Mexico Visa Requirements

Visa Requirements

Students who will be in Mexico for less than 180 days may enter with a tourist card, which has a maximum duration of 180 days. Tourist visas must be renewed by exiting Mexico prior to the expiration of the 180 day period and reentering the country. These short-term students are not required to apply for a visa.

Students who will be visiting for a period longer than 180 days can apply for a student visa. Your study program or the Mexican consulate can help you with this process. Make sure to allow sufficient time for your student visa application to be processed.

Students enrolled in Mexican study abroad programs are not required by the Mexican government to provide proof of health insurance. Insurance requirements originate with the student’s home educational institution or the school or university in which they are enrolled in Mexico – or both.

Note: The student visa requirements include the requirement to provide a health certificate. Applicants must prove that they are free from contagious diseases and are in good health.

Study Program International Student Insurance Requirements

Most Mexican study-abroad programs will require you to purchase International Student Insurance to cover you during your academic studies in Mexico. Your home college or university likely has a similar requirement. Often you must provide a copy of your insurance policy, or your insurance card, to your home university or to your host university before you begin your studies. It is best to take care of this prior to leaving your country.

Make sure you are aware of the requirements of your academic institution and your host university. You should be aware that they might require you to purchase this insurance and provide proof of coverage to them BEFORE you arrive in Mexico! The insurance is both affordable and probably required by your academic program. Even if international student insurance is not required, students should seriously consider guaranteeing that they can access health care in Mexico if they need it buy purchasing insurance.