CANCUN AIRPORT IMMIGRATION

plus valid-official photo identification

Visitors from the USA and Canada usually receive their Tourist Card to fill out on the airplane flying in.

NOTE: After 9/11 Mexican immigration was demanding passports for ALL visitors. This was only TEMPORARY. Things are back to normal again and for Canadian and U.S. citizens, valid identification is required, passport is optional.

CONSULATE GENERAL OF MEXICO O F F I C I A L   I N F O R M A T I O N From the Mexican Government

Migratory Requirements to Visit Mexico as Tourist Travel document A passport is strongly recommended. However, citizens of this country may enter Mexico presenting their original birth certificates (assuming they were born in the same country) plus valid-official photo I. D.; or citizenship card; or certificate of naturalization. Source: Migratory Requirements to Visit Mexico as Tourist NOTE: The above applies to U.S. and Canadian citizens, however read below.

U.S. citizens [as of Jan. 23 2007] require a passport to ENTER the USA NOT Mexico.

This means if you leave the United States you need a passport to get back in [by airplane/helicopter].

U.S. Passport Information
U.S.Transportation Security Administration
TSA Permitted and Prohibited Carry-On Items
U.S.Consular Information Sheet

Transport Canada
Canada Permitted & Prohibited Carry-On Items
[Europe] Foreign and Commonwealth Office

All other nationalities, while legal permanent residents of the United States or Canada, will have to exhibit legal permanent residency papers at port of entry.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR MINORS

A passport is recommended for minors traveling into Mexico, but not mandatory. Minors traveling without a passport must provide the same identification as an adult.

Minors can enter Mexico with just one of their parents, without the written permission of the other.

Minors can travel alone but if they are under 16, they must carry written permission from their parents [or guardian] in Spanish or English, signed before a representative in a Mexican Embassy or a public notary or the police office of your locality. This applies also for minors traveling with an adult different to their parents.

	CONSULATE GENERAL OF MEXICO O F F I C I A L   I N F O R M A T I O N From the Mexican Government
Migratory Requirements to Visit Mexico as Tourist Minors As minors frequently lack of valid-official photo I.D., the Consulate strongly recommends obtaining a passport. The passport will act as proof of nationality and identity in this case. Source: Migratory Requirements to Visit Mexico as Tourist

SECRETARÍA DE RELACIONES EXTERIORES O F F I C I A L   I N F O R M A T I O N From the Mexican Government

Can minors travel to Mexico with just one of their parents? Mexican authorities consider that the passport is proof enough of the consent of both parents to allow the minor to travel with either one of them. For this reason, minors can go to Mexico with just one of their parents without the written permission of the other. Minors can travel alone but if they are under 16, they must carry along a written permission of their parents in Spanish or English, signed before the closest Mexican Embassy or a public notary or the police office of your locality. This applies also for minors traveling with an adult different to their parents. Source: Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores

For information regarding Notorization see: Why Notorization

VISAS

SECRETARÍA DE RELACIONES EXTERIORES O F F I C I A L   I N F O R M A T I O N From the Mexican Government

TURIST VISA (FMT) Permanent Residents of the United States of America, and of Canada A foreigner of any country, who is a permanent resident of the United States of America or of Canada, may travel to Mexico without a visa or a consular stamp on the passport. The person should travel with the valid passport and the valid US Resident Alien Card (Green Card) or Permanent Resident Card (Canada). If you do not have a valid Resident Alien Card or Permanent Resident Card, you may travel to Mexico if your passport bears a valid stamp from the US immigration authorities (US Citizenship and Immigration Services), or from Canada (Immigration Canada), indicating you are a Permanent Resident. A card will be issued to you on boarding the plane or at the port of entry. NO-Permanent Residents of the United States of America, and of Canada The requirements for the issuance of a Tourist Visa (FMT) are: Fill out the Visa Application form. Application.pdf (download file to your computer) Apply at this Consulate General in person from 8:00 am to 11:45 am Monday to Friday Valid passport in original and one photocopy of the pages containing personal information, photograph of bearer and expiration date/extensions. Valid US visa for multiple entries; at least with 3 months of validity at the time of your filing and one photocopy Valid I-94 and/or I-20 Form in original and one photocopy Financial records (the last three months of your bank statements, pay stubs, international credit card statements and the actual credit card) with one photocopy Payment of Consular fee Source: Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores

INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE MIGRACIÓN O F F I C I A L   I N F O R M A T I O N From the Mexican Government

Countries that need a visa(FMTT) You must contact the nearest Mexican Embassy or Consulate to apply for your visa and migration form (www.sre.gob.mx/delegaciones/dire.htm). In this case, you must submit: Passport or valid identification and travel document. Proof of economic solvency, with one of the following documents: Proof of stable employment or independent activity in your place of residency, accrediting a minimum monthly income of US$ 500.00, or Proof of real estate ownership, duly registered in your name, or Copy of your bank or securities account statement with average annual balance of at least US$ 2,000.00, or Copy of an international credit card. The citizens of Belize, Jamaica, El Salvador and Malaysia do not need visa, but they must go to some Mexican consulate to obtain stamp in their passport. For family members (spouse, children, or parents) to accompany you, you must prove their status. As tourist, you will be able to remain in Mexico 180 days. Source: Countries that need a visa(FMTT)   Countries that do not need a visa(FMTTV) You can enter Mexico without a visa showing your passport and the "migration Form for Tourists, Transmigrants, Visiting Businesspersons, or Visiting Consultants", which you can obtain from travel agencies, airlines, or at your point of entry into Mexico. This option also applies for permanent legal residents in the USA, Canada or Japan, regardless of nationality. Under an agreement with Canada and the USA, those countries' citizens may prove their nationality with a passport or other public documents, such as: Certified copy of birth certificate. Voter registration card. Naturalization certificate. If any of these documents lack a photograph, travelers must prove their nationality with another official identification: Driver's license. Identification issued by a state or official agency. Although Canadian and US citizens do not need a passport, the National Institute of Migration recommends one to expedite passage through the point of entry. IMPORTANT: From January 23, 2007, american citizens who travel to Mexico, to return to the United States airway they will have to present an in force passport. *Chinese citizens with passports issued by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Source: Countries that do not need a visa(FMTTV)   I lost my tourist migration form [What to do.] You must visit any National Institute of Migration office or delegation to apply for a replacement of your tourist migration form (http://www.inami.gob.mx/index.php?page/MEN_DIRECTORIO). The requisites are as follows: Passport or valid identification and travel document. Police report confirming the loss or theft of your migration form. Payment of duties Source: I lost my tourist migration form

