The Japanese visa, along with visas from a number of other countries, allows you to enter Mexico without the need to obtain a Mexican visa. Previously, it was quite easy for citizens of the Central Asian republics to obtain a Japanese visa, which is why they often entered Mexico using it. Unlike the electronic permit, which is issued only to citizens of Ukraine, Russia and Turkey and is valid for entry by air, the Japan visa allows entry into Mexico by air, land or sea.
In this publication, we will tell you what regulations the Japanese visa in your passport must meet in order to be able to enter Mexico with it. Information about entering Mexico with a Japan visa provided in this publication applies to citizenseveryonenationalities.
Japan visa comes in different categories, but most often — transit (stay in Japan 3 days), short-term temporary visitor (15 — 90 days) and long-term (over 90 days). Although there are formally no restrictions on entering Mexico with a Japanese transit visa, we do not recommend using it as a basis for entering Mexico.
Visa expiration date(Date of expiry). You should enter Mexico before the end of this period, at least on the last day. This is the only fundamental condition.
Upon entry, the number of days you will be allowed to stay in Mexico is determined by the migration officer. It usually allows you to stay in Mexico for 180 days, even if your Japanese visa expires sooner.
Length of stay in Japan(For stay of). In most cases, there are 15, 30 days, 6 months and 1 year. For entry into Mexico, this period does not matter, the main thing is — the validity period of the visa itself.
Number of entries into Japan(No. of entries). May be Single (1), Double (2) and Multiple (many). Nowhere in the rules for entry into Mexico does it say how many entries must be indicated on a Japanese visa in order for it to allow entry into Mexico. But in fact, when using a one-time Japanese visa, entry into Mexico may be denied, although we also know cases of successful entry. You are able to enter Mexico on the same visa several times within the validity period of the visa.
Unused visa. It is absolutely not necessary that you have already been to Japan on a visa before traveling to Mexico. The visa is suitable even if you have never been to Japan with it.
Other marks, for example, visa category (Category), other than that does not matter. However, a T (transit) visa is not eligible for entry into Mexico.
Are there any problems when entering Mexico with a Japanese visa? Yes, they can. But most often they are not related to the visa itself, unless, of course, it is valid. The same problems can arise when entering on any other visa, even a Mexican visa. Problems upon entry are usually related to:
- citizenship — residents of the countries of Transcaucasia and Central Asia are more often suspected of immigration intentions to the United States;
- lack of necessary papers — no return ticket, no hotel reservation, not enough money, or an unconvincing purpose for traveling to Mexico. There are many publications on our website devoted to this topic.
Entry into Mexico depends more on your citizenship than your visa. Even if your Japanese visa is suitable for entry into Mexico, you may still be denied entry.
It is believed that the most «reliable» visa to enter Mexico — USA visa. In second place — Mexico visa. In addition, entry into the country is possible with a visa from Canada, Great Britain, Japan and any multiple-entry Schengen visa — the attitude towards them when entering Mexico is almost the same.