Do I need a Visa to visit La Baja?
Here´s a simple guide to getting a permit for your visit to the Baja.
Whether you need a Visa or not depends on these factors:
a) which country issued your passport.
b) You having legal residency or visa for a certain country.
According to the Mexican National Institute of Migration (Instituto Nacional de Migración, INM), if you enter by land and plan to travel further than 25 kilometers into Mexico, you must stop at an INM office at the port of entry to obtain an entry permit (Forma Migratoria Multiple - FMM), even if not explicitly directed to do so by Mexican officials. You will likely be asked to present this form at immigration checkpoints on your route of travel. You must present a valid passport in order to receive the entry permit.
All foreign nationals, regardless of their nationality, visiting Mexico for tourism, business or transit are NOT required to obtain a Mexican visa IF they hold a valid (non-expired) Visa or Permanent Residence of any of this countries: United States of America, Canada, Japan, United Kingdom or Schengen area (European Union)
How much does FMM cost?
The Mexican government levies a fee for these visitor permits (approximately US $35); the money raised is used for the promotion of Mexican tourism.
Do I need to keep it?
Once completed, the immigration official at the port of entry will stamp both halves of the form and hand you the smaller half. It’s important to keep this document safe, as you will need to officially surrender it when you leave Mexico. If you are departing Mexico on a flight, your airline will insist you surrender the FMM to them before they allow you to board. If you are driving out or leaving the country by sea, you should voluntarily surrender your FMM to an immigration official before your departure. Failure to do so might cause delays the next time you try and enter Mexico.
The Visitor Permit (FMM) will always expire after a maximum 180 days: it cannot be extended or renewed and you must leave the country before it expires.
What if I lose my FMM?
If you lose your FMM while you’re 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 a trip to a local bank to pay your permit replacement fee (about US $35). Some immigration offices at airports allow you to pay right there.
Traveling by cruise
Foreigners of any country traveling to Mexico by cruise on leisure trips visiting Mexican maritime ports, are NOT required to obtain a visa or consular stamp. The passenger must carry its valid passport and documents proving their legal status. US Residents: If your United States visa stamped on your passport is already expired but you have an official document proving your legal status in USA, you must apply for a Mexican visa (I-797 A Forms, Advance Parole Forms, I-20 OR DS-2019 Forms won’t be accepted to entering Mexico), unless you have a valid Visa for any of the countries listed above.
Check out the Mexican boating permit requierements, for further information about Sport Fishing and Nautical Tourism.
No appointment is required to apply for Visa.
Applicants should apply in person.
For further information about customs regulations, please read Customs Information page.
In summary,
You DO need to apply for a visa before traveling to Mexico if you you don’t hold a passport or are a resident from one of the countries listed above.
U.S. citizens should be aware that Mexican law permits Mexican immigration authorities to deny foreigners entry into Mexico if they have been charged with or convicted of a serious crime in Mexico or elsewhere.