VISA and Migration

The Mexican immigration laws are subject to frequent change. In this section we will provide the latest information that the National Migration Institute (INM: Mexican immigration authorities) has sent, but you must also ask the representatives of the Mexican embassy or consulate in your home country about the law for citizens of your nationality. Also, we suggest that you visit the INM website for more information: www.inm.gob.mx

Any foreigner wishing to study in Mexico must obtain a visa and/or perform their corresponding immigration procedures, depending on the type and duration of their studies (less than or greater than 180 days) and/or nationality, to be enrolled in the Anahuac Mayab University (UAM) as an exchange student or visitor.

In general, there are two options for entering Mexico: you can apply for a student visa before your trip to the Consulate of Mexico in your home country or enter Mexico without a visa. In both cases, you must fill out a migration document ("FMM" = Format Migration Multiple) at the airport on arrival, and some other measures with the immigration authorities may be required during the first days after your arrival. We will detail those later.

Do I need a VISA?

Any foreigner who wishes to study in Mexico must arrange the appropriate immigration procedures to be enrolled as an exchange student in Anahuac Mayab University [UAM].

Please identify which is your case:

• If you come to Mexico as exchange student for less than 180 days [six months]
• If you come to Mexico as exchange student for less than 180 days and your nationality requires a visa.
• If you come to Mexico as exchange student more than 180 days [1 year]

You don’t know if your country requires a visa? Find out!

• You DON'T need a VISA if you come from.
• NEED A STUDENT VISA if you come from.

If you come for one semester to UAM and will stay in our country for less than 180 days, you only need your Multiple Migratory Form [Forma Migratoria Múltiple: FMM]. It will be delivering on the plane upon arrival. The immigration official will retain the check in section and will give you back the checkout section.

 

• Download the Guide of “How to fill the FMM, Condición de estancia: Visitante sin permiso para realizar actividades remuneradas"
• Example of a: FMM less than 180 days.

 

This condition of stay authorizes you to travel or remain in Mexico for a continuous period less than 180 days from the date of your entry without permission to perform activities with remuneration in our country.

Require proof:

• Acceptance letter.
• Prove of financial solvency.

Restrictions:

• They cannot work.
• It doesn’t allow multiple entries and exits of the country.
• You cannot change your status of stay. (If you want to stay at home with another condition must transact from outside the country).
• At the end of these 180 days you MUST leave the country.

IMPORTANT:

• If you want to travel outside of Mexico, you must take note of this: Every time you leave the country you should give back the checkout section of your FMM and when you come back you must complete a new FMM with the same condition of stay: Condición de estancia: Visitante sin permiso para realizar actividades remuneradas.
• If you accidentally lose your FMM you must report it to the INM and pay for a new FMM at a cost of $295.00.

If you come for one semester to UAM and will stay in our country for less than 180 days, but your nationality does require a visa to enter Mexico, you need to apply for your student visa at the Consulate of your country and correctly fill out your Multiple Migratory Form [FMM], It will be delivering on the plane upon arrival. The immigration official will retain the check in section and will give you back the checkout section.

• Download the Guide "How to fill the FMM, Condition of stay: Guest without permission to engage in gainful activity."
• Example of FMM for Exchange

This condition of stay authorizes you to travel or remain in Mexico for a continuous period less than 180 days from the date of your entry without permission to perform activities with remuneration in our country.

Require proof:

• Acceptance letter.
• Prove of financial solvency.

Restrictions:

• They cannot work.
• It doesn’t allow multiple entries and exits of the country.
• You cannot change your status of stay. (If you want to stay at home with another condition must transact from outside the country).
• At the end of these 180 days you MUST leave the country.

IMPORTANT:

• If you want to travel outside of Mexico, you must take note of this: Every time you leave the country you should give back the checkout section of your FMM and when you come back you must complete a new FMM with the same condition of stay: Condición de estancia: Visitante sin permiso para realizar actividades remuneradas.
• If you accidentally lose your FMM you must report it to the INM and pay for a new FMM at a cost of $295.00.

If you come to Mexico as an exchange student more than 180 days [1 year]

If you come for the full year to UAM and will remain in our country for a period longer than 180 days, you will need to apply for a Visa as Residente Temporal Estudiante to a Mexican consular office abroad. [Usually get the visa in a couple of weeks; you should make an appointment in advance].

To obtain the visa required to prove:

• Acceptance letter.
• Prove of financial solvency.

Also, when at the moment you get in to Mexico you must complete your Multiple Migratory Form [FMM], It will be delivering on the plane upon arrival. The foreign who has this visa that allows you to get the Student Temporary Resident Status, also should complete and submit the FMM at the point of admission. The immigration official will retain the check in section and will give you back the checkout section.

• Download the Guide “How to fill the FMM to Change of the “Tarjeta con condición Residente Temporal Estudiante”.
• Example of the FMM to be change.

You will have 30 days to change your FMM card for a Student Temporary Resident Status [R.T.E.] in the INM office procedures, from the date of your entry. This procedure is essential to be in the country for more than 180 days and don’t have any problem when you go back home. AVOID unnecessary fines!

IMPORTANT:

• You can enter and leave the country multiple times with the same condition card RTE.
• Obtaining immigration document is a free process.
• You could change your status if you want to.

The student who do not change the FMM card to RTE Status within the period prescribed in the preceding paragraph, will be in an irregular immigration status and will probably have sanctions provided for the Ley General de Población [LGP].

The adress of the Instituto Nacional [INM] de Migración is:

Calle 31 No. 94 por 16 y 20 Col. México
Horario: De 9:00 a 13:00 hrs. de Lunes a Viernes.
Tel. 999 925 6388 / 999 925 7487

 

Travel essentials

To avoid delays when entering the country and go through migration, we recommend you take with you on the plane:

- Your valid passport.
- Letter of Acceptance from the Anahuac Mayab University.
- If it is your case, the Visa that you have requested in your country of origin.