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Foreign citizens travelling to Mexico are required to fill out an FMM, or Mexico Tourist Card, which is an Entry Immigration Form. This can be done online or on paper. Travellers can obtain an FMM at the airport or border, but it is recommended to fill out the form online in advance to streamline the process. The FMM is free and does not require a passport to be sent for inspection, but passport details will need to be provided. Travellers will need to present their passports to the immigration officer to be stamped with the Official Entry Stamp.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is FMM? | A Mexico immigration form, also known as a tourist card or visitor's permit. |
| Who needs an FMM? | All foreign citizens travelling to Mexico, including tourists and residents. US citizens have been required to have an FMM since September 2015. |
| How to obtain an FMM? | The FMM can be obtained online, at the airport, or at the border. It is recommended to obtain it online before arrival to make the immigration process more convenient. |
| Cost of FMM | The online registration process is free. If obtained at the border, the FMM costs 687 pesos. |
| Validity of FMM | The paid FMM is valid for up to 180 days, while the free FMM is valid for seven days or less. |
| FMM for residents | Residents do not need an FMM if they have a temporary or permanent resident card. However, they need to go through a different process at the airport and should not be marked as tourists. |
| FMM for children | The FMM is required for each person, including children. |
| FMM format | The FMM can be obtained in a digital format (FMMD or eFMM) or as a paper form. The paper versions are being phased out and replaced with a stamp in the passport. |
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What You'll Learn
- FMM is a Mexico immigration form and tourist permit
- It is free to submit an FMM online before arriving in Mexico
- Foreign citizens travelling to Mexico must fill out an FMM
- Paper FMMs are being phased out and replaced with a stamp in your passport
- You can obtain an FMM at the airport, border, or immigration office
FMM is a Mexico immigration form and tourist permit
The FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple) is a Mexico immigration form and tourist permit. It is required for all foreign citizens travelling to Mexico, regardless of age and length of stay. The FMM is free and can be obtained online or at immigration stations at airports and land borders.
Traditionally, the FMM was a paper form received at the airport or border. However, since 2023, the Mexican Immigration Service (INM) has been rolling out a digital version of this form (called FMMD or eFMM), especially at international airports. The digital FMM can be obtained online prior to arrival in Mexico, and all that is needed is a passport and travel information. The online form is free, convenient, and straightforward.
For those flying into Mexico, if their passport is from a "no visa required" country, they will receive an eFMM or digital FMM upon landing and going through immigration. For those travelling by car or on foot across the land border, a paper FMM tourist visa must be obtained at the border by presenting a passport to INM.
It is important to note that there are differences in the FMM process for tourists and residents. Tourists must ensure that their FMM is marked as "Canje" and not as a "Visitante" or tourist, as this may affect their resident status and visa. Residents must also never use the automated kiosks at designated airports, as these will register their entry as a tourist.
The FMM is valid for a specific period and cannot be extended. If an individual plans to stay in Mexico for an extended period, they may need to apply for a resident permit. Additionally, some Mexican states, such as Quintana Roo, have local requirements in addition to the FMM or Mexican Tourist Card. It is important to review and fulfil all Federal and State requirements before arriving in Mexico.
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It is free to submit an FMM online before arriving in Mexico
The FMM, or Forma Migratoria Múltiple, is a Mexican immigration form and a type of tourist permit. It is required for all foreign citizens travelling to Mexico, regardless of age or duration of stay. While traditionally a paper form received at the airport or border, since 2023, a digital version of the FMM (called FMMD or eFMM) has been available online and at international airports.
The online FMM application is free and can be completed before arriving in Mexico. To fill out the form, you will need a valid passport and travel information. The FMM is valid for up to 180 days and is per person, including children and diplomatic personnel. It is important to note that some Mexican states, such as Quintana Roo, have additional local requirements that must be met. Therefore, it is recommended to review all Federal and State requirements before arrival.
While the online FMM application is free, there may be costs associated with obtaining the necessary passport or visa documentation. Additionally, if you lose your FMM while in Mexico, you will need to visit an immigration office and pay a permit replacement fee of approximately US$60. It is also important to note that if you obtain your FMM online, you will still need to stop at an immigration office at the border to receive an official entry stamp and have your FMM stamped.
