If you're a UK citizen travelling to Mexico, you can stay for up to 180 days without a visa. However, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Firstly, make sure your passport is valid for the duration of your stay. The Mexican Embassy in the UK recommends that passports be valid for at least 180 days, as this is the maximum amount of time you can stay in Mexico as a tourist. Additionally, if you're travelling through another country, such as the US, on your way to or from Mexico, be sure to check their entry requirements as they may have different rules. When entering Mexico, you'll need to obtain a tourist card (or FMM - Forma Migratoria Múltiple), which is available on the plane, from the airline, through a travel agent, or at Mexican consulates.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Passport validity | Must be valid for the duration of your stay |
Passport validity recommendation | 180 days |
Visa requirement | Not required for stays under 180 days |
Visa requirement for other Europeans | 90 days |
Visa requirement for work or study | Required |
Visa requirement for stays over six months | Required |
Tourist card requirement | Required |
Tourist card requirement when entering by air | Not required |
Tourist card requirement when entering by land | Required |
Tourist card cost | Free |
Tourist card availability | On the plane, from the airline before departure, from a travel agent, at Mexican consulates, at airports or border crossings on arrival |
Proof of vaccination | Not required |
Proof of negative COVID-19 test | Not required |
What You'll Learn
Tourist card requirements
All visitors to Mexico, regardless of nationality, need a valid passport and a tourist card (or FMM – Forma Migratoria Múltiple). The only exception applies to visits of less than three days to the 20km, duty-free strip adjoining the US border, into which you can come and go freely (though you still need a passport or photo ID).
Tourist cards are free and if you are flying directly to Mexico, you should be given one on the plane, or by the airline before departure. A good travel agent should also be able to arrange one for you. They are also issued by Mexican consulates, in person or by post, and can be obtained at airports or border crossings on arrival. However, it is preferable to obtain one in advance, as cards may be in short supply at the border, and there may be additional difficulties for those whose passports are not issued by a rich Western country.
When entering Mexico by land, visitors must apply for a tourist card online. This can be done through a Mexican consulate, or via a third-party website such as iVisa. The application process is straightforward, requiring you to complete a simple online form and pay a fee. You will then receive your completed card via email, which you must print out and present, along with your passport, to an immigration officer on arrival in Mexico. They will stamp your tourist card, and you will be cleared to enter the country.
It is important to note that a tourist card is valid for a single entry only, so if you plan to leave and re-enter Mexico, you will need to obtain multiple cards. On the card, you will be asked how long you intend to stay. It is recommended to apply for a longer duration than you need, as extensions can be time-consuming and difficult to obtain.
Don't forget to keep the tourist card stub that is given back to you after the immigration inspection. You are legally required to carry it at all times while in Mexico, and it is more important than your passport if you have to show your papers. The stub must also be handed in when leaving the country – without it, your departure may be delayed.
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Passport validity
Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay in Mexico. The Mexican Embassy in the UK recommends that passports are valid for at least 180 days, as this is the longest you can stay in Mexico as a tourist.
If you are travelling through another country on your way to or from Mexico, check the entry requirements for that country. Many countries will only allow entry if you have at least six months of validity remaining on your passport.
If you are flying directly to Mexico, you should get a tourist card on the plane or from the airline before you leave. A good travel agent should be able to arrange one for you, too. Alternatively, tourist cards are issued by Mexican consulates, every major US city and most border towns have one, in person or by post. You should be able to get tourist cards at airports or border crossings on arrival, but if they have run out, you will have to wait until the next batch comes in. If your passport is not issued by a rich Western country, you may find it difficult to persuade border officials to give you a card, so it is preferable to get one in advance.
If you are entering Mexico by land, you must fill in an immigration form online.
Visa requirements
British citizens do not need a visa to enter Mexico as a tourist for less than 180 days. However, your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay. The Mexican Embassy in the UK recommends that passports be valid for at least 180 days because this is the longest a British citizen can stay in Mexico without a visa.
If you are travelling to Mexico for tourism, business, or other short-term purposes for less than 180 days, you will need a Mexico Tourist Card, even if you are from a visa-exempt country. You can obtain a Tourist Card at the airport or the border, but it is recommended to apply beforehand to save time and speed up the immigration process. The Tourist Card is free, and you can apply for it online, through a travel agent, or through a Mexican consulate.
If you are entering Mexico by land for tourism, you must apply for a tourist card (FMM - Forma Migratoria Múltiple) online. Tourist cards are no longer required when entering the country by air. Travellers of legal age can use the e-gates at Cancun and Mexico City airports, where they will automatically receive entry tickets showing the length of their stay. At other airports, border officials will stamp the permitted length of stay into your passport.
If you are a British citizen entering Mexico by land, you must fill in an immigration form online. If you are travelling through the USA, you will need an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) visa waiver or a US visa.
If you plan to work, volunteer, or participate in certain adventure or ecotourism activities in Mexico, you will need to obtain the correct visa from the Mexican Embassy before you travel.
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Travelling with children
British citizens travelling with children to Mexico must have a valid passport. There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Mexico. However, it is recommended that you take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover your trip.
If you are travelling with a child, you may be asked to provide evidence of your relationship with them, such as a birth or adoption certificate, divorce or marriage certificates, or a parental responsibility order. You should also be prepared to explain the reason for your travel with them. If your child has dual nationality of Mexico and is travelling without a parent or legal guardian, they must apply for a permit to leave the country.
Foreign minors under 18 years of age travelling to Mexico alone or with someone other than their parents or guardians require authorisation or a letter of consent from their parents or guardians. This applies to Mexican nationals (whether residing in Mexico or abroad), Mexican nationals with dual nationality, and foreign residents in Mexico. The letter must be granted by a notary public and include the means of travel, destination, and date of travel. It must be presented along with the minor's valid passport upon departure from Mexico.
When travelling with children, it is important to be aware of any specific entry or vaccination requirements for your destination. Additionally, you may need to declare certain goods to customs officials and pay applicable taxes, such as the Environmental Tax and Tourist Tax in Mexico.
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Entry taxes
When entering Mexico, you will be required to pay three different taxes: the Departure Tax, the Environmental Tax, and the Tourist Tax. The Departure Tax is usually included in the cost of your holiday. The Environmental Tax and Tourist Tax must be paid locally before you travel home.
The Environmental Tax should be paid at your hotel when checking in or checking out, and costs between 30-70 MXN per room, per night. The Tourist Tax costs 271 MXN per person, including all children and infants, and can be paid through the official website. Proof of payment must be given at the airport, so it is recommended to download and take a screenshot of the QR confirmation to minimise delays when travelling home.
If you are entering Mexico by land, you are also required to pay a M$295 derecho de no inmigrante entry fee, payable at a bank. Some land crossings have a bank at the border post, otherwise, you will need to go to a bank to pay it before you leave Mexico.
In addition, if you are visiting the state of Quintana Roo, you must pay an entry tax. This can be paid online before or during your stay, or with help at Cancun Airport. You must show proof of payment at the airport before leaving.
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