With holiday travel surging, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City has re-issued safety guidance tied to the State Department’s standing Level 2 advisory for America’s most popular outbound destination. In a weekend bulletin, consular officers urged U.S. citizens to “exercise increased caution” in 17 Mexican states and to heed Level 3 (“reconsider travel”) or Level 4 (“do not travel”) warnings in 13 others.
Key reminders include securing the Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM) on arrival, noting that the fee will rise from US$47 to US$54 in January 2026; verifying vehicle-import permits for cross-border drives; and enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Travelers are also cautioned that firearms—even spent cartridges—can result in lengthy Mexican jail terms, and that U.S. emergency services have limited reach once across the border.
![U.S. Embassy Reminds Americans to ‘Exercise Increased Caution’ for Winter Trips to Mexico]()
Why it matters for global mobility managers: Mexico remains a prime near-shore assignment location and winter off-site venue. Companies should audit travel-risk policies, confirm that business visitors carry proof of short-term assignments, and ensure that expatriate families understand local security protocols, especially in states such as Jalisco and Baja California that host large American communities.
Practical tips include registering dual-citizen children’s U.S. passports for domestic Mexican flights, purchasing medical-evacuation coverage, and saving 078—the number for “Green Angels” roadside assistance—in mobile phones. The embassy warns that overstays or missing FMM documents can lead to fines or detention, complicating return travel and work schedules.
Key reminders include securing the Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM) on arrival, noting that the fee will rise from US$47 to US$54 in January 2026; verifying vehicle-import permits for cross-border drives; and enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Travelers are also cautioned that firearms—even spent cartridges—can result in lengthy Mexican jail terms, and that U.S. emergency services have limited reach once across the border.
Why it matters for global mobility managers: Mexico remains a prime near-shore assignment location and winter off-site venue. Companies should audit travel-risk policies, confirm that business visitors carry proof of short-term assignments, and ensure that expatriate families understand local security protocols, especially in states such as Jalisco and Baja California that host large American communities.
Practical tips include registering dual-citizen children’s U.S. passports for domestic Mexican flights, purchasing medical-evacuation coverage, and saving 078—the number for “Green Angels” roadside assistance—in mobile phones. The embassy warns that overstays or missing FMM documents can lead to fines or detention, complicating return travel and work schedules.