If you are a resident of Mexico, there are different procedures to follow when entering and exiting the country. It is important to inform the immigration agent not to mark you as a tourist and to mark your FMM as "Canje." Additionally, residents should avoid using the automated kiosks at designated airports, as this may register their entry as a tourist and affect their residency status.
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Foreign citizens travelling to Mexico must fill out an FMM
The FMM used to be a paper form traditionally received at the airport or border. However, since 2023, the INM (Mexico's Immigration Service) has been rolling out a digital version of this form (called FMMD or eFMM), especially at international airports. The paper versions are being phased out and replaced with a stamp in your passport. If you lose your paper FMM while in Mexico, you must visit a local immigration office or the airport and apply for a replacement by filling out forms and paying a fee (about US$60).
If you are a resident of Mexico, do not use the automated kiosks at designated airports like Cancun, Mexico City, or Puerto Vallarta. These will register your entry as a tourist, and you could lose your residency visa. Instead, tell the immigration agent to mark your FMM as "Canje" and not as a "Visitante" or tourist. If you are a temporary resident, you need to complete an FMM at an immigration kiosk before departing the country. Keep the larger half of the stamped FMM and present it upon your return to Mexico, along with your resident card.
As a foreign citizen, you can obtain your FMM by applying online or in person at an immigration office at the Mexican border or airport. If you are a US or Canadian citizen, you can obtain your FMM at the border with only a valid passport or passport card. However, it is recommended to obtain your FMM before arriving in Mexico to avoid being turned away at immigration.
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Paper FMMs are being phased out and replaced with a stamp in your passport
Mexico has traditionally issued a paper form known as Forma Migratoria Multiple (FMM) to visitors at the port of entry, including airports. The FMM is a type of tourist permit for those travelling to Mexico. However, since 2023, Mexico's immigration service has been phasing out the use of paper FMMs, replacing them with a stamp in the passport. This change is being implemented gradually, and not all Mexican ports of entry have stopped issuing paper FMMs.
If you are issued a paper FMM, you must keep it safe, as you will need it to exit Mexico. However, if you do not receive a paper FMM, the immigration official will place a stamp in your passport instead. This stamp serves the same purpose as the FMM and indicates that you have permission to be in the country.
It is important to note that the rules and requirements for entering and exiting Mexico remain unchanged during this transition period. Visitors are still expected to comply with all immigration regulations, regardless of whether they have a paper FMM or a stamp in their passport.
The phasing out of paper FMMs is part of a wider trend towards paper-free travel technology and improved border security. Several countries, including Australia, have already stopped using physical entry and exit stamps, and the EU is also modernising its system to include electronic checks. As technology advances, it is likely that physical passports and stamps will become less common, with some countries like Singapore introducing passport-free immigration clearance.
While some travellers may feel nostalgic about the disappearance of passport stamps, others welcome the convenience and security of digital alternatives.
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You can obtain an FMM at the airport, border, or immigration office
If you are a tourist or resident, you will need to have an FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple) to travel in and out of Mexico. An FMM is a type of tourist permit, for those who come to Mexico. Traditionally, the FMM was a paper form you received at the airport or border. However, since 2023, INM has been rolling out a digital version of this form (called FMMD or also known as an eFMM), especially at international airports.
The online registration process is free, very convenient, straightforward, and to complete the process, all you need is your passport and travel information. The Mexico tourist card is per person, including children and diplomatic personnel, and is valid for up to 180 days. If you obtain your FMM at the border, it costs $687 pesos as of January 1, 2023. If you will be in Mexico for seven days or less, you may obtain a free FMM at the border.
If you lose your FMM while in Mexico, you will need to visit one of the local immigration offices situated in towns and cities across the country, or at the airport, and apply for a replacement before you can leave. This will involve some form-filling and filing, and payment of a permit replacement fee (about US$60).
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Frequently asked questions
An FMM is a Mexico Tourist Card, also known as an Official Entry Immigration Form. It is a type of tourist permit for those travelling to Mexico.
You can obtain an FMM at the immigration office as you cross into Mexico. It is recommended that you fill out the form and register online before your trip for added convenience. You can also get an FMM at the airport or border when you arrive in Mexico.
The FMM is free if you are in Mexico for seven days or less. If you are staying for longer than seven days, it costs 687 pesos.
