Does Americans need a visa or just a passpot

Jasont2018 wrote:

How long is a passport good for traveling to Mexico? If I'm 41 and draw disability what kind of visa do I need if I don't plan on working? If I move there what do I need and need to do? Thanks

First off your passport is good until it expires, secondly you need a visa but that paperwork will be supplied to you on the plane or at the border. It's a plain little piece of paper but it is very important to hang on to it.

The Mexican consul in your state can fill you in on what is needed for a permanent move.  So depending on your plans, you might want to check out your local counsel for requirements that fit your plans. If you just want to start with a visit, just do the tourist thing and get on a plane and visit.

https://www.mexperience.com/lifestyle/m … uirements/

Check this link. It may be helpful. I'm getting conflicting information. A Mexican embassy could answer too if you can find a number.   But this link has a huge amount of information so it may answer a lot of your questions.

newsnerd wrote:

https://www.mexperience.com/lifestyle/mexico-essentials/mexico-entry-requirements/

Check this link. It may be helpful. I'm getting conflicting information. A Mexican embassy could answer too if you can find a number.   But this link has a huge amount of information so it may answer a lot of your questions.

Yes, that is a good information source, but what conflicting messages are you referring to? Passports and visas are pretty basic.

Thank you!

Thank you!

Jasont2018 wrote:

How long is a passport good for traveling to Mexico? If I'm 41 and draw disability what kind of visa do I need if I don't plan on working? If I move there what do I need and need to do? Thanks

A US passport is needed to get from INM - Mexican Immigration - ,when you enter Mexico, a 180 day FMM tourist card then you have to leave and turn in the tourist card.

To immigrate you need to show finanancial solvency of roughly $1350 to $1500 USD pension deposited into a bank account for 6 months [depends on what Mx. Consulate you go to] at a Mexican Consulate to be preapproved for a Residente Temporal visa/card. They attach the preapproval visa into your passport.

So if you want to visit you just need your passport. You can stay up to 6 months as a tourist. Then you must leave the country and get a new tourist visa. If you want to stay as a resident then you need to go to the Mexican Consulate and see what the specific requirements are. They may vary from consulate to consulate. Currently the requirement at the Consulate in San Diego, CA is a minimum income of $1200.00 USD with 6 months verified by bank statements.

I had read oh you need to get the visa prior to the trip, but other sources say no you can get it as you travel.  So I will need to do more clarifying of it all before I plan my trip to Mexico.  Lots to learn.

Thank you.

newsnerd wrote:

I had read oh you need to get the visa prior to the trip, but other sources say no you can get it as you travel.  So I will need to do more clarifying of it all before I plan my trip to Mexico.  Lots to learn.

It depends on if you are traveling as a tourist or as a resident.  A tourist can get it when you land if you are traveling by air. If by land then you can get it at the border.

It is if you want to live as a legal resident that you require to go to the Consulate office to apply.

Just a word of caution on residing in mx on a tourist visa which I did for two years until I was denied entry and deported.Even though I left Mx every six months and was never for a minute illegally in the country they presumed I was working and deported me.If it was not for the fact that my Mexican girlfriend was five months pregnant I would have never got back.Best to apply for the appropriate visa asap

stinkyboy1 wrote:

Just a word of caution on residing in mx on a tourist visa which I did for two years until I was denied entry and deported.Even though I left Mx every six months and was never for a minute illegally in the country they presumed I was working and deported me.If it was not for the fact that my Mexican girlfriend was five months pregnant I would have never got back.Best to apply for the appropriate visa asap

Yes, it seems the every six-month renewal of a visitor visa does seem to have a lifespan of about two years before one might get challenged.

So you are correct, applying for a permanent or temp within the first year or so is a good idea. Of course, now there will be a new president so who knows what changes that will bring.

Here are two links that we found immensely helpful. www.mexperience.com and www.yucatanexpatservices.com We purchased an inexpensive immigration guide from the latter and it is extensive. It was spot on in terms of our residency visas. We immediately applied for permanent residency status and received it on the first try thanks to the guide. Good luck!