Final Checks

Final Pre-Departure Checklist for Mexico

What to check before you leave for Mexico, and what to do after you land. Money in Mexico is in Mexican pesos (MXN).

Pre-Departure Checklist

Documents

Complete

Travel

In Progress

Money

Pending

After Landing

Pending

Pro Tips:

Keep these in your carry-on bag: your passport with your student visa, your acceptance letter and your money papers.

Final Pre-Departure Preparation

Use this list in the weeks before you fly and in the first weeks after you land.

Why This Checklist Is Essential

A missing paper at the airport can stop your entry.
If you go to the INM more than 30 days after you land, you break the rule.

When To Complete This Checklist

Before you fly: Check your visa dates: it lets you enter once, within 180 days of the date it was issued.
At the airport: Hand in your FMM (the entry form) to the immigration officer.
Within 30 days of landing: Go to the National Migration Institute (INM, Mexico's immigration office) and get your student residence card. It lets you live in Mexico as a student.

Comprehensive Checklist

Documents Checklist

Visa and passport

Passport

Your passport must not have run out and must not be damaged. The Mexican embassy or consulate (the office that gives visas) will not put a visa in a damaged passport.

Student visa

It lets you enter Mexico once, within 180 days of the date it was issued.

Study papers

Acceptance letter

Shows your course, dates and tuition cost.

Money papers

Income or bank papers for the last 3 months.

Baggage Allowances

Carry-On Essentials

Passport with your student visa
Acceptance letter
Money papers
A pen to fill in your FMM form

Initial Financial Planning

Documents for Financial Setup

Show one of these for the last 3 months: monthly income, after tax, of more than 220 UMA days, or an average monthly bank balance of 2,290 UMA days. UMA is a daily amount the Mexican government uses to set money rules. In 2026 one UMA day is MXN 117.31.