Consulado de Carrera de México en Filadelfia

General Information

Welcome to the Visa Section of the Consulate of Mexico in Philadelphia.

The Consulate of Mexico in Philadelphia serves individuals living in Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey (Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean y Salem counties) and Delaware. Individuals living outside this area, can contact their nearest Consulate of Mexico: Consulados de México en el Exterior

To apply for a visa each individual must first make an appointment.

To get an appointment, please send an email to Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. stating the type of visa you would like to apply for and attach all the requirements in a single PDF file.

Only applicants will be allowed to access the Consulate, with the exception of those that require special assistance.

In case applicants are asked to support their application with complimentary documentation, they will be given a new appointment date.

Visitors may not enter the facility more than 15 minutes prior to their appointment.

Visa application processing fee ($53 dollars) must be preferable paid with credit or debit card (Visa or Mastercard), non-refundable if not approved. 

Citizens from the following countries who wish to visit Mexico as tourists, in transit, for business, technical activities, as journalist or for studies, for a period not exceeding 180 days, and who will not receive any remuneration at all in Mexican territory, do not require a visa:

Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Latvia, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niue, Norway, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela.

All foreign visitors, regardless of their nationality, traveling to Mexico for tourism, business or in transit to another destination, are exempt from presenting a Mexican visa as long as they have a valid visa issued by any the following countries: Canada, Japan, the United States of America, the United Kingdom or any of the countries comprising the Schengen Area.

In addition, foreign visitors who, regardless of their nationality, have a valid permanent resident card from Canada, Japan, the United States of America, the United Kingdom or any of the countries comprising the Schengen Area, do not require a Mexican visa.

To enter Mexican territory the above travellers must present:

• A valid passport or travel document. Mexican authorities do not require a minimum period of validity of the passport; nevertheless, this document must be valid during the length of stay in Mexico.
• A properly completed Multiple Migratory Form (FMM); this form will be provided to you by the airline or at the port of entry.
• Migratory authorities at the port of entry may request documents proving the purpose of your trip, depending on the activity you will undertake in Mexico: tourism (hotel reservation, itinerary of your return or departure); business (letter in Spanish from the company indicating that you are an employee of the company and that the services you will provide in Mexico will be paid for by that company, or a letter of invitation from a public or private institution to perform non-remunerated activities in Mexico, indicating the purpose of the trip, estimated time of stay and taking responsibility for your travel and lodging costs); technicians (a copy of the contract for the transfer of technology, patents and brands, purchase of machinery and equipment, technical training of personnel, or any other related to the production process of a company established in Mexico); student (letter of invitation or acceptance from any institution pertaining to the National Educational System to take courses, conduct a research project or undertake academic training for a maximum period of 180 days.

If the US visa stamped in your passport already expired but you have an official document or form proving your legal status in USA, you should apply for a Mexican visa at this Consulate (I-797 A Forms, Advance Parole Forms, I-20 OR DS-2019 Forms won’t be good enough for entering to Mexico).  

Visitors on cruise ships:

Visitors who travel on cruise ships that disembark at any Mexican port to visit the port and surrounding zones and embark on the same ship to continue their voyage, do not require a visa and will have collective permission under the category of “visitor without permission to conduct remunerated activities”.

Important Note:

Immigration authorities may decide to refuse the request to enter the country if the applicant is subject to criminal process or has been convicted of a serious crime as defined by national laws on criminal matters or provisions in international treaties or conventions that the Mexican State is party to, or if the applicant’s background in Mexico or abroad could compromise national or public security, in accordance with Article 43 of the Migration Law.

At the point of entry, Mexico’s immigration officers (INAMI) are the only authority that can accept or refuse the entry of any traveller into Mexico, regardless of whether the traveller has previously attained a visa or is exempted from obtaining one.  Click here for more information.

Contact us: Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo.

Visa for visitors without work authorization

This type of visa is for you if:

• You are traveling to Mexico for vacations, transit, business, technical activities, artistic activities, scientific activities, sport activities, correspondent or journalist, ministers of religion.
• You will be in Mexico up to 180 days.
• You don’t have a work authorization.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Visa Application.
2. Valid passport and copy of the main page.
3. One color picture, passport size, front view, with no eyeglasses and white background.
4. Original and copy of the document that proves that the applicant is a foreign legal resident of the USA (I-797, I-20 advance parole, etc). This only applies for non-U.S. citizens.
5. Application processing fee $53.00 dollars (credit or debit card – visa or MasterCard). Nonrefundable if not approved.
6. Proof of economic solvency:

• Original and copy of proof of personal investments accounts or personal bank accounts with a monthly balance of at least $4,421.49 USD during the previous 3 months of statements (bring the last 3 months of your bank statements), OR
• Original and copy of documents showing that the applicant has a job or pension that yields a monthly income of $1,473.83 US Dollars after taxes during the previous 3 months (bring the last 3 months of your paystubs and the last 3 bank statements that shows the direct deposit of your salary), and proof of stable employment with a minimum of one year (verification of employment letter).

IMPORTANT:

• In case you are asked to support your application with complimentary documentation, you will be given a new appointment date.
• If you present a document issued from a country different than Mexico or the United States of America, it must come with an apostille or legalization as applicable; and with an official translation to Spanish.

APPOINTMENT:

To apply for a visa, you must first make an appointment per person.

To get an appointment, please send an email to Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. stating the type of visa you would like to apply for and attach all the requirements in a single PDF file.

Normally, the visa will be ready on the same day of the appointment, but this is not guarantee.

For more information please e-mail Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo.

NOTE:

To apply, minors (under 18 years old) must be accompanied by parents (or legal guardian) and to submit original and official documentation proving filiation (relationship between parents and child) or legal status as a legal guardian (birth certificate).

*Invitation Letter

• Original Invitation Letter from the company/organization based in Mexico must be addressed to the Consulate of Mexico in Philadelphia requesting the visa and specifying:
  • Exact purpose or activity and length of time for the trip to Mexico
  • How your expenses will be covered
  • Applicant´s full name, nationality
  • Registration number of the company/organization, plus address, complete name and contact information of the company/organization
  • Copy of ID of the person who signed the invitation letter

Visa for visitors with authorization for lucrative activities

• If the purpose of entering into Mexico is working there and you will receive a salary or payment (lucrative activities), you will have to apply for a prior authorization to the National Immigration Institute in Mexico. In that case, you will receive an authorization number (NUT number).
• As soon as the NUT authorization has been issued you must be in contact with this Consulate in order to schedule one appointment and to process a visa. Once you make the appointment you only will have 10 days for the interview and the issuance of your visa.
• Schedule one appointment

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Visa Application.
2. Valid passport and copy of the main page.
3. One color picture, passport size, front view, with no eyeglasses and white background.
4. Original and copy of the document that proves that the applicant is a foreign legal resident of the USA (I-797, I-20 advance parole, etc). This only applies for non-U.S. citizens.
5. Application processing fee $53.00 dollars (credit or debit card – Visa or MasterCard).
6. Copy of the approval letter issued by the “Instituto Nacional de Migracion (INM)” where the “Número Único de Tramite (NUT )” is indicated.

Visa for the purpose of adoption

This type of visa is for you if:

• You are traveling to Mexico in order to complete the legal process to adopt a child
• You have received a report to be matched with a child (informe de adoptabilidad o pre-asignación) Issued by the “State System for the Full Development of the Family” (SIstema Nacional para el Desarrollo Integral de la Familia, -DIF-)

Requirements:

• Apply at this Consulate in person
• Schedule one appointment
• Fill out the Application form
• Valid passport in original and one photocopy of the pages containing personal information, photograph of bearer and expiration date/extensions
• One photo passport size(size 1.5 x 1.3/4 inches), in color, no glasses
• Report to be matched with a child (informe de adoptabilidad o pre-asignación) Issued by the “State System for the Full Development of the Family” (Sistema Nacional para el Desarrollo Integral de la Familia, -DIF-). Original and 1 copy
• Letter of acceptance and that you will continue processing a child´s adoption (issued by the Central Authority in Mexico). Original and 1 copy
• Consular fee

Visa for Temporary Residents

This type of visa is for you if:

• You are traveling to Mexico for retirement, investments, professional activities, technical activities, artistic activities, scientific activities, and sport activities or as a minister of religion
• You will be in Mexico more than 180 days
• You don´t have a work authorization

TEMPORARY RESIDENT

 (MORE THAN 180 DAYS AND LESS THAN 4 YEARS)

