Cancun Entry Changes

To enter Mexico, you need a valid passport. Simple as that. This goes for our friends in both the United States and Canada. Now, you might have heard of a “six-month validity rule,” where your passport needs to be valid for at least six months after your travel date. While that’s a great rule of thumb for international travel, Mexico itself doesn’t officially enforce it. They just require your passport to be valid for the duration of your stay.

However, your airline might have its own rules and could deny you boarding if your passport is cutting it close. The bottom line? If your passport expires within six months of your trip, play it safe and renew it. You don’t want your vacation to end at the check-in counter.

The Onward Ticket Rule: What’s Changed?

The rule itself isn’t new—it has been part of Mexico’s immigration law for years. What is new is the strict enforcement by the airlines themselves. The official requirement is simple: All foreign visitors who are not legal residents of Mexico must have proof of a return or onward ticket.

This means if you arrive at the airport with only a one-way ticket to Cancún, the airline now has the right—and the motivation—to stop you from getting on the plane. The proof can be your round-trip flight ticket or a separate ticket showing you are leaving Mexico for any other country.

The reason for the sudden change? According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which governs airline travel globally, carriers are liable for significant financial penalties and repatriation costs if they transport a passenger who is ultimately found inadmissible by the destination country’s immigration authorities.

The 180-Day Myth

For years, travelers arriving in Cancun were almost automatically stamped in for a 180-day stay. The new reality is that the length of your stay is entirely at the discretion of the immigration officer. If you’re spending one or two weeks, the officer will see your return ticket, ask how long you’re staying, and likely give you a 15 or 30-day stamp, which is more than enough. However, if you’re planning a longer stay or arriving on a one-way ticket, you can’t assume you’ll get the full 180 days. The agent might ask for more proof of your plans and assign a shorter stay. Your best bet is to be prepared with a printout of your return flight and proof of accommodation.

The Visitax Question

This mandatory tourist tax for the state of Quintana Roo (where Cancun is located) is not new, but the online chatter about it is more confusing than ever. Let’s be clear: Yes, the Visitax is mandatory. You’ll hear plenty of people on forums saying, “I never paid and nobody asked.” For a while, that was common. But officials are cracking down, and we’re seeing more random checks at the airport upon departure.

Skipping the tax is playing travel roulette. If you’re asked to show proof of payment and can’t, you could face departure delays while you scramble to pay on the spot, or even get a “mark” in your digital passport file that could cause headaches on future trips.

Think of it as your small contribution to the beautiful state you’re about to enjoy. It’s easy, fast, and at around $271 MXN (about $20 CAD or $15 USD), it’s cheaper than a round of drinks at the airport.

Only use the official government website: VISITAX.gob.mx. Do not use third-party sites that charge extra fees. You can pay before you travel or during your stay. Once paid, you’ll get a QR code. Screenshot it, and you’re good to go.