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BUSINESS VISITS TO MEXICO

1. Immigration Issues

To facilitate the entry of foreign investors, officials, professionals and technicians involved in any financial or economic activity in Mexico, authorities at the Mexican Consulates abroad are empowered to issue the corresponding visas. Citizens or legal permanent residents of Canada may remain in Mexico for a maximum period of 30 days by obtaining the FMN immigration form, free of charge. This form is extended to "business visitors", "directors", "technicians" and "transferred personnel". (For more specific information regarding visas please contact the Consulate in Canada at 613-233-6665.) The characteristics and requirements of this visa are as follows:

    a) Business Visitors A person looking for investment opportunities, or to carry out direct investment without employment authorization must present:

    • proof of citizenship;
    • documentation demonstrating that the person will be engaging in and describing the purpose of entry; and;
    • evidence that the activity is international in scope and that the person is not seeking to enter the local labor market.

    b) Traders and Investors A person involved in substantial trade of goods, services or investments will be granted temporary entry if she or he:

    • carries in substantial trade in goods, services or investments principally between the two countries;
    • establishes develops or provides advice or key technical services related to the operation of a substantial investment.

2. Intra-Company Transferees

These are foreigners hired by any parent company, subsidiary or affiliate aiming to perform managerial, executive or consulting duties in a Mexican company or who provide specialized knowledge on the activities of such company. A person employed by an enterprise that seeks to render services to that enterprise will be granted temporary entry. Authorities may require that the person be employed continuously by the enterprise for one year within the three-year period immediately proceeding the application date for admission.

3. Professionals

A person seeking to facilitate the exercise of a remunerated activity in any given private or public company must present:

  • proof of citizenship, and
  • documentation demonstrating that the person will be engaging in and describing the purpose of entry.

Each NAFTA country shall grant temporary entry to a businessperson that complies with existing immigration measures applicable to temporary entry.

The FMN Form may also be obtained directly from immigration personnel at any port of entry in Mexico, upon presentation of the previously mentioned documents. Before the 30-day term is over, visitors who require a longer stay may apply for an FM3 nonimmigrant visitor form, issued by the National Immigration Institute. The FM3 form authorizes the performance of uncompensated activities in the country for up to one year, subject to be renewed with payment of the corresponding duties.

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