This is the question we've been asked most often lately. There is no clear answer to it. In most cases, there are no problems when entering Mexico. But no one knows in advance what questions the immigration officer at the Mexico airport will ask you specifically, what additional confirmation he will require from you and how he will react to your answers.
Mexico's migration legislation defines a list of requirements, subject to which a guest of the country has the right to enter the country. In our publications, these criteria are described many times: return ticket, hotel reservation, confirmation of money, etc. But even fulfilling these requirements does not guarantee entry to Mexico. A striking example — citizens of the CIS countries, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and others. They have the right to have a Mexico visa, fly on a purchased tour and show bank statements with sufficient amounts, but they will still not be allowed into the country. Why? After all, they have all the necessary confirmation of the travel purpose of the trip, and there is no ban on the entry of CIS citizens to Mexico. Because the officer at passport control suspected them of intending to immigrate to the United States through Mexico. He has no evidence of this intention, but he has an undisputed right to refuse entry.
Another example. A Russian student who doesn’t have any armor from the body, and doesn’t have much money. He is dressed simply, but speaks English well. He shows with all his appearance that he is used to traveling around the world with his computer, connecting to any wi-fi point and earning money on the Internet. When asked how many days he plans to stay in Mexico, he answers vaguely: “Until spring.” But Mexico loves “digital nomads”, so it will most likely be let in with a minimum of questions.
Third example. A lonely girl at passport control reports that she has come to Mexico to meet her fiancé, a US citizen. The groom pays for the trip. There is nothing criminal in her statement. But she will be denied entry, even though she has a return ticket, a flight reservation, and money. Because the migration service officer has the right to consider that her real goal — get to the USA.
Fourth example. You have nothing: no return ticket, no hotel reservation, no card account statement. The migration officer looked at you and asked the only question: how many days have you arrived for? He was satisfied with your answer, and he immediately put an entry stamp in his passport. No additional questions. Because the migration officer did not see any migration risks on your part. He was based only on his impressions from communicating with you. Do you think this is an exception? No, most often this is exactly what happens!
You will say that this is wrong when there are no clear, officially accepted criteria for who is allowed into the country and who is not. It is wrong when the fate of your journey depends on the mood of the migration service officer. But these are the Mexican realities. And based on reality, it is required not only to have all the required confirmation, but also NOT to have risk factors. The latter is even more important.
From the main factors that have the right to significantly complicate your entry to Mexico (not counting from the absence of a return ticket and reservation from):
Citizenship of the so-called CIS countries (republics of Transcaucasia and Central Asia) — «red rag» for employees of the Mexico Migration Service. The same applies to citizens of Russia with a place of birth in the specified states — they have the right to be suspected of having a second citizenship of these countries, which most often corresponds to reality.
Intention to visit Mexico for any purpose, from personal from «tourism, fromrecreation, entertainment». Even if you tell the migration officer that you have come to buy real estate or for treatment, it is not a fact that he will show more favor. On the other hand, entry by invitation from a citizen of Mexico or to visit an exhibition with a letter from the organizer will have a positive effect.
Intention to visit a man. If you are a girl, say that you want to visit just a friend, but not «my man». Any information about a romantic relationship with a Mexican has the right to work against you. Young girls, especially from Latin American countries, come to Mexico to work in nightclubs or export services, and this is the basis for the migration service's approach to single travelers. Xfrom many people believe that the intention to marry a Mexican — essential purpose of the trip, we also do not recommend reporting it.
Previous problems when entering the United States. We do not claim, but it is believed that those who are denied entry into the United States will also be denied entry to Mexico. At the same time, failure to issue a US visa does not affect the success of entry to Mexico.
Intent to visit the northern regions of Mexico. There is no need to buy a ticket to Tijuana in one booking together with a ticket to Mexico. There is no need to tell the migration officer that since childhood you have dreamed of feeding the whales in La Paz. There is no need to convince that only a plastic surgeon from Mexicali can improve your appearance.
An indifferent family. We have observed many times a situation where only the husband communicates with the migration officer, while the wife stands indifferently nearby or takes care of the children. Never do this! All family members must show by their behavior that they are glad that they have finally come to a new country for new experiences. If you are nervous about simply going through passport control, then why expose yourself to stress and go anywhere at all? In addition, Mexico does not understand or welcome gender inequality.
Lack of goodwill. From the migration service employee, you don’t owe him anything. To ensure that the human factor does not interfere with the decision of your fate upon arrival, conduct communication without negative emotions. You can try to convince the officer of something, but don't even try to make him feel guilty. The slightest aggression towards him, and you risk getting into trouble. In the character of Mexicans, rudeness is completely absent, and they do not accept rudeness from others.
Do not use your mobile phone unless you are asked to show something stored on it.
Don't go to the passport control booths for Mexican citizens just because there is no line there.
Don't «dump out» all confirmations at once, until you are asked about them. Everything should look natural, and not as if you had to prepare for a long time just to get into the country. Convincing answers are more important than paper evidence.
To summarize, let's say that advice on how to get to Mexico without problems can only be general. No advice guarantees entry into the country. No clear rules, who to let into the country and who not. When going through passport control, show charm, behave naturally and generally do not spoil the beginning of your trip with unnecessary doubts.