Mexico VISITAX
Everything you need for your Mexico VISITAX: requirements, processing times and answers to the most common questions.
Official Mexico government portal- Validity
- Your trip
- Maximum stay
- No stay limit
- Entry type
- Single payment
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.
Mexico VISITAX questions
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.
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visitax@visitpass-online.comVisitPass 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.