unwilling to provide those conditions.

During his daily press briefing Wednesday morning, Mexico President Andrés Manuel López Obrador suggested Canada was going to announce actions when he took a reporter’s question about potential U.S. tariffs on Mexican steel exports and launched into a rambling complaint about a lack of respect coming from Mexico’s North American neighbors.

The president said that conservative forces in Mexico had been lobbying in the United States and Canada for actions that would reflect poorly on his administration. He mentioned U.S. complaints about fentanyl production in Mexico and assertions by both the U.S. and Canada that Mexico was not doing its part to control immigration flows.

“The immigration issue, it’s Mexico’s fault,” López Obrador mocked. “’We’re going to build a wall and that’s how we’ll solve the problem. We’re going to militarize the border and that’s how we’ll solve the problem.’”

“And now Canada is doing the same, they’re wanting to take measures against Mexico; we really regret it,” López Obrador said. “They’re negotiating to reach an agreement, that we can control the migration flows to Canada, as we always have. And we have acted generously toward them, with the administration of Prime Minister Trudeau, but they were already at the point of imposing unilateral measures, right now, when there are elections in Mexico.”

López Obrador also raised the possibility that he would not attend the North American Leaders’ Summit, scheduled for April in Quebec. “If there isn’t respectful treatment, I don’t participate,” he said.

Associated Press Writer Christopher Sherman contributed from Mexico City.

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COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

Mexico travel advice

Latest updates: The Need help? section was updated.

Last updated: May 13, 2024 06:59 ET

On this page

Safety and security, entry and exit requirements, laws and culture, natural disasters and climate, mexico - exercise a high degree of caution.

Exercise a high degree of caution in Mexico due to high levels of criminal activity and kidnapping.

Guerrero - Avoid all travel

This advisory excludes the cities of Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, where you should exercise a high degree of caution.

Regional Advisory - Avoid non-essential travel

• all Chihuahua
• all Colima, except the city of Manzanillo
• all Coahuila, except the southern part of the state at and below the Saltillo-Torreón highway corridor
• all Durango, except Durango City
• Highway 45 between León and Irapuato
• the area south of and including Highway 45D between Irapuato and Celaya
• all Michoacán, except the cities of Morelia and Patzcuaro
• the Lagunas de Zempoala National Park
• the municipality of Xoxocotla
• the area within 20 km of the border with Sinaloa and Durango
• the city of Tepic
• all Nuevo León, except the city of Monterrey
• all Sinaloa, except the cities of Los Mochis and Mazatlán
• all Sonora, except the cities of Hermosillo and Guaymas/San Carlos and Puerto Peñasco
• all Tamaulipas
• all Zacatecas

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General elections

General elections are scheduled to take place on June 2, 2024. Demonstrations and other political gatherings could occur before, during and after the elections. Road closures and blockages may cause travel disruptions. A strong military and police presence is expected.

You may face deportation if you participate in demonstrations as a foreigner.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Levels of crime, particularly violent crime, are high throughout Mexico. Arrest and detention rates are low and don’t deter criminal activity.

Criminal groups, including drug cartels, are very active. ‎Clashes between cartels or gangs over territory, drugs and smuggling routes are common.

In some parts of the country, military, navy and federal police forces have been deployed to combat organized crime and improve security conditions. They maintain a visible presence by:

• patrolling the streets
• setting up roadblocks
• conducting random vehicle checks  

If you plan on travelling to Mexico:

• remain vigilant at all times
• stay in tourist areas
• be very cautious on major highways
• avoid travelling at night
• monitor local media closely

If you’re the victim of a crime, you must report it immediately to local authorities. No criminal investigation is possible without a formal complaint. Complaints must be made in person before leaving Mexico. You should hire a local lawyer to represent your interests and follow up on your case after you return to Canada. Failure to do may result in incomplete investigations or long delays in bringing cases to trial.

Violent crime

There are high rates of violent crime, such as homicides, kidnappings, carjacking and assaults, including in popular tourist destinations such as the Mayan Riviera (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos and Tulum), and Acapulco.

Criminal groups and drug cartels are present in tourist areas. Inter-gang and cartel fighting has taken place in restaurants, hotels and nightclubs frequented by tourists.

Innocent bystanders have been injured or killed. You may be in the wrong place at the wrong time and become a victim of violent crime.

Border areas often see higher criminal activity and violence, including in rural areas. Confrontations between organized criminal groups and Mexican authorities continue to pose a risk. Shootouts, attacks and illegal roadblocks may occur without warning.

You should travel to Mexico by air to avoid international land border crossings, particularly along the border with the United States, in the following cities:

• Ciudad Juárez
• Nuevo Laredo

If crossing an international land border:

• remain extremely vigilant
• use only official border crossings

Armed robbery

Armed robbery occurs. Foreigners have been targets of robberies that sometimes involve assault.

Robbers will follow a victim after they exchange or withdraw money at airports, currency exchange bureaus ( casas de cambio ) or ATMs.

• Stay in hotels and resorts with good security
• If you are threatened by robbers, stay calm and don’t resist
• Avoid withdrawing or exchanging money in public areas of the airport

Canadian travellers have been physically and sexually assaulted. In some cases, hotel employees, taxi drivers and security personnel at popular tourist destinations were involved. In some cases, hotel staff are not helpful and try to dissuade victims from pursuing the incident with police.

• Avoid walking after dark, especially alone
• Avoid isolated or deserted areas
• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption

Are you a victim of sexual violence? – Government of Canada and British Embassy Mexico City

Credit card and ATM fraud

Credit card and ATM fraud occurs in Mexico. When using debit or credit cards:

• pay careful attention when others are handling your cards
• use ATMs located in public areas or inside a bank or business
• avoid using card readers with an irregular or unusual feature
• cover the keypad with one hand when entering your PIN
• check for any unauthorized transactions on your account statements

Overcharging

Some bars and nightclubs may try to charge exorbitant prices. Discussions about overcharging may lead to threats of violence and security guards may force you to pay. Avoid running a tab or leaving your credit card with bar or restaurant staff.

Overseas fraud

Police officers

Legitimate police officers have extorted money from tourists or arrested tourists for minor offences such as :

• drinking alcohol on the street
• urinating on public roads
• traffic violations

They have requested immediate cash payment in exchange for their release. Travellers driving rental cars have been targeted.

If this occurs:

• don’t hand over your money or your passport
• ask for the officer’s name, badge and patrol car number
• ask for a copy of the written fine, which is payable at a later date, or insist on going to the nearest police station

Virtual kidnappings

Extortion, including virtual kidnappings, is the third most common crime in Mexico. Criminals use a variety of tactics to gather information about potential victims for extortion purposes, including using social media sites or eavesdropping on conversations

In a virtual kidnapping, criminals contact the victim’s hotel room landline and threaten the victim to stay in their room. The criminals then instruct the victim to provide information needed for the caller to use to contact family and friends, to demand the immediate payment of ransom for their release.

• Don't discuss travel plans, your room number or any other personal information around strangers
• Never leave your cellphone unattended
• Ensure your cellphone is password protected
• Don't divulge personal business details to strangers in person or over the phone or on social media, especially when using hotel phones
• If you're threatened on the phone or hear screams, hang up immediately
• When you answer the phone, wait for the caller to speak. If the caller asks who is speaking, hang up immediately.
• Don’t answer unrecognized or blocked phone numbers
• Don’t answer hotel landlines

Kidnappings

Mexico has one of the highest kidnapping rates in the world. Kidnapping, including virtual and express kidnapping, is a serious security risk throughout Mexico.

Kidnappers target all classes. Canadian citizens and contractors working for Canadian businesses have been kidnapped, mostly in areas that are not under the control of police and security forces.

If you're kidnapped:

• comply with the kidnappers’ requests
• don’t attempt to resist

Express kidnappings

Express kidnappings occur in large urban areas. This is a method of kidnapping where criminals ask for a small and immediate ransom.

Thieves most commonly work in cooperation with, or pose as, taxi drivers. They force victims to use their debit or credit card to withdraw money from ATMs in exchange for their release.

• Use only a reputable taxi company or a trusted ride-sharing app
• Book taxis through your hotel or an authorized taxi stand ( sitio )

Petty theft

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, is common in Mexico.

