Do you need an onward ticket when flying into Mexico in 2024? (2024)

Do you need an onward ticket?

Now this question gets asked a LOT. Do you really need an onward ticket when flying into Mexico? Well, the answer is NO… and YES. A little confusing? It all depends on which airline you fly with. Let me explain.

So the real answer is NO, you don’t need an onward ticket. The immigration entering Mexico is quite relaxed. I’ve never had a problem entering and getting my 180-day tourist visa on arrival. I’ve been doing it for 4 years. I just say I’m travelling around and going to be heading to Guatemala in a few months. I’ve got money to travel and have no plans to work. It’s all pretty easy.

The YES part of the onward ticket debacle was when they didn’t let me check-in in Australia because I didn’t have an onward ticket to leave Mexico. Even though I explained to them that I’d been to Mexico 5 times in the last couple of years and it’s all fine. Because of some airlines’ strict regulations, a last-minute rush to find the cheapest flight I could out of Mexico for about $100 that I was never going to use, and show them my ticket. This airline was Virgin Australia.

Since then, 1 time I booked a $20 bus from Tijuana to San Diego and that was enough.

So to wrap it up, you should ring your airline before your departure date or before you buy your ticket. Because it’s the airlines’ rules and regulations that will determine if you need an onward ticket or not. Not the Mexican immigration.

I hope this has helped you out. Any questions, leave me a comment and I’ll happily answer them.

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10 Responses

  1. I am a portuguese citizen and I was denied boarding today with the airline AEROMEXICO for not having a ticket to leave mexico.
    My flight was from LIMA(peru) to MEXICO CITY. They did not refund my money or help me in any way, same for the website where i purchased the ticket MYTRIP. I just lost my money and had to to return to a hotel in LIMA and have to organize everything again from scratch.
    I also asked the staff of the other airline flying to mexico VOLARIS, they also told me they do not allow you to board if you dont have a ticket leaving from mexico. It seems more and more airlines are doing this, wich seems to be ilegitimate because the requirements to enter mexico can only be enforced by mexican authorities at their border, and not by airlines. Airlines do not have authority to deny you boarding, let alone to keep your money and claim you did not comply with the requirements.

    Reply

  2. A group of eight Belizeans including myself was flying from Back to Mexico from Bogota. We had all originally entered Mexico from Belize through the land boarder in our cars. We parked our cars at the Cancun Airport and then flew out from Cancun to Colombia. On our return Journey the Airlines denied us to get on the flight. They wanted us to present proof by means of a ticket that we would not stay in Mexico. They forced us to by nine tickets from Cancun to Belize. Tickets we never used since our vehicles were parked in Cancun. What can we do about this? Sue the airlines. We spent over 3000 dollars in these tickets

    1. Hi Roque,

      Sorry this happened to you. I’m planning on going to Medellin via Tijuana and I was wondering if I need a return flight which was your case. Do you know what airline it was?

      Reply

      1. Hi, how much did your tickets cost to flight to Medellin if you don’t mind me asking, and what airline did you used?

        Sincerely,

        Carlos

        Reply

  3. My sister wants to travel from Uruguay to Mexico, but she is confused because someone told her she need to buy a return ticket before she can travel to Mexico, is this true

    Reply

  4. Update. I just flew into Mexico City from the US (I’m a US Citizen). I had a one-way ticket. Immigration asked for my return ticket, which I don’t have. They said since I don’t have a return ticket, I can only stay for 7 days.

    Reply

  5. Hey, so In a few days I’m flying to Bangkok and with no outbound flight I do have a outbound flight from Singapore though would this count or not? What do you think? Plus the out bound flight is after the 30 day visa

    Reply

  6. We use https://www.onwardticketvisa.com .
    Simple,fast and efficient. Response time is awesome.
    Highly recommended.
    It was very easy to communicate with them because they have a live chat available. They are very cheap price also .

    Reply

  7. Do a one-way ticket ok to go from Lisbon to Mexico with air Europa holding a British passport ?

    Reply

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Do you need an onward ticket when flying into Mexico in 2024? (2024)

FAQs

Do you need an onward ticket when flying into Mexico in 2024? ›

So the real answer is NO, you don't need an onward ticket. The immigration entering Mexico is quite relaxed.

Do I need proof of onward travel for Mexico? ›

Accommodation, funds and proof of departure

Mexican immigration officials may ask to see proof of your departure plans from Mexico before allowing you into Mexico. You may also need to: show proof of your accommodation, for example, a hotel booking confirmation. prove that you have enough money for your stay.

