03/03/2022 - 11:04 hrs.

Guide for foreigners to enter Mexico

In this article we explain the process to be able to stay in Mexico for less or more than 180 days.

1. Foreign students coming to UNAM for less than 180 days (one semester.)

I. Prior to their arrival

Acceptance at UNAM

Remember that submitting your application to UNAM does not mean that you are already accepted into their degree programs. We recommend that until you have received the letter of acceptance, you make the arrangements and purchase the airline ticket.

VISA

The Visa is required only for students from countries with which Mexico has not signed a Visa waiver agreement. In this case, you must obtain a Visitor Visa without permission to perform remunerated activities at one of the Mexican Consulates or Embassies https://www.gob.mx/sre/acciones-y-programas/embajadas-y-consulados

To find out if you require a Visa, check the list of countries: https://www.inm.gob.mx/gobmx/word/index.php/paises-requieren-visa-para-mexico/

If you come from a country that does NOT require a Visa, it is not necessary to carry out any immigration procedures prior to your arrival in the country; however, you must be very attentive at the point of entry according to the indications in section II "At the point of entry."

If you require a Visa, you must apply for it in advance before your arrival in Mexico. Check the website of the Embassy or Consulate where you reside for requirements: https://www.gob.mx/tramites/ficha/visa-de-visitante-sin-permiso-para-realizar-actividades-remuneradas/SRE232

You can apply for a Visa at any Mexican Embassy or Consulate. It is suggested that it be in the city where you live and in the country where all your documents are from. It is advisable to keep a copy of your documents on an electronic device to take with you on your trip.

Obtaining the Visa does not directly grant you the right to enter Mexican territory, since this decision is made by the immigration authority at the point of entry; this is why you should bring all your documents with you when you arrive in Mexico.

IMPORTANT - Before entering the Mexican territory, you must determine the maximum length of your stay at UNAM, since if you enter as a visitor without permission to perform paid activities, you will not be able to extend your residence for more than 180 days. Those people who decide to remain at UNAM for more than 180 days and who have entered in the above manner, must leave the country to complete the corresponding procedure.

II. At the point of entry

Migration

Upon arrival, you must present yourself to the immigration authority, who will request the following documents:

Multiple Immigration Form (FMM) duly completed except for the spaces that are exclusively for OFFICIAL USE. This document can be obtained from the airline you are traveling with or at the points of entry.
Valid and current passport or identity card.
In case you require it, Visitor Visa without permission to perform remunerated activities.

The immigration authority may ask you to prove the reason for your trip, for which you must present the letter of acceptance or invitation from UNAM (remember to bring a copy).

The FMM is the document that guarantees your regular stay in the country.

VERY IMPORTANT - You must make sure that the federal immigration agent checks the correct box on your FMM, checking the option for "Visitante Actividad NO remunerada" and and in the box corresponding to the "180 días" temporality. To avoid mishaps, it is essential that your FMM has correctly marked the number of days you are allowed to stay in Mexican territory. We suggest you keep a physical and an electronic copy of your FMM.

If for any reason the immigration agent does NOT check the correct box, you have the right to request a second review with the Local Delegate.

Your luggage

The airline you are traveling with or at the point of entry will provide you with a "Customs Declaration for Passengers Coming from Abroad" form in which you must declare the goods you are bringing with you; i.e:

More than US$10,000 or its equivalent in local or foreign currency, whether in cash, documents or a combination of both. This declaration does NOT generate any tax;
Animals, plants; or
Merchandise other than your baggage (e.g. medical or dental instruments)

For more information on permitted and prohibited items for entry into Mexico, please refer to the published information: http://omawww.sat.gob.mx/aduanas/pasajeros/Paginas/Mercancia_ingresar_Mexico.aspx https://www.gob.mx/senasica/documentos/productos-permitidos-y-prohibidos?state=published

Inspection procedure

The declaration is handed over to the authorized personnel at customs, at the point prior to your departure from the airport. In addition, you may be subject to a inspection process, which is random and works with an automated selection mechanism or traffic light:

Green Light (no inspection): You have to deliver the customs declaration form to the staff and may leave the facility.
Red Light (inspection). The process is simple. Just submit your customs declaration form and the staff will proceed with the physical inspection of your baggage. If there is no inconsistency, you will be told that you may close your luggage and leave.

III. Being in Mexico and at UNAM

Once you enter the country for less than 180 days, with or without a Visa, you CANNOT EXTEND YOUR STUDY PERIOD. Therefore, it is important that you consider the time you wish to stay in the country, because in case you wish to extend it, you will have to carry out the corresponding procedure and re-enter Mexico.
Students of less than 180 days may NOT perform in paid or lucrative activities.

Replenishment of documents

In case you lose your FMM, you must file a report with the Public Prosecutor's Office and then go to the Regional Delegation of the INM: http://www.inm.gob.mx/static/Tramites_LM/Estancia_LM/Expedicion_de_doc_Migratorio/Expedicion_de_doc_migratorio_por_reposicion.pdf

Recommendations

Take care of your documents
Have a copy of your passport and immigration document in your email
Keep an additional physical or electronic copy of your passport and immigration document in case of any unforeseen situation.

2. Foreign students coming to UNAM for more than 180 days (more than one semester)

I. Prior to their arrival

Acceptance at UNAM

Remember that submitting your application to UNAM does not mean that you are already accepted into their degree programs. We recommend that until you have received the letter of acceptance, you make the arrangements and purchase the airline ticket.

