Anyone planning to travel internationally from the airports in Mexico City, Guadalajara, or Cancún should verify both the validity and physical condition of their passport well in advance. Although passport issuance and renewal are handled by Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE), an expired passport or one that fails to meet the required standards can prevent a passenger from boarding.
Many travelers postpone renewing their passport until the last minute and only discover the issue on the day of their flight. At the airport, travel documents are checked before boarding, and passengers may be denied access to the aircraft if their passport has expired, is damaged, or does not meet the entry requirements of their destination country.
What Can Prevent a Passenger from Leaving Mexico?
To board an international flight from Mexico, travelers must have a passport that remains valid throughout their trip and is in good physical condition. A passport with missing pages, alterations, tears, or significant damage may also be rejected.
Although Mexico does not require a passport to have at least six months of remaining validity to leave the country, many destinations do impose that requirement. In such cases, the airline may refuse boarding at the Mexican airport if the passport does not comply with the destination country’s regulations.
It is also important to note that Mexico’s National Institute of Migration (INM) does not issue or renew passports. Those services are handled exclusively by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) through a scheduled appointment.
How to Renew a Mexican Passport in 2026
The SRE continues to require a free appointment for passport applications and renewals.
Appointments can be scheduled through:
The official SRE appointment portal.
The official telephone service.
The Ministry’s authorized WhatsApp service.
Before attending the appointment, applicants must pay the required government fee through authorized banks or online banking. The SRE advises against making payments at convenience stores or depositing money into personal bank accounts.
Applicants no longer need to bring passport photographs. During the appointment, the SRE takes the applicant’s photograph, fingerprints, and iris scan as part of the standard procedure.
In most passport offices across the country, the passport is issued on the same day.
If the previous passport is damaged, the application is processed as a first-time passport request.
If the passport has been lost or stolen, applicants must first file the appropriate report with the Public Prosecutor’s Office before requesting a replacement.
Mexican Passport Fees for 2026
The fees in effect as of January 1, 2026, under the Federal Rights Law, are:
1-year passport: 920 pesos (available only for children under three years of age or special cases).
3-year passport: 1,795 pesos.
6-year passport: 2,440 pesos.
10-year passport: 4,280 pesos (available only to adults).
Discounts
The following groups are eligible for a 50% discount on passport fees, provided they submit the required documentation:
Adults 60 years of age or older.
Individuals with disabilities.
Seasonal agricultural workers participating in Canada’s temporary worker program.
Source: cronista