• Be aware of your surroundings at all times, even in areas normally considered safe
• Ensure that your belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times
• Avoid showing signs of affluence, such as flashy jewellery, cell phones, headphones and designer bags
• Carry only small amounts of money
• Be cautious when withdrawing cash from ATMs

Home break-ins

Tourists staying in rental homes have been the victims of break-ins and burglaries. Whether you're staying in private or commercial accommodations, make sure you lock windows and doors securely.

Women’s safety

Women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment and verbal abuse.

Some incidents of assault, rape and sexual assault against Canadian women have occurred, including at beach resorts and on public buses. 

• Exercise caution when dealing with strangers or recent acquaintances
• Be wary of rides or other invitations

Advice for women travellers

Spiked food and drinks

Never leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances. These items may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.

Unregulated alcohol

Some bars, restaurants and resorts have served counterfeit alcohol. Some travellers have reported getting sick or blacking out after drinking alcohol.

• Be cautious if you choose to drink alcohol
• Seek medical assistance if you begin to feel sick

Alcohol, drugs and travel

Height standards for balcony railings in Mexico can be considerably lower than those in Canada. Falls have resulted in deaths and injuries.

• Exercise caution when standing close to balcony railings

Demonstrations

Demonstrations take place regularly throughout the country. Protests and roadblocks are common in:

• Mexico City, including to and from the airport
• the states of Chiapas, Guerrero, Michoacán and Oaxaca

Such incidents may last a long time, leading to shortages of fresh food, medicine and gasoline.

Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Water activities

Coastal waters can be dangerous. Riptides are common. Several drownings occur each year.

Many beaches don’t offer warnings of dangerous conditions and they don’t always have lifeguards on duty.

Rescue services may not be consistent with international standards.

• Consult local residents and tour operators for information on possible hazards and safe swimming areas
• Always obey warning flags at beaches
• Follow the instructions and warnings of local authorities

Water sports

Tour operators may not adhere to international standards. Many operators don’t conduct regular safety checks on their sporting and aquatic equipment.

Also, Canadians have been involved in accidents where operators of recreational vehicles, such as watercraft, have demanded compensation exceeding the value of the damage caused to the vehicle or equipment.

If you undertake water sports, such as diving:

• choose a well-established and reputable company that has insurance
• ensure that your travel insurance covers the recreational activities you choose
• wear the appropriate safety equipment, such as helmets and life jackets
• ensure that equipment is available and in good condition
• don’t consume alcohol before the activity

If in doubt concerning the safety of the facilities or equipment, don’t use them.

Water safety abroad

Adventure tourism  

Outdoor activities, such as white water rafting, kayaking, scuba diving, snorkelling, bungee, zip lining, paragliding, hiking, mountain biking, etc and other adventure activities can be dangerous if unprepared. Trails are not always marked, and weather conditions can change rapidly, even during summer.  

Tour operators may not always adhere to international safety standards. 

If you intend to practice adventure tourism: 

• consider hiring an experienced guide from a reputable company 
• obtain detailed information on your activity and on the environment in which you will be setting out  
• buy travel insurance that includes helicopter rescue and medical evacuation   
• know the symptoms of acute altitude sickness, which can be fatal  
• pay attention to the symptoms of dehydration and heatstroke, both of which can be fatal  
• avoid venturing off marked trails  
• ensure that you’re adequately equipped and bring sufficient water   
• stay informed about weather and other conditions that may pose a hazard  
• refrain from using facilities or equipment if you have doubts on their safety  
• inform a family member or friend of your itinerary  

Road travel

Road conditions and road safety.

Road conditions and road safety can vary greatly throughout the country.

Road conditions can be dangerous due to:

• sharp curves
• poorly marked or hidden road signs
• construction sites
• roaming livestock
• slow-moving or abandoned vehicles

Toll highways are typically safer and better maintained than secondary highways.

Mexican driving styles are very different from those in Canada. Many drivers don’t respect traffic laws, and police don’t strictly enforce these laws. Drivers often drive at excessive speeds and may be aggressive or reckless. Drinking and driving laws are not strictly enforced. Accidents causing fatalities are common. Police don’t regularly patrol the highways.

Roadblocks and checkpoints

Illegal roadblocks and demonstrations are common. Heavily armed gangs have attacked travellers on intercity highways. Criminals especially target sport utility vehicles and full-size pickup trucks for theft and carjacking.

The military searches for drugs and firearms at military checkpoints throughout the country.

• Avoid road travel at night between cities throughout the country
• Ensure that you only stop in major centres, at reputable hotels or at secure campsites
• Keep your car doors locked and the windows closed, especially at traffic lights
• Avoid hitchhiking which is not a common practice in Mexico
• Don’t leave valuables in the vehicle
• Rent cars that don’t have stickers or other advertisements for the rental company on them, as rental cars have been targets for robbery, sometimes using force
• Ensure operators provide insurance and helmets if renting scooters
• Travel on toll roads to lower the risk of targeted roadblocks and robberies
• Never attempt to cross roadblocks, even if they appear unattended

Public transportation

Remain vigilant in airports, at bus stations, on buses and on the metro.

The Mexico City metro is often very crowded and a popular place for pickpocketing. There are metro cars dedicated to women and children during rush hours. They are located at the front of the trains.

The Metrobus in Mexico City, which has dedicated lanes and stops, is relatively safe. There are sections dedicated to women and children at the front of the buses.

The “colectivos” and “pesero” mini-buses that stop when hailed are frequently targeted for robbery.

When travelling to other cities, use bus companies that offer VIP or executive class transportation. These buses only travel on toll roads, which lower the risks of targeted roadblocks and robberies, and follow a speed limit.

Taxis and ridesharing services

Disputes between taxi and ridesharing application drivers may occur, especially in Quintana Roo. They may result in:

• altercations

Although tourists have not been targeted, you may be caught up in these incidents and harassed or injured. 

In Mexico City, all government-authorized taxis have licence plates starting with “A” or “B.” Taxis from designated stands have both the logo of their company and the plate number stamped on the side of the car. Official taxis in Mexico City are pink and white. Users can validate the pink and white taxis on the CDMX app.

• Avoid hailing taxis on the street
• Don't share taxis with strangers

When arriving at an airport in Mexico, pre-pay the taxi fare at the airport (inside or outside the terminal) and ask to see the driver’s official identification. You can also use a ridesharing app to arrange for a pickup at certain airports. Not all airports in Mexico allow ridesharing service pickups.

If you use a trusted ridesharing app, confirm the driver’s identity and the licence plate before getting in the car.

Mi Taxi  – CDMX app (in Spanish)

Cruise ship travel

Plan carefully if you plan to take a cruise departing from or stopping in Mexico.

Advice for cruise travellers

Pirate attacks and armed robbery against ships occur in coastal waters of the Bay of Campeche. Mariners should take appropriate precautions.

Live piracy report  - International Maritime Bureau

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the Mexican authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the  Foreign Representatives in Canada .

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for the expected duration of your stay in Mexico.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Tourist visa: not required Business visa: required Work visa: required Student visa: required

Required documents

To enter Mexico, you must present a valid passport and a duly completed tourist card (Multiple Immigration Form). Carry documents to prove the purpose of trip, such as hotel or tour booking confirmations, as immigration officers may request them.

Tourist card

You must obtain a tourist card to enter the country unless you stay in Mexico for less than 72 hours within the northern border zone. 

If you don’t obtain a tourist card upon arrival, you may face:

It is highly recommended to keep your digital tourist card, or tourist card if entered by land, with you at all times as proof of your legal stay in Mexico. You may be asked to show it to Mexican officials when exiting the country or if you are stopped on an immigration check point.

If you are stopped at an immigration check point and you are unable to prove your legal stay, you may be fined, detained or expelled from the country.

Entering by land

If entering Mexico by land, you must stop at the immigration office located at the border to obtain a tourist card, even if not explicitly directed by Mexican officials. Immigration officials will write down on your tourist card the number of days you are allowed to stay in Mexico.  

You may complete the tourist card form online before your arrival. However, you must print the form and present it to the migration official at the port of entry.