VISA

You must obtain a Temporary Resident Student Visa from the Mexican Consulate or Embassy closest to your place of residence; regardless of your nationality or exact period of stay (more than 180 days): https://www.gob.mx/sre/acciones-y-programas/embajadas-y-consulados

You should apply for the Visa in time before your arrival in Mexico, in order to prevent any delay in the presentation of the requirements. To do so, request an appointment and remember that this is a completely personal process, so you must be present for the procedure. The Mexican student Visa is free only for those students coming from countries with which Mexico has a free visa agreement.

Once you are in Mexico, you will have to go through the Visa exchange procedure indicated below in section III "Being in Mexico and at UNAM" for your regular stay during your studies.

It is necessary to consult the website of the nearest Embassy or Consulate for specific Visa requirements (https://www.gob.mx/sre/acciones-y-programas/visa-de-residente-temporal-estudiante).

You can apply for a Visa at any Mexican Embassy or Consulate. It is suggested that it be in the city where you live and in the country where all your documents are from. It is advisable to keep a copy of your documents on an electronic device to take with you on your trip.

Obtaining the Visa does not directly grant you the right to enter Mexican territory, since this decision is made by the immigration authority at the point of entry; this is why you should bring all your documents with you when you arrive in Mexico.

II. At the point of entry

At the point of entry

Upon arrival, you must present yourself to the immigration authorities, who will request the following documents:

Multiple Immigration Form (FMM) duly completed except for the spaces that are exclusively for OFFICIAL USE. This document can be obtained from the airline you are traveling with or at the points of entry.
Valid and current passport or identity card.
Temporary Resident Visa.

The immigration authority may ask you to prove the reason for your trip, for which you must present the letter of acceptance or invitation from UNAM (remember to bring a copy).

VERY IMPORTANT - You must make sure that the federal immigration agent checks the correct box on your FMM by checking the "Canje" option and in the box corresponding to the "30 días" temporality. To avoid mishaps, it is essential that your FMM is checked correctly.

We suggest you keep a physical and electronic copy of your Visa, FMM and, later, of your sTemporary Resident Student Card.

If for any reason the immigration agent does NOT check the correct box, you have the right to request a second review with the Local Delegate.

Your luggage

The airline you are traveling with or at the point of entry will provide you with a "Customs Declaration for Passengers Coming from Abroad" form in which you must declare the goods you are bringing with you; i.e:

More than US$10,000 or its equivalent in local or foreign currency, whether in cash, documents or a combination of both. This declaration does NOT generate any tax;
Animals, plants; or
Merchandise other than your baggage (e.g. medical or dental instruments)

Green Light (no inspection): You have to deliver the customs declaration form to the staff and may leave the facility.
Red Light (inspection): The process is simple. Just submit your customs declaration form and the staff will proceed with the physical inspection of your baggage. If there is no inconsistency, you will be told that you may close your luggage and leave.

III. Being in Mexico and at UNAM

Exchange

Within 30 days after your entry into the country you must apply for your Temporary Resident Student Card in accordance with the established requirements. Visit the website of the National Institute of Migration (INM) https://www.gob.mx/tramites/ficha/expedicion-de-documento-migratorio-por-canje/INM811

In case of not making the exchange, you will only have 30 days to remain in Mexico with the regular stay endorsed by the FMM.

Replenishment of documents

In case you lose your FMM, you must file a report with the Public Prosecutor's Office and then go to the Regional Delegation of the INM: http://www.inm.gob.mx/static/Tramites_LM/Estancia_LM/Expedicion_de_doc_Migratorio/Expedicion_de_doc_migratorio_por_reposicion.pdf

Recommendations

Take care of your documents.
Always carry with you the original of your Residence Card.
Have a copy of your passport and immigration document in your email.
If you are going on vacation to another country, check if you require a Visa for that country.
Keep an additional physical or electronic copy of your passport and immigration document in case of any unforeseen situation.

If you are in Mexico City and have any questions, you can go to the INM's Office for Migratory Attention and Dissemination. Here you will also be able to carry out any procedure. It is located at: 1832 Homero, Los Morales Polanco, Miguel Hidalgo, Zip Code: 11510, Mexico City. Telephone: +52 (55) 5387 2400. Attention to citizens: 800 00 46264.

To consult about INM delegations elsewhere in the Republic, go to: https://www.inm.gob.mx/gobmx/word/index.php/horarios-y-oficinas/

IV. When leaving

Temporarily

Once you exchange for the Temporary Resident Student Card during the first 30 days after your arrival, this is the document that guarantees your regular stay in Mexico.

Upon temporary departure, the federal immigration agent should NOT retain your Temporary Resident Student Card; it is you who must keep it and present it upon your return to Mexico. It is important that upon your return to Mexico you do not to fill out a new FMM.

When you are carrying out a procedure at the INM, in which the INM has retained your documents and you are going to leave the country temporarily, you must apply for an exit and return permission:
http://www.inm.gob.mx/static/Tramites_LM/Estancia_LM/Expedicion_de_doc_Migratorio/Obtener_permiso_de_salida_y_regreso.pdf

If you are out of Mexico when your immigration documents expire and no more than 55 days have elapsed, you may re-enter the country and you must request the renewal of your document within 5 working days after your entry.

Permanently

When you leave the country permanently, the immigration authority will require to see your valid passport, as well as your Temporary Resident Student Card.

Guide for foreigners to enter Mexico

Share:

1. Foreign students coming to UNAM for less than 180 days (one semester.)

2. Foreign students coming to UNAM for more than 180 days (more than one semester)

Compartir: