Mexico VISITAX
VISITAX is the visitor tax for the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, required for tourists to Cancun, the Riviera Maya, Tulum and Cozumel.
See who can apply for the Mexico VISITAX, the documents you'll need, and how the application works.
Overview
VISITAX is the visitor tax of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, the Caribbean state that includes Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Cozumel and the wider Riviera Maya. It is not a visa or an entry permit: it is a state tourism tax that every visitor to Quintana Roo is expected to pay once for their trip, and it is separate from the federal FMM entry permit that records your arrival in Mexico. Payment produces an official QR code receipt, which is your proof that the tax for your trip has been settled and which you may be asked to show, in some cases at the airport before you leave the state.
The tax applies however you arrive, by air, by cruise or by land, and to each traveller, including children. It was introduced by the Quintana Roo state government to support tourism and infrastructure in the region, and it is collected only for stays in that state; a visit elsewhere in Mexico, such as Mexico City or Los Cabos, does not require it. Because it is tied to your trip rather than to a fixed period, there is one payment per visit no matter how many days you stay.
It is charged per visit, so a separate trip later in the year is a separate payment, and the receipt you keep is specific to the trip you declare. The amount is set by the state and is the same whichever resort or town in Quintana Roo you visit. Many travellers settle it online before they fly, so it is one less thing to handle on arrival, although it can be paid at any time before you leave the state.
Keeping the QR code receipt to hand is what matters, because it is the proof the state asks to see. Your VISITAX is completed on the official state form on your behalf, your details are checked, and the QR code receipt is sent to you to carry for your trip.
At a glance
The key facts for a Mexico VISITAX application.
- Visa type
- VISITAX
- What you need
- Your passport
- Validity
- Your trip
- Maximum stay
- No stay limit
- Entry type
- Single payment
Who can apply
The main eligibility conditions for this destination, and who can apply.
VISITAX is a tourist tax charged by the state of Quintana Roo, home to Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Cozumel and the wider Riviera Maya. Visitors to the state pay it once for their trip and receive a QR code receipt that confirms payment. It is separate from any national entry permit and applies however you arrive.
What you'll need
Have these ready before you begin your application. Requirements can vary by nationality and trip purpose.
- Passport for each traveller
- Email address for your receipt
- The date you leave Mexico
- Payment method (one all-inclusive price)
Requirements in detail
VISITAX asks for very little, because it is a tax rather than an immigration permit, but the few details still need to match your travel documents. You provide the passport details for each traveller, the given names, family names and passport number as they appear on the document, together with a valid email address where the QR code receipt is sent. You also give the date you leave Quintana Roo, because the tax is tied to your trip rather than to a fixed period.
There is no photograph and no background questionnaire, unlike a visa; the state form simply records who is travelling and confirms the tax is paid. A payment card covers one all-inclusive price that includes the state tax charged by Quintana Roo and our service for completing the form and sending your receipt; the tax portion is itemised on your receipt. One payment covers the whole trip, however many nights you stay, and a single submission can include each member of your party.
Before you confirm, check the spelling of every name and passport number against the passports themselves, because the receipt should match the travellers it covers. If any detail changes before you travel, such as renewing a passport, let us know so the receipt can be corrected to match the document you will carry. Because there is no interview and no supporting documents, the form is quick to complete; the care is simply in matching each name and number to the passport it belongs to.
One receipt can list several travellers, which keeps a family or group together on a single proof of payment. Once it is submitted, the QR code receipt is the document you keep, on your phone or printed, ready to show if it is requested on departure.
Government processing time
What the issuing authority typically takes once the application is submitted.
Government processing: most VISITAX receipts are issued within 1 to 3 business days. VisitPass review: Standard under 24h; Priority under 6h; Urgent under 30 min. The application is checked for completeness, submitted to the authority, and the QR code receipt issued. When to apply: start in good time before your departure from Quintana Roo so the payment and the review both have room; the receipt reaches you by email once issued.
On arrival
There is nothing to stamp at immigration for VISITAX, because it is a tax rather than an entry permit; what matters is keeping the QR code receipt to hand. Save it on your phone and, ideally, print a copy, and have it ready for departure, as travellers are sometimes asked for proof that the Quintana Roo tax has been paid before leaving, in some cases at the airport. The receipt covers your whole trip in the state, so one payment is enough however many days you stay.
If you also need the federal FMM entry permit for Mexico, that is a separate document and is handled on its own. Unlike an entry permit, VISITAX is not tied to a number of days at immigration; it simply needs to be paid for your trip and shown if it is asked for. Keeping it on your phone, with a printed copy as a backup, is the simplest way to be ready, since a phone can run out of battery at the airport.
Planning your trip
Quintana Roo holds Mexico's Caribbean coast: the beaches of Cancun and Tulum, the reefs and diving of Cozumel, the cenotes of the Riviera Maya, and Maya sites such as Coba and Muyil. It is one of the most visited regions in the country.
One all-inclusive price
One price per visa with everything included. The government portion goes to the issuing authority and is non-refundable, itemised on your official receipt. Our service covers a full review of your application, secure handling and 24/7 email support.
From
USD 135.00
Standard tier, one all-inclusive price. You choose your processing speed at checkout, where the final price is confirmed.
Prices are in USD. The government portion included in your all-inclusive price is an approximate USD equivalent of the issuing authority's official charge; the exact total is confirmed at checkout.
How to apply
Three steps from start to approval.
Complete the form
Answer the official questions online. Your draft is saved for up to 30 days, so you can finish once your documents are to hand.
Pay securely
You see the one all-inclusive price before you pay. We check your application for completeness before it reaches the government portal.
Receive by email
Your approved travel authorisation arrives by email. Bring it, or a copy, together with the passport you applied with when you travel.
Questions about this destination
Common questions specific to this visa. For broader topics see our help centre.
What is VISITAX in Mexico?
VISITAX is a tourist tax charged by the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, which includes Cancun, the Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Cozumel. Visitors pay it once for their trip and receive a QR code that confirms payment. It is a state tax, separate from any national entry permit.
Do I have to pay VISITAX for Cancun?
VISITAX applies to visitors to the state of Quintana Roo, which is where Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel and the wider Riviera Maya are located. It is expected once per trip for each traveller, including children, and the QR code receipt is your proof that the tax has been paid.
What happens if you do not pay VISITAX?
VISITAX is a legal requirement of Quintana Roo, and travellers may be asked for the QR code receipt, in some cases before leaving at the airport. Paying in advance avoids queues and any question on departure, and keeps a clear record that the tax for your trip has been settled.
Is VISITAX legitimate?
VISITAX is an official tax of the state government of Quintana Roo, introduced to support tourism and infrastructure in the region. Payment produces an official QR code receipt. We complete the state form on your behalf, confirm your details, and send you the receipt to carry for your trip.
How much is VISITAX?
You pay one all-inclusive price that covers the state tax, the amount Quintana Roo charges and that is paid to it, and our service completing the form and sending your receipt. The tax portion is itemised on your receipt. The tax is non-refundable; our service fee is refundable in most scenarios outside your control.
When do I pay VISITAX, before or at the airport?
You can pay VISITAX any time before you leave Quintana Roo, and paying online in advance is the simplest option because it avoids airport queues and last-minute payment. Once it is paid, you keep the QR code receipt on your phone or printed, ready to show if it is requested on departure.
When should I apply for VISITAX?
You can pay VISITAX any time before your departure from Mexico, so many travellers complete it in the days before the trip or during it. Applying in advance means your receipt is ready and nothing is left for the airport; our Priority and Urgent tiers are available if your departure is close.
Is VISITAX the same as a Mexican visa?
No. VISITAX is a state tourist tax for Quintana Roo, not a visa or an entry permit. It does not authorise your entry to Mexico; it is a separate charge for visiting the state, and you keep its QR code receipt as proof of payment.
Do I pay VISITAX for Tulum and Playa del Carmen?
Yes. Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Cancun, Cozumel and the wider Riviera Maya are all in the state of Quintana Roo, so a visit to any of them is expected to include the VISITAX payment, once for your trip.
Do children pay VISITAX?
Yes. The tax is expected once per trip for each traveller, including children. A single submission can cover everyone in your party, and the QR code receipt then serves as proof for the whole group.
Is VISITAX separate from the FMM entry permit?
Yes. The FMM is the federal entry permit that records your arrival in Mexico; VISITAX is a tax charged by the state of Quintana Roo. They are issued by different authorities and are paid separately, even when both apply to the same trip.
Do I pay VISITAX once or for every night?
Once. VISITAX is tied to your trip rather than to a number of nights, so a single payment covers your whole stay in Quintana Roo, however many days you are in the state.
Do cruise passengers pay VISITAX?
The tax applies to visitors to Quintana Roo however they arrive, including by air, by land and by cruise. Paying in advance and keeping the QR code receipt avoids any question about it during your visit.
What if I lose my VISITAX QR code receipt?
Keep the receipt saved on your phone and, ideally, printed as a backup. If you cannot find it, contact us with your details and we resend the QR code receipt so you have proof of payment ready for departure.
Do I need VISITAX for Mexico City or Los Cabos?
No. VISITAX is collected only for the state of Quintana Roo. A visit to Mexico City, Los Cabos or other parts of the country does not require it, though those trips may still need the federal FMM entry permit.
How do I show my VISITAX on departure?
Have the QR code receipt ready on your phone or printed. Travellers are sometimes asked to present it before leaving the state, in some cases at the airport, so keeping it to hand makes departure straightforward.
Does the VISITAX receipt cover everyone on one booking?
Yes. A single submission can include each traveller in your party, and the QR code receipt then serves as proof of payment for the whole group, so you do not need a separate receipt for every person travelling together on the trip.
Mexico help desk
Have questions about your VISITAX? Email the Mexico desk and we reply within 24 hours.
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VisitPass is an independent visa-application service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by any government. Government fees go directly to the issuing authority and are listed separately in your receipt.
Verify rules and fees independently at the official portal: www.inm.gob.mx