Philippine Passport: Traveling To Mexico, Possible?

If you're a Philippine passport holder and are planning a trip to Mexico, there are a few things you need to know. Firstly, as a Filipino citizen, you will need to obtain a visa for Mexico before your trip. This is because citizens of the Philippines are required to have a visa when travelling to Mexico for tourism, business, or any non-remunerated activity for a period of up to 180 days. In addition to the visa, you must also obtain a Tourist Card, also known as the Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM). This is a mandatory customs and arrival form that you can obtain on your flight to Mexico or upon arrival. However, there are different Tourist Cards for air and land arrivals, so make sure to get the correct one.

Do I need a visa to enter Mexico with a Philippine passport?

Yes, Philippine citizens need a visa to enter Mexico. This applies to those travelling for tourism, business, transit, or any non-remunerated activity for a period of up to 180 days. The visa is typically a stamp or sticker added to your passport, which you can obtain from a local embassy, consulate, or visa centre before travelling.

How to Apply for a Mexican Visa as a Philippine Citizen

Although I cannot provide a definitive list of steps, here is some general guidance on how to apply for a Mexican visa:

• Check the Mexican government website for instructions.
• Reach out to your nearest Mexican Embassy or Consulate.
• Fill out an application form.
• Submit supporting documents.
• Pick up your passport from the Embassy or Consulate with the visa sticker.

Tourist Card

In addition to a visa, Philippine citizens must also complete a Tourist Card, also known as the Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM). This is a simple customs and arrival form asking for flight, accommodation, and contact information. There are different Tourist Cards for air and land arrivals, so ensure you complete the correct one.

Visa Exceptions

Foreigners holding any of the following documents do not need a Mexican visa for business, tourism, transit, or any non-remunerated activity for less than 180 days, regardless of their nationality:

• Permanent residence in Canada, the United States of America, Japan, the United Kingdom, any country in the Schengen Area, or the Pacific Alliance countries (Chile, Colombia, and Peru).
• A valid multiple-entry visa from Canada, the United States of America, Japan, the United Kingdom, or any country in the Schengen Area, as long as the visa is valid during the entire stay in Mexico.
• An APEC Business Traveler Card (ABTC) approved by Mexico.
• A Seafarer's book, if you are a member of the crew of a vessel arriving at a Mexican port on an international voyage. If you are arriving by air to enrol in a ship docked in a Mexican port, you must also present a document that proves your enrolment in the ship, the vessel's information, and the Mexican port it is located in, in addition to the Seafarer's book and a valid passport.

What is a Mexican visa?

A Mexican visa allows you to travel to one of the points of entry to Mexico; however, it does not guarantee entry into the country. The final decision to enter the country is the sole faculty of the Mexican immigration and sanitary authorities at the respective port of entry.

There are three main types of Mexican visas, depending on the duration of your stay:

• Tourist visas, which are issued for a short-stay of up to 180 days. They are issued to visa-required foreign nationals who want to enter Mexico for tourism, business, a visit or any other purpose that does not include employment.
• Temporary resident visas, which are issued to foreigners who want to move to Mexico for a period longer than six months but less than four years.
• Permanent resident visas, which are issued to foreign nationals who want to live in Mexico permanently.

The time it takes to process a Mexican visa depends on the specific embassy to which you are applying. Some only take about two days to process your visa while others may take up to four weeks.

The application process for a Mexican visa involves:

• Filling out the application form
• Submitting supporting documents
• Paying the visa fee
• Picking up your passport from the Embassy or Consulate with the visa sticker

How do I apply for a Mexican visa?

To apply for a Mexican visa with a Philippine passport, you must follow the below steps:

Step 1: Check if you need a visa

Citizens of the Philippines need to apply for a visa to travel to Mexico for tourism, transit, business, or any non-remunerated activity for a period of no longer than 180 days. However, there are some exceptions. If you hold any of the following documents, you do not need a Mexican visa, regardless of your nationality:

• Permanent residence in Canada, the US, Japan, the UK, any country in the Schengen Area, or the Pacific Alliance countries (Chile, Colombia, and Peru).
• A valid multiple-entry visa from Canada, the US, Japan, the UK, or any country in the Schengen Area, as long as the visa is valid during your entire stay in Mexico.
• An APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) approved by Mexico.
• A Seafarer's book if you are a crew member of a vessel arriving at a Mexican port on an international voyage. If you arrive by air, you must also present a document that proves your enrolment in the ship, the vessel's information, and the Mexican port it is located in.

Step 2: Gather the required documents

If you do need to apply for a visa, you will need to submit the following documents:

• A duly filled-out and signed application form.
• Your original passport with a validity of at least six months, and a photocopy of it.
• Photocopies of your immigration stamps and visas.
• Two ID photos with a white background.
• A photocopy of your valid visa for the US, Canada, UK, Japan, or the Schengen Area (if applicable).
• One valid identification card original and photocopy (both sides of the card). This could include a driver's license, SSS/GSIS ID card, company ID, or valid student ID.
• Original bank statements and a bank certificate from the last three months (the minimum maintaining balance should be PHP 115,000 per month).
• Two or more documents (photocopy and original) to prove your financial solvency, such as a valid international credit card, paid credit card statements from the last three months, updated bank statements, passbooks/bank books, income tax return paper (if employed), or business ownership certifications (if self-employed).
• Original Certificate of Employment stating your length of service and remuneration package, with a minimum basic salary of PHP 25,000 and at least one year of employment in a single company.
• A copy of a land title deed that has been in your name for at least two years prior to your application.

Step 3: Schedule an appointment

Schedule an appointment using the Mexitel website. You will need to fill in all the required details, after which you will be taken to an appointment schedule page.

Step 4: Attend the appointment

Print your appointment letter and bring it along with all your original documents and their photocopies to your appointment. You will also need to pay the visa application fee in cash and in Philippine currency on the day of your appointment. The fee is not refundable, regardless of the outcome of your application.

Step 5: Wait for the result

The visa application result could take up to ten working days. There are no expedite procedures, so it is recommended to schedule your appointment well in advance.

What is a Mexican Tourist Card?

To enter Mexico, all international visitors, including children and diplomatic personnel, must obtain a Digital Tourist Card, also known as the Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM). This is an Entry Immigration Form that details information about your visit to Mexico, such as flight, accommodation, and contact information. The Tourist Card is free and can be obtained online on the government website, or at the border. However, some airports require a printed copy of your Tourist Card.

There are different Tourist Cards for air and land arrivals, so make sure to complete the correct one. If you are flying to Mexico, an Air Tourist Card is mandatory. You can obtain it on your flight to Mexico or upon arrival. If you are planning a road trip across the Mexican border, you can obtain the Tourist Card - Land at the border or online before your arrival.

What are the costs of a Mexican Tourist Card?

The costs of a Mexican Tourist Card, also known as the Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM), depend on how you obtain it and your travel plans. The Tourist Card is a simple customs and arrival form that asks for your flight, accommodation, and contact information.

If you are travelling by air, you can obtain the Tourist Card for free on your flight to Mexico or upon arrival. However, if you want to save time and avoid the queues at the airport, you can apply for it online before your departure for a small processing fee. The Tourist Card is also free if you are travelling by land and your trip is 7 days or less. Otherwise, the Tourist Card costs $717.00 Mexican pesos (approximately $43 USD). It is recommended to have your card valid for 180 days even if you plan on staying in Mexico for a shorter duration, as it is easier to already have the time granted than to extend your card later.

Frequently asked questions