Multiple Immigration Form  - Government of Mexico

Entering by air

If entering Mexico by air, you are advised to download your tourist card issued by Mexican officials upon entry.

Depending on your airport of entry:

• the immigration official will stamp your passport and note the number of days you are allowed to spend in Mexico or
• you will go through an E-gate kiosk where you will scan your passport and self-register your entry in the country. Only use this option if you are entering Mexico as a tourist.

Once in the country, whether you entered via a E-gate or not, you will be able to access the digital tourist card online. You have 60 days to download it.

If you are unable to show your tourist card or digital tourist card upon departure, you will have to pay for a replacement at the immigration office of any international airport before boarding.

Make sure to plan sufficient time at the airport to obtain a new card in time for your flight.

Portal access for digital tourist card  - Government of Mexico

Length of stay

An immigration official will determine the number of days you can remain in Mexico and note it on your tourist card. The maximum length granted for a tourism-related trip is 180 days; the maximum number of days is not granted by default.

If you're seeking the maximum number of days, you may be required to:

• explain the purpose of your trip to the immigration official
• provide details about your trip (accommodations, funds, return flight, etc.)

You won’t be able to request an extension or change the condition of your stay from inside the country.

Canadians travelling to the northern border zone (within 21 kilometres of the U.S. border) for work don’t require a visa for stays of 72 hours or less.

If you require a business or work visa, you should take care of the process yourself. If a prospective employer is processing your visa for you:

• obtain copies of all correspondence between the employer and Mexican immigration authorities
• verify that these copies are stamped by the immigration authorities as proof that your papers are being processed
• request a receipt from your employer for any document that you provide for purposes of obtaining the visa
• avoid surrendering your passport to your employer

Volunteer, religious, research and eco-tourism activities

You may not be able to undertake volunteer, religious/missionary, research or certain forms of eco-tourism activities while visiting as a tourist. Contact the Mexican Embassy or closest Mexican consulate for information the type of visa required for these activities.

Tourism tax

Most visitors to Mexico must pay a tourism tax.

This fee is normally included in airline ticket prices. Visitors arriving by road or sea will have to pay this fee at any bank in Mexico. There is a bank representative at every port of entry. The bank receipt must be attached to the tourist card for submission at departure.

You don't have to pay this tax if:

• you're entering by land for tourism purposes, and your stay will not exceed 7 days
• you're travelling to the northern border zone for less than 72 hours
• you're travelling to Mexico on a cruise ship

Dual citizenship

If entering and leaving Mexico as a dual citizen, you must identify yourself as a Mexican citizen. You must carry valid passports for both countries.

Laws about dual citizenship

Criminal records

Canadians with a criminal record or a warrant for arrest may be refused entry and returned to Canada or to a third country on the next available flight.

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children .

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Relevant Travel Health Notices

• Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
• Zika virus: Advice for travellers - 31 August, 2023
• COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024
• Dengue: Advice for travellers - 6 May, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your  routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

Yellow fever is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

• There is no risk of yellow fever in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*

• Proof of vaccination is not required to enter this country.

Recommendation

• Vaccination is not recommended.

* It is important to note that country entry requirements may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada

There is a risk of hepatitis A in this destination. It is a disease of the liver. People can get hepatitis A if they ingest contaminated food or water, eat foods prepared by an infectious person, or if they have close physical contact (such as oral-anal sex) with an infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus.

Practise  safe food and water precautions and wash your hands often. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers to areas where hepatitis A is present.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

  Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus.  Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

 The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.  

 The flu occurs worldwide. 

•  In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to   April.
•  In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and   October.
•  In the tropics, there is flu activity year round. 

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

Malaria  is a serious and sometimes fatal disease that is caused by parasites spread through the bites of mosquitoes.   There is a risk of malaria in certain areas and/or during a certain time of year in this destination. 

Antimalarial medication may be recommended depending on your itinerary and the time of year you are travelling. Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic before travelling to discuss your options. It is recommended to do this 6 weeks before travel, however, it is still a good idea any time before leaving.    Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times:  • Cover your skin and use an approved insect repellent on uncovered skin.  • Exclude mosquitoes from your living area with screening and/or closed, well-sealed doors and windows. • Use insecticide-treated bed nets if mosquitoes cannot be excluded from your living area.  • Wear permethrin-treated clothing.    If you develop symptoms similar to malaria when you are travelling or up to a year after you return home, see a health care professional immediately. Tell them where you have been travelling or living. 

In this destination, rabies is carried by dogs and some wildlife, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. While travelling, take precautions , including keeping your distance from animals (including free-roaming dogs), and closely supervising children.

If you are bitten or scratched by an animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. Rabies treatment is often available in this destination. 

Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who are at high risk of exposure (e.g., occupational risk such as veterinarians and wildlife workers, children, adventure travellers and spelunkers, and others in close contact with animals). 

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Travellers' diarrhea is the most common illness affecting travellers. It is spread from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Risk of developing travellers' diarrhea increases when travelling in regions with poor standards of hygiene and sanitation. Practise safe food and water precautions.

The most important treatment for travellers' diarrhea is rehydration (drinking lots of fluids). Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling.

Typhoid   is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among children, travellers going to rural areas, travellers visiting friends and relatives or those travelling for a long period of time.

Travellers visiting regions with a risk of typhoid, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation, should speak to a health care professional about vaccination.  

Salmonellosis is a common illness among travellers to this country. It can be spread through contaminated food or beverages, such as raw or undercooked poultry and eggs, as well as fruits or vegetables.

Practice safe food and water precautions . This includes only eating food that is properly cooked and still hot when served.

Pregnant women, children under 5 years of age, those over 60 years of age, and those with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of becoming seriously ill.

Cases of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella have been reported among Canadian travellers returning from Mexico. These strains of Salmonella do not respond to some of the recommended antibiotics if treatment is needed.

Most people recover on their own without medical treatment and from proper rehydration (drinking lots of fluids).

• Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling.

Travellers with severe symptoms should consult a health care professional as soon as possible.

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

There is a risk of chikungunya in this country.  The risk may vary between regions of a country.  Chikungunya is a virus spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Chikungunya can cause a viral disease that typically causes fever and pain in the joints. In some cases, the joint pain can be severe and last for months or years.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times. There is no vaccine available for chikungunya.

• In this country,   dengue  is a risk to travellers. It is a viral disease spread to humans by mosquito bites.
• Dengue can cause flu-like symptoms. In some cases, it can lead to severe dengue, which can be fatal.
• The level of risk of dengue changes seasonally, and varies from year to year. The level of risk also varies between regions in a country and can depend on the elevation in the region.
• Mosquitoes carrying dengue typically bite during the daytime, particularly around sunrise and sunset.
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites . There is no vaccine or medication that protects against dengue.

Zika virus is a risk in this country. 

Zika virus is primarily spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. It can also be sexually transmitted. Zika virus can cause serious birth defects.

During your trip:

• Prevent mosquito bites at all times.
• Use condoms correctly or avoid sexual contact, particularly if you are pregnant.

If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, you should discuss the potential risks of travelling to this destination with your health care provider. You may choose to avoid or postpone travel. 

For more information, see Zika virus: Pregnant or planning a pregnancy.

American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease)   is a risk in this country. It is caused by a parasite spread by infected triatomine bugs. The infection can be inactive for decades, but humans can eventually develop complications causing disability and even death.

Risk is generally low for most travellers. Protect yourself from triatomine bugs, which are active at night, by using mosquito nets if staying in poorly-constructed housing. There is no vaccine available for Chagas disease.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•   washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Medical services and facilities

The quality of care varies greatly throughout the country.

Good health care is available in private hospitals and clinics, but it’s generally expensive. Most private facilities won’t agree to deal directly with medical insurance companies and will require payment with a credit card in advance or a bank transfer/direct deposit.

Mental health services are extremely limited in Mexico, particularly outside of Mexico City. Services and treatment standards may differ substantially from those in Canada.

Medical evacuation can be very expensive and you may need it in case of serious illness or injury.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

Medical tourism

Medical tourism is common in Mexico. Canadian travellers have had serious health complications following cosmetic or other elective surgeries abroad.

