Mexico Entry Requirements for Australian Citizens
If you're an Australian citizen planning to visit Mexico, there are several important entry requirements for Mexico to be aware of.
In this post, you’ll find all the information you need to help you prepare for your trip, including visa and passport requirements for Australians, and which tourist taxes you must pay to visit Mexico.
What Are the Requirements for Australians Visiting Mexico?
To visit Mexico, you must have:
- Valid Australian passport
- Mexico Tourist Card
- Return flight or onward travel tickets
You may also be asked to show proof of your accommodation, such as a hotel booking, or an invitation letter if staying with friends or family.
Important: If you’re visiting the Quintana Roo region of Mexico, you must also pay the Visitax. It’s a type of tourist levy that must be paid by all foreign visitors.
What passport rules for travel to Mexico apply to Australians?
Mexican authorities require your Australian passport to be valid for at least the length of your trip.
As most airlines require a minimum of 6 months’ passport validity, you’re recommended to renew your passport before arranging travel to Mexico if it’s due to expire soon. Make an online renewal application with the Australian Passport Office.
Reminder: If your flight to Mexico includes a stopover in another country, remember to check the local visa and passport requirements for transit passengers.
Do Australians need a visa for Mexico?
Australian citizens do not need a visa for short visits to Mexico — trips of 180 days or less.
The visa exemption applies to tourists, business travelers, and those visiting friends or relatives. If you’re transiting through Mexico, you may stay for up to 30 days.
To stay in the country for longer than 180 days, you must get a Mexican visa for Australian citizens. If you want to work or study during your stay, you must apply for the right type of visa at a Mexican embassy.
Do Australians need a Mexico Tourist Card?
The Tourist Card for Mexico is a mandatory entry requirement for all foreign travelers, Australians included.
Here’s some important information on how to get your FMM for Mexico:
| How You Travel | How to Apply | How Much You Pay |
| Entry to Mexico by air travel
(From any country) |
Complete a paper form on arrival |
|
| Entry to Mexico by boat
(From any country, including cruise ship passengers) |
Complete a paper form on arrival |
|
| Entry to Mexico by land
(Via border crossings in the U.S., Guatemala, and Belize) |
Complete a paper form on arrival, or apply online in advance |
|
If your Tourist Card fee is not included in your transport ticket, you’ll be required to pay on arrival when completing your paper form. It's not possible to pay in cash — only credit and debit card payments are accepted.
You must keep your completed Tourist Card after being processed through immigration controls. You’ll be required to present it when leaving Mexico as proof you have not overstayed your permitted time in the country.
Update: Mexican authorities are gradually reducing the use of paper FMM forms. Instead of being asked to complete a form, your passport may be stamped to show your entry date to Mexico.
Which tourist taxes do Australian citizens have to pay in Mexico?
The Mexico Tourist Card is the only fee that applies to all foreign travelers visiting the country. Check if this levy is included in your fare when making your flight or ship booking. If not, you’ll be required to pay on arrival.
Depending on which region of Mexico you visit, you may be due to pay additional taxes for tourists. If you’re visiting popular destinations like Cancun or Tulum, you must pay the Visitax for Quintana Roo State. You can use our simplify form for the Visitax here:
Additional Requirements for Australian Nationals Visiting Mexico
Vaccine and health regulations for travelers to Mexico
There are no mandatory vaccine entry requirements for Australian citizens visiting Mexico. However, you’re advised to check that you’re up-to-date with all routine vaccinations before traveling.
You’re also recommended to take out comprehensive travel insurance in case you need medical attention during your stay.
If you need to bring medication with you to Mexico, make sure it’s in its original packaging. You’ll also need a signed letter from your doctor. You should only carry enough medication for your trip.
Are there any customs restrictions in Mexico for Australian citizens?
Australian travelers can bring personal items into Mexico without any customs fees, as long as they meet the permitted allowances. You can check the customs rules for Mexico here.
You’re recommended to carry sales receipts of any technology, or other expensive items to prove their cost value.
If you bring any goods into Mexico that exceed these limits, you’ll be required to complete a customs declaration and pay the appropriate duty tax.
Consular Services for Australians in Mexico
If you are visiting Playa del Carmen, or another area in Quintana Roo State, you must pay the Visitax for tourists. Pay the levy with MX Visitax Pro, and opt in for our Embassy Registration service for Australian citizens.
There’s no need to fill in any extra forms — simply check the Embassy Registration box when paying your Visitax, and we’ll contact the Australian Embassy in Mexico on your behalf.
Registering means you’ll get any important updates from the Australian government during your trip. It also helps you get in touch with friends and family in the event of an emergency, and gives you easy access to consular assistance.
Australian Embassy in Mexico
Here are the details of the Australian Embassy in Mexico City:
Address:
Avenida Paseo de la Reforma 389,
Colonia Cuauhtémoc,
06500 Mexico City,
Mexico
Phone Number:
+52 55110 12200
The embassy can assist with lost passports, emergency travel documents, and general consular services during your stay.