Mexico phases out paper FMM for 180 day tourist stamps

How the passport stamp replaces the FMM

Mexico is phasing out the paper Forma Migratoria Múltiple at airports and land crossings, with officers stamping passports instead of issuing the familiar paper slip. The Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM) began the rollout in summer 2022 and the transition remains uneven across ports of entry as of May 2026.

The stamp carries the same legal weight as the old paper form. Visitor stays still cap at 180 calendar days, the entry permit is valid for a single entry and the visitor category remains "without permission to work," per INM. Travelers entering by land can still obtain an electronic FMM through the INM website and must print it before reaching the crossing.

Recent reporting also points to expanded electronic entry procedures for some travelers arriving on temporary residence visas, part of a broader digitization push by INM.

Who feels the change

Tourists from visa-exempt countries are the most visible group affected, because the passport stamp now serves as their sole proof of authorized stay. The number of days written next to the stamp is set by the officer and can fall below 180.

Remote workers fall under the same visitor rules unless they hold Mexican residency. The stamp doesn't grant work authorization and stays beyond what the officer writes require a different immigration status.

Expats pursuing residency exchange, known as canje, need the stamp or digital FMM as proof of lawful entry when they appear at INM offices to convert a visa into a residency card. Banks and other local agencies asking for proof of legal stay will also rely on whatever record INM issues.

What travelers should do

• Check the stamp before leaving the immigration counter and confirm the number of days granted matches the planned trip.
• Photograph the passport page with the stamp immediately, then store a backup copy in cloud storage.
• Save the digital FMM if one is issued at a land crossing or online, since INM may request it during canje appointments.
• Verify fees on the official INM site before travel, because amounts vary by entry point and length of stay.

Travelers who receive only a stamp and no paper slip should treat that stamp as the primary entry document for the entire visit.

Read our full Mexico guide for the complete picture or browse more nomad news.