011MeridaYucatan

Home/ Services/ Document Requirements/ Fees/ Payment Options/ Updates/ Client Feedback/ Contact Us/ Hotels/ Airports/ Links

MAS Home
MAS Instructions
MAS Fees/Services
PIMS Instructions
MAS/Visa Stamping Updates
MAS Contact Info
US Imm. Atty Review
Visa Stamping F A Q's ?
MAS Client Feedback
MAS Tips!
How to Pay MAS w/PayPal
MAS I 94 Service Trip
MAS Helpful Links
MAS Terms & Conditions

U.S. Consulate in Merida, Yucatan

M.A.S. rated 5 star for safety, proximity to the MAS approved hotel, visa issuing time, previous visa success rates, very friendly ambiance, location, and things to do in and around Merida.

Who Can Apply in Merida, Mexico:

* TCN Applicants residing in the United States, seeking to renew their visa in any category except B1/2 (tourist/business), if the current visa was issued in the applicant's country of nationality, former residence, or in Mexico. A spouse or dependent children may apply with the principal visa holder if the principal meets the criteria above. A renewal is a case where an application for the same type of visa is made and does not include persons who seek to change from one visa category to another or who are seeking any other type of “change of status” even if that change has been authorized by the Department of Homeland Security.

The U.S. Consulate in Merida is located in the Yucatan Peninsula and is approximately 4 hours driving distance to the west from Cancun or 2 hours flying from Houston, Tx. It is approximately 30 minutes from the nearest beach in Progresso and 15 minutes away from the nearest Mayan ruins in Dzibilchultun.

Stamping is same day for the most part at this location. Interviews are either 8:30 A.M. or 9:00 A.M. and the passport pick up time is 4:00 P.M. This is not a busy consulate and usually handle up to 150 applicants per day. We recommend that you reserve your hotel room for at least two nights. There are some instances where extra verification is needed which can cause a delay of 1-2 days. Other delays can be caused by the system/printers going down, too many people, FBI security name checks.

Mexican Visa - ISSUED BY THE MEXICAN CONSULATE Mexican Consulate Directory

This can be obtained by visiting your nearest Mexican Consulate in person. I highly suggest that you try calling before to schedule an appoitnment and ask what documents will be required for this. This can vary from Mexican Consulates across the U.S. This will be required for your travel into Mexico. You need to make sure you specify what exactly you will be doing and that you will be traveling by air. You will be issued a tourist visa, total cost is $36.00 USD per person. It is best to apply as soon as you get your appointment as this can take a few days to obtain, however in some cases it is on the same day. Please call them directly to see what documents you will be required to present.

M.A.S. Services Provided at this location: Limited Personalized Service

Prepaid US Visa Application Fee

M.A.S. can assist you with prepaying your U.S. visa application fee which is required for attending your interview with the U.S. consulate in Merida. This service is provided for clients who do not have the payment made at the Banamex Bank in Mexico. You will not be allowed to enter the U.S. Consulate without first paying this. Avoid the hassle of trying to locate the nearest Banamex bank or waiting in long lines, give us a call!

Documents Required:

- 1 copy of the most recent passport per person (first page only)

- 1 copy of the appointment confirmation per person/family (first page only)

- 1 copy of the fill form which will have your name, address, phone, etc. per person/family

Fax all documents to 877-220-0260

You can also simply fill out the Prepaid US Visa Application Fee Online Request Form

instead of faxing us the required documents.

Hotel Accomodation Assistance for Merida, Yucatan

M.A.S. can reserve your room at a 5 star hotel located approximately 1.5 blocks away from the U.S. Consulate in Merida at a discounted rate. We recommend that you reserve your room for at least 2 nights since the passports are returned in the afternoon. Contact M.A.S. if you have any questions.

Package Deal - Merida, Yucatan

The package deal includes the US visa application fee(s) prepaid and 2 nights at a 5 star hotel in Merida. Packages starting at $485.00 for 1 adult or $660.00 2 adults.

$485.00 usd

1 US visa application fee

2 nights at a 5 star hotel (room only taxes included)

1 MAS Information Packet

- Valuable information for U.S. Visa Stamping at this location.

