For several years, cruise passengers arriving in Mexico enjoyed an exemption upon arrival in the country, since they did not pay for the issuance of an immigration document if they did not spend the night, or did so for a short period, in the country; this is over.
The Chamber of Deputies approved changes to the Rights Law of 2025, in which it eliminates the exemption for cruise passengers from this payment, which had been negotiated by the shipping companies and the government so that they could continue scheduling ships on the Mexican coasts.
“(The) exemption from the payment of the fee for the issuance of the immigration document for foreign passengers entering the national territory, for tourism purposes, by sea aboard cruise ships, provided for in subsection b), section II of article 11 of the Federal Rights Law, is eliminated, with the objective of guaranteeing efficient immigration control and improving the collection of immigration fees,” says what was approved by the Deputies on Tuesday afternoon.
According to data from the Navy (Semar), with accumulated figures up to September, Mexico has received just over 7 million cruise passengers.
The measure would mainly affect Cozumel, a destination that depends economically on the influx of ships.
It is still unknown whether cruise companies will take new measures or cancel itineraries due to the new charge approved by the Mexican legislature.
Where will the resources obtained from cruise fares go?
The changes to the Federal Rights Law for the following year, which was approved this Tuesday by the deputies and will go to the Senate, establishes that the Non-Resident Right, which was previously used for tourism promotion purposes, will go to the coffers of the Sedena in 67 percent.
The rest will be entered into the Treasury of the Federation as resources without a specific destination for public spending.
In addition, the contribution made by private airports, which provide 9 percent of their gross income as compensation for their concessions, will now be part of the capital of the Armed Forces, which will be divided into 60 percent for the Army and the rest for the Navy, both institutions involved in airport control.
Source: elfinanciero
