Mexico Entry Document

The FMM Tourist Permit

Your complete guide to Mexico’s entry document for land border crossings — what it is, who needs it, and how to get it stamped.

Required for most visitors
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Overview

What is the FMM?

The Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM) — commonly called the tourist card — is Mexico’s official entry document for foreign visitors. It records your permitted stay duration and must be presented alongside your passport when entering and leaving the country.

Think of it as Mexico’s equivalent of a customs declaration form, but for immigration. Without a validated FMM, you are not legally permitted to be in Mexico beyond the immediate border zone.

Important: Filling out the FMM online is not enough on its own. The form must be physically stamped and validated by an INM (Instituto Nacional de Migración) officer at the border. Completing it online in advance simply saves you time in the immigration line.

What the form looks like

Here’s a completed FMM with sample information, so you know exactly what you’re filling out. It’s printed in Spanish and English, and most of it is straightforward — your passport details, trip purpose, and where you’re staying in Mexico.

A completed Mexican FMM tourist permit form filled in with sample information
Sample only — for illustration. Open the full-size version (PDF). You’ll complete the real form online at inm.gob.mx or on paper at the border, and the official-use boxes are filled in by the INM officer.
Eligibility

Who Needs an FMM?

Most foreign nationals entering Mexico require an FMM, regardless of how long they plan to stay. This includes US citizens, Canadian citizens, and visitors from most other countries.

Requires an FMM

  • US citizens (all passport holders)
  • Canadian citizens
  • EU passport holders
  • Most other foreign nationals
  • Each passenger in your vehicle

Exempt from FMM

  • Mexican citizens (Mexican passport)
  • Mexican permanent residents
  • Visitors staying within the border zone only (approx. 20–26 km)
  • Certain visa holders with existing immigration status

Traveling with multiple people? Every person in your vehicle — including children — needs their own FMM. You cannot share a single permit between passengers.

Getting Your Permit

How to Get Your FMM

There are two ways to obtain your FMM: complete it online before you cross, or fill it out in person at the border. We strongly recommend the online option — it reduces your time at immigration and lets you double-check your answers before you arrive.

Option 1: Complete Online Before Crossing (Recommended)

1

Visit the INM online form

Go to inm.gob.mx and complete the FMM form. You’ll need your passport details, travel dates, destination state, and contact information.

2

Print or save your confirmation

After submitting, you’ll receive a confirmation with a barcode or reference number. Print a copy or save it to your phone — you’ll present this at the border.

3

Get it stamped at the border

After driving through the vehicle checkpoint, park and walk into the INM office. Present your passport and FMM confirmation to the officer. They will stamp and validate your permit — this step is mandatory.

Walking to the Migración (INM) office with a passport to get the FMM stamped
4

Keep your FMM for the entire trip

Store your stamped FMM with your passport. You must surrender it to immigration when you leave Mexico. Losing it can cause delays at departure.

Surrendering the FMM tourist permit to an immigration officer when leaving Mexico

Option 2: At the Border

If you haven’t completed the form online, paper forms are available at the INM office at the border crossing. The process is the same — fill it out, present it with your passport, and get it stamped. Expect slightly longer wait times during busy periods.

Cost

FMM Fees

The FMM fee depends on how long you plan to stay in Mexico. The fee is charged per person.

Stays of 7 days or less Short trips, weekend crossings
Free
Stays of 8–180 days Extended trips, snowbirds, long-term visitors
983 MXN
per person
Mexican passport holders Driver or passenger with Mexican citizenship
Exempt

Even if your FMM is free, you still need to stop at the INM office and have it processed. “Free” does not mean you can skip the immigration step.

Fees are set by the Mexican government and subject to change. 983 MXN is the current 2025 rate. Payment is typically accepted in MXN or USD cash, and sometimes by card — confirm at your specific crossing.

At the Crossing

What to Expect at the Border

Here’s the typical sequence at a busy land port of entry like San Ysidro or Tijuana:

1

Drive through the vehicle checkpoint

You’ll pass through a gate where officers may briefly check your vehicle. This is not the immigration stop — continue through.

2

Park and walk to the INM office

Look for signs to immigration (Migración / INM). The office is typically within 200 meters of the vehicle checkpoint. Parking is usually available nearby.

3

Queue at immigration

Wait in line at the INM counter. Peak crossing times (Friday evenings, holiday weekends) can add 30–60 minutes to this step. Weekday mornings are typically fastest.

4

Present your passport and FMM

The officer will review your documents, ask about your destination and duration of stay, and stamp your FMM. This usually takes 2–5 minutes per person.

5

Pay the fee if applicable

If your stay exceeds 7 days, you’ll pay the 983 MXN fee at this point. Some crossings have a separate payment window — follow the officer’s instructions.

Watch Out

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Skipping the INM stamp

Completing the online form and driving into Mexico without stopping at INM is not legal. Your FMM is only valid once stamped by an officer. You may face fines or issues at internal checkpoints if you skip this step.

Understating your stay duration

If you say you’re staying 7 days to avoid the fee but end up staying longer, you’ll be overstaying your permitted duration — a serious immigration violation. Always request the duration you actually need.

Losing your FMM

You must present your stamped FMM when leaving Mexico. Losing it can cause significant delays at departure and may require a visit to an INM office before you can exit. Keep it with your passport at all times.

Not getting one for each passenger

Every non-exempt person in your vehicle needs their own FMM — including children and teenagers. One form per vehicle is not valid.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

The FMM is valid for up to 180 days per entry. The exact duration is determined by the INM officer at the border based on your stated plans. It is not automatically renewed — each time you re-enter Mexico you need a new FMM.
No. An FMM is single-entry only. If you exit Mexico and re-enter, you need a new FMM each time.
The FMM only covers tourist stays of up to 180 days. If you intend to stay longer, you need a different immigration status — a temporary or permanent resident visa — which must be obtained through a Mexican consulate before entering.
If you plan to stay within approximately 20–26 km of the border (the free zone), you may not need an FMM. However, if you intend to travel further into Mexico — including most of Baja California beyond the immediate border area — you do need one. When in doubt, get the FMM.
Overstaying is an immigration violation. You may be fined, detained, or denied future entry to Mexico. If you realize you’ve overstayed, contact INM as soon as possible — resolving it proactively is far better than being caught at departure.

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