Mr Meander

Where to Get an Exit Stamp at Mexico City International Airport (MEX)

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If you have temporary or permanent residency in Mexico, you might have heard conflicting advice about whether you need an exit stamp (sello de salida) when flying out of the country. I hadn’t worried about it too much—until an immigration officer in Monterrey made it clear that I should.

“Where’s Your Exit Stamp?”

The last time I entered Mexico with my residency card, the immigration officer asked why I didn’t have an exit stamp from my last departure. At first, I panicked, thinking this somehow invalidated my residency. But after a moment, I realized he was just pointing it out and advising me to get one next time.

I had heard about the exit stamp before, but when I previously flew out of Mexico City International Airport (MEX), I went to the INM (Instituto Nacional de Migración) office before security to ask about it. They just waved me off, so I assumed it wasn’t necessary.

Turns out, I was looking in the wrong place.

Where to Get the Exit Stamp at MEX

If you’re flying out of Mexico City International Airport, the INM desk that issues exit stamps is after you go through security.

Steps to Get Your Exit Stamp:

  1. Check in for your flight and go through security as usual.
  2. Once past security, find the INM desk to your right.
  3. Present your passport and residency card, and request an exit stamp. You can say:
    • “¿Podría ponerme un sello de salida en mi pasaporte, por favor?”
      (Could you put an exit stamp in my passport, please?)
  4. They will stamp your passport.
Terminal 2 Security at Mexico City International Airport
Immigration Desk at Terminal 2 in Mexico City International Airport

Is the Exit Stamp Always Required?

It seems that not every airport in Mexico requires or even offers exit stamps anymore. The rules are inconsistently enforced. But after my experience in Monterrey, I plan to try and get one every time I leave Mexico—just to avoid any issues when I return.

If you have Mexican residency and are flying out of Mexico, it’s worth taking a few extra minutes to look for an INM desk or office and get your exit stamp. It might save you from an unexpected hassle with immigration the next time you come back.