Traveling in Mexico: Pilot Program for Elimination of the FMM & Important Requirements for Traveling within Mexico
Traveling in Mexico: Pilot Program for Elimination of the FMM form (October, 2022)
Readers have been reporting that they have not been required to complete the FMM form when arriving at airports as close as Cancun and as far as Mexico City.
Mexican immigration authorities (INM) have implemented a pilot project to eliminate the “Forma Migratoria Multiple” (FMM) in select airports across Mexico. Under the new pilot program, INM stamps the visitor’s passport with the period of authorized stay instead of issuing a paper FMM.
As of this week, INM has not yet updated its website to reflect this change in procedures or the pilot program. Please follow the instructions provided by immigration officials and your airline.
Traveling in Mexico: Important Requirements
Visitors must always carry their original passport—not a copy.
Holders of Permanent or temporary resident Visas must carry their original documents when traveling.
Just this week I traveled from Playa del Carmen to Coatzacoalcos, Vera Cruz for a funeral. Immigration authorities accompanied by National military, stopped our bus over ten times for inspection. Everyone on board had to provide an INE if they were Mexican Citizen, Visa Credential if they were permanent or temporary residents, or a passport (bearing stamp with authorized dates or the FMM.
Immigration will detain, fine, and/or deport Visitors unable to provide a passport or who remain in Mexico beyond the authorized period.
If you hold an FMM
The FMM form has the authorized dates of you visit. Attach it to your passport. It is mandatory to provide it to immigration authorities when you depart.
Leaving Cozumel holding Resident Permanente or Temporal Visa
Immigration is no longer requiring the FMM form when flying out of the Cozumel airport. However, you must still go to the small immigration window located between the arriving and departing section of the airport and get your passport stamped.
Here is your community on-line Resource! Cannot find an answer? Contact The Cozumel Sun News and we will assist you!
Hi Team…quick question. What if you are now going in to Mexico to pick up your approved RP card…do you fill in the FMM card as a tourist…OR do you fill in the the FMM card as a RP?
If you have proof that it is approved on you would be the only way not to enter as a tourist. I would enter as a tourist just to avoid the hassle.
I have my rt and left MX on 12/04 it will be the first time returning to MX (at the end of April). Volaris did not return the top half of the fmm and I was assured by the flight attendant that I would not need it. Will I be able to re-enter by filling out the top of a new form. Thanks
A new form should work without any problems. I often wonder if they track those!
I have permanent Mexican residence. I need to go to the United States. Can I re enter Mexico during the border closure?
Yes you may. I am sorry I took so long replying we had a death in the family.
Hi, question for you I have my temporary residency card , I will be going back to Canada shortly for a visit with my daughter for 2 was. and then returning to Mexico, on the dorm FMM in section 1 country of residency do I put Canada or Mexico? Looking forward to your reply.
Thank you
Alan
Hello! If it is temporary, then your residency is Canada. Once you get the permanent residency then you can use Mexico. I hope this help! Have a safe and wonderful visit with you daughter Alan!
Hi, I have a Residente Permanente and live mostly in a border town, Puerto Penasco in Sonora. When I fly deeper into Mexico, like Merida or Puerto Vallarta, my flight originates in Phoenix, AZ. The last time I flew was 18 months ago into Cancun. Then I returned to Phoenix and drove my car back to Mexico. Crossing the border by car I do not receive any entry or exit forms. Consequently, I do not have anything recent to document my departure. Now I am going to fly from Phx to Puerto Vallarta. Should I give them the paper I received the last time I flew out of Mexico, from Yucatán about 18 months ago? I am afraid that will make it look like I’ve been out of the country for that long. Alternatively, I can just start with a new form and make it clear that I have RP, so do not list me as a tourist. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.
Soorry, just now got your comment! I would personally just come on in as new. Have that other paper on you just in case. I do not think they are that up to date that they will catch it! But just in case, be ready to explain!
Hola
I am a 3 year residente temporal- live most of the time in Puerto Vallarta. We usually drive to PV and back to the US. However, I have to fly back to the US for a few days to help my mother. Will fill out the FMM card at the airport. When we fly back to the US, do I fill out the US forms that they hand out on the plane? Do I go through the US or México lines when we land in the US, and do I just show my US passport? Thanks
Sorry!!! I did not see this question! Leaving you pick up the FMM card at the immigration office and complete showing them your visa. They will give you the paper you need when boarding and returning to Mexico.
