On December 2nd, 2013, a new guideline was published reforming the provisions of the Migratory Law’s Regulations on travel by minors under the age of 18. The new guideline will take effect as of January 24th, 2014.
Foreign minors (under 18 years of age) travelling to Mexico alone or with a third party of legal age (grandparent, aunt/uncle, etc.) as visitors (tourists or with a short stay for study purposes up to 180 days), DO NOT REQUIRE authorization or a letter of consent from their parents or guardians. Mexican migratory authorities will allow these minors to leave Mexico at the end of their stay upon presentation of a valid passport.
The Canadian government’s requirements for minors departing or entering Canada can be consulted at the following webpage: http://travel.gc.ca/travelling/children
The following categories however, DO REQUIRE proper authorization or a letter of consent from their parents or legal guardians, if they are a minor (under 18 years of age) and are traveling alone or with a third party of legal age (grandparent, aunt/uncle, etc.): Mexican nationals residing in Mexico; Mexican nationals residing abroad; Mexican nationals with double nationality; Foreigners with temporary residence, permanent residence or temporary-student status (more than 180 days) in Mexico.
Requirements:
When departing from Mexico, at the Immigration screening of INAMI (Mexican Migratory Authority), apart from presenting a valid passport of the minor, it must display the authorization form issued by INAMI (a form free of charge), through which both parents or legal guardians give authorization of the departure of the minor from Mexico or you must present an authorization/consent letter granted by a notary public. If presenting the form authorized by INAMI, you must fill the form online at the following website: www.inami.gob.mx
Three copies of this form must be printed and signed and each copy must have attached the following documentation:
- Copy of the passport or travel document of the minor traveling.
- Copies of the passports of the parents or legal guardians whom give the permit.
- Copy of the birth certificate of the minor.
- Copy of the passport of the third party of legal age that will be travelling with the minor (if applicable).
Minors who are travelling with at least one parent DO NOT require this authorization. If opting for the authorization/consent letter granted by a notary public in Canada, it must be translated into Spanish, authenticated by the Canadian government and legalized by the Mexican Consulate in your circumscription or the Mexican Embassy in Ottawa. For information on the procedure and requirements for legalizing a document, please visit the following link: legalizations
Mexican consular offices do not provide translation services.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Due to the entry into force of new Migration Law Regulations in Mexico, as of November 9, 2012, new guidelines will be applied to the documentation of foreigners entering and leaving Mexico, including visa issuance and travel of minors, among other provisions. Consequently, several sections of this page will be under modification. If you have any questions please send an email to the following address: visastor@sre.gob.mx Canadian nationals and permanent residents of Canada still do not require a visa to enter Mexico.
Canadian nationals must present a valid passport to prove their nationality. Mexican authorities do not require a minimum period of validity of passports; nevertheless, this document must be valid at the time of entry and during the period you wish to be in Mexico.
Permanent residents of Canada must present their Permanent Resident Card and one of the following documents: valid Passport or Refugee Travel Document.
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, Chile, Colombia, Japan, Peru, the United States of America, the United Kingdom or any of the countries comprising the Schengen Area, do not require a Mexican visa.
FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROCESS OF ENTERING MEXICO
At the point of entry, Mexico’s immigration officers (INM) are the only authority that can accept or refuse the entry of any traveler into Mexico, regardless of whether the traveler has previously attained a visa or is exempted from obtaining one. Please be aware of some of the questions you may be asked by viewing the following information: ENTERING MEXICO
