How to Get a Tourist Visa to Mexico

Ranked the seventh most popular tourist destination in 2005 by the World Tourism Organization, Mexico offers many attractions including ancient Mesoamerican ruins and beach resorts. A tourist visa allows you to take advantage of some of these features. The Embassy of Mexico in the United States and its consular offices in various states processes and approves tourist visa applications. If you are interested in obtaining a tourist visa to Mexico, you must report in person to a Mexican consular office to apply.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

Valid passport at least 6 months before its expiration Photocopy of passport Application form, completed and signed 2 color passport photos taken within 6 months of visa application Copy of your U.S. legal status, such as a green card Proof of ticket purchase or confirmed travel itinerary Proof of sufficient financial resources Proof of hotel reservation
Valid passport at least 6 months before its expiration
Photocopy of passport
Application form, completed and signed
2 color passport photos taken within 6 months of visa application
Copy of your U.S. legal status, such as a green card
Proof of ticket purchase or confirmed travel itinerary
Proof of sufficient financial resources
Proof of hotel reservation

Step 1

Download and print an Application for Mexican Visa form by going to http://www.myvisapassport.com/pdf/MexicoVisaForm.pdf.

Step 2

Complete the application by hand. You must check "Tourism" as the purpose of your trip on question number 16.

Step 3

Make a money order covering the processing fee of your Mexican tourist visa. As of 2010, this fee is USD $36. Your money order must be payable to The Embassy of Mexico in the United States.

Step 4

Make copies of your legal status document in the United States, such as your green card. You must also make copies of your passport showing that it is valid for at least six months.

Step 5

Get two color passport photos of yourself taken. The photos must be 3.5 cm by 4.5 cm and should be taken within six months of your visa application.

Step 6

Make notarized copies of your checking and/or savings account showing sufficient financial resources to cover your trip.

Step 7

Purchase a ticket to Mexico or obtain a confirmed travel itinerary from a travel agent. You must also documentation of your hotel reservation in Mexico.

Step 8

Contact your nearest Mexican consular office to schedule a visa appointment. To find the address of Mexican consular offices in the United States, go to http://www.mexonline.com/consulate.htm.

Step 9

Attend your visa appointment at the Mexican Consulate on your scheduled date, submit your application materials and then receive approval for your tourist visa.

Resources

U.S. Department of State: Mexico

Article Written By Eric Som

Eric Som has been writing professionally since 2002. Some of his work has been published on eHow and Trails, and he is certified through the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. He holds a Bachelor of Laws from Handong Global University and is pursuing a Juris Doctor at Cooley Law School.

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