Hope you can hep . . . hold Mexican Permanent Resident status . . . left PVR last March for Canada and in the craziness have misplaced my top half of the FMM form. what are my options?
Thanks
Hello! Just check in with the immigration office and explain.
Hi! I have visa RP. When arriving at the CDMX airport, do I use the line for Mexicans or the line for foreigners? Thanks!
Hi! quick question here. I have permanent residency but live in the US. I lost my FM form slip. When I fly back next time, will filling out that form again on the plane be enough? I don’t think they track specific forms so I am hoping I can fill it out on the plane and go through immigration without issue. What do you think?
Hello! Just fill out the form, you should be ok! I do not think they are that advanced either!
I use the Mexican line, you have the credentials!
Great, thank you Aura!
Hi Team, I am a Residente Permanente. I left Mexico in June last year. B/c of Covid19 & etc, I have stayed in the states long time, now may have to stay longer than a year. With RP, can I stay outside Mexico freely or is there a time limit to return to Mexico? By the way, I have a valid FMM exit stamp. Thanks.
Hi Once you are a permanent resident you have no time limits.
I’m an American with Mexican Permanent card. I have the larger part of the FMM form that I received when flying back to US. I will travel to Mexico by land soon for nine days. Do I need to turn in the larger part of form when entering Mexico by land and then do the FMM form when I leave Mexico by land again?
Yes, you turn that form in that immigration issued you when you left.
We got our Residente Temporal cards in July 2021 by way of the “Normalization” program for visitors whose FMM Tourist visa had expired. The agent in the INM office kept the exit portion of our 180 day tourist cards.
When we left Mexico we went to the immigration office in the airport with our passports and Residente Temporal cards, the agent filled out the bottom of an FMM card and marked it “Temporal”, he then threw the top section in the trash. We argued that we would need the top section for entering Mexico next time but he wouldn’t return it to us, he and the other agent were adamant that we wouldn’t get or need the top section for re-entering Mexico. After 15 minutes of us asking for it and them refusing while pointing at the bar codes on the two sections of the FMM… we left without the top section.
– Did they and us screw up?
– What do we do when we return to Mexico in the fall without the top half of the FMM card?
Your instructions say:
“For Residente Temporal and Residente Permanentes: You fill out the Forma Multiple Migratoria (FMM) when you leave Mexico. As you exit, the officials keep half of the FMM form. When you return to Mexico, you then hand-back (submit) the remaining half.”
You should be fine when you return. When you return they will have you fill out a new card.
I have a question. I’m departing by land for the first time since getting my TR through family reunification. When I drive over the border I have to fill out the FMM but keep which part of it?
I am flying back in and out in December, same process but at the airport?
It seems odd that we have to fill out FMM, you would think the card would just be scanned. I just want to make sure I do things the correct way.
Thank yoU!
Hi Barri! Not to worry, the agent will take the form apart and keep their portion and hand you back the part that you need to return. Keep it safe. Not to worry after a year with no tourism, they will not keep you out! Have a wonderful and safe trip!
Thank you for you article. This is so helpful. I have a question. I have Residente Temporal and for the 1st time I am flying fr CDMX to TIJ and will be crossing into CA via the bridge. Where at the TIJ airport do I find the “Immigration Offices” to give them my FMM before I cross into the states?? I am used to flying out of CDMX and going to the stand but I have never traveled by land and am confused about where I do this process at the TIJ airport before I go into the states. Do you have any input on this? Thank you so much!
Hi Nicole! Not to panic! I can not tell you the exact location but it will be easy to find. Just ask the information desk when you arrive. That is such a popular and busy entry, I am certain others will be heading that way also/ Have a safe and fun trip!
This question comes up frequently for people with a RP who live near the US/MX border. If crossing by car into the US for a day of shopping, do you need to do anything for leaving and coming back into Mx?
I am answeribg with an answer! Has the border reopened for non essential travel? If it has reopened, no problem they will issue you a visitor document at immigration when you cross.
I’m a new permanent resident, where is the immigration ofiice in the Cozumel Airport ?
I need to get the fmm form for my flight out of Cozumel.
Right around the conner from the arriving area. From the departing area go left and follow the hallway to the end.
Hi Aura- I have my residencia permanente, but i just lost my wallet and had the card in there. The issue I’m having is the offices are closed until the 4th and I was supposed to fly back to the US this Friday. I have a photo of my residency card. Is there any way I could go to the airport immigration and get permission since I’ve lost the card and it’s still valid? I’m trying to figure this out so I can fly to the US this Friday.
Oh Kyle, I hope you made it out ok! I am so very sorry I was out of town over the holidays. Yes, the immigration officee at the airport would have been the way to go with all your documentation. I always carry a copy of my card and keep the original in the safe! Please wirte and let me know what happened, I am certian others will be interested to know!
Hi there, thanks so much for all this information, it’s so helpful. I’ll be getting my new RT card in a few weeks. I’m also a flight attendant. Do you, or anyone on or reading this thread, know: if when entering for work, as a flight crew member (for a US airline), do I follow the rules as a temporary resident entering and leaving? Or as a crew member? I don’t want to lose my temporary residency on a silly error on my part. Thanks again for all your help to everyone.
You are very welcome! Your best bet is to check with the immigration office to be completely safe.
Hello, I got my residencia permanente card about 5 years ago. I remember being told not to enter as a tourist as I could loose my permanent status. The last time I went to Mexico was about 4 years ago and I’m nervous I could have filled the form out wrong.
QUESTION: Is there a way I can check via phone to make sure my permanent residence card is still valid?
This webpage was a great refresher on how I need to fill out the FMM.
Hello! It is my understanding that once you are a permanent resident you may come and go without restrictions. I would not be nervous as long as you have your card. You must write permanent resident on the top of the form they give you on the plane. But if you are nervous check with your nearest Mexican embassy. Let me know what happens!
What value do I use for card number in the top half of the FMM form? My RP card has an NUE # on the front and a couple numbers in back, one prefixed with ‘No.’ and one starting with ‘TR’.
Hi Paul! I used the NUE number with all the zeros! Have a safe trip!
When returning to Mexico by air from the United States with TR card, am I using Mexico as my residency? I am also asked about residency when booking my flight and I feel like putting Mexico will ensure I am not marked as a tourist despite only being a temporary resident. Thanks
Hello Serena, you are exactly right. It is so their records do not count you as a tourist.
Hi. Thanks for all the great info on your site. Could you help me with this: when entering Mexico on my new Temp Residency Visa in my US passport, on The FMM boxes #7 & #8, do I write Mexico as country of residence and the number of my Mexican Visa? Thanks!
Thank you for visiting us! Unfortunately, I do not have a copy of the form in front of me so I do not know what they are. If you are living here in Mexico, yes Mexico and the number f your visa. Good News! They are starting to do away with that form. Some airports such as Cancun have already eliminated them. I will write about it in my nexr article!
I just left México City on Monday 26 September 2022. I am a temporary resident. I went to immigration to ask for the FMM and she stamped my passport and assured me I do not need any form. She said yes, it used to be the requirement but they have now changed and it is no longer a requirement. They just stamp you in and out in your passport.
Thank you for contacting us! Yes, Cancun is aso stamping the passports only. SELECTED cities in Mexico are no longer requiring the FMM form and eventually it will no longer berequired anywhere in Mexico.
I’m a temporary resident but I left without an exit stamp, is there anything I need to do?
Hi, i have a Mexican permanent resident card but I crossed over to the US through Texas illegally but ICE did not let me stay in the US and I was deported back to my home country but I tried to re-enter Mexico but I was stopped by immigration at the airport in Mexico city they confiscated my permanent resident card and send me back where i came from, if I have the permanent resident card can they take it away from me if they found out i crossed over to the US? If so how or what can I do to get it back.
Contact the immigration office and ask. If you are refering to the form that we used to fill out when entering and departing, they stopped using that in most airports now.
Contact an immigration lawyer. You might have forfeited your permanent residence by entering the US illigally.
I’m a Permanent Resident in Mexico and I recently flew out of Mexico City Airport to Canada for a short visit. I forgot to stop at the immigration window when leaving the country and did not get an exit stamp… what should I expect to happen when returning?