Visitors requiring a visa extension can apply in person to the immigration office in Cancun or Playa del Carmen:

Cancun Immigration Office
Located in downtown Cancun City on the corner of Avenida Nader and Avenida Uxmal.
Open: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Monday - Friday

Playa del Carmen Immigration Office
Located in Plaza Antiguas
Open 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Monday - Friday

Consulate General of Mexico
For detailed information from the Mexican government visit:

TOURIST CARD

Each family [or individual when traveling alone or in non-family groups] should be given two forms to fill out on the airplane flying to Cancun. It has been our experience that most airlines are familiar with this procedure but NOT ALL. If you do not receive these forms in-flight you will have to fill them out at the airport upon arrival [causing further delay].

One form is your Customs Declaration and the other is your:

Migration Form for Foreign Tourist, Transmigrant, Business Visitor or Councilor or Visitor

This form also goes by the name:

Each family/individual must fill out this form and submit it to Immigration upon arrival. The Immigration Officer will remove a portion of the card giving you the remainder, which they stamp. You must keep this card and surrender it to the check-in clerk when departing Mexico.

Immigration will stamp your Tourist Card valid for 30 days unless you ask for either: 60 or 180 days.

WHAT IF I LOSE MY TOURIST CARD?

For information please see: What if I lose my Tourist Card?

IF YOU FLY IN FROM INSIDE THE MEXICAN 30 MILE U.S. BOARDER ZONE

You must get a "Migration Form for Foreign Tourist, Transmigrant, Business Visitor or Councilor or Visitor" form, from the airport of departure, which you must take to a bank in the area of your destination. You pay the bank [$23.00] and they stamp your Tourist Card for you.

If you lose your Tourist Card, but you are not departing and you require it replaced:

INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE MIGRACIÓN O F F I C I A L   I N F O R M A T I O N From the Mexican Government

I lost my tourist migration form [What to do.] You must visit any National Institute of Migration office or delegation to apply for a replacement of your tourist migration form (http://www.inami.gob.mx/index.php?page/MEN_DIRECTORIO). The requisites are as follows: Passport or valid identification and travel document. Police report confirming the loss or theft of your migration form. Payment of duties Source: Instituto Nacional de Migración

PROLONGING MY STAY IN MEXICO AS A TOURIST

INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE MIGRACIÓN O F F I C I A L   I N F O R M A T I O N From the Mexican Government

I want to prolong my stay in Mexico as a tourist: You must visit any National Institute of Migration office or delegation to apply for an extension of your tourist migration form (http://www.inami.gob.mx/index.php?page/MEN_DIRECTORIO). This procedure takes only a few minutes and the requisites are as follows: Passport or valid identification and travel document. Valid tourist migration form. Proof that you have sufficient economic resources to prolong your stay. Payment of duties. As a tourist, you may stay in Mexico for up to 180 days. Source: Instituto Nacional de Migración

Visitors requiring a extension can apply in person to the immigration office in Cancun or Playa del Carmen:

Cancun Immigration Office
Located in downtown Cancun City on the corner of Avenida Nader and Avenida Uxmal.
Open: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Monday - Friday

Playa del Carmen Immigration Office
Located in Plaza Antiguas
Open 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Monday - Friday

HEALTH & SAFETY

If you are traveling to the Yucatan during hurricane season, plan to be away 3 months or more, or you are traveling to remote jungle locations you are advised to register your itinerary with your country's counsulate. This can be done on-line:

USA: U.S. Department of State
Canada: Registration of Canadians Abroad

No vaccinations are required to enter Mexico from Canada or the U.S.A. Other visitors should check with a medical specialist, well in advance of your trip.

What do we do if somebody dies?

In the advent of a tragic event brochure available from Yucatan Living can walk you through all the necessary steps you will need to take. This brochure was created by three American women living in Merida.

TERMINAL MAPS

3-1-1 for carry-ons = 3 ounce bottle or less (by volume) ; 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin.

One-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring. 3 oz. container size is a security measure.

Declare larger liquids. Medications, baby formula and food, and breast milk are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint.

For more information visit the

CANCUN HOTELS

  Cancun Airport to Hotel Shuttle see:
Transfer Information

Cancun Vacations Info & Tips Cancun All Inclusive

If you are planning a trip to Cancun, the following articles written by Jules Seigel are recommended reading. Jules has lived in the area for over 20 years. A Quick Guide To Beach Hotels Corruption Isn't What It Used To Be Medical Restaurants Shopping in a Mexican Market Supermarkets Transportation