Before leaving for medical travel, you should do your research, especially on:

• the health and financial risks
• the medical facility where the procedure will be performed
• language barriers, which can lead to misunderstandings about your medical care and conditions
• travel insurance that includes coverage for the type of medical procedure you will be undergoing

You should discuss your medical plans with your primary healthcare provider in Canada before travelling. Most provincial and territorial health care programs are extremely limited in their coverage offered abroad.

• Make sure that the healthcare providers you choose are authorized by the Mexican health authorities
• Ask to see the credentials of the healthcare providers
• Obtain a written agreement detailing the proposed treatment or procedure
• Receiving medical care outside Canada
• If you become sick or injured while travelling outside Canada or after your return
• Medical tourism – Government of Mexico (in Spanish)

If you take prescription medication, you’re responsible for determining their legality in Mexico. 

• Bring sufficient quantities of your medication with you
• Always keep your medication in the original container
• Pack your medication in your carry-on luggage
• Carry a copy of your prescriptions

Medication cannot be sent to Mexico from Canada via courier services.

Many types of medication—both over-the-counter and prescription—are readily available with little oversight. Counterfeit medication is common in certain parts of Mexico. If you need to purchase medication while in Mexico, make sure to get it from a reputable location.

Federal Commission for protection against sanitary risk  (in Spanish)

Air quality in Mexico City

In Mexico City, you may experience health problems caused by high altitude or by air pollution, which is at its peak during the winter months.

Consult your doctor before booking your trip if you have lung, heart or respiratory problems.

Death in Mexico

If you plan to retire or spend long periods of time in Mexico, or travel there for medical procedures, you should:

• share your plans or wishes with relatives
• make sure important documents can easily be located
• make arrangements in case of your death while in the country
• What if I Die in Mexico? – Fact sheet
• Death Abroad Factsheet

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a   travel health kit , especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

You must abide by local laws.

Penalties for breaking the law in Mexico can be more severe than in Canada, even for similar offences.

Foreign nationals are often held in pre-trial detention and there can be lengthy delays before a trial.

Many petty crimes (such as public urination, failure to pay a bill or disorderly behaviour) can result in a 72-hour detention by police. Paying a fine can secure an early release from detention.

Detention conditions are below the standards of Canadian prisons.

• Overview of the criminal law system in Mexico
• Arrest and detention

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect lengthy prison sentences.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Smoking is prohibited in all public places except for clearly marked designated smoking areas. This includes but is not limited to:

• restaurants

You may be fined if you’re caught smoking in public.

Electronic cigarettes

It’s illegal to bring electronic cigarettes/vaping devices and solutions into Mexico.

You could have these items confiscated by customs officials if you have them in your possession. You could also be fined or detained.

It is strictly prohibited to sell or distribute these devices and solutions in Mexico.

Imports and exports

The Mexican government strictly enforces its laws concerning possession, importation and trafficking of firearms.

Anyone entering Mexico with a firearm or ammunition without prior written authorization from Mexican authorities is subject to imprisonment.

It is also illegal to enter the country with certain types of knives.

Importing vehicles and boats

Mexico has very strict rules regarding the importation of foreign vehicles and boats.

You must enter Mexico with the proper import permit and insurance, since it cannot be obtained once you are in Mexico. You may face a fine and have your vehicle seized if you enter Mexico without the proper permit.

You must present a paper document of your vehicle registration to obtain a vehicle importation permit from the Mexican authorities. If you present a digital document of your vehicle registration, your vehicle may be refused entry into Mexico.   

• Vehicle importation  – Government of Mexico (in Spanish)
• Temporary vehicle import application system  – Banjército
• Travelling to Mexico by land  – Mexican Embassy in Canada

Cigarettes and alcohol

If you are older than 18, you are allowed to bring into Mexico up to:

• 10 cigarette packs
• 25 cigars or
• 200 grams of tobacco
• 3 litres of alcohol and
• 6 litres of wine

If you bring more alcohol and cigarettes into Mexico than allowed, even if you declare your imported items, you will be subject to a high import fee. You will still be subject to a significant fee if you decide to relinquish your imported items

It’s illegal to possess archaeological artefacts or to export such items from Mexico.

• Goods you can bring to Mexico as part of your personal luggage  – Government of Mexico
• Goods you cannot bring into Mexico  – Government of Mexico
• Agricultural product restrictions  – Government of Mexico (in Spanish)

Political activity

It’s illegal for foreigners to conduct political activity in Mexico, including participating in demonstrations.

2SLGBTQI+ travellers

Mexican law does not prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. However, homosexuality is not widely accepted in Mexican society, particularly in rural areas.

2SLGBTQI+ travellers could be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics. Transgender and gender non-conforming individuals are disproportionately targeted for violence and can face discrimination.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in Mexico.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Mexico, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements .

Travellers with dual citizenship

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and Mexico.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Mexico, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the Mexican court.

If you are in this situation:

• act as quickly as you can
• contact the Central Authority for your province or territory of residence for information on starting an application under The Hague Convention
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Mexico to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

• List of Canadian Central Authorities for the Hague Convention
• International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
• Travelling with children
• The Hague Convention - Hague Conference on Private International Law
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre

There are no clear procedures or regulations about surrogacy in Mexico.

If you're considering surrogacy, seek advice from legal professionals knowledgeable in Canadian and Mexican laws and citizenship procedures.

Identity documents

The names on your identity documents must be identical to those on your birth certificate to obtain official Mexican documents, such as marriage certificates, immigration documents or passports.

Middle names are often left off Canadian identity documents. This has caused significant difficulties for many Canadians. If you plan on residing in Mexico or dealing with the Mexican Civil Registry, obtain a Canadian passport that will meet Mexican requirements.

Identification

You should carry photo identification.

Authorities can ask you to show identification and a proof of your legal status in Mexico. They can demand to see your tourist card at any time. You must carry the original at all times. You must carry the original at all times, and should also carry a photocopy of the identification page of your passport.

Investments

If you plan on buying property, or making other investments in Mexico, seek legal advice in Canada and in Mexico. Do so before making commitments. Related disputes could take time and be costly to resolve.

Mexican real estate agents are not licensed or regulated.

• Choose your own lawyer
• Avoid hiring a lawyer recommended by a seller

Problems with timeshare arrangements occur.

Timeshare representatives may be very persistent. They use pressure tactics and offer free tours, meals, gifts or alcoholic beverages.

It's illegal for timeshare companies to ask you to sign a waiver that prevents you from cancelling a contract. You're legally entitled to cancel a timeshare contract without penalty within 5 working days. Contracts must be cancelled in writing directly with the timeshare company.

Before purchasing a timeshare:

• gather as much information as possible
• review carefully the contract; anything not included in the contract will not be honoured
• provide your credit card only if you are sure you want to make the purchase
• keep copies of all correspondence

If you suspect a fraud in the real estate procedures, contact the Federal Attorney’s Office of Consumer immediately.

• Federal Attorney’s Office of Consumer (PROFECO)  – Mexican Government (in Spanish)
• Should I buy a timeshare in Mexico? - Embassy of Mexico in Canada
• Should I sell my timeshare in Mexico? - Embassy of Mexico in Canada

Rental accommodations

Rental agreements between two individuals in Mexico are considered a private matter and are not regulated by the government.

If you encounter difficulties with a rental agreement, you must obtain the services of a Mexican lawyer.

You should carry an international driving permit.

International Driving Permit

Auto insurance

Mexican liability insurance is mandatory. Canadian automobile insurance is not valid in Mexico.

You can obtain insurance at the Mexican border. You should obtain full coverage, including coverage for legal assistance.

Automobile insurance is much more expensive in Mexico than in Canada. Many local drivers don’t have any form of car insurance.

If you’re involved in an accident, and you don’t have Mexican liability insurance, you could be prevented from leaving the country until all parties agree that adequate financial satisfaction has been received. If you’re found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of an accident, or if you don’t have a valid driver’s licence, your insurance will be considered invalid.

If you’re involved in a traffic accident, you may face serious legal problems, including imprisonment. You could be taken into custody until responsibility for the accident is determined and all fines are paid. You must report any accident you’re involved in to the police.

