Cancun ends entry form requirement for US visitors
Cancun tourism officials have announced that U.S. citizens — as well as those from Canada and many other countries — no longer have to complete the Forma Migratoria Multiple immigration form to enter Mexico. The form was blamed for delays at immigration, although airport staffing issues have perhaps been more of a pain point.
Regardless of the root causes of airport delays, tourists to Cancun should be delighted about one benefit from the form's demise: Visitors will no longer have to retain a piece of that pesky immigration card to exit the country. Prior to the change, losing the scrap of paper resulted in a fine and delay in departure.
U.S. citizens will now be automatically granted a stay permit for 180 days upon arrival in Cancun, and other select airports, as part of this pilot program.
"Tourists who come on vacation will not have to fill out a form, neither printed nor electronic. Instead of a form, they are just going to put a stamp on (passports)," Sergio González Rubiera, the executive president of the Mexican Association of Travel Agencies, said.
For more details about the new entry process for Cancun, read on.
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Cancun travel becomes easier
Cancun is a hugely popular vacation destination for U.S. tourists. Its long strip of beachside hotels and resorts and cheap flight options make it an affordable and quick vacation getaway.
The FMM form had been a requirement for all incoming tourists. Passengers could either fill out the form on an inbound flight or complete it online before the trip; it would typically take less than 30 seconds to fill out.
Some local officials claim the removal of the form requirement will save hours of wait time, but because the form is so short, this may be doubtful.
Still, it is certainly true that having one less form will not increase entry time, and it will definitely be one less thing for incoming passengers to worry about. There won't be any more panicked questions of "What was our flight number again? Does anyone have a pen I can borrow?" Plus, there's always that one guy in line just ahead of you who forgot or neglected to sign it, delaying your arrival to Senor Frogs by critical minutes.
In particular, keeping the little paper receipt as part of the FMM form had been a pain point for travelers who often lost track of it during the course of a tequila-infused week at Cancun's beaches.
At the Cancun airport, departing passengers who were unable to present the slip of paper from the FMM form received $25 fines and had to wait for new immigration cards. For this reason alone, FMM's demise is a cause for celebration among Cancun visitors.
Related: Cancun essentials: everything you need to plan a perfect trip.
Bottom line
While the elimination of the FMM entry form certainly won't solve all of the wait and delay issues at Cancun or other airports in Mexico, it will reduce at least one small step in the immigration process.
The streamlined entry pilot program for Cancun may be rolled out across other airports in Mexico in the coming months. Keep your eye on Mexico tourism announcements and TPG reporting for all the latest about travel to Mexico.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.