Mexico and the Philippines share a lot of similarities, so much that it’ll take days, even months, to list them down one by one. For a Filipino visiting Mexico, this spells out ease of travel at its best. But another thing that you might find totally satisfying about travelling to the land of tacos and tequilas? It’s possible to visit Mexico without a Mexican visa from the Philippines!
Mexico entry for Filipinos without a Mexican visa
For the well-travelled, this is most probably an open secret that’s accessible by anyone who’s spent hours doing their pre-travel research online. But if you have yet to find out more about this fascinating fun fact, here’s what you should know about travelling to Mexico without the need to apply for a Mexican visa.
Also read: Transit Without Visa: Countries Offering Free Transit For Filipinos
Valid visas to other countries
The first option requires a valid visa or proof of residence to these places: Canada, Japan, Schengen, the United Kingdom, or the United States of America. This applies to all passengers, including Philippine passport holders, travelling to Mexico for business, tourism, or transit. Also, it doesn’t matter if you’re arriving by air, sea, or land!
To enter Mexico without a Mexican visa, simply prepare your passport containing the visa stamp or sticker for any of the above destinations. You can then stay in Mexico for up to 180 days visa-free. Among those places, Japan has the easiest process and the highest probability of granting you a visa. Note that this only works if the Japan visa at hand allows multiple entries.
Cruise ship to Mexico
If you don’t have those visas, an alternative is to travel to Mexico by sea. Specifically, aboard a cruise ship. Like with most cruise travels, this allows you to dock in Mexico without a Mexican visa, but for a limited time only. Furthermore, there’s not a lot of direct cruise options to Mexico from Asia, let alone the Philippines. This means you’ll need to travel overseas to get on a ship.
Otherwise, here’s what you’ll need
If the above options don’t at all seem feasible to you, then you can also try your luck at applying for a Mexican visa for Filipinos. Take note that compared to other visas for Filipino travellers, a Mexican visa comes with several, and often very specific, requirements. What you’ll need are the following:
- Duly accomplished Mexico visa application form
- Original and photocopy of passport valid for at least six months
- Two 1.5 x 1.5 ID pictures with white background
- One valid identification card
- One valid international credit card
- Updated bank books or passbooks
- Bank certificate addressed to the Mexican Embassy in Manila
- Bank statements for the last three months
- Paid credit card statements for the last three months
- Income Tax Return (for employed) or business owner certificates (for self-employed)
- Marriage certificate (for married)
- Employment certificate
- Consular interview
Also read: 10 Best Things to Do & Places to Visit in Mexico City
You must provide an original copy and photocopy of the documents proving your financial status or capability, which include the fifth up to the tenth items. If applying with children, you must also provide their birth certificate.
Once you have these, register and set an appointment via the Mexitel website or by calling their hotline number. With the documentary requirements, head to the Mexican Embassy in Manila on your appointment date for the interview. The embassy is located at 50 Legaspi Street, G.C. Corporate Plaza, Legazpi Village, Makati City. Pay the visa processing fee (around ₱1,800) and wait for the results.
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Facebook image credit (L-R): Tellez Erik; Lunamarinavia Canva Pro