Driving restrictions in Mexico City

The Hoy No Circula (No Driving Today) program restricts some cars from driving in Mexico City and in some municipalities of the State of Mexico, from Monday to Saturday, from 5 am to 10 pm.

You will face driving restrictions depending on:

• your car’s emission sticker
• the last digit of your license plate
• where your license plate was issued

Hoy No Circula program is strictly enforced. You may face heavy fines and temporary confiscation of your vehicle if you don’t comply. Consult the Hoy No Circula calendar before driving.

Electric and hybrid cars are exempted from these restrictions. Gas-fueled cars of a 2008 model or later may obtain a tourist pass valid for selected drive days.

• Hoy no circula – Government of Mexico (in Spanish)
• Tourist pass  – Government of Mexico (in Spanish)
• Ministry of Environment  – Government of (in Spanish)

Buying/selling a vehicle

You must be either a temporary or a permanent resident if you wish to buy a car in Mexico.

It’s illegal to sell your imported vehicle in Mexico. If you do, your vehicle may be seized and you may be subject to a fine and deportation.

The currency of Mexico is the Mexican peso.

In some parts of Mexico, particularly tourist destinations, hotels and other service providers may advertise prices in USD.

There is a limit to the amount of U.S. dollars that residents and foreigners can exchange in Mexico, depending on your immigration status. The rule doesn’t apply to Canadian dollars but some financial institutions, hotels and currency exchange bureaus don’t make the distinction.

When carrying more than US$10,000 or the equivalent in other currencies, cash, cheques, money orders or any other monetary instrument, you must declare the amount exceeding US$10,000. Failure to make this declaration is against Mexican law and often results in detention.

Mexico is subject to various natural disasters, such as:

• earthquakes
• volcanic eruptions
• torrential rains, floods and mudslides
• forest fires

In the event of a natural disaster:

• monitor local news to stay informed on the evolving situation
• follow the instructions of local authorities, including evacuation orders
• Secretary of Integrated Risk Management and Civil Protection  – Government of Mexico City (in Spanish)
• National Center for Disaster Prevention  (CENAPRED) – Government of Mexico (in Spanish)
• Get prepared

Hurricane season

Hurricanes usually occur from mid-May to the end of November. During this period, even small tropical storms can quickly develop into major hurricanes.

These severe storms can put you at risk and hamper the provision of essential services.

If you decide to travel to a coastal area during the hurricane season:

• know that you expose yourself to serious safety risks
• be prepared to change your travel plans on short notice, including cutting short or cancelling your trip
• stay informed of the latest regional weather forecasts
• carry emergency contact information for your airline or tour operator
• follow the advice and instructions of local authorities
• Tornadoes, cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons and monsoons
• Large-scale emergencies abroad
• Active storm tracking and hurricane watches and warnings  - United States’ National Hurricane Center

Flooding and landslides

Heavy rains can cause flooding and landslides. Roads may become impassable and infrastructure damaged.

Earthquakes and tsunamis

Mexico is located in an active seismic zone. Earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions can occur.

A tsunami can occur within minutes of a nearby earthquake. However, the risk of tsunami can remain for several hours following the first tremor. If you’re staying on the coast, familiarize yourself with the region’s evacuation plans in the event of a tsunami warning.

Useful links:

• National Seismological Institute  – Government of Mexico (in Spanish)
• Latest earthquakes  - U.S. Geological Survey
• Tsunami alerts  - U.S. Tsunami Warning System
• Centre for Studies and Research of Volcanology  - University of Colima (in Spanish)

Forest fires

Forest fires may occur, particularly during the dry season from:

• January to June in the centre, north, northeast, south and southeast
• May to September in the northwest

The air quality in areas near active fires may deteriorate due to heavy smoke.

In case of a major fire:

• stay away from the affected area, particularly if you suffer from respiratory ailments
• always follow the instructions of local emergency services personnel, including any evacuation order
• monitor local media for up-to-date information on the situation

Daily report on wildfires – Government of Mexico (in Spanish)

Local services

In case of an emergency, dial 911.

Roadside assistance

The Angeles Verdes is a highway patrol service that provides free assistance on all major toll highways from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

You can download the App on your mobile device.

In case of an emergency, you can also dial 078 or 800 006 8839 (toll-free in Mexico) to reach them.

Consular assistance

Aguascalientes, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Estado de Mexico, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Michoacán, Morelos, Mexico City, Oaxaca, Puebla, Querétaro, San Luís Potosí, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala, Veracruz, Zacatecas.

Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo north of the municipality of Solidaridad, including Puerto Morelos, Isla Mujeres and Holbox

Baja California, Sonora

For emergency consular assistance, call the Embassy of Canada to Mexico, in Mexico City, and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

Language selection

Temporary entry into mexico under the canada-united states-mexico agreement (cusma).

This guide is for a Canadian business person temporarily travelling to Mexico to do business. It provides general information about temporary entry requirements for business people under CUSMA and under Mexican law.

This guide aims to facilitate the entry of Canadian business people into Mexico for the purposes of exploring, entering and/or expanding operations in the Mexican market. You will find relevant links and summaries of the main steps for visa applications for the categories of business people covered in CUSMA.

There are 4 types of business people covered under CUSMA:

• business visitors
• traders and investors
• intra-company transferees
• professionals

In order to be eligible for temporary entry into Mexico under any of these categories under CUSMA, you need to be a Canadian Citizen.

Related links

• Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) – Chapter 16 – Temporary entry for business persons
• For any questions regarding the U.S. or Mexico's temporary entry commitments under CUSMA, please contact:  [email protected]

Before you travel

This guide is for information only. It is not the official text of CUSMA or U.S. or Mexican law. Always verify information using the text of the Agreement and official government sources of the country you wish to do business in. You may also seek advice from licensed or authorised individuals like an immigration lawyer or immigration consultant.

Business visitors

Do i qualify as a business visitor under cusma.

Under CUSMA, a business visitor is a Canadian traveling to Mexico for one of the following activities:  

• research and design
• growth, manufacturing and production
• distribution
• general service
• after-sales service

A detailed description of each activity can be found under  Appendix 1 Section B of Chapter 16 of CUSMA .

If you are a business visitor performing one of these activities to qualify for temporary entry under CUSMA, you must also meet the following requirements:

• the business activity is international in scope
• you are not seeking to enter the Mexican labour market
• the primary source of payment for the business activity is outside Mexico
• your main place of business and the actual source of profits is outside Mexico

Do I need a visa for temporary entry as a business visitor?

For stays of less than 180 days.

Canadian business visitors visiting Mexico for business or technical activities for a period not exceeding 180 days, who will not receive any remuneration at all in Mexico, do not require a visa.

To enter Mexico, at the port of entry Canadian business visitors must present:

• a valid passport or travel document
• a properly completed multiple migratory form, which can be completed electronically for air travel

For more information on the electronic multiple migratory form, please see the section on electronic multiple migratory form for air travel , below.

Canadian nationals must present a valid passport to prove their nationality.  Mexican authorities do not require a minimum period of validity of passports , however, this document must be valid at the time of entry and during the period you wish to be in Mexico.

Permanent residents of Canada must present their permanent resident card and either a valid passport or refugee travel document.

Migratory authorities at the port of entry may request documents proving the purpose of your trip, depending on the activity you will undertake in Mexico, including, for example:

• For business activities : a letter in Spanish from the company indicating that you are an employee of the company and that the services you will provide in Mexico will be paid for by that company.
• For non-remunerated activities : a letter of invitation from a public or private institution to perform non-remunerated activities in Mexico, indicating the purpose of the trip, estimated time of stay and taking responsibility for your travel and lodging costs.
• Technical activities : a copy of the contract for the transfer of technology, patents and brands, purchase of machinery and equipment, technical training of personnel, or any other related to the production process of a company established in Mexico.

For stays of more than 180 days

The temporary resident visa is required for Canadian business visitors who intend to enter and remain in Mexico for a period greater than 180 days and less than 4 years.

How do I apply for a temporary resident visa?

For more information on how to apply for this visa, see the section below on the temporary resident visa .

