Business trip for less than 30 days
Business trip for more than 30 days

Business trip for less than 30 days

If you are a Canadian citizen and your visit to Mexico is exclusively for business purposes (business meetings, marketing, importation of Mexican goods to Canada, participation in trade exhibits, consulting and staff support), you do not intend to enter the local job market and your stay in Mexico will be for a maximum of 30 days, according to NAFTA you do not require a visa. Instead, you must obtain a business/tourist card at any of our Consulates in Canada or at the port of entry to Mexico, by presenting the following:

1. Proof of Canadian citizenship:

• Valid passport (the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade highly recommends Canadians travel with a passport), or
  
  
• Original birth certificate, citizenship card (naturalization certificate), notarized affidavit of citizenship (a statement under oath before a notary public) in addition to photo ID, such as a driver's licence.

2. A letter from your company explaining the purpose of the trip, stating that the employer will cover the employee's salary and expenses while in Mexico, and listing the companies and cities to be visited.

Please be aware that foreigners visiting Mexico must pay a tax fee. When travelling by plane, the US$20.00 fee is included in the airplane ticket. When travelling by car, this tax will be charged at the port of entry.

 

Business trip for more than 30 days

If you are travelling to Mexico exclusively for business purposes (business meetings, marketing, importation of Mexican goods to Canada, participation in trade exhibits, consulting and staff support) and your stay will be longer than 30 days, an FM-3 card must be obtained from the Mexican Consular office nearest the applicant's place of residence. This allows the applicant to remain in Mexico for a maximum period of one year with multiple entries. The duration of the FM-3 card may be extended.

To apply for an FM-3 card, please provide the following:

• A completed application form.

• A valid passport (good for at least 6 months).

• A letter from the company addressed to the "Embassy of Mexico" requesting the visa for its employee. The letter should explain the purpose of the trip in addition to stating the obligation of the employer to pay the employee’s salary and all expenses. Please also include the companies and cities to be visited.

• A letter from the company in Mexico, explaining the specific activities to be performed by the applicant, and confirming the information provided by the sending company (regarding salaries, etc.)
  
  

• Two recent, passport-size photos (1.5 sq. in., no eyeglasses).

• A consular fee equivalent to US$98.00 in Canadian funds. (please consider that our consular fees change the first working day of the month, according to the rate of exchange between the US and Canadian dollars).