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Visa Application.
2. Valid passport and copy of the main page.
3. One color picture, passport size, front view, with no eyeglasses and white background.
4. Original and copy of the document that proves that the applicant is a foreign legal resident of the USA (I-797, I-20 advance parole, etc). This only applies for non-U.S. citizens.
5. Application processing fee $53.00 dollars (credit or debit card – Visa or MasterCard).
6. Proof of economic solvency:

• Original and copy of proof of personal investments accounts or personal bank accounts with a monthly balance of at least $73,691.53 USD during the previous 12 months of statements (bring the last 12 months of bank statements). OR
• Original and copy of documents showing that the applicant has a job or pension that yields a monthly income of $4,421.49 USD after taxes during the previous 6 months. (Bring the last 6 months of your paystubs and the bank statements that shows the direct deposit of your salary).

AFTER ENTERING MEXICO WITH THIS TYPE OF VISA, YOU SHOULD GO TO THE NEAREST “INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE MIGRACIÓN” (INM) OFFICE TO GET YOUR RESIDENT ID.

IMPORTANT:

• In case you are asked to support your application with complimentary documentation, you will be given a new appointment date.
• If you present a document issued from a country different than Mexico or the United States of America, it must come with an apostille or legalization as applicable; and with an official translation to Spanish.

APPOINTMENT:

To apply for a visa, you must first make an appointment per person.

To get an appointment, please send an email to Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. stating the type of visa you would like to apply for and attach all the requirements in a single PDF file.

Normally, the visa will be ready on the same day of the appointment, but this is not guarantee.

For more information please e-mail Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo.

This type of visa is for you if:

• You are traveling to Mexico for retirement, investments, professional activities, technical activities, artistic activities, scientific activities, and sport activities or as a minister of religion
• You will be in Mexico more than 180 days
• You don´t have a work authorization

Visa for Temporary Residents (SPOUSE OF A MEXICAN CITIZEN)

REQUIREMENTS:

Visa Application.

1. Valid passport and copy of the main page.
2. One color picture, passport size, front view, with no eyeglasses and white background.
3. Application processing fee $53.00 dollars (credit or debit card – Visa or MasterCard).
4. Original and copy of certify copy of the marriage certificate or proof of common-law marriage.
5. Original and copy of proof of Mexican nationality and official identification of the Mexican spouse (the Mexican national spouse must be present at time of application)

AFTER ENTERING MEXICO WITH THIS KIND OF VISA, YOU SHOULD GO TO THE NEAREST “INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE MIGRACIÓN” (INM) OFFICE TO GET YOUR RESIDENT ID.

IMPORTANT:

• In case you are asked to support your application with complimentary documentation, you will be given a new appointment date.
• If you present a document issued from a country different than Mexico or the United States of America, it must come with an apostille or legalization as applicable; and with an official translation to Spanish.
• If the applicant is a minor both parents should be present to sign the application. If only one parent is present, it is mandatory to submit a notarized authorization (Spanish or English) from the other parent.
• If minors or persons requiring legal guardianship attend by themselves or someone different to their parents, it is mandatory to submit a notarized document in which their parents or legal guardianship authorize the visa application.

APPOINTMENT:

To apply for a visa, you must first make an appointment per person.

To get an appointment, please send an email to Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. stating the type of visa you would like to apply for and attach all the requirements in a single PDF file.

Normally, the visa will be ready on the same day of the appointment, but this is not guarantee.

For more information please e-mail Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. 

Visa for Temporary Residency by Family Unification

DEPENDANT OF A FOREIGN WHO IS A HOLDER OF A TEMPORARY/PERMANENT RESIDENT VISA OR TEMPORARY/PERMANENT CARD OF MEXICO

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Visa Application.
2. Valid passport and copy of the main page.
3. One color picture, passport size, front view, with no eyeglasses and white background.
4. Original and copy of the document that proves that the applicant is a foreign legal resident of the USA (I-797, I-20 advance parole, etc). This only applies for non-U.S. citizens.
5. Application processing fee $53.00 dollars (credit or debit card – Visa or MasterCard).
6. Original and copy of the document that shows the familial relationship with the holder of the temporary/permanent resident visa or card of Mexico:

• Spouse: original certify copy of the marriage certificate or original proof of common-law marriage.
• Parent: original birth certificate of the applicant (the visa will only be granted if the applicant is under 18 years of age and he/she has not contracted marriage or is in a state of interdiction and is under his/her legal guardianship).
• Child: original birth certificate of the child.

