It is possible that you will not like what we are about to write, but if you are a citizen of one of the countries of the republics of Transcaucasia and Central Asia, refrain from traveling to Mexico. At least until the pandemic ends. And if the increase in refusals to enter Mexico for Russian-speaking citizens has recently increased “noticeably”, then for citizens of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Armenia the number of refusals has increased significantly (consider this our subjective opinion).
The first reason for this negative trend that comes to mind is — too many citizens of these countries want to use Mexico as a transit point on the way to the United States. A large number, but not all. There are also ordinary visitors who suffer because of this. On the other hand, Mexico must understand that while remaining almost the only «resort» a country in the world where there are no formal restrictions on entry due to the requirements of the epidemic, itself attracts guest powers from all over the world. Including those who, in a different situation, would have chosen a completely different country for their vacation. However, the Mexican migration service has a special attitude towards citizens of the republics of Transcaucasia and Central Asia.
About electronic permission
Citizens of Russia, Ukraine and Turkey need to obtain a free electronic permit to enter Mexico. But if at the same time you were born in one of the countries of Transcaucasia or Central Asia, we always advised you to apply for a Mexico visa, and not an electronic permit. Formally, Russian citizens born in other countries have the right to enter Mexico with an electronic permit. In fact, the number of entry denials to such citizens is noticeably higher.
Another trend we noted — refusals of the Mexican consulates in Kyiv and Moscow to accept visa documents from citizens of these countries. Consular officials report that they are not able to accept documentation, since for a single entry it is enough to issue an electronic permit. These excuses are illegal and require persistence to get around them.
In addition, a Mexico visa does not guarantee 100% entry into the country. At the same time, refusing to issue it will allow you to receive an answer in advance, and not upon arrival, whether you will be allowed into Mexico. If you receive it, the questions of checking your financial solvency when entering Mexico will be removed. Mexico's immigration rules do not require a second review of travel finances for Mexican visa holders, since you have already completed this review when you received your visa. One less lead for Mexico's immigration authorities.
In the context of the coronavirus epidemic, Mexican consulates in some countries have the right not to accept visitors or issue visas. You will have to accept this and wait until the consulates resume work. Or go get a US, Canadian, Schengen, UK or Japanese visa, which is often much more difficult.
Where to buy a Mexico visa
Not every country has a Mexican consulate. The choice of consulate for obtaining a Mexico visa should be the following. If you have citizenship or a residence permit (or its equivalent) in the country where there is a consulate, you have the right to open a visa there. If not, please select the appropriate consular office from the table below. Exceptions are possible. In particular, some Mexican resident visas are allowed to be opened in any country in the world where there is a consular department; family members have the right to apply for a visa in the country where it will be opened by the head of the family, and others.
| Citizenship | Consular Section of Mexico: | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moscow, Russian Federation | Baku, Azerbaijan | Istanbul, Türkiye* | Tehran, Iran | |
| Armenia | + | |||
| Azerbaijan | + | + | ||
| Georgia | + | |||
| Kazakhstan | + | |||
| Kyrgyzstan | + | |||
| Tajikistan | + | |||
| Turkmenistan | + | |||
| Uzbekistan | + | |||
* The Consular Section of the Mexican Embassy in Ankara, Türkiye, only serves Turkish citizens and foreigners who have a residence permit in this country.
To open a Mexico visa in Moscow you need to have one of three documents:
- resident status in Russia,
- temporary residence permit (TRP) with registration by the Federal Migration Service at the place of residence,
- long-term Russian visa.
In some cases, you can apply for a Mexico visa through an accredited travel agency, for example, when a Belarusian applies for a visa in Moscow. Then fingerprints are placed on the application form when filling it out in advance, and personal presence is not necessary. When this does not work with citizens of the countries of Transcaucasia and Central Asia. They only ever require personal submission, which involves a fingerprinting process. We also have the right to check the authenticity of the signature on the form.
If you think that you can get a visa in Moscow instead of going to Ankara, Istanbul or Tehran, you are mistaken. Mexican consulates are very strict about ensuring that their territorial powers are not violated. They have the right to make exceptions only when consulates in other countries are closed for quarantine.
Sometimes it is permissible to read advertisements for assistance in obtaining a Mexican visa in Istanbul. The need for personal submission significantly reduces the advisability of attracting outside help. Most often, they will prepare a package of papers for you to submit or simply fill out an application form.
There are no tours to Mexico from most countries of Transcaucasia and Central Asia and never have been. Even if you buy a tour from Russia or another country, this will not give any guarantee that you will be granted a Mexico visa for a tourist trip. To successfully obtain a visa, you need to have more serious reasons than tourism. Such grounds may include an invitation from a Mexican company with guarantees to cover your expenses, or an invitation for treatment from a Mexican clinic or medical practitioner. All these invitations must be properly issued and registered with the relevant Mexican authorities and registries, because they will be checked.
We wrote about other criteria for obtaining a Mexico visa in thisarticle.
In many cases, it will be easier for citizens of the countries of Transcaucasia and Central Asia to obtainSchengen multi-visa type C, which in addition even has the option to enter Mexico. There are consulates of EU countries in every country and there are many agencies offering services for obtaining such a visa. However, the requirement for personal submission still remains, since you must go through the fingerprinting procedure.
About entering Mexico
Neither an electronic permit nor any visa provides a 100% guarantee of hassle-free entry into Mexico. With a Schengen visa the chances are the same. A convincing explanation to the migration officer that the purpose of your trip is considered to be tourism will play a decisive role. We have written more than once that it is imperative to have a return ticket, a hotel or accommodation reservation, enough money for the entire period of your stay in Mexico and be able to clearly describe the plan for your holiday in the country as a tourist.
But what really works is an invitation from a Mexican doctor or medical institution to undergo treatment in Mexico. Read about ithere.
According to existing opinion, entry is more often denied upon arrival in Mexico City, less often — to Cancun. We cannot confirm whether this is true or not, but you can check from your own experience.
And one last thing. If you have problems entering Mexico, no lawyers or money will be available to you after the fact. It is necessary to negotiate with lawyers in advance, because after acquiring a refusal of entry, time will go by in minutes. Prepare for the trip in advance, stock up on the maximum number of reliable documents, be confident in yourself, and everything will work out for you. Or hold off on traveling to Mexico until better times.