Mexico
Mexico visa guide: visitor visas, residence and asylum
- 8 visa types
- checked 23 October 2026
How visas for Mexico work
Mexican visas are issued by the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs (SRE) through Mexico's embassies and consulates, while the National Institute of Migration (INM) admits travellers at the border and issues residence cards inside Mexico. Every visa application is made in person at a consular office after booking through the 'Mi Consulado' system and includes an interview and biometrics. If your nationality needs a visa, you apply at the Mexican embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence.
Visitors who need a visa apply for the 'visitor without permission to carry out paid activities' visa, which allows stays of up to 180 days. Many travellers do not need it: holders of a valid visa or permanent residence from the United States, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom or a Schengen country can enter on that document. A long-stay visa (temporary or permanent residence, student) is issued abroad and then exchanged for a residence card at the INM after arrival.
Mexico expresses most financial thresholds in UMA (Unidad de Medida y Actualización), a daily reference value published by INEGI; for 2026 it is MXN 117.31 a day. Consular fees are fixed in US dollars for 2026: USD 56 for most visas, USD 54 for the 10-year long-duration visitor visa and USD 321 for visas authorised in advance by the INM, such as those based on a job offer.
Which visa do I need?
Holiday, family visit or business meetings up to 180 days: visitor visa without permission for paid activities, unless you hold a valid US, Canadian, Japanese, UK or Schengen visa or residence.
Frequent travellers, spouses of Mexicans or residents, and people with ample means: the 10-year long-duration visitor visa.
Paid work for a Mexican employer: a visa authorised in advance by the INM at the employer's request.
Living in Mexico on savings, remote income or a pension: temporary resident visa by economic solvency, or permanent resident visa for retirees and pensioners.
Studying for more than 180 days: temporary resident student visa.
Joining a Mexican or a resident relative: temporary or permanent residence by family unity.
Fear of returning to your country while in Mexico: refugee claim with COMAR within 30 working days of entry.
Visa types for Mexico
Visits and short stays
- Tourist visa Visitor visa without permission to carry out paid activities (visa de visitante sin permiso para realizar actividades remuneradas)
Visa-required travellers use this visa for tourism, family visits, business meetings and short courses of up to 180 days without paid work in Mexico.
Maximum stay: Up to 180 days, as authorised by the INM at entry
Study and training
- Student visa Temporary resident student visa (visa de residente temporal estudiante)
Students accepted by a Mexican institution of the National Education System for studies, exchanges or research longer than 180 days apply for the temporary resident student visa at a consulate.
Maximum stay: For the length of studies, documented by a student card
Work
- Work visa Visa authorised by the INM: visitor with permission for paid activities or temporary residence based on a job offer
To work for a Mexican employer, the employer or another sponsor in Mexico first obtains an authorisation from the National Institute of Migration (INM).
Maximum stay: Depends on the authorised category: up to 180 days as a paid visitor, or temporary residence of more than 180 days up to 4 years - Digital nomad visa Temporary resident visa by economic solvency (visa de residente temporal), the usual route for remote workers
Mexico has no dedicated digital nomad visa.
Maximum stay: More than 180 days and up to 4 years of temporary residence
Family
- Family reunification visa Residence by family unity (unidad familiar): temporary or permanent resident visa
Spouses, partners and close relatives of Mexican citizens or of foreigners with temporary or permanent residence can apply for residence by family unity.
Maximum stay: Temporary residence up to 4 years or permanent residence, depending on the case
Residence
- Retirement visa Permanent resident visa for retirees and pensioners (visa de residente permanente – jubilado o pensionado)
Retirees and pensioners can apply at a Mexican consulate for a permanent resident visa, which the SRE lists for people entering as jubilados or pensionados and for some cases of family unity.
Maximum stay: Permanent residence (indefinite) - Permanent residence Permanent resident visa (visa de residente permanente)
Mexico grants permanent residence from abroad through the permanent resident visa, issued to retirees and pensioners and to certain relatives of Mexicans or permanent residents; a points system is announced but not yet in force.
Maximum stay: Indefinite
Asylum and international protection
- Asylum and international protection Recognition of refugee status (Comisión Mexicana de Ayuda a Refugiados, COMAR)
COMAR is the only Mexican authority that decides refugee claims.
Processing time: Depends on the case; you wait for an eligibility interview and a written decision
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Mexico?
Nationals of countries without a visa waiver with Mexico need one, unless they hold a valid visa or permanent residence from the United States, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom or a Schengen country, which allows entry as a visitor. Visa applicants apply in person at the Mexican embassy or consulate responsible for their place of residence.
What is Mexico's electronic authorisation (SAE)?
A separate online route for air travel. The current SRE page says the SAE is available to nationals of Russia and Ukraine; an older INM page from 2022 also listed Turkish citizens. Everyone else who needs a visa applies at a consulate; confirm with the Mexican mission in your country before relying on the SAE.
How much does a Mexican visa cost?
For 2026 the SRE charges USD 56 for visitor, temporary resident, student and permanent resident visas, USD 54 for the long-duration visitor visa and USD 321 for INM-authorised visas.
Does Mexico have a digital nomad visa?
No dedicated one. Remote workers with foreign income usually apply for a temporary resident visa on the basis of economic solvency.
How long does a Mexican visa take?
The SRE lists a response time of 10 working days for most visas and 7 working days for INM-authorised visas, after the interview.
Embassies and consulates
Last checked 23 October 2026. Each visa page lists the official sources it is based on.