Quick answer
Indians don't need a Mexican visa if they hold a valid visa for the US, Canada, the UK, Japan or any Schengen country, or permanent residence there. You can stay up to 180 days as a tourist, though the immigration officer decides the actual days. Without a qualifying visa, apply at the Embassy of Mexico in New Delhi by appointment.
At a glance
- Visa type
- No Mexican visa needed with a valid US, Canada, UK, Japan or Schengen visa; otherwise a visitor visa from the Embassy of Mexico
- Stay allowed
- Up to 180 days, as granted by the immigration officer
- Fee
- Nil with a qualifying visa; otherwise a consular fee in the region of USD 50 (about ₹4,400), paid in rupees; confirm at booking
- Processing
- None with a qualifying visa; embassy visas after an in-person appointment, timing varies
- Validity
- Exemption applies while your qualifying visa is valid on entry; embassy visas as issued
- Apply at
- Official portal
Documents checklist
- Passport valid at least 6 months, carrying the qualifying US, UK, Canada, Japan or Schengen visa (unexpired on arrival)
- Printed return or onward flight ticket
- Printed hotel bookings for every night
- Proof of funds: international debit or credit cards and some US dollars
- Day-by-day itinerary (Cancún, Mexico City, Tulum and so on)
- Travel insurance with medical cover for Mexico
- Without a qualifying visa: MiConsulado appointment confirmation and the Mexican visa application form
- Without a qualifying visa: bank statements for 6 months, ITRs for 2–3 years and employer letter or business proof
- Without a qualifying visa: passport photographs to the embassy's specification
Common mistakes that get Indians refused
- Arriving without a printed return ticket or hotel bookings; officers at Cancún and Mexico City do send travellers to secondary inspection.
- A qualifying visa that expires before you land, even by a day.
- Routing through the US without a US visa; any US connection needs one.
- Not checking the number of days granted at immigration, then overstaying by accident.
Do Indians need a visa for Mexico?
On paper, yes. In practice, most Indian travellers to Mexico never apply for one. Mexico lets foreigners enter as visitors for tourism, transit or business without paid work, without a Mexican visa, if they hold:
- a valid visa for the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan or any Schengen country; or
- permanent residence in one of those countries, or in Chile, Colombia or Peru (the Pacific Alliance).
The visa must be unexpired on the day you land. We suggest it stays valid for your whole trip, because airlines check at boarding and Mexican officers check on arrival. If you are flying via the US you need a US visa anyway; see our USA visa guide.
How long can you stay?
Up to 180 days, but the immigration officer decides. Officers at Cancún and Mexico City often grant only as many days as your return ticket shows. At major airports the old paper tourist card has largely given way to a stamp or electronic record showing the days granted. Check it before you leave the counter, and leave by that date.
Why Indian travellers get pulled aside
Mexico refuses entry to a noticeable number of visitors every year, including people with valid qualifying visas. The usual triggers are a missing return ticket, no hotel bookings, unclear plans or too little money. Carry printed proof of:
- a return or onward flight;
- hotel bookings for every night;
- funds, such as international cards and some US dollars;
- your qualifying US, UK, Canada, Japan or Schengen visa.
Answer questions simply: you are a tourist, here is your plan, here is your return flight.
If you don't hold a qualifying visa
Apply for a Mexican visitor visa at the Embassy of Mexico in New Delhi, booking through the Mexican foreign ministry's MiConsulado appointment system. The consular fee is in the region of USD 50 (about ₹4,400), paid in rupees; confirm the current amount when you book. Bring six months of bank statements, ITRs, employer or business proof and your itinerary.
For many travellers, getting a UK or Schengen visa first is the more useful move, since it covers a Europe trip as well as Mexico. See our UK visa and Schengen visa guides.
A US connection counts as entering the US. You need a US visa even for a short layover there.
Our visa assistance team can suggest the best route based on the visas you already hold, and we arrange travel insurance for Mexico.
Frequently asked questions
Can I enter Mexico with a US B1/B2 visa?
Does a UK or Schengen visa work for entering Mexico?
How long can Indians stay in Mexico as tourists?
How do I apply for a Mexican visa in India?
How we checked this page
Last reviewed
Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
