The FMM (Forma Migratoria Multiple) is Mexico’s visitor permit for tourists. It allows stays of up to 180 days, but the immigration officer at your port of entry decides how many days you actually get. The 2026 fee is $983 pesos (approximately $54 USD), and it is free for stays of seven days or fewer.
What Is the FMM?
The FMM is the official document that authorizes foreign visitors to enter and stay in Mexico as tourists. Citizens of the United States, Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and about 65 other countries do not need a visa to visit Mexico. They need an FMM instead.
FMM stands for Forma Migratoria Multiple. You may hear people call it a “tourist card,” “tourist visa,” or “visitor permit.” These all refer to the same document. It is not a visa. It is a permit that records your entry, your allowed stay, and your exit.
How Many Days Do You Actually Get?
The maximum stay on an FMM is 180 calendar days. Most people assume they will receive the full 180 days. That is not guaranteed.
The immigration officer at your port of entry decides how many days to grant. This has always been the rule, but enforcement has changed. Until recently, officers stamped 180 days for nearly everyone. Now INM instructs officers to grant days based on your stated purpose and travel plans.
If you tell the officer you are visiting for two weeks, you may receive 14 to 30 days. If you say you plan to stay several months to explore Baja, you may receive 90 or 180 days. The officer may ask to see a return flight, hotel reservation, or proof of funds. Have these ready.
The number the officer writes on your FMM (or stamps in your passport) is final. You cannot change it after the fact. If you receive fewer days than you need, your only option is to leave Mexico before that date and reenter to request a new FMM.
Can You Extend an FMM?
No. You cannot extend or renew an FMM inside Mexico. This surprises many visitors who assume they can visit an INM office and add more days. INM does not offer this option.
If you need to stay longer than the days on your FMM, you must exit Mexico and reenter. Each new entry generates a new FMM with a new number of days at the officer’s discretion. Doing this repeatedly (called “border runs”) draws scrutiny. INM officers track entries and may grant fewer days to people who appear to live in Mexico on rolling tourist permits.
The proper solution for stays longer than 180 days is a temporary residency visa.
How Do You Get an FMM?
Flying Into Mexico
If you fly into any Mexican airport on a commercial flight, the airline includes the FMM fee in your ticket price. You do not pay separately. At the airport, you pass through the INM immigration booth, show your passport, and the officer stamps your entry. At airports using the new digital system, the officer stamps your passport with the number of days granted. You can download a digital record (FMMd) from the INM website afterward.
Driving or Walking Across a Land Border
If you cross by land, you must stop at the INM immigration office at the border. This step is mandatory. In Tijuana, the INM office is in the blue SAT Aduanas building at the El Chaparral crossing (the southbound crossing from San Ysidro). The office operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
The process at a land crossing: park your vehicle, enter the INM office, and fill out the FMM form. Present your passport, pay the fee at the Banjercito window inside the same building, and return to the INM counter for your stamp. The whole process takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on the line.
You must get your FMM stamped at the border crossing itself. INM no longer allows travelers to obtain FMMs at immigration stations farther south. If you drive past the border without stopping, you will not have a valid entry record.
The Baja Free Zone Exception
Mexico maintains a “free zone” (zona libre) along the northern border. If you stay within this zone and visit for 72 hours or fewer, you technically do not need an FMM. The free zone covers most of Tijuana, Rosarito, Tecate, and Mexicali. However, if you drive south of Ensenada or stay longer than 72 hours anywhere in Baja, you need a valid FMM. Military checkpoints south of Ensenada and near Guerrero Negro check for permits.
Paper FMM vs. Digital FMM: What Changed?
Mexico began phasing out the paper FMM form in 2022. The transition is gradual. At major international airports, officers now stamp your passport directly with the number of days granted instead of issuing a paper card. You can then download a digital entry record (FMMd) from the INM website.
At land borders, the paper FMM still exists in many locations. Tijuana and other Baja crossings still issue paper forms as of early 2026. This will change as INM completes the digital rollout.
Whether you receive a paper FMM or a passport stamp, the legal effect is the same. The number of days the officer grants is your authorized stay.
How Much Does It Cost?
The 2026 FMM fee is $983 pesos (approximately $54 USD). This fee applies to stays longer than seven days. If you visit for seven days or fewer, the FMM is free, though you still must complete the paperwork and get the stamp.
If you fly into Mexico, the airline bundles the fee into your ticket. You pay nothing at the airport. If you cross by land, you pay at the Banjercito window at the border. Banjercito accepts cash (pesos or US dollars) and credit cards.
What Happens If You Overstay?
Overstaying your FMM is an immigration violation. Consequences range from fines to detention to deportation. INM has increased enforcement in recent years.
If you overstay by a few days and leave voluntarily, you will likely face a fine at the airport or border. The fine increases with the length of the overstay. If INM detains you inside Mexico with an expired FMM, you face possible deportation and a ban on future entry.
An overstay also creates problems for future visits. INM records track your entry and exit dates. Officers at your next entry may see the overstay and grant fewer days or deny entry entirely.
Tips for Getting the Days You Need
Know your dates before you reach the immigration counter. If you plan to stay three months, say so clearly. Bring a printed itinerary or accommodation booking that supports your stated plans. Have proof of a return ticket or onward travel if possible.
Dress presentably. Answer questions directly. Do not say “I’m moving to Mexico” at the immigration counter. You are visiting. If you plan to live in Mexico, apply for a residency visa at a Mexican consulate before you arrive.
Check your FMM immediately after the officer hands it back. Verify the number of days written matches what you discussed. Mistakes happen. Correcting a number at the counter takes seconds. Discovering an error weeks later leaves you with no recourse.
Regulations and government processes change. This article reflects information current as of March 2026. For advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed immigration consultant or contact the relevant government office directly.