The FMN is the Mexican travel document for U.S. and Canadian citizens, used for those considered under Chapter 16 of the NAFTA treaty: business, visitors, traders and/or investors, intra-company transferees, and professionals.

The FM-N is a permit to enter Mexico and allows a stay for up to 30 days. This entry permit may be obtained at Mexican Embassies and Consulates within the U.S. and Canada, or at the port of entry with immigration officers.

Requirements:
1. The traveler must present any of the following documents: valid passport or original birth certificate and an ID.
2. Proof that the person traveling is engaged in international business activities with México, and he/she will receive his/her income form the United States. This implies a letter of the company were you work or from the company that invite you.
3. There is no fee for this permit.

Those who decide to travel to México with the FMN and wish to stay over the authorized period of 30 days, must replace their FM-N form with an FM-3 form at the National Institute for Immigration (headquarters or branch offices within the Republic). The FM-3 is valid for a period of up to one year, for multiple entries, and may be extended. The FM-N form is not valid for persons who will be earning a salary during their stay in Mexico.

A visa is not required for a tourist that stay up to 180 days.

Tourist entering Mexico for purposes other than tourism require a visa and must carry a valid U.S. passport.

The Government of Mexico charges an entry fee of $15.00 per person to U.S. citizens traveling further than the 25 miles limit.

Some companies will not allow you to enter if you do not bring a valid work permit.

Minors require notarized consent from both parents if traveling alone or in someone else custody, or from the absent parent if traveling with only one parent.

Mexican regulations limit the value of goods brought into Mexico by U.S. citizens arriving by air or sea to $300 per person and by land to $50 per person. Amounts exceeding the duty-free limit are subject to a 32.8 percent tax.

Upon arrival in Mexico, business travelers must complete a form (Form FM-N 30 days) authorizing the conduct of business, but not employment, for a 30-day period. U.S. citizens planning to participate in humanitarian aid missions, human rights advocacy groups or international observer delegations must contact the Mexican Embassy nor nearest Mexican consulate for guidance on how to obtain the correct visa before your trip to Mexico.

What You May Bring Into Mexico
Tourists should enter Mexico with only the items needed for their trip. Entering with large quantities of an item a tourist might not normally be expected to have, particularly expensive appliances, such as televisions, stereos or other items, may lead to suspicion of smuggling and possible confiscation of the items and arrest of the individual.

Unless you prepare ahead, you may have difficulty bringing computers or other expensive electronic equipment into Mexico for your personal use. To prevent being charged an import tax, write a statement about your intention to use the equipment for personal use and to remove it from Mexico when you leave. Have this statement signed and certified at a Mexican consulate in the United States and present it to Mexican customs as you enter Mexico. Land travelers should verify from Mexican customs at the border that all items in their possession may be legally brought into Mexico. You will be subject to a second immigration and customs inspection south of the Mexican border where unlawful items may be seized and you could be prosecuted regardless of whether or not the items passed through the initial customs inspection. Guns and ammunition cannot be brought into Mexico without a permit from a Mexican Consulate in the United States.

Back to the United States
You must present the pink copy of your tourist card at your point of departure from Mexico. If you are returning by motor vehicle, you will need to show your vehicle import permit when you cross the border. At the time of publication, the airport departure tax is $10 or the equivalent in Mexican currency for those returning by commercial airline. The U.S. Customs Service currently permits U.S. citizens returning from international travel to bring back $400 worth of merchandise, including 1 liter of alcohol, duty free. The next $1,000 worth of items brought back is subject to a duty of 10%. In addition to U.S. Customs regulations, be aware that some U.S. border states (most notably, Texas) have imposed state restrictions on liquor, wine and beer imports from Mexico. If you are planning to bring back alcoholic beverages, inquire about these restrictions from the liquor control office of the state through which you plan to return.