1. Original and copy of the valid temporary/permanent resident visa or card of Mexico (the applicant’s family member who is the holder of the temporary / permanent resident visa or card of Mexico must be present at time of application)
2. Proof of economic solvency (only applies if the applicant family member is a holder of a temporary/permanent resident visa of Mexico):
   69. Original and copy of proof of personal investments accounts or personal bank accounts with a monthly balance of at least $1,473.83 USD during the previous 12 months of statements (bring the last 12 months of bank statements. OR
   70. Original and copy of documents showing that the applicant has a job or pension that yields a monthly income of $1,473.83 USD after taxes during the previous 6 months. (Bring the last 6 months of your paystubs and the bank statements that shows the direct deposit of your salary).

IMPORTANT:

• In case you are asked to support your application with complimentary documentation, you will be given a new appointment date.
• If you present a document issued from a country different than Mexico or the United States of America, it must come with an apostille or legalization as applicable; and with an official translation to Spanish.
• If the applicant is a minor both parents should be present to sign the application. If only one parent is present, it is mandatory to submit a notarized authorization (Spanish or English) from the other parent.
• If minors or persons requiring legal guardianship attend by themselves or someone different to their parents, it is mandatory to submit a notarized document in which their parents or legal guardianship authorize the visa application.

AFTER ENTERING MEXICO WITH THIS KIND OF VISA, YOU SHOULD GO TO THE NEAREST “INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE MIGRACIÓN” (INM) OFFICE TO GET YOUR RESIDENT ID.

APPOINTMENT:

To apply for a visa, you must first make an appointment per person.

To get an appointment, please send an email to Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. stating the type of visa you would like to apply for and attach all the requirements in a single PDF file.

Normally, the visa will be ready on the same day of the appointment, but this is not guarantee.

For more information please e-mail Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo.

Visa for Permanent Residents

This type of visa is for you if:

• You are traveling to Mexico for retirement, investments, professional activities, technical activities, artistic activities, scientific activities, and sport activities or as a minister of religion
• You will be in Mexico more than 1 year.
• You don´t have a work authorization.
• You want to permanent move to Mexico.

IMPORTANT: You must be officially retired or 62+ years old to apply for this type of visa.

In order to qualify for a permanent resident visa you must be officially retired or 62+ years old, and provide a letter of retirement from Social Security, or Former Employer, as proof of retirement as well as the bank statements proving the economic solvency.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Visa Application.
2. Valid passport and copy of the main page.
3. One color picture, passport size, front view, with no eyeglasses and white background.
4. Original and copy of the document that proves that the applicant is a foreign legal resident of the USA (I-797, I-20 advance parole, etc). This only applies for non-U.S. citizens.
5. Application processing fee $53.00 dollars (credit or debit card – Visa or MasterCard).
6. Proof of economic solvency:
   • Original and copy of proof of personal investments accounts or personal bank accounts with a monthly balance of at least $294,766.13 USD during the previous 12 months of statements (bring the last 12 months of bank statements). OR
   • Original and copy of documents showing that the applicant has a job or pension that yields a monthly income of $7,369.15 USD after taxes during the previous 6 months. (Bring the last 6 months of your paystubs and the bank statements that shows the direct deposit of your salary).

AFTER ENTERING MEXICO WITH THIS KIND OF VISA, YOU SHOULD GO TO THE NEAREST “INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE MIGRACIÓN” (INM) OFFICE TO GET YOUR RESIDENT ID.

IMPORTANT:

• In case you are asked to support your application with complimentary documentation, you will be given a new appointment date.
• If you present a document issued from a country different than Mexico or the United States of America, it must come with an apostille or legalization as applicable; and with an official translation to Spanish.

APPOINTMENT:

To apply for a visa, you must first make an appointment per person.

To get an appointment, please send an email to Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo. stating the type of visa you would like to apply for and attach all the requirements in a single PDF file.

Normally, the visa will be ready on the same day of the appointment, but this is not guarantee.

For more information please e-mail Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo.