Coyote Cal's Mexico Hostels | Mexican Visa Info

Mexico Travel Alert
How to get your Travel Mexican Visa

A travel visa is now required, but not enforced for road travel to our Mexican hostels, for destinations south of the Coyote Cal's Mexican Hostels you will need a visa! If you follow the below helpful hints, getting your Mexico visa will take only a few minutes and be without hassle. However, if you are only coming to the hostel, save yourself the $15.00.

1. You must have a valid passport,
and a certified copy of your birth certificate.

2. The easiest places to get your visa, called a FM-T are:

At the border crossing in T.J. located in the "Declaration Area" to the far right of the entry gates. They also have a 24 hour bank. The office is located near the north pedestrian gate entrance.

The Ensenada immigration office, now open 24 hours (7) days a week, is located at the first traffic light and to the right as you enter into Ensenada. Where the big speed bumps are and the shipyards are located. (Look for the "Migration" sign in the middle of the road island pointing the way.)

The immigration checkpoint about 20 miles south of Ensenada on Hwy (1), between the towns of Maneadero and Uruapan is no longer a check point. This is were the Army and Federal Drug Agents have their checkpoint. A very good reason you should not carry any kind of illegal drugs! (See Photo), Mexico stopped checking visas here in September of 1999 but sometimes sets up a surprise check point. If this happens don't worry. The immigration agent is in the van. He can issue you a FM-T on the spot. This is the easiest place to get your visa, but the agent can be more difficult. He may ask for payment because no one is watching him but do not pay anything at this location. If you are direct and polite and follow my hints you will have no problems and will not have to give the agent any money.
The other places you can get a FM-T are: 1) Border Crossings, 2) Airlines, 3) Consulates, 4) Embassies, 5) Automobile Clubs and 6) Travel Agencies. If you get your visa outside of Mexico you will be required to pay the $15.00 up front and get you visa stamp upon entering Mexico.

3. You must ask for the maximum term of the visa, 180 days.
Be firm on this point! It does not cost any extra to have the visa good for one day or 180 days, and it allows you the greatest freedom. The visa is good for multiple entries into Mexico up to the expiration of the visa and you can avoid future visa fees. The agent might write a shorter expiration. Check it out before you leave and make sure it says 180 days.

4. The cost will be $15.00. Do not pay the immigration officer! The fees are paid at any Mexican Bank and are not due at the time you receive your visa but before you leave the country, that could be in 180 days from the time you get your visa. Hint: If you never plan to return to Mexico, don't pay the fees and save yourself the $15.00 bucks. No one will know! Make sure you plan your trip so that you allow yourself a time during regular banking hours to pay your visa fee. If you plan to return on a Saturday night or Sunday then it will be best to get your visa at the border were there is a 24 hour bank. Regular banking hours are 9:00am to 6:00pm Monday through Saturday.

5. NO Visa is needed for the cities north of the Hostel.

That's all there is to it! The form is very short and easy to read. If you have any further questions email Coyote Cal's Mexican Hostels, email us.

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