Visiting Mexico

Immigration at the San Ysidro - Tijuana Border Crossing

Entering Mexico as a visitor requires a valid passport for all foreigners. Americans may use the new passport card for entry to Mexico.  If you plan to stay in Mexico for 7 days or less there is no immigration or visa fees.


If you plan to stay for extended period of up to 180 days you will need to obtain a visa which costs 500 pesos or about $30.00 ( calculated with the exchange rate as of Oct 2017 ).  The 180 visa permits unlimited entries and allows living in Mexico for 180 days, however this visa is not a work visa. When your visa expires at the end of the 180 day period you can apply for a new visa which will cost the same 500 pesos.


For certain, the Mexican Government is not without compassion regarding the new passport laws.  If you are visiting Mexico for the first time and you are not planning to stay beyond the 7 days general tourist visit you will be permitted to enter without a passport as long as you have a valid ID.    Such consideration or actually common sense regarding the adverse effect on tourism and the financial gain that Mexico realizes from tourists.  This special permit is available only at the San Ysidro Main Entrance, not at the new Ped West entrance or the Otay Border Crossing.


Returning to the USA by official law requires all US citizens to have passports or passport cards.  This is not so much a burden as long as you have a State ID. If you do not have an ID or a passport or passport card then you will have to pass through the secondary inspection, where you will be required to know your social security number, place of birth and birth date and other facts that can prove your identification.

For more information please click here - USA Today U.S./Mexico Passport Travel Requirements