7 documents to travel to Mexico and How to Get a Visa

This text is a guide with the documents needed to travel to Mexico and go through the country’s immigration. We also explain how to obtain a visa for Brazilians.

Mexico is the dream destination for many people: it brings together ancient history, rich gastronomy, a lot of cultural strength and beautiful beaches in Cancún and co. Add this to Mexico City – one of the most interesting metropolises in the world – and there are already reasons why so many people arrive in the country.

Are you going to Mexico? Follow the steps below to organize your trip.

What documents to take to Mexico?

• Passport
• View
• Travel insurance
• Forms
• Return ticket
• Financial Proofs
• Accommodation Vouchers

Below, we explain each of these topics in detail:

Do you need a passport for Mexico and Cancún?

To enter Mexico you need a valid passport. Itamaraty recommends that the passport has for six months of validity from the date of entry into the country.

Some people confuse this information because in almost all of South America Brazilian tourists do not need a passport: it is possible to travel only with a Brazilian identity document. This does not apply to Mexico.

Mexico needs to be seen?

Since December 2021, Brazilian tourists and business travelers need a visa to enter Mexico and stay there for up to 180 days.

The visa for Mexico was once again required under pressure from the United States, as the Latin country was being used as a gateway for illegal immigration of Brazilians to the USA.

Does Cancun need a visa and passport?

The answer is the same, after all Cancun is part of Mexico. Yes, Brazilians need a valid passport and visa to visit Cancun.

It is also prudent to take out travel insurance, as for the rest of the country, and take all the rest of the documentation provided in this text.

Do you need a transit visa for Mexico?

Pay attention to this detail: are you only going to transit in Mexico? I went through this when I went to China. I took an Aeroméaxico flight and connected in Mexico City and Tijuana.

I spent hours in the country – this is called transit. And yes, it is currently necessary to have a Mexican visa even if you only intend to connect in the country.

This measure came into force in October 2023. According to Itamaraty, only the following are exempt:

• Brazilians who have official (and authorized) residence in Canada; U.S; Japan; UK; Northern Ireland; country that is part of the Schengen Area; or member country of the Pacific Alliance (Chile, Colombia and Peru).
• Brazilians who have valid and current visas for Canada; U.S; Japan; UK; Northern Ireland; or country that is part of the Schengen Area.

Does someone with an American visa also need a Mexican visa?

A visa for Mexico is not necessary for those who have a valid visa, citizenship or permanent residence in Canada, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, any of the countries that make up the Schengen Area in Europe, Chile, Colombia and Peru.

How to get a visa for Mexico

The visa must be paper, attached to the passport, and obtained at a Mexican consulate in Brazil.

Scheduling

To apply for a visa in person, you must make an appointment at the Mexican consulate closest to your residence (Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo or Brasília) and request a visa in your passport.

Every 15 days, on the first and third Monday of the month, new dates are released for scheduling.

It is not possible to make an appointment by email or telephone, it is not possible to be seen without an appointment and there is no longer the possibility of requesting a visa urgently.

If you have questions, consult the Mexican embassy website or contact us by email: tramitesrio@sre.gob.mx (RJ), faleconoscosp@sre.gob.mx (SP) or consuladomexbra@sre.gob.mx (Brazil).

Mexico visa documentation

To apply for a Mexican visa, you must fill out the form and provide a 3×4 photo with a white background, in addition to presenting the original passport and a copy. Payment of the fee of 48 dollars must be made converted into Brazilian reais through PIX. It is worth remembering that this does not guarantee visa approval.

To meet the eligibility criteria, you need to fulfill only one of the following requirements:

• Prove that you are a frequent traveler with at least three entry stamps from different countries in the last 360 days in the passport presented. It is worth remembering that countries bordering Brazil are not considered.
• Prove your roots in Brazil, presenting a deed that proves ownership of properties in your name for the last two years and constant employment.
• Prove financial resources with a payslip proving employment for the last three months, with a minimum net salary of R$5,600 per month, or presenting bank statements for the last three months, with an average monthly balance of at least R$16,800.

Tourists traveling by sea on cruise ships can stay up to 7 days without a visa at the port of arrival. Make your appointment using the link above.

And be careful: anyone who goes to Mexico to study, do volunteer work, work or live needs another visa to enter the country. Not worth the tourism! Learn more about the types of Mexican visas here.

Is travel insurance mandatory in Mexico?

It is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended.

It is essential not only to take out travel insurance, but also choose good insurance, a product that guarantees coverage in case of covid or other illnesses. And also, of course, it covers other medical emergencies, lost luggage, flight cancellation, etc.

