Belize Launches Free Border Card for Mexican Travelers From Five Southeastern States

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Belize has launched a free digital border crossing card that allows eligible Mexican citizens to stay up to seven days per visit, a measure officials say is meant to boost tourism, expand trade and spread the economic benefits along both sides of the frontier.

The Regional Visitor Card program was unveiled at a ceremony led by Belizean Prime Minister John Briceño, where the first four cards were handed out. The document is valid for three years and must be processed in person at an office set up next to the border crossing. Travelers planning to stay longer than seven days still need a passport and must meet standard immigration requirements.

The program is open to Mexican citizens who meet the eligibility conditions and live in Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán or Quintana Roo. The application is free, and Belizean authorities are publishing information and forms through their official immigration channels.

Easing Congestion at the Border

Migration Minister Kareem Musa said the mechanism is intended to reduce congestion at the northern border and extend the time visitors can remain in the country. Under the previous framework, certain travelers were limited to three-day stays in the northern districts.

“Belize is an accessible destination and it awaits you with open arms,” Musa said, inviting Mexicans to explore the country’s food, cultural attractions and tourist destinations.

Musa said 68,729 movements of Mexican citizens were recorded in 2025, an increase of 5,670 over the previous year. Nearly 89% of entries and exits occurred at the northern border station, reflecting the crossing’s importance for mobility between the two countries.

Mexican Market Grows for Belize Tourism

Tourism Minister Anthony Mahler said the Mexican market has gained weight for Belize’s tourism industry. The northern crossing recorded 31,656 overnight tourist arrivals in 2025, equivalent to 5% of the national total and the third-highest volume among the country’s six border crossings.

Mexicans accounted for 30% of overnight visitors who entered through that station in 2024; the share rose to 35% in 2025 and reached 38% between January and September 2026. Mexican arrivals rose 27% between 2024 and 2025, climbing from 8,585 to about 11,000.

Mahler said easier travel can generate benefits for hotels, restaurants, transport operators, tour companies and small businesses. He also pointed to the Maya Train as an opportunity to promote multi-destination trips that draw visitors from Cancún and Chetumal into Belize, including the northern districts, the islands and towns such as Hopkins, Placencia and Punta Gorda.

Mexico’s ambassador to Belize, Ana Luisa Vallejo, said the initiative strengthens bilateral cooperation and ties between communities. The program also serves as a reciprocal gesture in response to the facilities Mexico offers Belizean citizens through its own Regional Visitor Card.

Requirements for the Card

• A completed application form in English, filled out only in blue or black ink.
• One passport-style photograph measuring 2 by 2 inches against a white background.
• The original and a photocopy of a passport or birth certificate, together with a photo ID; or a certificate of nationality with a photo ID.
• Proof of address, which may be an INE voter credential, a CURP document or a utility bill showing the address. The original and a copy must be presented.

Photographs must show the applicant’s full face from the front with both ears visible. Large earrings and white clothing are not permitted. Applicants must write their full name on the back of the photographs and sign them.

Fees and Length of Stay

The application is free for residents of Campeche, Yucatán, Tabasco, Chiapas and Quintana Roo. Belizeans and residents of Guatemalan border towns and villages pay $20 per year and can obtain the card for up to three years.

Holders of the digital border crossing card may remain in Belize for a maximum of seven days per entry into the country.