Will I get 180 days to stay in Mexico?

 DISCLAIMER: This blog post is written by PlayaWeatherman

There has been a lot of chatter on Facebook, TripAdvisor, and various forums about people entering Mexico and not automatically receiving 180 days written on their Immigration Form (FMM).  In the past, the Mexican immigration officials at the Cancun airport would just put 180 days on the form and stamp it…. simple.  Not anymore!  

Some travelers report that even though they have return tickets and plan to leave Mexico within 30 days, the immigration official wrote fewer days on their FMM Forms.   Always double check your FMM form before you leave the immigration official at the airport.  It is often very difficult to read what they write, so, it is critical you verify the number of days you are permitted to stay in Mexico.  If the number is less than your return flight date, you can always ask them to change it.  But from what I have been reading, they will not.

Mexico’s National Institute of Immigration (INM) will charge a fine if you overstay the days permitted.  They are also starting to check for passports and FMMs at various checkpoints, to ensure you are in Mexico legally.  

Here are the FMMs (below) I filled out on my last 2 trips into Mexico.  You can see in the red circle where the number of days permitted in Mexico is circled.  I always fill out my FMM online and it automatically places 180 days in the box. If that isn’t incentive enough to fill the FMM out online, in advance, just remember it will avoid the inevitable scramble for pens on the airplane when they hand out the FMMs (you can smile and say “no thank you, I filled mine out online”). 

The immigration official could cross out the 180 days and put some other number of days there, so be vigilant.  You can see on one there is some scribbling in that location, I assume that is the official’s initials.

In closing, I would recommend that you read as much as possible about this issue before you purchase your tickets to Mexico...and make sure you have a plan of action if you are issued fewer days.  

For example, see if you can find anything about the about of the fine, because you may have to pay it if you plan on staying in Mexico longer than the number of days issued on your FMM.  In addition, as I mentioned above, sometimes tourists are stopped and checked for appropriate documentation.  If your FMM is not up to date, you may be escorted to the nearest police station where you can contact the local embassy.  

This information is to help you understand some of the changes here in Mexico for you to be aware of.  I hope you find it useful.

Here are a few links where this issue is discussed.  If you google “FMM 180 days in Mexico” you will see dozens of links with discussion of this issue.

https://immigrationtomexico.mx/mexican-180-day-allowance-for-tourists-no-longer-the-norm/

https://www.mexperience.com/changes-to-time-allowed-in-mexico-using-a-visitor-permit/

https://www.mexpro.com/blog/fmm-procedures-change/

https://imagine-mexico.com/180-day-visitor-permits-are-no-longer-issued-automatically/