TRAVEL INFORMATION

VISA AND ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

The information below should only be taken as a guideline. Please verify all information through the official Mexican National Immigration Institute (INM). If needed, please contact the nearest Mexican consulate for confirmation.

The INM office in Ensenada, Baja California, verbally confirmed that non-US citizens holding a valid US residence permit or visa may cross the border without obtaining an additional Mexican visa. All participants must bring a valid US visa or residence permit and state at the border crossing that they are entering Mexico as tourists. The INM office also noted that it is advisable for all participants to carry an invitation letter, university identification, and hotel booking confirmation in case such documentation is requested at the border.

The following websites provide detailed information in English about visas and entry requirements for travel to Mexico:

The organizers can provide an invitation letter for any participant. If you anticipate needing one, please register for the meeting as soon as possible and contact us so that the letters can be prepared well in advance. You can reach the organizers at: eas@astro.unam.mx.

The information below is from https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/finlandia/index.php/traveling/visas

To travel to Mexico, it is necessary to have the following:

1. A valid passport with more than six months of validity (Mexican authorities require a passport to be valid for the duration of the stay in Mexico, but transit countries and airline companies may have other requirements).

2. A properly completed Multiple Migratory Form (FMM). The FMM can be obtained from the airline or at the port of entry, but to expedite your registration at the border, you can now fill out and print it in advance in this link.

Remember to keep the FMM in a safe place during your trip! You will be asked for it at your departure from Mexico.

3. The Immigration Authorities at the port of entry may request certain documents to prove the purpose of your visit depending on the activity you will undertake in Mexico:

Tourism: Hotel reservation, itinerary, and return tickets (back to Finland, Estonia or another country)
Business: Letter in Spanish from the foreign company indicating that you are an employee and that that company will pay for the services you will provide in Mexico and that you will not receive any payment or salary from a company in Mexico, or a letter of invitation from a public or private institution to perform non-remunerated activities in Mexico, indicating the purpose of the trip, estimated time of stay and taking responsibility for your travel and lodging costs.
Student: Letter of invitation or acceptance from any institution pertaining to the National Educational System to take courses, conduct a research project or undertake academic training for up to 180 days.
Work: Please get in touch with the Consular Section

BORDER CROSSING AND TRANSPORTATION

Border crossing can be done via the San Ysidro Port of Entry border crossing point. Detailed information can be found on the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego webpage.

USA to Mexico (on foot):

Reach the San Ysidro Transit Center on the San Diego Trolley Blue Line operated by San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS). Walk toward the Mexican border crossing building following the signs. The pedestrian crossing is through Puerto Fronterizo Puerta México Este.

Mexico to USA (on foot)

The border crossing is done via PedEast Port of Entry. Note that there may be long lines. For this reason, if you possess a SENTRI or Global Entry card, make sure to bring it to expedite your return to the US. The crossing procedure follows the standard US immigration process.

After leaving the port-of-entry building, you will immediately find the San Ysidro Transit Center, which serves the San Diego Trolley Blue Line operated by San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS).

Crossing the border by car:

Most navigators (e.g. Google Maps) handle the border crossing seamlessly. However, if your navigator relies on mobile data, you may experience a brief loss of service at the moment of crossing. For this reason, we strongly recommend downloading the map beforehand, and making sure that your mobile provider works in both countries.

The border in San Ysidro is open 24/7 in both directions. From the USA to Mexico, a border agent may stop you for a random inspection, but this is uncommon. Most cars cross without stopping in under 2 minutes.

From Mexico to the USA, you will be stopped and requested to provide documentation, following the same procedure as when crossing on foot. The border agent may request you to pull over for additional inspection. This will take a bit longer, but you will re-enter the USA normally. Note that there may be long lines. For this reason, if you possess a SENTRI or Global Entry card, make sure to bring it to expedite your return to the US.

Transfer to/from Ensenada

Some transportation options are:

Uber or DiDi.
Public Bus:

ABC Bus Line operates frequent buses from the Line Terminal to downtown Ensenada and back. Tickets can be purchased on site (subject to availability) or, preferably, a few days in advance through the ABC official website.

If you bring your own car or rent a car, you can drive to Ensenada. It is advisable to take the toll road, Mexican Federal Highway 1D.

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