Flying to Mexico From Canada: Passport, Entry Form and What to Carry

Mexico is one of the easiest all-inclusive trips to book from Canada, and the paperwork is short. It is still worth ten minutes of checking before you leave, because a missing document at the airport is the most avoidable way to start a holiday badly. This checklist is based on the Government of Canada's current travel advice for Mexico, so you can see the source for yourself.

Do Canadians need a visa for Mexico?

For a tourist stay, no. The Government of Canada lists a tourist visa as not required for stays of up to 180 days. That is a maximum, not a promise: the immigration officer decides how many days you are authorized to stay, so do not assume you will be given the full amount.

Your passport

A regular Canadian passport must be valid for the expected length of your stay in Mexico. Your airline may apply stricter rules than the country does, so check with them as well. If you are travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document, different rules may apply, so confirm with the closest Mexican representative before you go.

The entry form

If you arrive by air, an immigration officer will either stamp your passport and note the number of days you may stay, or direct you to an e-gate kiosk where you scan your passport and receive a printed receipt. In both cases you complete a digital form called the FMMD online. Download the finished form and keep a copy with you, because you may be asked to show it at a checkpoint or when you leave. If you cannot show it, or your passport with the entry stamp, you may have to pay for a replacement.

Only use the official Government of Mexico form. Third-party sites that copy it can charge fees for something you do not need to pay for.

Before you leave home

• Passport: check the validity against your trip length and your airline's rules.
• Entry form: know how you will complete the FMMD and where you will save a copy.
• Travel insurance: provincial health plans generally do not cover care abroad, so arrange travel medical insurance.
• Currency: bring a little cash for tips and small purchases, and tell your bank you are travelling.
• Advisories: read the latest Government of Canada travel advice for your region the week you fly, because it is updated often.

Check the advisory for your resort area

Mexico is a large country and conditions differ by region. The Government of Canada's advice covers the country as a whole and includes regional notes, so read the section for the state where you are staying. If you are comparing destinations, our guides to Cancun and the rest of Mexico are a good place to start.

How long can you stay?

The Government of Canada's page states that the maximum stay for tourism is 180 days, but that this maximum is not granted automatically. If you are seeking the maximum number of days, you may be asked to explain the purpose of your trip and give details such as accommodation, funds and a return or onward flight. For a typical one- or two-week resort holiday this is rarely an issue, but it helps to have your booking confirmation and return flight details easy to reach on your phone or in print.

Activities that may need a different visa

The same page notes that some activities may not be allowed on a tourist entry, including volunteer work, religious or missionary work, research and certain types of eco-tourism. If your plans go beyond a holiday, contact the Embassy of Mexico or the closest Mexican consulate before you book.

Booking with shoptravel

When you are ready to compare resorts, our vacation packages bundle flights, transfers and your stay, and we are registered with TICO and charge no booking fees. Entry rules can change at any time, so treat this article as a starting point and confirm the details on the official sites before you travel.