Travelers have been reporting they are being allowed only 30 days (and sometimes fewer) to complete their travels in Mexico, a change from previous rules. Under previous Mexican immigration rules, visitors entering Mexico would receive a permit to stay for 180 days.
According to the National Immigration Institute’s (INM) website, Mexico’s forma migratoria múltiple (FMM), their visitor’s permit, allows the permit-holder to be in the country for a maximum of 180 days. Travelers from the United States, Canada, Australia and much of Europe in fact only need this document to travel within Mexico, a visa is not required.
Visitor’s filling out the FMM must include their dates arriving and departing Mexico, hotel reservations, return flights and tours while the immigration agent at the point of entry fills out the permitted number of days allowed in Mexico.
Although filling out the FMM hasn’t changed, immigration experts as well as posts on social media, have indicated that people are receiving 30 days or less on their visitor’s permit. This is a stark decrease from the 180 days noted on the INM’s website.
As of today, the INM has not released an official public statement on the change of policy, but have acknowledged reports of the issue at hand. They did however note that the policy has not changed as the agent at the point of entry has full discretion about the length of stay for every traveler.
The one piece of advice that can ease travelers’ anxiety for being given a shorter duration of stay is to make sure to have all documents in order prior to filling out the FMM. Also demonstrating adequate funds for the duration of the trip will ease border agent’s stringent review of the timeline.