To apply for a temporary resident visa as a business visitor, you must also submit the following documentation:

• an original and a photocopy of documents proving that you have the necessary experience, capacity, skills or expertise to develop the activity for which you have been invited.
• full name and nationality of the applicant or interested party
• business or company name of the organization
• official registration number, if applicable
• purpose of the organization or private institution
• complete address and contact information for the organization or institution
• Information on the activity to be conducted or the project in which you will participate. The activity must be related to the objectives of the inviting organization or institution.
• estimated length or approximate end date of the activity
• a statement of the binding responsibility for the inviting organization to cover your living expenses during your stay in Mexico, and to ensure your return to Canada
• a copy of the official identification of the person signing the letter of invitation
• To prove that the inviting organization or private institution is able to cover your living expenses, it must present the original and a photocopy of the investment receipts or bank statements showing an average monthly balance of   $1,728,700.00 Mexican pesos or its equivalent in Canadian dollars during the past twelve months. Public and private institutions belonging to the Mexican national educational system do not need to prove economic solvency.
• investment receipts or bank statements showing an average monthly balance of $55,655.00 Canadian dollars during the past 12 months, or
• documents showing that the applicant has employment or a pension with a monthly tax-free income greater than $2,226.00 Canadian dollars during the past 6 months.

Traders/investors

Do i qualify as a trader/investor under cusma.

A trader or investor is a Canadian business person who is:

• carrying on substantial trade in goods or services between Canada and Mexico, or
• that has committed or are committing a substantial amount of capital, or whose enterprise has committed or are committing a substantial amount of capital, and
• who is establishing, developing, administering or providing advice or key technical services for the operation of that investment.

Their role must be supervisory, executive or involve essential skills.

Do I need a visa for temporary entry as a trader/investor?

Canadian nationals and permanent residents who wish to visit Mexico for business activities, for a period not exceeding 180 days, and who will not receive any remuneration at all in Mexico, do not require a visa.

To enter Mexico, at the port of entry, Canadian traders/investors must present:

Canadian nationals must present a valid, current passport to prove their nationality.  Mexican authorities do not require a minimum period of validity of passports , however, this document must be valid at the time of entry and during the period you wish to be in Mexico.

The temporary resident visa is required for Canadian traders/investors who intend to enter and remain in Mexico for a period greater than 180 days and less than 4 years.

How do I apply for a temporary resident visa as a trader/investor?

For more information on how to apply for this visa, please see the section below on the temporary resident visa .

To apply for a temporary resident visa as a trader/investor, you must also submit an original and a photocopy of one the following:

• documentation proving the conduct of economic or business activities in Mexico, including contracts, service orders, invoices, receipts, business plans, licenses and permits, or a certificate issued by the Mexican Social Security Institute proving that you employ at least three workers
• a deed or policy from a Mexican corporation signed before a commissioner of oaths, or a document duly certified by the administrative body or one of its officers, stating that you have shares in the capital stock of the Mexican corporation, and that the amount of the investment effectively disbursed for your share in the corporation would exceed $3,457,400.00 Mexican pesos or its equivalent in Canadian dollars
• a document proving the ownership of personal property by a foreign corporation, with a value exceeding $3,457,400.00 Mexican pesos or its equivalent in Canadian dollars

Intra-company transferees

Do i qualify as an intra-company transferee under cusma.

Under CUSMA, an intra-company transferee is a Canadian business person employed by a Canadian enterprise transferred to a subsidiary, affiliated branch, or other enterprises with a clear relationship with the Canadian enterprise located in Mexico.

Their role must be managerial, executive or involve specialized knowledge.

Under CUSMA, a Canadian intra-company transferee must have been employed continuously by the Canadian enterprise for 1 year within the 3-year period immediately preceding the date of the application for admission into Mexico.

Do I need a visa for temporary entry as an intra-company transferee?

An intra-company transferee will require a visitor visa with permission to conduct remunerated activities for a stay of 180 days, or a temporary resident visa with a work permit for a stay of over 180 days, if remuneration will be received in Mexico.

How do I apply for a visitor visa with permission to conduct remunerated activities or a temporary resident visa with a work permit?

Please see the sections below on the Visitor visa with permission to conduct remunerated activities or Temporary resident visa with a work permit for more information on how to apply for these visas, including the documents required.

Professionals

Do i qualify as a professional under cusma.

A professional is a Canadian citizen at the professional level providing services or performing training functions in Mexico in one of the 63 professions listed under Appendix 2 of Chapter 16 of CUSMA .

Please note, in order to qualify as a professional, you must have the credentials indicated in parenthesis beside the profession under Appendix 2.

Do I need a visa for temporary entry as a professional?

A professional who has a job offer in Mexico, whose duration is up to 180 days, will need a visitor visa with permission to carry out paid activities. If the job offer is greater than 180 days and up to 4 years, a professional will require a temporary resident visa with a work permit.

Please see the sections below on the visitor visa with permission to conduct remunerated activities or the temporary resident visa with a work permit for more information on how to apply for the visas, including the documents required.

Additional information

Electronic multiple migratory form for air travel (fmme aérea).

The electronic multiple migratory form for air travel (FMME aérea) allows Canadian business visitors and traders/investors to remain in Mexico (without engaging in paid activities) for up to 180 days.

To obtain this form, you must:

• Go to the following link:  https://www.inm.gob.mx/fmme/publico/solicitud.html
• Fill out the application from any electronic device connected to the internet
• Print the multiple migratory form and keep it with you to be validated at the airport, where the immigration authorities must stamp it.

Once the form has been printed, it will be valid for 30 days.

For further information, consult: Multiple Immigration Form

Temporary resident visa

To apply for the temporary resident visa, a trader/investor or a business visitor staying in Mexico for longer than 180 days will need to:

• Submit a visa application form (PDF) printed on one page, double sided, properly completed and signed.
• Have a valid passport or travel and identity document, original and a photocopy of the page containing the photograph and personal data.
• Include an original and a photocopy of the migratory document proving your legal migratory status in Canada (only for applicants who are not Canadian citizens).
• Include one photograph measuring 3.9 cm x 3.1 cm, face uncovered, no eyeglasses, frontal view, in colour, with white background.
• Provide payment of fees in cash for the processing of the visa application.

Visa with permission to conduct remunerated activities

A professional who has a job offer in Mexico for a duration of up to 180 days will require a visa with permission to conduct remunerated activities.

The Mexican institution or person who intends to hire the foreigner must submit the visa application directly to the National Migration Institute in Mexico. The Embassy or Consulate can only issue a visa if it has been authorized by the Institute.

Once the foreigner has the corresponding authorization, he must make an appointment at the  consular office  closest to his place of residence and appear in person with the following documentation:

• Photocopy of the authorization from the National Migration Institute, which will be valid for 30 working days, after which we won't be able to continue with the processing of the visa in the consular office.
• Visa application form (PDF)  printed on one page, double sided, properly completed and signed.
• Valid and current passport or travel and identity document, original and a photocopy of the page containing the photograph and personal information.
• Original and a photocopy of the migratory document accrediting your legal stay in Canada (only for applicants who are not Canadian citizens).
• One photograph measuring 3.9 cm x 3.1 cm, face uncovered, no eyeglasses, frontal view, in colour and with white background.
• Payment of fees in cash for the processing of visa application for foreign passports. When the period of stay is less than 180 days, the applicant must also pay the migratory fees.

Temporary resident visa with a work permit

A professional who has an offer of employment in Mexico for a duration of more than 180 days and up to 4 years, will require a temporary resident visa with a work permit.

The Mexican institution or the person who intends to hire the foreigner must submit the visa application directly to the National Immigration Institute in Mexico. The Embassy or Consulate can only issue the visa if it has been authorized by the Institute.

Once the foreigner has the corresponding authorization, they must make an appointment at the consular office closest to their place of residence and present themselves personally with the following documentation:

• Photocopy of the authorization from the National Institute of Migration, which will be valid for 30 working days, after which it will not be possible to continue with the processing of the visa at the consular office.
• Visa application form printed on one page, double-sided, duly completed and signed.
• Valid and current passport or travel and identity document, original and photocopy of the page containing the photograph and personal data.
• Original and photocopy of the immigration document proving your legal stay in Canada (only for applicants who are not Canadian citizens).
• A photograph of 3.9 cm x 3.1 cm, uncovered face, without glasses, front view, in color and white background.

Within the first 30 calendar days of entering Mexico with a temporary resident visa, the professional must apply to the  National Migration Institute  (Spanish only) for the temporary residence card that accredits their legal stay in the country and allows them to remain in Mexico for a period greater than 180 days.

Can my family accompany me?         

CUSMA does not cover spouses or dependants of covered business people. Spouses and dependents must meet Mexico's existing temporary entry immigration regulations in order to accompany a Canadian business visitor. In order to perform work in Mexico, spouses and dependents must also comply with its regular job validation process for temporary foreign workers.

What if I don't qualify for temporary entry under the CUSMA?

If you have a job offer or signed contract from an employer in Mexico, but you do not qualify under the 4 categories of CUSMA business people, you may still qualify for entry under Mexican general immigration provisions. More information on working or doing business in Mexico is available on the  Embassy of Mexico in Canada  website.

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• For U.S. Citizens/Lawful Permanent Residents

Canada and Mexico Travel

What do i need to travel to canada or mexico.

Different countries may have different travel document requirements. It is best to check with the country you are visiting to determine the appropriate travel document requirements (for instance, whether you need a passport and/or visa). You can find out more by referring to the U.S. Department of State website.  

Travel to Canada

For questions about travel to Canada contact the Canadian Border Services Agency .  

Travel to Mexico

Warning: it's Illegal to Carry Firearms or Ammo into Mexico.

For border crossing information, tune into the port of entry’s Loop Radio on 1620 AM. To report drug and alien smuggling, call (956) 542-5811 in the U.S., 001800-0105237 from Mexico.  

Prohibited/Permissible Items

• All articles acquired in Canada and Mexico must be declared. There is an $800 exemption for gifts and personal articles, including one liter of alcoholic beverages per person over 21 every 30 days.
• Check with State ABC laws and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) regarding individual state requirements.
• Cuban cigars are prohibited.
• Check with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) about importing any medications prior to crossing into Mexico.
• CBP has a zero-tolerance policy on illegal drugs. Any type, in any amount, may result in serious fines, seizure of vehicle, federal record and/or imprisonment.
• Switchblade knives, sea turtle boots or any other articles of endangered species (i.e. spotted cats, coral, crocodile, elephant, etc.) are prohibited.

Prohibited/Permissible Agricultural Items

• Most fruits, including oranges and apples are prohibited.
• Do not take U.S. fruits and meats to Mexico. You cannot bring them back.
• Before you go to Mexico, ask a CBP Agriculture Specialist for a list of items you can bring back.
• Fines of $300 to $1,000 may result if you fail to declare agricultural items.

8 tips for Canadians travelling to Mexico in 2024, from entry rules to tipping etiquette

P lanning a trip to Mexico? Whether you want to explore Mayan ruins and hidden cenotes or lounge on white-sand beaches at an a ll-inclusive resort , there are certain things you'll want to keep in mind before embarking on your trip.

Canadians booking a vacation in Mexico will want to be aware of the country's entry and exit requirements, what travel documents they'll need and the current travel advice from the Government of Canada .

To help, we've laid out a few essentials you'll want to keep in mind, whether you're jetting off to Cancun, Mazatlan, Tulum or Mexico City.

From the ideal times to visit, to regions to avoid and requirements for your Canadian passport, here are eight tips for preparing for your next Mexican holiday.

Know when to visit

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Details: Before booking that trip to Mexico, you'll want to make sure you're going at a time with good weather.

However, the best time to visit varies depending on where in the country you're visiting. According to the U.S. News & World Report, if you're travelling to Cancun , the best time to visit would be from December to April, when you'll get to enjoy "near-perfect weather."

If you're visiting Mexico City , the best time to visit is between March and May, as the city's winters can be chilly and the summers can be rainy.

According to the Government of Canada, hurricanes usually occur in Mexico from mid-May to the end of November, so keep this in mind when booking your trip.

To figure out when to go, you can use a travel platform like KAYAK's Best Time To Travel Tool , which uses your origin, destination and length of trip to determine when you should travel and when to book for a great price.

Find out more

Know the entry requirements

Details: Canadians can visit Mexico as a tourist for up to 180 days, or six months, without needing a visa. An immigration official will determine the number of days you can remain in Mexico.

Travellers must have a valid passport that will be valid for the expected duration of their stay in the country. They must also obtain and complete a tourist card to enter the country.

According to the Government of Canada, if entering Mexico by air, you are advised to download your tourist card issued by Mexican officials upon entry.

Depending on your airport of entry, the immigration official will stamp your passport and note the number of days you are allowed to spend in Mexico, or you'll go through an E-gate kiosk where you will scan your passport and self-register your entry into the country.

Once in the country, whether you entered via an E-gate or not, you will be able to access the digital tourist card online. You'll have 60 days to download it.

According to the government, travellers who don’t obtain a tourist card upon arrival may face a fine, detention or even expulsion.

Take note of Canada's travel advice

Details: The Government of Canada continues to advise that Canadians exercise a high degree of caution in Mexico due to high levels of criminal activity and kidnapping.

"Levels of crime, particularly violent crime, are high throughout Mexico. Arrest and detention rates are low and don’t deter criminal activity," says Canada's travel advisory for Mexico.

"There are high rates of violent crime, such as homicides, kidnappings, carjacking and assaults, including in popular tourist destinations such as the Mayan Riviera (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos and Tulum), and Acapulco."

The government advises that travellers remain vigilant at all times while in the country, stay in tourist areas, be very cautious on major highways, avoid travelling at night and monitor local media closely.

Avoid drinking the tap water

Details: You may want to avoid the tap water while in Mexico.

According to Yale University's Environmental Performance Index , which scores countries based on how safe their drinking water is, Mexico's drinking water isn't as safe as that of other countries.

The index measures unsafe drinking water using the number of age-standardized disability-adjusted life-years lost per 100,000 persons in a country (also known as the DALY rate) due to exposure to unsafe drinking water.

A score of 100 indicates a country has among the lowest DALY rates in the world, while a score of 0 indicates a country is among the highest. In its most recent index , Mexico received a DALY score of 50.

The U.S. Government advises citizens that in many areas in Mexico, tap water is "not potable."

"Bottled water and beverages are safe, although you should be aware that many restaurants and hotels serve tap water unless bottled water is specifically requested. Be aware that ice for drinks might be made using tap water," says the government.

The Government of Canada also advises travellers to avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing or showering.

CAA Quebec recommends that travellers purchase bottled purified water to drink and brush their teeth with instead of using tap water.

Know the currency rules

Details: The official currency of Mexico is the Mexican peso. According to the Government of Canada, in some parts of Mexico, particularly tourist destinations, hotels and other service providers may advertise prices in USD.

Sunwing recommends that travellers bring USD as it is widely accepted around the island.

If you plan to bring USD, be aware that there is a limit to the amount of U.S. dollars that residents and foreigners can exchange in Mexico, depending on their immigration status.

According to the Government of Canada, when carrying more than US$10,000 or the equivalent in other currencies, cash, cheques, money orders or any other monetary instrument, you must declare the amount exceeding US$10,000.

Failure to do this is against Mexican law and often results in detention.

Know when to tip

Details: As in Canada, tipping is expected in most parts of Mexico.

According to group travel company Intrepid Travel , which operates tours to Mexico, Mexican service workers typically earn a low wage and rely on tips to earn a decent living.

The company recommends travellers leave 10 to 15 percent at restaurants (if the service charge is not already included), 5 to 10 percent of the hotel room cost for housekeepers, and a few dollars for porters, bartenders and guides.

According to Skyscanner , it's always best to tip in cash, using Mexican pesos rather than any foreign currency.

The company notes that while some all-inclusive resorts in Mexico have no-tipping policies, if an employee has excelled in their performance, a tip is a nice way to show your appreciation.

Taxi drivers and airport shuttle operations in Mexico will not expect a tip, according to the travel company. However, if your driver helps you with your luggage or the shuttle operator helps with your bags, it is courteous to tip around 10 pesos.

Avoid certain areas

Details: Canadians travelling to Mexico will want to take note of warnings to avoid certain parts of the country.

The Government of Canada continues to advise Canadians to avoid all travel to Guerrero State due to the region's precarious security situation.

The state is home to the Mexican city of Acapulco, a popular vacation spot.

According to the advisory, there is a threat of armed violence, banditry, and looting in cities and on roads in the state. The advisory excludes, however, the cities of Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo and Taxco, where travellers should "exercise a high degree of caution."

There are also regional advisories in place warning Canadians to avoid non-essential travel to several Mexican states due to high levels of violence and organized crime, including Chihuahua, Colima, Coahuila, Durango, Michoacán, Nuevo León, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas.

The Government of Canada also advises Canadians to avoid border areas, which often see higher criminal activity and violence, such as shootouts, attacks and illegal roadblocks.

The government recommends travelling to Mexico by air to avoid international land border crossings, particularly along the border with the U.S., in Ciudad Juárez, Nuevo Laredo and Reynosa.

Pay the tourism tax

Details: If travelling to the state of Quintana Roo in Mexico (including popular destinations like Cancun, Cozumel, Playa Del Carmen, Riviera Maya and Tulum), travellers will have to pay a tourist tax known as VisiTAX.

The payment of the VisiTAX is a legal requirement to leave the State of Quintana Roo, and is not included in the price of the plane tickets or any other service such as hotel reservations, vacation packages, ground transportation, or tours, according to Cancun Airport .

The tax costs US$20.99 (about CA$28.40) per person, and is to be paid online. Travellers can pay this fee prior to their arrival or during their stay, and must show their receipt at the airport before leaving Mexico.

According to Cancun Airport, your payment and your VisiTAX code will be synchronized with your travel documents for an easy transition through the airport checkpoints.

Payment can only be made online via the VisiTAX website , according to Air Transat .

Bon voyage!

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.

Mexico tightens travel rules on Peruvians in a show of visa diplomacy to slow migration to US

Mexico has begun requiring visas for Peruvians in response to a major influx of migrants from the South American country

BOULEVARD, Calif. -- Julia Paredes believed her move to the United States might be now or never. Mexico was days from requiring visas for Peruvian visitors. If she didn't act quickly, she would have to make a far more perilous, surreptitious journey over land to settle with her sister in Dallas.

Mexico began requiring visas for Peruvians on Monday in response to a major influx of migrants from the South American country, after identical moves for Venezuelans, Ecuadorians and Brazilians. It effectively eliminated the option of flying to a Mexican city near the U.S. border, as Paredes, 45, did just before it was too late.

“I had to treat it as a emergency,” said Paredes, who worked serving lunch to miners in Arequipa, Peru, and borrowed money to fly to Mexico's Tijuana, across from San Diego. Last month smugglers guided her through a remote opening in the border wall to a dirt lot in California, where she and about 100 migrants from around the world shivered over campfires after a morning drizzle and waited for overwhelmed Border Patrol agents to drive them to a station for processing.

Senior U.S. officials, speaking to reporters ahead of a meeting of top diplomats from about 20 countries in the Western hemisphere this week in Guatemala, applauded Mexico's crackdown on air travel from Peru and called visa requirements an important tool to jointly confront illegal migration.

For critics, shutting down air travel only encourages more dangerous choices. Illegal migration by Venezuelans plummeted after Mexico imposed visa requirements in January 2022, but the lull was short-lived. Last year Venezuelans made up nearly two-thirds of the record-high 520,000 migrants who walked through the Darien Gap, the notorious jungle spanning parts of Panama and Colombia.

More than 25,000 Chinese traversed the Darien last year. They generally fly to Ecuador, a country known for few travel restrictions, and cross the U.S. border illegally in San Diego to seek asylum. With an immigration court backlog topping 3 million cases, it takes years to decide such claims, during which time people can obtain work permits and establish roots.

“People are going to come no matter what,” said Miguel Yaranga, 22, who flew from Lima, Peru's capital, to Tijuana and was released by the Border Patrol Sunday at a San Diego bus stop. He had orders to appear in immigration court in New York in February 2025, which puzzled him because he said he told agents he would settle with his sister on the other side of the country, in Bakersfield, California.

Jeremy MacGillivray, deputy chief of the Mexico mission of the U.N.'s International Organization for Migration, predicts that Peruvian migration will drop “at least at the beginning” and bounce back as people shift to walking through the Darien Gap and to Central America and Mexico.

Mexico said last month that it would require visas for Peruvians for the first time since 2012 in response to a “substantial increase” in illegal migration. Large-scale Peruvian migration to Mexico began in 2022; Peruvians were stopped in the country an average of 2,160 times a month from January to March of this year, up from a monthly average of 544 times for all of 2023.

Peruvians also began showing up at the U.S. border in 2022. The U.S. Border Patrol arrested Peruvians an average of about 5,300 times a month last year before falling to a monthly average of 3,400 from January through March, amid a broad immigration crackdown by Mexico.

Peru immediately reciprocated Mexico's visa requirement but changed course after a backlash from the country's tourism industry. Peru noted in its reversal that it is part of a regional economic bloc that includes Mexico, Chile and Colombia.

Adam Isacson, an analyst at the Washington Office on Latin America, said Peru's membership with Mexico in the Pacific Alliance allowed its citizens visa-free travel longer than other countries.

It is unclear if Colombia, also a major source of migration, will be next, but Isacson said Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador is in a “lovefest” with his Colombian counterpart, Gustavo Petro, while his relations with Peru's government are more strained.

Colombians are consistently near the top nationalities of migrants arriving at Tijuana's airport. Many find hotels before a guide takes them to boulder-strewn mountains east of the city, where they cross through openings in the border wall and then walk toward dirt lots that the Border Patrol has identified as waiting stations.

Bryan Ramírez, 25, of Colombia, reached U.S. soil with his girlfriend last month, only two days after leaving Bogota for Cancun, Mexico, and continuing on another flight to Tijuana. He waited alongside others overnight for Border Patrol agents to pick him up as cold rain and high winds whipped over the crackle of high-voltage power lines.

The group waiting near Boulevard, a small, loosely defined rural town, included several Peruvians who said they came for economic opportunity and to escape violence and political crises.

Peruvians can still avoid the Darien jungle by flying to El Salvador, which introduced visa-free travel for them in December in reciprocation for a similar move by Peru's government. But they would still have to travel over land through Mexico, where many are robbed or kidnapped.

Ecuadoreans, who have needed visas to enter Mexico since September 2021, can also fly to El Salvador, but not all do. Oscar Palacios, 42, said he walked through Darien because he couldn't afford to fly.

Palacios, who left his wife and year-old child in Ecuador with plans to support them financially from the U.S., said it took him two weeks to travel from his home near the violent city of Esmeralda to Mexico's border with Guatemala. It then took him two months to cross Mexico because immigration authorities turned him around three times and bused him back to the southern part of the country. He said he was robbed repeatedly.

Palacios finally reached Tijuana and, after three nights in a hotel, crossed into the U.S. A Border Patrol agent spotted him with migrants from Turkey and Brazil and drove them to the dirt lot to wait for a van or bus to take them to a station for processing. Looking back on the journey, Palacios said he would rather cross Darien Gap 100 times than Mexico even once.

Associated Press writer Christopher Sherman in Mexico City contributed.

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Biometrics are your fingerprints and photo. We collect your biometrics so we can confirm your identity. This information is also used to help assess your application.

Unless you’re exempt, you need to give your fingerprints and a photo when you apply for any of the following:

• temporary residence (except US nationals)
• permanent residence
• to extend your stay in Canada, unless you’re from a visa-exempt country
• refugee or asylum status
• Canadian citizens, citizenship applicants (including passport applicants), or existing permanent residents
• those coming to visit Canada only and applying for an eTA
• children under the age of 14
• applicants over the age of 79 (there is no upper age exemption for asylum claimants)
• heads of state and heads of government
• applicants who qualify for or hold a diplomatic or official visa
• US visa holders transiting through Canada
• applicants applying for a visitor visa, a study permit or a work permit who have already provided biometrics for a permanent resident application that’s still being processed

Individual applicant : CAN$85

Families applying at the same time : maximum total fee of CAN$170

Groups of 3 or more performing artists and their staff  who apply for work permits at the same time: maximum total fee of CAN$255

There is  no  fee to give biometrics for a  transit visa .

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