Mexico City is a popular destination for travelers from all over the world. It offers a rich cultural heritage, a vibrant nightlife, and a variety of attractions. But what if you are only passing through Mexico City on your way to another country? Do you need a visa to transit through Mexico City? How long can you stay in the airport? Can you leave the airport and explore the city? These are some of the questions that this article will answer.
What is a Transit Visa?
A transit visa is a type of visa that allows travelers to enter a country for a short period of time, usually less than 24 hours, while they are on their way to another destination. Transit visa is different from a tourist visa, which allows travelers to stay in a country for a longer period of time, usually up to 180 days, for tourism purposes.
A transit visa may or may not be required depending on the traveler’s nationality, the destination of the onward flight, the time span between the flights, and whether or not the traveler needs to leave the airport. Some countries, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, require a transit visa for almost all travelers, regardless of their nationality or destination. Other countries, such as Mexico, have more flexible transit visa policies that depend on various factors.
Do I Need a Visa to Transit Through Mexico City?
In most cases, passengers transiting through Mexico City International Airport (MEX) will not need a Mexican visa. This depends on the following factors:
- The passenger’s nationality
- The destination of the onward flight
- The time span between the flights
- Whether or not the passenger needs to leave the airport
The Passenger’s Nationality
Mexico has a list of countries whose citizens do not need a visa to enter Mexico for tourism, business, or transit purposes. These countries include most of the European Union, the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and many others. You can check the full list of visa-exempt countries here.
If you are a citizen of one of these countries, you do not need a visa to transit through Mexico City, as long as you meet the other requirements. However, if you are a citizen of a country that is not on the list, you will need a visa to transit through Mexico City, unless you have one of the following documents:
- A valid visa or permanent residence permit from the United States, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, or any of the Schengen Area countries
- A valid APEC Business Traveler Card (ABTC) with the “MEX” code on the back
- A valid Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) from Canada
- A valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) from the United States
If you have any of these documents, you do not need a visa to transit through Mexico City, as long as you meet the other requirements.
Some of the countries that require a visa to transit through Mexico City are:
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Angola
- Bangladesh
- Belarus
- Bolivia
- Cambodia
- China
- Colombia
- Cuba
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- Haiti
- India
- Iran
- Iraq
- Kenya
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Morocco
- Nepal
- Nigeria
- North Korea
- Pakistan
- Palestine
- Philippines
- Russia
- Somalia
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Syria
- Turkey
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Yemen
- Zimbabwe
You can check the full list of countries that require a visa to enter Mexico here.
The Destination of the Onward Flight
Another factor that determines whether you need a visa to transit through Mexico City is the destination of your onward flight. If your onward flight is to a country that is on the same list of visa-exempt countries as Mexico, you do not need a visa to transit through Mexico City, as long as you meet the other requirements. For example, if you are flying from Paris to Tokyo via Mexico City, you do not need a visa to transit through Mexico City, because both France and Japan are on the list of visa-exempt countries.
However, if your onward flight is to a country that is not on the same list of visa-exempt countries as Mexico, you will need a visa to transit through Mexico City, unless you have one of the documents mentioned above. For example, if you are flying from Paris to Havana via Mexico City, you will need a visa to transit through Mexico City, because Cuba is not on the list of visa-exempt countries, unless you have a valid visa or permanent residence permit from the United States, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, or any of the Schengen Area countries, or a valid ABTC, ETA, or ESTA.
The Time Span Between the Flights
Another factor that determines whether you need a visa to transit through Mexico City is the time span between your inbound and outbound flights. If the time span between your flights is less than 24 hours, you do not need a visa to transit through Mexico City, as long as you meet the other requirements. However, if the time span between your flights is more than 24 hours, you will need a visa to transit through Mexico City, regardless of your nationality or destination, unless you have one of the documents mentioned above.
For example, if you are flying from Paris to Tokyo via Mexico City, and your inbound flight arrives at 10:00 a.m. and your outbound flight departs at 11:00 a.m. the next day, you will need a visa to transit through Mexico City, because the time span between your flights is more than 24 hours, unless you have a valid visa or permanent residence permit from the United States, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, or any of the Schengen Area countries, or a valid ABTC, ETA, or ESTA.
Whether or Not the Passenger Needs to Leave the Airport
Another factor that determines whether you need a visa to transit through Mexico City is whether or not you need to leave the airport. If you do not need to leave the airport, you do not need a visa to transit through Mexico City, as long as you meet the other requirements. However, if you need to leave the airport, you will need a visa to transit through Mexico City, regardless of your nationality or destination, unless you have one of the documents mentioned above.
For example, if you are flying from Paris to Tokyo via Mexico City, and you want to leave the airport to visit the city, you will need a visa to transit through Mexico City, unless you have a valid visa or permanent residence permit from the United States, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, or any of the Schengen Area countries, or a valid ABTC, ETA, or ESTA.
How to Apply for a Mexico Transit Visa
If you need a visa to transit through Mexico City, you will have to apply for a Mexico transit visa at a Mexican embassy or consulate in your country of residence. You will need to submit the following documents:
- A valid passport with at least six months of validity and two blank pages
- A completed and signed visa application form
- A passport-sized photo
- A confirmed flight reservation showing your inbound and outbound flights
- A visa or other document that allows you to enter your final destination
- A proof of sufficient funds to cover your expenses in Mexico
- A payment of the visa fee
The processing time for a Mexico transit visa may vary depending on the embassy or consulate, but it usually takes several business days. Once your visa is approved, you will receive a visa sticker in your passport, which will allow you to transit through Mexico City for the duration indicated on the sticker.
How to Transit Through Mexico City International Airport
Once you have your visa or other document that allows you to transit through Mexico City, you can follow these steps to transit through Mexico City International Airport:
- Upon arrival, disembark the plane and proceed to the immigration area
- Present your passport, visa, and other documents to the immigration officer
- If you do not need to leave the airport, you will be directed to the transit hall, where you can wait for your onward flight
- If you need to leave the airport, you will be stamped with an entry and exit date, and you will have to go through customs and baggage claim
- To return to the airport, you will have to go through security and immigration again, and present your passport, visa, and other documents to the immigration officer
- Board your onward flight and enjoy your trip
Conclusion
Transiting through Mexico City can be a hassle-free experience if you have the right documents and follow the rules. Depending on your nationality, destination, time span between flights, and whether or not you need to leave the airport, you may or may not need a visa to transit through Mexico City. If you do need a visa, you will have to apply for a Mexico transit visa at a Mexican embassy or consulate in advance.
If you do not need a visa, you will only need your passport and other documents that allow you to enter your final destination. In either case, you will have to go through immigration and customs at the airport, and follow the directions of the airport staff. Transiting through Mexico City can also be an opportunity to explore the city and its attractions, if you have enough time and a valid visa. Mexico City is a fascinating and diverse metropolis that offers something for everyone. Whether you are looking for culture, history, art, cuisine, or entertainment, you will find it in Mexico City.
