How to Get a Visa to United States 🇺🇸 for Mexico 🇲🇽 Citizens
📅 Max stay: 180 days 🔄 Multiple entry 💰 Fee: Varies ⏱ Processing: Interview wait times vary widely by country — from a few days to many months ✅ No bookings needed
The essentials in 30 seconds: 🇨🇳 Yes — you need to apply for a visa. Visa type: B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa. Max stay: 180 days. Total time: Apply as early as possible — ideally several months before the tournament.
📅 Last verified: 2026-07-03
📋 Gather these documents first
Check each off as you gather it.
🪜 The steps
1 Complete the DS-160 online
Fill out the DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application at https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/, upload a compliant photo, and print the confirmation page with the barcode.
2 Pay the visa application fee
Pay the USD 185 MRV fee (2026) using the method your embassy specifies. Keep the receipt — you need the number to book your interview. Be aware a USD 250 Visa Integrity Fee may apply once implemented.
3 Schedule your interview — use FIFA PASS if you have a ticket
Book your B-1/B-2 interview. If you bought World Cup tickets directly from FIFA, opt in to FIFA PASS from your FIFA.com account to request a prioritised appointment. Otherwise book the earliest available regular slot.
4 Attend your interview and give fingerprints
Go to your U.S. embassy or consulate for the interview. Applicants aged 14–79 give digital fingerprints. Bring your passport, DS-160 confirmation, photo, fee receipt, proof of ties to home, and your match/travel details.
5 Wait for processing and passport return
If approved, your passport is returned with the visa by courier or pickup. Some applications need additional administrative processing, so never book non-refundable travel until the visa is in hand.
Processing time
Standard: Interview wait times vary widely by country — from a few days to many months
Expedite: FIFA PASS priority appointments are available to World Cup ticket holders
Fees
USD 185 for the B-1/B-2 application (MRV) fee, as of 2026. A separate USD 250 Visa Integrity Fee may also apply once implemented. Confirm the current total with your U.S. embassy or consulate before paying.
Where to apply
- U.S. Embassy — Mexico City
- U.S. Consulate General — Guadalajara
- U.S. Consulate General — Monterrey
- U.S. Consulate General — Tijuana
- U.S. Consulate General — Ciudad Juárez
- U.S. Consulate General — Matamoros
- U.S. Consulate General — Nogales
Frequently asked questions
Do Mexico citizens need a visa to attend the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the United States?
Yes. Mexico is not part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, so Mexico passport holders need a valid B-1/B-2 visitor visa to travel to the United States for the World Cup. You cannot use ESTA.
I live near the U.S. border — can I use a Border Crossing Card instead?
Possibly. Many Mexican citizens hold a Border Crossing Card (BCC / DSP-150 “laser visa”), which works like a B-1/B-2 for short visits but generally limits travel to within 25–55 miles of the border (up to 30 days). To reach World Cup host cities deeper inside the U.S. — or to fly — you need a full B-1/B-2 visa or must apply for an I-94 to travel beyond the border zone. Mexico also co-hosts the tournament (Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey).
What is FIFA PASS and should I use it?
The FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS) lets fans who buy World Cup tickets directly from FIFA get a prioritised B-1/B-2 interview slot. Log in to your FIFA.com account, submit the FIFA PASS opt-in form, complete the standard DS-160 application, then book your interview confirming you are a ticket holder. It speeds up scheduling but does not guarantee a visa — every applicant is still screened and must qualify.
How much does the visa cost and how long does it take?
The B-1/B-2 application (MRV) fee is USD 185 as of 2026, and a separate USD 250 Visa Integrity Fee may apply once the government implements it. Interview wait times vary enormously by country — from days to many months — so the U.S. State Department’s advice is simple: apply as early as possible. FIFA PASS can help ticket holders get an earlier appointment.
Will I have to give fingerprints and attend an interview?
Yes. Most applicants aged 14–79 must attend an in-person interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate, where digital fingerprints are taken.
Do I need a match ticket to get the visa?
A match ticket is not a legal requirement for a B-1/B-2 visa, but it is required to use FIFA PASS priority scheduling. In your interview, be ready to show strong ties to your home country (job, family, property) and the ability to fund your trip; your World Cup ticket and travel plans support your application.
Which U.S. cities host World Cup matches?
The United States hosts 11 of the 16 FIFA World Cup 2026 host cities: Atlanta, Boston (Foxborough), Dallas (Arlington), Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles (Inglewood), Miami, New York/New Jersey (East Rutherford), Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area (Santa Clara) and Seattle. Canada (Toronto, Vancouver) and Mexico (Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey) host the rest.
Can I use ESTA instead of a visa?
No. ESTA is only for Visa Waiver Program countries, and Mexico is not one of them. You must obtain a B-1/B-2 visa before you travel.