1. General entry requirements

• Passport: A valid passport is mandatory. It should be valid for the entire duration of your planned stay. Many travel advisories recommend that the passport be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry.
• Tourist Card (FMM: For short stays (e.g. tourism or attending a World Cup match), visitors must complete a tourist card (“Forma Migratoria Múltiple”, FMM) and generally do not require a special entry visa.
• The tourist card is usually handed out on the flight or can be applied for online and is a mandatory part of the entry documentation.
• The FMM is stamped upon entry.
• Travelers entering by land (e.g. from the USA) must apply for the FMM online in advance via the website of the Mexican immigration authorities (INM) and carry a printed copy: https://www.inm.gob.mx/fmme/publico/en/solicitud.html

2. Visa-free entry for German citizens
German nationals are visa-exempt for short tourist stays of up to 180 days (e.g. attending World Cup matches) and do not require a visa.

They only need:

• A valid passport
• A tourist card (FMM)
• A return or onward ticket
• Proof of accommodation (e.g. hotel booking) may be requested

Important: Visa-free entry does not automatically guarantee admission. Final entry decisions are made by Mexican border authorities upon arrival

3. Visa regulations for other nationalities

Visa-free entry for many nationalities

• Citizens of many EU countries (e.g. Austria, Switzerland, France), as well as the USA, Canada, Japan, the UK, and Schengen Area countries, do not require a visa for stays of up to 180 days.
• Different rules apply to other nationalities:
• Some third-country nationals generally require a Mexican visa prior to entry.
• Exception: Travelers holding a valid multiple-entry visa or permanent residence permit for the USA, Canada, Japan, the UK, or the Schengen Area often do not need an additional Mexican visa for tourist stays of up to 180 days.

Examples:

• A traveler from India with a valid multiple-entry U.S. visa may enter Mexico visa-free.
• A traveler from Turkey with a valid German residence permit may also enter Mexico without a visa.

Visa requirement and application process

All other nationalities without such visas or residence permits must apply for a Mexican visa in advance.

For 2026, Mexico is introducing a new fully electronic visa procedure (e-Visa) for air travelers, allowing online-only applications without an in-person appointment at a Mexican consulate.

Until the electronic visa system is fully implemented, visa applications must currently be submitted via the Mexican authorities’ “MI CONSULADO” portal: https://citas.sre.gob.mx/

Current application steps:

• Create an account on the “MI CONSULADO” portal and select the country and responsible consular office
• Complete the online application form
• Schedule an interview appointment at the responsible consulate
• Prepare the required documents:
• Passport
• German residence permit, if applicable
• Passport photo
• Proof of financial means (employment confirmation, last 3 payslips, bank statements from the last 3 months showing at least USD 4,200)
• Return flight ticket
• World Cup ticket and proof of accommodation
• Pay the visa fee (approx. EUR 48, depending on the exchange rate) in advance and bring proof of payment
• Attend the interview: a consular officer reviews the application and intent to return

5. Important notes for World Cup travel

Planning and timing

• Millions of fans are expected, resulting in high demand for visas. Start planning your visa and entry arrangements early, as major events like the World Cup significantly increase demand for flights, hotels, and entry processing.
• Before traveling, check the latest security updates and travel advisories issued by the German Federal Foreign Office, especially for match locations in Mexico.
• Fans from countries with restrictive entry regulations should plan particularly early.
• Allow sufficient time for security checks.

Passport and additional documents

• • Passport should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Mexico
• • Keep documents readily accessible: FMM or visa, return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation, proof of income

6. Summary