When you leave the US or Canada for your vacation in Mexico, be prepared to fill out Customs and Immigration forms. It is helpful to know what these forms look like and what questions you will be asked.
The first two scans are your FMM, or Tourist Visa. You will be given this form to fill out while on the plane before you arrive to Mexico. This is a simple form that just requires the info directly off your passport.
When you arrive to Cancun International Airport, the first stop after getting off the plane will be at Immigration. Here the immigration officer will take the FMM form you filled out, keep the blue side and give you back the green side. The blue side is your Entry into Mexico and the green side is your departure visa when you leave Mexico. It is VERY IMPORTANT to keep the green part (with your passport) as you MUST have this to leave Mexico. What happens if you lose your FMM Tourist Visa while in Mexico. Every person must fill this out.
FMM Tours Visa (Front)
FMM Tours Visa (Back)
Also during your flight to Mexico you will be given a Customs Declaration form. Each head of household needs to fill this out. Again it asks for your basic passport info, how long you will be in Mexico, and how much luggage you have. Most importantly it asks if you are carrying 10,000 US Dollars or more, any meat, food, plants, chemicals, weapons, or merchandise for which you need to pay duty.
After you land and clear immigration, your next stop will be to pickup your luggage and go to customs. Your luggage will go through x-ray and you will hand the customs agent the form. There is a button that each person must push. If the button light turns green then you proceed to pickup your scanned luggage. If the button light turns red, your luggage will be searched.
Mexico Customs Form (Front)
Mexico Customs Form (Inside)
Mexico Customs Form (Back)
When you leave Mexico you will surrender your FMM Tourist Visa and you will fill out the US Customs Declaration form. The US wants to know about your travel, where you’ve been and where you are going. The form asks again if you are bringing cash, meat, plants, merchandise, etc. You will give this form to the Customs agent when you land in the US.
US Customs Form (Front)
US Customs Form (Back)
For more information about traveling to Mexico and the paperwork you need to fill out, please visit http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information.
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Lost Tourist Visa Card – What happens if you lose your tourist visa while in Mexico?
by CARM in: About Cancun, Cancun Airport, Travel Info 0 Comments
JAN
01
When you arrive to Cancun International Airport you are issued an FMM form (Forma Migratoria Multiple). This form is your Tourist Visa. The Immigration agent at the Cancun Airport will stamp it and give you half of it to keep until you leave Mexico. Most visas are valid for 30, 60 or 90 days. You MUST keep up with this important document. Put it with your passport and your plane tickets.
On your departure date you will surrender your Tourist Visa when you check in at the Cancun Airport. The Tourist Visa is your proof you entered Mexico legally. If you try to check in with your airline to leave Mexico without your Tourist Card, here is the procedure:
You need to fill out a form, take it to any branch of the bank Banamex, and pay a fee. The bank will give you a receipt, which you have to take back to the Immigration Office at the airport in order to receive your replacement Tourist Visa Card.
You are not supposed to pay any Immigration Officer at the airport. It is against the law to pay the officer directly, however, if the bank is closed then you might be asked to pay the officer or you might get lucky and they won’t charge you at all. My advice is to always be polite and do what you are told to do. The fee can range from $25 USD to 525 pesos. Be prepared to pay this fee.
Will you miss your flight if you don’t have your Tourist Visa Card? Do not think that the Immigration officer must help you in time for you to make your flight. If you do not arrive to the airport in time to fill out the forms, pay the fees and receive a new visa, you may miss your flight. Also, if you are rude to the officer they will probably delay assisting you. Explain your situation to the Officer with respect.
Can I get a new Tourist Visa before my departure date? Yes. If you realize you have lost your tourist visa before your departure date, you can first go to the Immigration office to get the form, then to any Banamex bank branch to pay the fee, then back to the Immigration office to receive you replacement tourist visa card.
Cancun Immigration Office
Located in downtown Cancun City on the corner of Avenida Nader and Avenida Uxmal.
Open: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Monday – Friday
Playa del Carmen Immigration Office
Located in Plaza Antiguas
Open 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Monday – Friday
Insider tip: Anytime you have to pay, GET A RECEIPT. This is critical, especially if you have to pay the officer directly when the banks are closed.
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