Cancún Travel Answers

My information may not be exactly accurate for your citizenship, but it may help to know that at least all US citizens visiting Mexico must have a visa. The process is quite simple if you fly in as the paperwork is given to you on the plane. The Mexican "Tourist Visa" or "FMM" form (it changed from FM-T to FMM in June of 2010)is a two part form. One "half" is kept by Immigration when you enter the country and the other half given back to you. That half is collected when you leave the country just before you board the plane. If you enter/leave driving there is normally no one at the border to collect the half for leaving. This site might also help understand more for your situation: sanfelipelife.com/post/Touri...

The paperwork handed to you on the airplane vs. what the original poster is looking for is very different. The original poster is looking to see if they need a visa issued by Mexico for him to enter Mexico. The paperwork handed on the plane is a temporary visitors card essentially that everyone gets no matter where they are from. And if they need a visa then that should already be stampled in their passport. If you lose the half given to you when you enter Mexico they make you pay a fine in CASH as you exit the country. So keep this half safely tucked in your passport and put away in a safe place at all times. As for US Citizens no they do not need a visa to visit Mexico along with many other nationals. That information you gave is totally incorrect. FM-3 and FM-2 forms are for long term or permenant Mexican Residents and not for the casual short term staying tourists. They require more paperwork and is something that you start the process on in Mexico. All non Mexican citizens now require a passport to enter Mexico by plane and a tourists card for entering via car or ship.

In many countries of the region, a Permanent Resident Card of the USA the so called Green Card is acceptable instead of a stamped in visa issued at the embassy (still will get a tourist card etc on the flight). If you have a Green Card, you do not need visa. but if you have only a visitors visa or student visa, you may be out of luck unless you can produce a letter saying you are eligible to return to the USA. Try to call Mexican Embassy in Washington for better service. or go through some visa service to get quick answer. I would not travel if you are not sure about the visa status!

It doesn't look like you need a visa. This is from the Mexican Consulate Washington DC site (consulmex.sre.gob.mx/washing...: If you need to travel to Mexico for tourism for up to 6 months and you have a valid US Visa it is not necessary to apply for a Mexican visa. You only need to fill up a migratory form that will be provided in the plane or port of entry. Foreigner of any country, who is a permanent resident of the United States or Canada, can travel to Mexico without a visa or a consular stamp on the passport. However, you should have with you a valid passport or Travel Document plus the US Resident Alien Card (Green Card) or seal I-555 or Immigrant visa, Permanent Resident Card (Canada).

If you have any doubts contact them at Visa Department: Tel. 202-736-1008

No matter what nationality you have, you are waived for tourist visa to visit Mexico as long as you hold a valid visa for the USA. In addition, you don't need to travel from USA.

Thank You all for your replies. I sent an e-mail to Mexican embassy through their website and they responded next day that I don't require additional Mexico visa. We also had additional spanish conversation me sending Gracias and they sending De nada/buen viaje. I have questions on car driving/maps tips as well as buying some important groceries, which I will open as fresh question.

That's great news. Have a wonderful time!