Embassy
Embassy of Mexico in South Africa
570 Fehrsen Street
Mexico visa requirements for South African citizens
South African citizens need a visa for Mexico, from its embassy or consulate.
Passport
ZAF
South Africa
Going to
MEX
Mexico
Visa needed
Get this visa for tourism or another short visit without paid work.
- Visa
- Required
- Fee
- US$56
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
Make your trip easier
Do you already have any of these?
Some countries make entry easier if you hold a valid visa or residence permit from another country.
Special rules for South African citizens in Mexico
- Travellers who wish to visit Mexico (regardless of their nationality or itinerary), holding either a valid, multiple entry visa OR who are permanent residents of the United States, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom or the EU Schengen Space countries, DO NOT require a Mexican tourist visa.
- Dependent upon the immigration officer, the maximum period of stay authorised is 180 days at a time.
- Passport holders with less than six months validity may face difficulty when attempting to enter as a Business Visitor/ Tourist as they are usually permitted six months stay which might exceed the passport's validity.
What to do
Find Mexico's embassy or consulate that covers where you live.
Prepare the application form, photos, bank statements and travel bookings.
Book an appointment early; processing can take several weeks.
Get your Mexico visa sorted
A visa expert checks the rules and helps you apply. No payment now.
Ways into Mexico
Check visa-free entry first. Otherwise, get permission before travel.
Visa not requiredEntry with foreign visaA visa from certain countries lets you visit without a Mexican visa.
- Stay
- 180 days
- Fee
- Free
How to apply
- Check that your foreign visa qualifies and is valid.
- Carry your passport and foreign visa.
- Show both at check-in and on arrival.
Documents required
- Valid passport
- Canada, US, Japan, UK or Schengen visa
- Visit for tourism, business or transit without paid work in Mexico.
- An online travel approval is not a visa.
Visa not requiredEntry with permanent residencePermanent residence in certain countries lets you visit without a Mexican visa.
- Stay
- 180 days
- Fee
- Free
How to apply
- Check that your document proves qualifying permanent residence.
- Carry the original document and your passport.
- Show both at check-in and on arrival.
Documents required
- Valid passport
- Valid permanent residence document
- Accepted: Canada, US, Japan, UK, Schengen countries, Chile and Colombia; temporary residence does not qualify.
- Official rules differ on Peru residence; confirm before relying on it.
Visa requiredVisitor visaGet this visa for tourism or another short visit without paid work.
- Stay
- 180 days
- Fee
- US$56
- Processing
- 10 days
How to apply
- Check your visa office's document list.
- Book a visa appointment.
- Attend for checks, fingerprints, an interview and payment.
- Collect your visa if approved.
Documents required
- Valid original passport
- Visa form
- Photo
- Proof of legal stay, if needed
- Proof of funds, ties or invitation
- Fingerprints
- Interview
- Processing takes up to 10 working days; appointment waits are extra.
- Border staff decide your stay; you cannot do paid work in Mexico.
Visa requiredLong-validity visitor visaThis visa allows repeated short visits for people who meet special rules.
- Stay
- 180 days
- Valid for
- 3650 days
- Fee
- US$54
- Processing
- 10 days
- Entries
- Multiple
How to apply
- Gather proof that you qualify.
- Book a visa appointment.
- Attend for an interview, fingerprints and payment.
- Collect your visa if approved.
Documents required
- Valid original passport
- Proof of legal stay, if needed
- Proof that you qualify
- Fingerprints
- Interview
- Processing takes up to 10 working days.
- Each visit is limited to 180 days.
