What SAE is and how to obtain it
SAE (Sistema de Autorización Electrónica) is an electronic entry authorisation issued through the website of the National Migration Institute (INM). It is free, a decision arrives within a few hours to one day, and the authorisation itself is printed out and presented at boarding.
Key restrictions: the authorisation is single-use, it can be issued no earlier than 30 days before travel, and it is valid only for air entry. For land entry from the US or Guatemala, SAE does not apply — a consular visa is required.
- Free of charge; apply online through the INM portal.
- Single entry, air travel only
- Apply no earlier than 30 days before departure
- Bring the printout with you: the airline checks it at boarding
Who does not need SAE at all
Electronic authorisation is not required if you hold a valid multiple-entry visa from the US, Canada, Japan, the UK, or a Schengen visa, or if you have permanent residence in any of those countries, in the EU, Chile, Colombia, or Peru. In that case, the visa or residence card itself grants entry.
This is the most common practical scenario for people living in Europe or Turkey on European visas: no separate paperwork is required.
How long you can stay in the country
Formally, a stay of up to 180 days is permitted, but the specific period is set by the border officer at passport control — and it is often less than requested. Check the stamp in your passport immediately: it is that stamp, not the formal maximum, that determines how long you may legally remain in the country.
A tourist stay cannot be extended from within Mexico. Leaving and re-entering to get a new allowance (’visa run’) is not formally prohibited, but if done repeatedly an officer may shorten the permitted stay or refuse entry — enforcement has tightened in recent years.
Why you cannot relocate on a SAE basis
SAE confers tourist status. It does not permit you to work for a Mexican employer, and — crucially — it cannot be exchanged for a resident card. Residency begins with a visa obtained at a Mexican consulate abroad: you enter on that visa, receive a ’Canje’ stamp at the border, and then have 30 days to submit your documents to the INM.
The costliest mistake: someone flies in on an electronic authorisation, finds housing, then learns that to obtain status they still need to leave and apply at a consulate in another country. The sequence of steps is worth deciding before buying tickets.
Analysis of your entry route and itinerary to Mexico
- Checking whether you need an SAE at all — based on your passport and current visas
- Setting up the electronic authorisation and verifying data before submission
- Analysis of your actual route: a tourist trip or preparation for residency
- If the goal is relocation: choosing a consulate and planning your application before buying tickets
A legal consultation — 100 $.Credited toward the full service fee if you continue with us.
During the consultation the lawyer reviews your situation based on your documents and provides filing route: which basis, what will be needed and in what order.
Government fees, notarisation, certified translations and apostille, where required, billed separately at actual cost — we will itemise them for your situation. Processing time depends on the authority and its workload, which is why we do not publish an average figure.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an electronic permit to Mexico cost?
Nothing: the SAE is processed free of charge on the INM portal. You only pay for the consular visa if you are entering by land or plan to formalise your residency.
Can you enter Mexico via SAE through the US by car?
No, the electronic authorisation is only valid for entry by air. A consular visa is required for land entry.
Do you need a visa for Mexico if you have a Schengen visa?
No. A valid multiple-entry Schengen visa, or a valid visa issued by the US, Canada, Japan, or the UK, exempts you from obtaining an SAE.
Can you obtain Mexican residency while there on SAE?
Almost always no: nearly all applications are submitted at a Mexican consulate abroad. Only family-based applications and certain regularisation cases are filed from inside the country.
How many days can you stay in Mexico under SAE?
Up to 180 days, but the specific duration is set by the border officer and is often less than requested. A tourist stay cannot be extended from within the country.
Verified August 3, 2026. The thresholds and amounts are tied to indicators that are reviewed annually — check the official source for your country before filing.
Services and prices — openly, before any conversation
People usually add: curp — $99 · rfc — tax identification number with sat — $249. Two or more services — 5% off each.
Prices are in US dollars; 16% IVA is added on top. Government fees are paid separately.