To carry out your search, our recommendation is that you use a comparator such as Seguros Promo:

Due to a partnership between 360meridianos and Seguros Promo, There is a discount coupon for our readers: 360meridianos05, which gives 5% off. Pay with a bank slip and get another 5% discount.

Some insurance options for North America with Covid coverage

• O Affinity 60 It has coverage of up to 60 thousand dollars, is valid throughout North America and has coverage for Covid. This insurance company currently owns the best price and value for money among the options that cover problems related to the pandemic.
• O GTA 75 Euromax has coverage of up to 75 thousand euros, which is very good. It also guarantees coverage for covid-19.
• O Intermac 60 Talk It also has great coverage and a competitive price, as well as coverage against Covid.

The mandatory forms to enter Mexico

Just before you disembark, you will receive two forms from the flight attendants:

• The Mexico Tourist Card, which is the official immigration document in the country
• The Mexican customs form

Those who prefer to speed up the process can fill out the Mexico Tourist Card online. But be careful: you still need to print the document.

At immigration, this form will be stamped, as will your passport. Carefully keep the part of the form that will remain with you, called Exit Part, as you will need to present it when leaving the country.

Mexico City

Why print all the documentation listed in this text?

See what the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs says: “The migration control rooms at the main Mexican airports do not allow cell phones to be connected to the Internet, which is why none of the supporting documents mentioned above should be stored only in electronic mail or in “ clouds”.

Please note that migration agents may also request the temporary confiscation of cell phones, which is why it is reiterated that any supporting document must be provided in hard copy.

Return ticket from Mexico

To enter Mexico you must have a return ticket. printed. Pay close attention to this, because There are cases of Brazilians who were denied entry when they did not present paper documentation. Just documenting on your cell phone or other digital device is not enough.

Are you going from Mexico to another country? Then you must present this passage. .

Cheap tickets to Mexico

Currently, you can expect to pay between R$2500 and R$3500 for a round-trip flight to Mexico.

Internal passages in Mexico

Are you going to travel around the country? According to Itamaraty, it is also essential that you have all these tickets, whether plane or bus, printed. They can be requested by immigration.

Financial proof to travel to Mexico

Every country requires the visitor to prove the means to finance the trip. In some cases the amount is defined in advance – this is the case in many European countries, which require 60 euros per day of travel.

In the vast majority, however, there is no defined magic number. This is the case of Mexico, which only requires financial proof compatible with the number of days you will stay in the country.

This money can be in cash, such as Mexican pesos, euros or US dollars, but it can also be proof of a credit card limit or bank balance. Taking reais is not recommended, even due to the exchange rate, which is very bad. The ideal, from a conversion point of view, is to buy dollars in Brazil and take it with you.

It is not wise to go without any cash. And paychecks and professional cards are not mandatory, but recommended by Itamaraty.

Find out more: How much does it cost to travel to Mexico?

Proof of accommodation reservations

Pay attention to this item! In 2020, when the crisis began for Brazilians who were denied entry into Mexico, proof of accommodation was the biggest problem.

You need to have it (printed, don’t forget) hotel voucher with name, address and telephone number of the establishment. This is necessary for every day you will spend in the country. Therefore, it is essential to book your accommodation in advance.

Are you staying at someone’s house? Then you need an invitation letter. It is necessary even if your host comes to the airport to receive you.

In this link you will find a model accepted by Mexican immigration. And also be sure to read our guide on how to write an invitation letter.

Documents to travel to Mexico: are you going on business?

Going on business? In addition to all the documents listed above, you will need a receipt (also printed) with the name, telephone number, address and other details of the company that is the reason for your trip. This documentation must also have the name of the employee of that company.

• Did you have problems with immigration? You can contact the Brazilian Consulate in the country. Write down the email: cgmexico@itamaraty.gov.br

What about the yellow fever vaccine?

The yellow fever vaccine is not required to enter Mexico. At the moment there is also no obligation to prove other vaccines, including Covid.

San Cristóbal de las Casas

International driver’s license in Mexico

You do not need to have an international driver’s license to drive in Mexico. Just your Brazilian license, valid and with a photo in which you can be recognized, is valid. Also take your passport. Furthermore, no rental company will do business with anyone who does not have a credit card.

The card is not valid in someone else’s name, it has to be the driver’s, with a good limit, after all, the deposit and the rental amount will be issued.

Puebla, colonial mansions and the best of Mexican food

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