The Mexican government plans to impose a $42 immigration fee for each cruise ship passenger beginning January 1, 2025. This fee will be charged to passengers regardless of whether they disembark or remain onboard, with the Mexican Immigration Institute issuing a “collective visa” for all passengers on the ship’s manifest.
In addition to this federal charge, a $5 per passenger fee imposed by local states raises concerns that Mexican cruise destinations could become some of the most expensive globally. The Mexican Association of Naval Agents (AMANAC) has urged the government to reconsider, warning that the fees could harm the competitiveness of Mexico’s cruise industry compared to other, more affordable Caribbean destinations.
Currently, cruise passengers are exempt from immigration fees, as they are categorized as “in transit.” AMANAC estimates that implementing the new fees could result in Mexico losing up to 10 million passengers and over 3,300 ship calls in 2025.
The legislation, approved by both chambers of Mexico’s Congress, directs two-thirds of the revenue to the Mexican army. While critics see the fee as detrimental to tourism, President Claudia Sheinbaum defended it as an adjustment to existing charges based on inflation. She also mentioned ongoing discussions among relevant agencies to address concerns.
The introduction of the fee leaves little time for the tourism industry to adjust. Some stakeholders worry it could shift cruise ship itineraries away from Mexican ports, impacting local economies dependent on cruise tourism.