- Instructions, maps, assistance contact information in Merida.

- MAS Distance Assistance. Translations whenver needed or emergency assistance.

$660.00 usd

2 US visa application fees

2 nights at a 5 star hotel (room only taxes included)

1 MAS Information Packet

- Valuable information for U.S. Visa Stamping at this location.

- Instructions, maps, assistance contact information in Merida.

- MAS Distance Assistance. Translations whenver needed or emergency assistance.

Please provide MAS with the following information if taking advantage of the Package Deals:

1 copy of the passport first page only per person visiting.

1 copy of the appointment confirmation per person or family

1 copy of your flight itinerary

Payments for this service can be done via PayPal. You don't have to be a registered member with PayPal to send your payment.

MAS PayPal ID is marklehmann@mexico-assistance.com.

Please click on the PayPal Instructions Link or call for more details. 956-455-3628

Here's a little history:

According to State Department records, the first consul to Merida, Charles Thompson Jr., was confirmed on March 3, 1843. The opening of a U.S. Consulate was probably in response to the Mexican government's decree, opening the ports of Sisal and Campeche to duty-free import and export. A consular agent was also maintained in Sisal, a busy port town that attracted many U.S. ships. Today, Sisal is a sleepy fishing village with a little more than 1,000 people.

From 1843 until 1897, ten consuls were appointed to represent the United States’ interests in the Yucatan. Most notable was Edward H. Thompson, the renowned archaeologist and explorer of the Mayan ruins at Chichén Itzá. Thompson was appointed consul by President Cleveland with the understanding that he would be given time away from his Consular duties to explore the Yucatan's many ruins. His book "People of the Serpent" details his exhaustive research at Chichén Itzá and gives a brief summary of how he obtained his consular title.

In 1897, Consulate Merida was closed and the functions of the office were moved to Progreso. The Consulate remained in Progreso for 37 years. Records at the National Archives in Washington D.C. contain lists of dispatches the Consulate sent to Washington during this time. The business of those days concerned U.S. ships calling at the ports of Progreso and Campeche, agricultural and commercial aspects of the Yucatan, reports of missing Americans and reports of contagious diseases in the area.

The Consulate was moved back to Merida on February 1, 1934. The building was located near the "Parque del Centenario". The Consulate was later moved to downtown Merida not far from the cathedral.

The U.S. government since 1959 leased the previous Consulate building, on Paseo de Montejo at Avenida Colon. The Consul and Vice Consul originally lived in homes located on the Consulate compound. In December of 2001, the lease expired on the property and a temporary extension was signed while an extensive search process for a new location was undertaken. Construction of the new Consulate was completed and is a more secure and functional facility some three blocks from the previous site. The new office building opened for business on November 06, 2006 and is located at Calle 60 No. 338-K x 29 y 31, Col. Alcalá Martín, 97050.

Today, Mérida is a cosmopolitan city that retains its colonial air and the majesty of its buildings with a marked French influence from the beginning of the last century, from which we could mention constructions such as La Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral of San Ildefonso, the Government Palace, the Santa Isabel Chapel and Santa Ana, Santa Lucía and Santiago parks among others. In this beautiful city various cultural activities are offered daily along with a large amount of entertainment options for the pleasure of visitors. An hour and a half away Celestun can be found; with a natural exhibition that shows thousands of pink flamingos among other things; Uxmal and Chichen Itza can also be found with its Mayan architectural remains; and only 40 minutes away is the tradition Progreso Port and its famous beach.

Why Choose Merida?

The MAS approved hotel is located walking distance from the U.S. Consulate, hospital, Chili's, Subway, Wal-Mart.

Merida, Yucatan has been given the title of being the safest city in Mexico and I must agree!

City is very clean

Everyone is so friendly

Consulate is small only handling up to 150 people per day.

Same day stamping

Lots to do nearby. 15 minutes to the ruins, 30 minutes to the beach!

MAS can arrange for your accomodations in a 5 STAR hotel at a discounted rate.

MAS Approved Hotel:

*5 Star

*Wireless Internet Access (additional cost)