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If you are planning to travel to the United States, it is important to know that before packing your bags, you need to meet two basic requirements: have a valid Mexican passport and apply for a B1/B2 type tourist visa. This visa applies to trips for tourism, business, family visits, or even medical treatments, making it essential for most Mexican travelers.
Although wait times have begun to decrease in recent months, the reality is that in many U.S. consulates in Mexico, it is still necessary to have patience. If you decide to start your application in July 2026, it is most likely that your appointment will not be immediate, and you may have to wait from a few weeks to several months, depending on the consulate you choose.
¿Cuándo hay citas para tramitar la visa por primera vez?
For now, these are the available dates for first-time visa applications, according to the Official Visa Appointment Service:
- Ciudad Juárez: No hay citas disponibles.
- Guadalajara: 1 de octubre de 2026.
- Hermosillo: 19 de octubre de 2026.
- Matamoros: 13 de octubre de 2026.
- Mérida: 2 de septiembre de 2026.
- Ciudad de México: 3 de septiembre de 2026.
- Monterrey: 7 de octubre de 2026.
- Nogales: 7 de julio de 2026.
- Nuevo Laredo: 17 de septiembre de 2026.
- Tijuana: 16 de junio de 2026.
As you can see, the times vary considerably. In some cases, you could get an appointment almost immediately, while in others you will have to wait up to three or four months, or even longer if there is no availability.
¿Qué puedo hacer para obtener la visa americana de turista?
To obtain a U.S. tourist visa, it is fundamental to demonstrate that you have no intention of staying to live or work in the United States. During the interview, consular officers will evaluate if you have "strong ties" that bind you to Mexico.
The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) establishes that an officer can deny a visa under section 214(b) when:
You did not demonstrate that you are eligible for the visa category you requested.
You did not demonstrate that your travel will be temporary or that you have sufficient ties to your home country.
¿Qué son los lazos fuertes con México?
Strong ties are all those reasons that compel you to return to Mexico after your trip. This can include having family, stable employment, ongoing studies, property, or businesses.
During the interview, consular officers analyze each case individually, taking into account travel plans, financial resources, and all the ties that the applicant maintains outside the United States. In other words, the clearer it is that your life is in Mexico, the greater your chances of obtaining the visa.
For example, having a steady job, being enrolled in school, or owning property works in your favor. Conversely, not studying or working, or not having verifiable income, can complicate approval.
¿Cómo demostrar lazos fuertes en tu trámite?
One of the most important steps in the process is correctly filling out the DS-160 form, as the interview is based on the information you provide there.
When starting the interview, the officer will ask for your DS-160 confirmation and will ask you questions related to what you wrote. Therefore, it is essential that you include clear information from the beginning regarding your job, salary, studies, and travel plans.
Additionally, your answers must be consistent, clear, and confident. If there is any difference between what you declared and what you say during the interview, the officer is likely to ask more questions, which can create nervousness or doubt regarding your case.
In case of recent changes, such as going from a student to an employee, it is recommended to bring documents that support this, such as a letter of employment.
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