Visiting Mexico

Inmigration requeriments by individual upon arrival in México by sea on a private vessel

• ALL foreigners traveling to Mexico, including U.S. citizens, are now required to carry a valid and current passport to enter Mexico. Non-Mexicans from certain countries may also require a Visa. Contact a Mexican Consulate for a list of these countries or: http://www.sre.gob.mx/index.php/representaciones/consulados-de-mexico-en-el-exterior.
• When arriving at your first Mexican port of entry you will need to check-in at the local inmigration office and show you passport, each crew member will need to fill out an entry permit, now called an FMM an pay $390.00 Mexican Pesos per person at the bank.
• You may also pre-pay the inmigration service fee online prior to your departure ro Mexico, or before visiting the local inmmigration office at the first Mexican port. SEE PREVIUS SECTION “STEP ONE” ON HOW TO DO THIS.

Inmigration requeriments by individual upon arrival in México by sea on a private vessel

• Forma Migratoria Multiple loosley translates into “Multiple Inmmigration Form.”
• It is simply know as FMM, and is the permit form required to enter Mexico by boat and whether you go ashore or not.
  Each person must fill an FMM upon arrival.

Vessel documentation requirements

• Every vessel entering Mexico must carry ORIGINAL current Vessel Documentation or Registration that proves ownership; this means Federally Documented vessels will need to present a USCG Certificte of Documentation and undocumented vessels will need to have a valid State Registration. Foreign flag vessels from Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Republic of Marshall Islands, Japan, etc., will require a current Certificate of Registry.
• All vessels registered under a Corporation or LLC are required to have an original notarized letter onboard authorizing the Master or Representative to operate the vessel.

Temporary import permit for vessels (TIP)

All vessels are required to have a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) when in Mexico. The ORIGINAL TIP must be on board the vessel at all times.

In the vessel does not have a temporary Import Permit “TIP” on board, or fails to exit Mexico prior to it´s expiration, the vessel will be considered to be in Mexican territory ilegally and may be subjet to fines and/or confiscation by Customs Authorities.
Temporarily Imported Vessels cannot be sold in Mexico and chartering requires Mexican permits.

A TIP may be obtained from the following sources:

• Online prior to you departure for Mexico. Apply between 60 and sevend days before you depart at https://www.banjercito.com.mx/registroVehiculos/
• At the first Mexican official port of entry in Mexico, available at any Banjercito CIITEV office at one of the following Mexican ports of entry, as well as border entry ports:
  • Acapulco
  • Mazatlán
  • Ensenada
  • Manzanillo
  • Guaymas
  • Puerto Vallarta
  • La Paz
  • Salina Cruz
  • Puerto Juárez
  • Veracruz
  • Pichilingue
  • Tampico
  • Lazaro Cardenas
  • Coatzacualcos
  • Cancún

Note: There isn´t a Banjército Office in Cabo San Lucas; therefore it is recommended to use Ensenada, Baja California, as your first Port of Entry if coming into Mexico from the West Coast of the U.S.

• You may also acquire the TIP at the following Mexican Consulates:
  • CALIFORNIA: Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Bernardino
  • ARIZONA: Phoenix
  • TEXAS: Dallas / Fort Worth, Houston, Austin
  • COLORADO: Denver
  • ILLINOIS: Chicago
  • NEW MEXICO: Albuquerque

CLEARING INTO MEXICO FOR THE FIRST TIME

A vessel must clear-in when entering Mexico at the first offical port of entry.
The clear-in process is as follows:

• • Complete the Crew List Document.
• • Got to the inmmigration office and get the Crew List properly stamped and have FMMs (Forma Migratoria Multiple) issued for all passengers.
• • Go to the Port Captain’s Office with the completed form to pay the Clear.in fee and have the document duly authorized and stamped. In some ports you may be required to pay a Port Use Fee with the API (Port Administrator).

CLEARING OUT OF MEXICO

A vessel must clear-out when leaving Mexico at the last official port of exit
The clear-in process is as follows:

• • Complete the Crew list exiting Mexico (Zarpe).
• • Go to the Inmigration office to get the crew list stamped and surrender the FMM forms.
• Go to the Port Captain’s office to pay the Vessel’s Check out fees and have the crew list stamped with the authorization to exit the country of Mexico.

CLEARING INTO AND OUT OF PORTS WITHIN MEXICO (”CABOTAGE”)

• • If you are navigatinf from one Mexican port to another, all that you will require is that you inform the Harbor Master or marina of your arrival or departure by means of an “Aviso” (notification).
• • Depending on the Harbor Master’s office, some may require a written notification, while others allow a verbal one via VHF, channel 16.
• • In some ports you must pay a Port Use Fee when arriving and anchoring (if you anchor out). These fees are paid to the API. (The port administration).

Fishing Licenses

IF YOU CARRY FISHING GEAR ONBOARD, EACH AND EVERY PERSON ON BOARD MUST HAVE A VALID FISHING LICENCE.

Now you can carry out the processing of payment of service fees and for electronic use related to authorizations, concessions or fishing permits and aquaculture to the Internet.
As of February 24, 2012, the payment of Rights, Products and Exploitation will be made with a Credit Card in the branches and in the BANAMEX banking portal.
Register Payment
Register the payment of rights looking for it with the RFC, CURP or ID (in the case of foreigners).
Register payment
Sport fishing
Practice sport fishing, freely and responsibly, get the individual fishing permit from $ 700.00 per year.
Obtain permission
Registration form

Another very informative site including fishing tournaments and events, plus a lot more about fishing in Mexico is:
pescadeportiva.conapesca.sagarpa.gob.mx:82
Regardless of where the licenses are purchased they are valid for use anywhere within territorial Mexican waters.