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Mexico

Mexico visa

Americas · Central America

In Mexico, visas are issued by the consular missions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE), while the National Migration Institute (INM) handles stay procedures within the country. The pages consulted on 17 September 2026 name the visitor visas, the electronic visa (SAE), temporary residence and permanent residence. The application is filed with a Mexican consular mission; the consul may request additional documents.

Updated on 7 October 2026 · Official sources consulted on 17 September 2026

At a glance

Authority
Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores (SRE) for issuing visas; Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM) for stay procedures in Mexico
Submission channel
Mexican consular mission abroad; stay procedure forms online on the INM site
Electronic visa
Yes: the "Visa Electrónica (SAE)", reserved for certain nationalities designated by the migration authority and not reproduced here
Portal language
Spanish

Do you need a visa?

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines passport: visa required for a short tourist stay.

Stay of up to 180 days.

For a short tourist stay with an ordinary passport. To work, study or stay longer, the rules are different: check your situation.

Good to know

Mexican visa required; the page accepts instead permanent residence (Canada, United States, Japan, United Kingdom, Schengen, Pacific Alliance) or a valid visa (Canada, United States, Japan, United Kingdom, Schengen). Stay ≤ 180 days. INM, 08/01/2024.

Official source: INM (gob.mx) — Countries and regions that require / do not require a visa to travel to Mexico (PDF lists)INM (gob.mx) — Países y regiones que requieren / no requieren visa para viajar a México (listes en PDF) (new tab) Verified on 24 September 2026

All destinations for this nationality

VisaGuideline helps you prepare your application. The decision belongs to the country’s authority: check the official page before paying or applying.

Mexico visa: who needs one?

Based on the verified entry rules, for a short tourist stay with an ordinary passport.

Visa exemption 63

List of nationalities

Visa required 134

List of nationalities

A nationality missing from this list does not establish a visa exemption. Consult the official authority.

Documented visa types

"Visa de Visitante sin permiso para realizar actividades remuneradas"
For activities involving no remuneration: tourism, transit, business meetings, supervisory visits, philanthropy, sport, medical treatment, conferences and studies of less than 180 days, according to the page consulted. Official page (new tab)
"Visa de Visitante con permiso para realizar actividades remuneradas"
Category named on the page of visas for foreign nationals. Conditions and duration not stated on the pages consulted. Official page (new tab)
"Visa Electrónica (SAE)" — electronic visa
According to the page: validity of 30 days from issuance, a single entry, entry by air only, under the visitor status without authorization to carry out remunerated activities. Official page (new tab)
"Visa de Residencia Temporal" — temporary residence visa
For foreign nationals who wish to stay for more than 180 days and less than 4 years, according to the page consulted. Official page (new tab)
"Visa de Residente Temporal Estudiante" — student visa
Category named on the page of visas for foreign nationals. Conditions and duration not stated on the pages consulted. Official page (new tab)
"Visa de Residencia Permanente" — permanent residence visa
Category named on the page of visas for foreign nationals. Conditions and duration not stated on the pages consulted. Official page (new tab)

Where and how to apply

According to the pages consulted, the visa application is filed with a Mexican consular mission abroad. The page of visas for foreign nationals states that, depending on the case, the consul may request additional information, and refers to the site of the National Migration Institute for procedures and conditions.

The electronic visa (SAE) is an exception: according to the page consulted, the application is completed online on the site of the National Migration Institute, the electronic authorization is printed by the applicant, and its use requires a participating airline able to validate it. Once in Mexico, stay procedures are filed with the INM, whose application form for a migration stay procedure is completed online.

Steps in the procedure

  1. Determine the stay status sought: visitor, temporary resident or permanent resident.
  2. Identify the Mexican consular mission responsible for the country of nationality or of legal residence.
  3. Gather the passport, the photograph and the documents evidencing the purpose chosen.
  4. Pay the fees provided for by the Ley Federal de Derechos.
  5. File the application with the consular mission and respond, where applicable, to the consul's additional requests.
  6. For the electronic visa, complete the application online on the INM site and print the authorization.
  7. After entering Mexico, start the residence card procedure with the INM where it is required.

Documents mentioned by the authority

The exact list depends on the visa type and on the situation; only the official page is authoritative. The documents listed here are those of the page devoted to the temporary residence visa.

Stated fees and processing times

According to the portal consulted on 17 September 2026, the applicant must pay the corresponding fees, in the form and amount set by the Ley Federal de Derechos.

The only duration read is the 30-day validity of the electronic visa (SAE) from its issuance.

After the decision

According to the page devoted to the temporary residence visa, a foreign national must start, within 30 calendar days of entering the national territory, the residence card procedure evidencing the lawfulness of their stay.

Changes of stay status fall under the National Migration Institute, whose site provides an electronic application form for a migration stay procedure. The page points out that errors in the application are the user's responsibility.

Prepare your application

Frequently asked questions

Where is the application filed?

With a Mexican consular mission abroad. Stay procedures started in Mexico fall under the National Migration Institute.

Is there an electronic visa?

Yes: the "Visa Electrónica (SAE)". According to the portal consulted on 17 September 2026, it is valid for 30 days from issuance, for a single entry and by air only. It is reserved for certain nationalities designated by the migration authority.

How long does a temporary residence visa last?

According to the portal consulted on 17 September 2026, it is for a stay of more than 180 days and less than 4 years.

How much does the visa cost and how long does it take to be issued?

Not stated on the portal consulted: the pages refer to the fees set by the Ley Federal de Derechos, without publishing the amount, and announce no processing time.

What must be done after entering Mexico?

According to the page consulted, the holder of a temporary residence visa must start, within 30 calendar days of entry, the residence card procedure with the National Migration Institute.

Points to check with the authority

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