U.S. citizens traveling to Mexico are not required to have a visa, but they are required to have a tourist card, also known as an FM-T, if they plan to travel farther than the "border zone" (within 30 kilometers of the U.S.-Mexico border) and/or stay for more than 72 hours. These cards are most easily obtained at border crossings and airports, but you can also get them at Mexican consulates, Mexican tourism offices and most airlines serving Mexico. You do not need to apply in advance for your Mexican tourist card.
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Difficulty:
Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
Passport or government-issued photo ID and one of the following:
Fill out your paperwork. At a border checkpoint, show your passport (or equivalent identification documents) to officials and complete the form entitled "Migration form for Tourists, Transmigrants, Visiting Businesspersons, or Visiting Consultants." These will be available at any point of entry into Mexico. Some airlines will give you the form to fill out when you land.
2
Pay the fee. Once you've filled out your form, officials will ask you to pay an amount in pesos or dollars, at which point your tourist card will be validated. If traveling by plane or cruise ship, check to see if you're already covered; many airlines and cruise lines include this fee in the price of your ticket. Be aware that some immigration offices will not take your money directly; instead, they'll send you to a nearby bank, where the teller will stamp your visa as paid.
3
Set off on your trip. Once paid, the tourist card will allow you to travel around the country with multiple re-entries for up to 180 days. Mexican law dictates that you must have the card on you while traveling. It is wise to make a copy to carry around with you in case the original gets lost.
Tips & Warnings
A passport is not necessary for entry into Mexico; however, the United States requires a valid U.S. passport for re-entry into the United States.
If you prefer to get your Tourist Card before traveling, you may do so at any Mexican consulate or embassy and most Mexican tourism offices. Some insurance companies and travel agencies can also arrange tourist cards in advance; check with yours to see what options are available to you.