Do you need a return ticket when flying to Mexico? ›

Flights to Mexico

Foreigners must also present the Multiple Immigration Form, a.k.a tourist card or tourist permit, and your return ticket.

What forms do I need to enter Mexico by air? ›

To enter Mexico, you must have the following documents:
  • A valid passport or travel document. ...
  • A properly completed Multiple Digital Migration Form (FMMd). ...
  • Mexican immigration officers at the port of entry may request additional documents depending on the purpose/activity of your trip.

Can I fly within Mexico without a passport in 2024? ›

Flying Into/Out of Mexico

US citizens of any age flying to or from Mexico must have a US passport book, no exceptions.

Do you need an exit ticket to enter Mexico? ›

Let me explain. So the real answer is NO, you don't need an onward ticket. The immigration entering Mexico is quite relaxed. I've never had a problem entering and getting my 180-day tourist visa on arrival.

Do you need an e ticket to get into Mexico? ›

IMPORTANT - ALL International Visitors to Mexico must obtain a Digital Tourist Card - NO EXCEPTIONS - The Tourist Card is issued depending on your citizenship, passport information, visa requirements, and airport of entry. NEW ADVISORY 2024: Some airports require a PRINTED copy of your Tourist Card.

What are the rules for flying to Mexico from us? ›

All citizens of the United States must present a valid passport when entering Mexican territory by any means of transportation. There are no exceptions for minors. Stays less than 72 hours within the border area, do not require an Official Entry Immigration Form (FMM).

What documents do I need to fly within Mexico? ›

Flights within Mexico
  • Mexicans must present a valid photo ID: ■ IFE/INE* ■ Passport. ■ Professional license. ■ IMSS or ISSSTE card. ...
  • Foreigners must present a valid photo ID: ■ Passport. ■ Residency. ■ Another official photo ID.
  • Minors may present any of the following: ■ Birth certificate. ■ Passport. Flights to Mexico.

What documents do I need to fly back to the US from Mexico? ›

All U.S. citizens need U.S. passport books if re-entering by air. Land and sea border crossings accept additional travel documents, such as U.S. Passport cards and Trusted Traveler cards. Child travelers have additional options - see the Traveling with Children section.

Is there a travel advisory for Cancun, Mexico in 2024? ›

Cancun is part of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, which is labeled as Exercise Increased Caution. So, it's not the safest place, but it's not bad enough to reconsider traveling there at all.

What do I need to declare when flying to Mexico? ›

If you enter or leave Mexico, you must declare any sum of money equaling US$10,000 or more that you bring in cash, checks, money orders, other cashable documents or a combination of them. Failing to declare carries a fine ranging from 20% to 40% of the exceeding amount.

Do you have to declare prescription drugs at customs in Mexico? ›

Travelers are allowed to take their medications as part of their baggage and duty free allowance. If the medications contain psychotropic substances, a prescription from the doctor will be required, along with a certified translation into English or Spanish. No vaccines are required to enter Mexico.

Can you fly to Mexico without a return flight? ›

Booking one-way flights to Mexico are common among passengers who are looking for a permanent relocation or for the freedom to be flexible with return dates. With a one-way ticket to Mexico, you can stay for as long as you want without the worry of a return date.

Can I use a real ID instead of a passport? ›

Q: Do I need a passport if I have a REAL ID? If you are traveling internationally you will still need your passport. If you are traveling domestically, you will only need one valid form of identification – either your REAL ID or another acceptable alternative such as a passport, not both.

Can I use my birth certificate to come back from Mexico? ›

In a nutshell, U.S. and Canadian citizens older than 16 years old have to show a passport, passport card or another accepted document to cross back into the U.S. Children under 16 may show an original or copy of their birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Naturalization Certificate, a Canadian ...

When Travelling to Mexico What documents are required? ›

Required documents. To enter Mexico, you must present a valid passport and a duly completed tourist card (Multiple Immigration Form).

What countries require proof of onward travel? ›

Proof of onward travel is typically shown in the form of a booked flight itinerary from the country you're visiting to another country. It doesn't have to be back to your homeland, simply an onward ticket out of the country.

Do I need a return ticket to enter Mexico on Reddit? ›

From what I've found online, the requirements for US citizens are a passport, return flight ticket, documentation of hotel reservations, and a visitor's permit (which apparently is usually provided by the airline).

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