Mexico Tourist Visa - Definitive Guide

A tourist visa to Mexico is issued to the foreign visitors who are willing to travel to the country for leisure activities like sightseeing, exploring, enjoying the beaches and other such activities. There are other kinds of benefits to the permit as well. The validity of the permit is 180 days and it can be a single-entry or multiple-entry visa. The stay permitted per visit is for 30 days and may vary from case to case. You also must note that having a permit doesn’t guarantee an entry to Mexico as the entry totally depends on the Immigration and Health Authorities.

The process of obtaining a Mexico tourist visa from India is mainly offline. Although, before applying for the permit, it is essential that you make sure that you are eligible for the same. The steps for the process of application for a tourist visa to Mexico are given as follows:

1. Start by downloading the visa application form.
2. Fill out all the required information thoroughly in block letters and sign it.
3. Attach the required documents to the application form.
4. Pay the required fee.
5. Submit the biometrics.
6. Submit the application form and the documents to the Mexico Embassy.

You need to be careful and thorough when filling out the application form for a tourist visa to Mexico. The information that you are providing must be correct and true. If there is any kind of information that is found to be bogus or unverifiable, there are chances that the application may get rejected. There can be other reasons for visa rejection as well. You must note that such a visa rejection can majorly affect your future applications to Mexico or to any other nation.

There are certain parameters that are set by the Mexico Embassy that are to be met before applying for a tourist visa to Mexico, these are referred to as eligibility criteria. The list of eligibility criteria for issuing a Mexico tourist visa from India are given as follows:

• You must possess proof of purpose of visit
  • • If you are visiting your acquaintances, you must have an invitation letter from the resident in Mexico.
    • You must visit for tourism only, or visiting acquaintances and not searching for or taking up any kind of employment.

• You must meet the health requirements
  • • You must be healthy enough to travel to Mexico.

• • • You must perform a medical test before travelling to the country and provide a relevant documentary proof (if asked).
• You must be of good character, you may not be granted the visa if -
  • • You have a history of a criminal conviction.
    • You have been deported or banned from another country.
    • You are found to be a threat or risk to the country.
• You must have sufficient funds
  • • You must possess or have access to sufficient funds to be able to cover your stay and other expenses in Mexico.
    • Bank statement or any equivalent document is to be submitted as well as proof of the same.

The requirements for  tourist visa to Mexico may vary from case to case and there may be additional forms that you may be asked by the Mexico Embassy to fill. The general requirements are given as follows:

• Original passport valid for at least six months from the intended date of travel 
• Photocopy of the first and last page of the passport.
• Application form duly filled.
• One recent passport-sized photograph.
• Cover letter.
• Proof of sufficient funds - pay slips, Income Tax Returns, etc.
• Proof accommodation - invitation letter, hotel reservation, etc.
• Proof of being a resident of India - visa copy, Adhaar Card, etc.
• For dependant spouses - Apostille Marriage Certificate.
• For children and dependant applicants under the age of 25 years - Apostille Birth Certificate.
• For dependant parents - Apostille Birth Certificate.

• One copy must be provided
• Photo size: 45 mm x 35 mm.
• Coloured copy must be provided.
• The face must cover about 70-80% of the frame.
• Head should well-centred.
• The picture must not be older than 6 months.
• The background must be white
• Neutral expressions.
• Both the ears must be visible.
• Teeth should not be visible.
• Glasses are not permitted.
• Headgears are not allowed except for religious reasons.
• Clothing shouldn’t match the background.

The processing time required for the issuance of a tourist visa to Mexico is about 3 to 5 days. There are several factors that affect the processing time of the permit. Such as the workload at the embassy office, the staff availability, whether the documents are complete or the rest of the documents are yet to be submitted and others.

The fee for the processing of the Mexico tourist visa from India is to be transferred online to the Embassy of Mexico Consular to the account in Kotak Mahindra Bank. If you are paying the Mexico tourist visa fee in cash, you can pay it at the HDFC branch in Delhi in favor of Consular Section Embassy of Mexico.

When you have submitted the application form to the Mexico Embassy, there are certain things that you need to note -

• When the documents are being submitted, you need to make an appointment to submit the biometrics for the application. 
• After which, you will have to book and appointment for the interview with the Embassy of Mexico as well. 
• You may even be asked for extra forms depending on the case and other factors. 
• If there are any kind of amendments to be made in the application, the embassy must be informed accordingly.

You can check the status of your visa online on the Mexico Embassy website after the submission of the documents and payment of the fees. If you have applied through a professional agency, you can check the status online by visiting their website for the tracking.

When the documents have been submitted and you are done with your biometrics and the interview, you will receive your visa after the completion of the processing. When you have your permit, there are a few things that you need to note -

• Before you travel
  • • Make a note of the visa expiry date, as well as the number of entries permitted. You must not stay in the country beyond this period.

• • • You should travel to Mexico within the validity of your visa.
    • Make sure to carry a copy of your passport and other travel documents while you are in the country.
    • Issue health insurance and travel Insurance from a certified company for safety.
• At the Border
  • • Get your documents checked and your passport verified at the Immigration authorities.

• • • Consult the airport authorities for any kind of assistance required.
    • Check your visa copy for other guidelines and rules to be followed.
• When you enter Mexico
  • • Ensure not to get involved in any kind of employment. You can, however, do unpaid volunteer work.

• • • The tourist prohibited areas must be stayed out of.
    • Make sure you don’t overstay and apply for a visa extension in time.
    • If you have a change of plans and you need to stay longer, you can apply for an extension or a different kind of visa at least one month prior to the expiry.