Mexico: Visa and immigration

Do I need a visa and/or work permit?

In order to determine whether you need a visa or work permit, consult the Mexican Consulate . The purpose of your visit to Mexico (work, study, travel) will establish whether or not you require a visa and what the correct documentation would be for your circumstances.

How do I apply for a visa and/or work permit?

There are different types of visas according to what you plan to do in Mexico. For non-immigrant visas, e.g. study, internships/placements and voluntary work, you can apply for a carnet FM3 in person at the Mexican Consulate in London. Consult the Mexican Consulate for details.

For other kinds of paid work, you must have a firm job offer before travelling. The prospective employer will have to contact the Instituto Nacional de Migración, Mexico  and provide a series of documents supporting the application. Details can be found on their website.

If you are not a UK national, contact the Mexican embassy in the country where you are currently residing about how to obtain visas and work permits. If you are living in the UK, go to the Mexican Consulate in London.

You might also find it helpful to contact your ministry of foreign affairs (or your own embassy if you are not living in your home country) to ask whether there are any issues to be taken into account when considering working in Mexico.

How do I apply for permanent residency?

After residing in Mexico for five years as an immigrant, a foreign national can obtain ‘immigrado’ status which means he or he has permanent residency in the country. For more information, see the Instituto Nacional de Migración, Mexico .