Mexico, with its burgeoning economy, strategic North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) ties (now USMCA), and growing presence in global manufacturing and tourism, presents a wealth of opportunities for Indian businesses and professionals. For Indian citizens looking to engage in commercial activities in this vibrant Latin American nation, understanding the Mexico business visa from India requirements is crucial. This visa category facilitates short-term stays for non-remunerated business purposes such as attending meetings, conferences, negotiating contracts, or exploring investment avenues. This detailed, pointwise article will outline the necessary documentation, the specific application process through the Embassy of Mexico in New Delhi or the Consulate General in Mumbai, associated fees, and estimated processing times, ensuring Indian applicants are well-prepared for their business ventures.
1. The Gateway to Opportunities: Why a Mexico Business Visa is Required from India
Indian passport holders require a visa to enter Mexico for any purpose, including business. There is no visa-on-arrival facility for Indian citizens. The Mexico business visa from India is a type of "Visitor Visa without Permission to Perform Remunerated Activities" (Visa de Visitante sin Permiso para Realizar Actividades Remuneradas). This means while you can conduct business, you cannot be employed or receive a salary from a Mexican entity. Applications are processed by the Consular Section of the Embassy of Mexico in New Delhi or the Consulate General in Mumbai.
Important Exemption: Indian citizens who hold a valid and current visa or permanent residency from the United States (USA), Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, or any of the Schengen Area countries, or any of the countries in the Pacific Alliance (Colombia, Peru, Chile), do NOT require a separate Mexican visa for tourist, business, or transit purposes for stays of less than 180 days. They will only need to complete a Mexican Tourist Card (FMM) upon arrival.
2. Eligibility and Key Characteristics of the Mexico Business Visa
The Mexico business visa from India is designed for specific, short-term commercial engagements:
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Purpose: The primary purpose must be business-related, non-remunerated activities, such as:
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Attending business meetings, discussions, or negotiations.
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Participating in conferences, seminars, or trade fairs.
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Exploring investment opportunities.
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Conducting market research or feasibility studies.
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Visiting a branch or affiliate of your Indian company in Mexico.
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Supervising a project without being on the Mexican company's payroll.
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Duration of Stay: Typically granted for a stay of up to 180 days (approximately 6 months) per entry.
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Entry Type: Can be single or multiple entry, depending on the discretion of the Consular Officer and the supporting documentation, particularly the invitation letter.
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No Employment: This visa explicitly prohibits taking up employment or receiving remuneration from a Mexican employer or entity.
3. Comprehensive Mexico Business Visa Requirements from India (Documents)
Applicants for a Mexico business visa from India must submit the following documents for their appointment:
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Valid Indian Passport:
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Original passport valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of entry into Mexico.
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Must have a minimum of two blank pages for visa stamping.
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Photocopies of the passport's bio-data pages and all previously issued visas (especially US, Canada, Schengen, UK visas, if any, for the exemption consideration).
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Duly Filled Visa Application Form:
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Complete the visa application form downloaded from the Embassy/Consulate website.
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Print the form on one page, double-sided, and sign it in blue ink as per your passport signature.
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Recent Passport-Sized Photograph:
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One (1) recent (not older than 6 months) color photograph.
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Dimensions: 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm.
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Background: Plain white background.
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Specifications: Full face visible (80% face coverage), neutral expression, without glasses, no headgear (unless for religious reasons, without obscuring facial features). The photo should be properly affixed to the application form.
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Original Letter from Indian Company/Employer:
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On the official letterhead of your Indian employer/company, hand-signed by an authorized signatory (with their passport or PAN card copy attached).
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Must state:
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Your full name, designation, and passport number.
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The purpose of your business trip to Mexico (specific activities).
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The exact dates of travel and intended duration of stay.
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Confirmation of your employment status and date of joining (applicant must generally have been working for at least 1 year in the same company; if less, a 12-month bank statement may be required).
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A clear undertaking from the company to bear all financial expenses related to your trip (travel, accommodation, daily expenses).
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Confirmation that you will return to India after the business trip.
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Contact details of the inviting Mexican company/person.
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Original Pay Slips: Last 3 months' pay slips, stamped and hand-signed by the company (with signatory's passport/PAN copy).
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Original Invitation Letter from Mexican Company/Organization:
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On the official letterhead of the inviting company/organization in Mexico, hand-signed by an authorized signatory (with a copy of their official identification like INE card or passport attached).
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This letter must clearly state:
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The complete name of the Indian applicant (as per passport) and nationality.
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The official name and registration number (RFC) of the Mexican organization.
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The mission/objective of the Mexican organization.
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Complete address and contact information of the organization.
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Detailed information on the specific business activity or project the guest will undertake.
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Estimated duration of the activity/trip.
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Explicit commitment of the Mexican organization to cover all expenses of the invited person during their stay in Mexico and their commitment to the applicant's return to India.
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Proof of Financial Solvency (Personal):
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Original personal bank statements (stamped and hand-signed by the bank) or passbook for the last three months, showing sufficient and consistent funds to cover your expenses. (Sometimes 6 months or 12 months are requested, verify with the consulate).
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Personal Income Tax Return (ITR) acknowledgment for the previous year.
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If self-employed, provide copies of your company's registration/incorporation certificate, company bank statements (last 3 months), and company's ITR for the last two years.
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Confirmed Travel Itinerary & Accommodation Proof:
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Confirmed round-trip flight reservations to and from Mexico. (Do not purchase non-refundable tickets until visa is issued).
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Confirmed hotel reservations for your entire stay in Mexico.
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Proof of Legal Stay in India: (If the applicant is not an Indian national but resides in India) Copy of your Indian visa and entry stamp.
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Payment Receipt: Original receipt of the visa fee payment (payable in INR at the current exchange rate) deposited in the designated bank account of the Embassy/Consulate.
4. Mexico Business Visa from India Cost: Application Fees
The Mexico business visa from India cost is relatively standardized, payable in Indian Rupees as per the prevailing exchange rate.
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Consular Visa Fee: The current fee for a Mexico Business Visa is approximately USD 51 (roughly INR 4,715 as of July 2025, subject to daily exchange rate fluctuations).
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Payment Method: The fee must be deposited into the specific bank accounts of the Embassy/Consulate as instructed on their website. It is crucial to deposit the correct amount into the correct bank account.
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Non-Refundable: The visa fee is non-refundable, regardless of whether the visa is approved or rejected.
5. Application Process and Processing Time for Mexico Business Visa from India
The application process for a Mexico business visa from India is stringent and requires an in-person appointment:
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Online Application & Appointment:
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Fill out the online visa application form on the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) website (visa.sre.gob.mx).
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Book a mandatory in-person appointment through the CITAS system (citas.sre.gob.mx) for the Consular Section of the Embassy of Mexico in New Delhi or the Consulate General in Mumbai. Appointment slots are often limited, so plan well in advance.
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Gather Documents: Prepare all necessary original supporting documents as per the official checklist. Ensure all documents are clear, complete, and meet photo specifications. All foreign documents (not Mexican or Indian) must be notarized and apostilled/legalized.
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Pay Visa Fee: Deposit the visa fee into the designated bank account and obtain the original payment receipt.
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Attend Interview & Biometrics: Attend your scheduled appointment at the Embassy/Consulate.
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Bring all original documents in a single folder.
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Be prepared for a personal interview with a Consular Officer, where you will be asked about your trip purpose, itinerary, and ties to India.
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Biometric data (fingerprints and a digital photograph) will be collected.
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Processing: Your application will be processed by the Embassy/Consulate.
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Collection: If approved, your passport with the affixed visa can usually be collected in person within 2-3 working days after the interview, or by an authorized person with a letter of authorization.
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Processing Time: The typical processing time for a Mexico business visa from India is approximately 2-10 working days from the date of the successful interview and submission of all complete documents. However, this timeframe can extend, especially if additional verification is required or during peak seasons.
It is highly recommended to apply for your Mexico business visa well in advance of your intended travel date, ideally at least 3-4 weeks prior, due to the potential difficulty in securing early appointments and to allow for any unforeseen delays.
In conclusion, obtaining a Mexico business visa from India involves a detailed, multi-step process that mandates careful preparation of documents and a mandatory in-person interview. For Indian citizens, this visa is crucial for engaging in non-remunerated commercial activities in Mexico, distinguishing it from long-term work permits. By diligently adhering to the specific Mexico business visa from India requirements, particularly concerning the invitation letter and financial solvency, Indian professionals can facilitate their entry into Mexico and leverage the abundant business opportunities it offers. Always refer to the official websites of the Embassy of Mexico in New Delhi and the Consulate General in Mumbai for the most current and precise guidelines.
