Mexican citizens will soon need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation before visiting Europe.
Until now, Mexican passport holders have been able to cross an external Schengen border without additional security checks. With the launch of ETIAS in 2022, this is about to change.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System is being introduced to boost security across the EU and, as visa-free travellers, Mexicans will need to apply. Fortunately, the ETIAS application is fast and efficient with many benefits from Mexican tourists.
Mexicans can find out everything they need to know about the upcoming changes to European visa waiver requirements below.
Will Mexican citizens need a visa for Europe?
No, Mexican citizens will not need a visa to visit the European Schengen Area for up to 90 days. Mexicans are eligible for the new ETIAS visa waiver which means they will continue to enjoy visa-free privileges when visiting Europe for tourism, business, or transit.
Although there are no new visa requirements for Mexicans, ETIAS will be mandatory shortly after it becomes available in 2022. Mexicans will need an approved visa waiver to cross the external Schengen Area border.
ETIAS for Mexicans is not a visa and is quicker and easier to obtain. The ETIAS application is fully online with no need to present paperwork in person at an embassy or consulate.
Documents required to obtain ETIAS for Mexican citizens
Mexican citizens need to meet a few basic ETIAS requirements to apply for the visa waiver. All Mexican nationals applying for ETIAS must have a valid Mexican passport in addition to:
- A debit or credit card to pay the ETIAS application processing fee
- A valid email address — all communication regarding the application will be sent via email, including updates on processing and the approved visa waiver
ETIAS application for Mexican citizens
In order to complete the ETIAS application for Mexican citizens, travellers must fill in and submit an online form which will be reviewed by European authorities and checked against relevant European security databases.
While this application process should only take around ten minutes, applicants are advised to thoroughly review the information they have provided before submitting their application. Any errors may result in a processing delay or the application being refused.
Information required to apply for ETIAS with a Mexican passport
Individuals applying for the ETIAS for Mexican Citizens should be prepared to provide the following information:
- Personal details such as full name, date and place of birth, and gender
- Contact details including current address, phone number, and email address
- Passport details including passport number, date of issue, place of issue, and expiry date
- Provisional itinerary/travel including the intended port of entry
When completing the ETIAS application for Mexican Citizens, travellers will also be asked to answer questions regarding their health record and criminal history.
Once approved, the ETIAS for Mexican Citizens will be sent to successful applicants via email.
It is predicted that the acceptance rate for ETIAS applications will be around 95%. However, travellers who have had their application rejected will receive an explanation via email. If this happens, applicants have the right to appeal the decision directly to the Schengen country in which their intended port of entry is located. Their appeal will then be processed according to the individual laws of the country in question.
How long does it take to get ETIAS from Mexico?
The vast majority of Mexican nationals who apply for an ETIAS for Mexican Citizens will have their applications approved in a matter of minutes, provided they have completed their ETIAS application for Mexican citizens fully and correctly.
However, application processing can occasionally take longer, so travellers with Mexican passport are advised to obtain their ETIAS in good time before they depart for the Schengen Area.
Travelling from Mexico to Europe with ETIAS
The approved ETIAS visa waiver is attached to the electronic chip inside the Mexican passport and verified by European authorities at the border.
After crossing the external Schengen border, Mexicans can travel to any of the 26 Schengen countries using the same permit: there are no internal borders in the travel zone.
This means that Mexicans can make the most of their trip to Europe by visiting popular Schengen destinations such as Spain, France, and Germany.
ETIAS is valid for 3 years, or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. The travel authorisation can be used for multiple trips to Europe during this validity period. The maximum stay permitted is 90 days per 180 days.
Mexicans can travel to the Schengen Area with ETIAS for tourism, business and transit. For other purposes, or to stay for longer than 90 days, a different permit or visa is required.