Sources (47)Last updated 11 November 2026
- National Institute of Migration: visa requirements, exemptions and entry documents
- National Institute of Migration: visa-exempt visitors and entry requirements
- Government immigration page: alternatives to a Mexican visa
- National Institute of Migration: visitor status for transit
- Interior Ministry: airport transit visa requirements
- Foreign Ministry: official Mexican visa guide
- Foreign Ministry: visa fees, processing and family procedures
- Foreign Ministry: visitor visa categories
- Foreign Ministry: standard visitor visa
- Foreign Ministry: long-validity visitor visa
- Foreign Ministry: study visa category
- Foreign Ministry: temporary resident student visa
- Foreign Ministry: employment visa categories
- Foreign Ministry: paid visitor visa
- Foreign Ministry: temporary residence through employment
- Foreign Ministry: residence and family categories
- Foreign Ministry: temporary family residence
- Foreign Ministry: permanent family residence
- Foreign Ministry: temporary residence
- Foreign Ministry: permanent residence
- Foreign Ministry: adoption visa category
- Foreign Ministry: adoption visitor visa
- Official electronic visa portal
- Official Electronic Authorization System application
- Mexican embassy brochure: electronic visa for Brazilian nationals
- Rio de Janeiro consulate: electronic visa from February 2026
- Rio de Janeiro consulate: visa exemptions and electronic travel authorizations
- Russia embassy: electronic authorization eligibility, fee and processing
- Austria embassy: air-only electronic authorization
- Norway embassy: electronic authorization and airline verification
- Sweden embassy: electronic authorization and authorized stay
- India embassy: visitor applications, exemptions and electronic visa requirements
- India embassy: business documents and appointment process
- Mexico's UK consular section: visitor exemptions
- Mexico's UK embassy: visa service signposting
- Mexico's US embassy: visa service signposting
- Kansas City consulate: exemptions and 2026 visa fees
- Vancouver consulate: visa-exempt nationality list
- Leamington consulate: passport validity and cruise permission
- Philippines embassy: foreign visa exemptions
- Swiss embassy: visitor visa validity and entries
- Spain embassy: paid visitor visa
- Spain embassy: appointments and consular processing
- Peru embassy: visa requirements and residence exemptions
- Peru embassy: family residence procedures
- Uruguay embassy: visas initiated through immigration
- Economy Ministry: visa exemption verification, updated January 2026
Embassies for this trip
Book an appointment before you go.
Coming from South Africa
- Plugs A BAdapter needed
- MoneyMXN $
- Time−10h
- DrivingOn the rightLook left first
- LanguageSpanish
- Emergency911 police
Planning your Mexico trip
Best time to go: The best time depends on the region. April is already very hot on the coast and the Yucatán Peninsula, northern winters can be cold, and hurricanes can affect Caribbean and Gulf coast cities.
- Copper CanyonAn enormous canyon system in the northwestern mountains, with a scenic railway.
- Mesoamerican Barrier ReefCoral reefs in the warm waters of the Mexican Caribbean.
- Sea of CortezSee migrating whales, sea lions and dolphins.
- Volcano BeltSee high mountain peaks and active, dormant and inactive volcanoes.
Scams to watch for in Mexico
- Free gifts that lead to timeshare sales pitchesPromoters offer free meals, hotel nights, rental cars, tickets or tours in return for attending a timeshare presentation. Some present themselves as tourist information staff. The sales pitch can last one to two hours or longer. Sellers may make false promises, claim an agency will buy back the timeshare or pressure you to sign immediately. Promised gifts can be hard to collect.
- Market touts and inflated tourist pricesVendors seek your attention and quote tourist prices. Mercado 28 has many touts and can cost more than smaller shops away from tourist areas. Beach vendors also expect bargaining. A high opening price is not proof of fraud, but buying under pressure can leave you paying too much.
- Taxi fare overchargingA driver quotes a high fare or avoids using a meter where one should be used. In Mexico City, a driver may justify a high price by saying the taxi is safe. Cancún taxis use zones rather than meters, which visitors may not understand. Mazatlán pulmonía drivers may start with a price above what they will accept.
About Mexico
Mexico is a federal republic in southern North America, between the United States and Guatemala.
- Capital
- Mexico City
- Money
- Mexican peso ($)
- Languages
- Spanish
- Time zone
- 3 time zones
- Cars drive on the
- right side
- Calling code
- +52
Other Africa passports
Going to Mexico
Easier trips nearby
Places close to Mexico with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Are there special rules for South African citizens visiting Mexico?
Do south african citizens need a visa for Mexico?
South African citizens need a visa for Mexico, from its embassy or consulate.
Where do I apply for a Mexico visa?
At Mexico's embassy or consulate that covers where you live. Book an appointment early, as it can take several weeks.
Is it easier to visit Mexico if I already have a US, UK or Schengen visa?
With a valid visa or residence permit from Schengen, US, UK, EU, Canada and Japan, the rule becomes "no visa needed".
Do mexican citizens need a visa for South Africa?
Mexican citizens need an eTA, a short online form, before flying to South Africa.
Do other Africa passports get easier entry to Mexico?
None of the 10 other Africa passports we compared enter without applying first.
Which countries near Mexico are easier for south african citizens?
Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados Belize, and 3 more let south african citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to Mexico?
Find Mexico's embassy or consulate that covers where you live. Prepare the application form, photos, bank statements and travel bookings.
What money is used in Mexico?
Mexican peso ($). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in Mexico?
Spanish.
How strong is the South Africa passport?
It ranks #51 and reaches 91 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck