Mexico’s Congress has approved an increase in the Derecho de No Residente (DNR), commonly called the tourist tax, from MXN 983 in 2026 to MXN 1,158 in 2027.
That’s an additional 175 pesos per passenger – a 17.8% increase.
The DNR can apply to foreign visitors entering Mexico by air, land, or sea, although exemptions vary.
For international flights into Mexico, airlines normally collect the tax as part of the ticket price. It does not apply to domestic flights within Mexico.
As of November 2, the legislation had been sent to the Executive but had not yet been published in the Diario Oficial de la Federación. Publication is required before the increase takes effect.
If you have Temporary or Permanent Residency, you should not be charged the DNR. Mexican citizens should not be charged either.
The problem? Some airline booking systems still add the tax, even when a passenger qualifies for the exemption.
Here’s how to avoid paying it, and what to do if you’ve already been charged.
How to Avoid the Tourist Tax When Booking
When booking, look for fields asking for your nationality, country of residence, or Mexican immigration status.
Select Mexico as your country of residence and enter your Mexican residency information if the airline provides a separate field.
Do not change your nationality to Mexican unless you are actually a Mexican citizen. Your nationality and country of residence are two different things.
If you're a foreign national with Mexican residency, use your passport as your travel document and provide your valid Mexican residency card details wherever the airline allows.
Follow the airline's instructions about which identification to use at booking and check-in.
Your residency card establishes your eligibility for the DNR exemption.
The airline may still require an agent to inspect your physical residency card before issuing your boarding pass.
Mexican citizens should use their Mexican passport to establish their exemption.
If your frequent-flyer profile has a foreign address saved, check that it hasn’t automatically filled in the wrong country of residence.
Some residents report that entering their Mexican home address – or updating their frequent-flyer profile so their country of residence is Mexico – causes the DNR to disappear.
Use only your actual Mexican address. The address does not create the exemption; it may simply help the booking system recognize your country of residence.
Before paying, inspect the fare breakdown for DNR, Mexico Tourism Tax, or tax code UK.
Even after selecting Mexico as your country of residence, the charge may still appear.
If this happens, take a screenshot of the fare breakdown and contact the airline before purchasing.
Ask how to apply your exemption or have the charge corrected.
Here's what Mexican residents report has worked with different airlines:
American Airlines: Some passengers report that entering their Mexican address or selecting Mexico as their country of residence automatically removed the DNR.
United Airlines: Passengers have reported getting the charge removed after contacting an agent and providing proof of Mexican residency.
Volaris: Volaris officially confirms that valid Temporary and Permanent Residents are exempt. However, passenger experiences with its website, app and airport check-in systems are mixed. Some residents report being charged despite entering their residency information, while others say the booking system or an airport kiosk accepted their residency and removed the charge.
Because airline systems change frequently, rely on the airline’s current instructions and your valid residency documentation – not solely on what worked for another passenger.
Already Paid? You May Still Get a Refund
If the DNR was included in your ticket despite your exemption, contact the airline as soon as possible – preferably before you travel.
Refund deadlines and procedures vary.
American Airlines allows eligible claims within 12 months of ticket issuance, while WestJet requires claims to be processed before travel begins.
Don’t assume every airline offers the same deadline.
Depending on the airline, you may need:
Your ticket number or reservation code
A receipt showing the DNR or UK tax
A copy of your Mexican residency card, front and back, or your Mexican passport
Your boarding pass or e-ticket receipt
Any additional exemption or refund form required by the airline
Some residents also report successfully obtaining refunds after submitting their residency documentation to the airline.
If your request is denied, ask for the reason in writing and whether the decision can be reviewed.
Here are airline tax-exemption, refund, and customer-service pages to help you get started.
Procedures vary by airline:
If you’re flying with another airline, check directly with its customer service department.
If a travel agency or third-party website issued your ticket, you may need to request the refund through that company instead.
One final tip: Don’t confuse the DNR with Mexico’s airport-use fee, the Tarifa de Uso de Aeropuerto (TUA), which covers the use of airport facilities and services and is generally included in your airline ticket.
Unlike the DNR, Mexican Temporary and Permanent Residency does not, by itself, exempt you from the TUA.
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