Conducting Scientific Research in Mexico

All scientific field research and/or collection of specimens by foreign scientists in Mexico require prior approval by the Mexican government. Do not begin your research or collection within areas under Mexican jurisdiction without the permission of the Mexican government (Secretariat of Foreign Relations, SRE).

The Process for Obtaining a Research Permit

U.S. scientists should not directly seek permission from the Mexican government. If you need permission to use a research vessel in Mexican territorial waters, you should forward your request to the Department of State in Washington. In all other cases, you must forward your request to the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City.

Once you have submitted the application to the Department of State or the Embassy, it will be passed to the Mexican Foreign Relations Secretariat (SRE). The SRE coordinates the review and approval process for the Mexican government. The appropriate Mexican technical agencies review applications for research permits, but only the SRE has the authority to grant final official approval. Any research that has not been approved by the SRE is legally unauthorized by the Mexican government. Keep in mind that requests are often reviewed by several technical agencies, each of which must independently approve the project before the SRE grants final authorization. The fact that you are aware that your counterpart at one of the technical agencies has approved the project does not mean that all of the relevant technical agencies have given their approval and that the SRE has issued its final authorization.

SRE’s final authorization will be granted through a diplomatic note that is formally sent to the Embassy. The Embassy will then send the permit to you by mail or fax.

Any research that is not authorized by a diplomatic note from SRE is not authorized by the Mexican government. You should not begin your research until SRE formally authorizes it.

Deadlines and Contents of the Application

The Government of Mexico requires that all research permit applications be submitted to the SRE, in Spanish, between 90 and 180 days in advance of the proposed research trip to Mexico. In order to allow time for the Embassy to process these requests, applicants should submit their information to the Embassy at least two weeks prior to the date on which the application must be submitted to the SRE.

For all research other than marine research (see below), you must submit your application at least 14 weeks prior to the first day of the proposed research (allowing for the 12 weeks that the SRE requires for its review and two weeks for the Embassy to process your application).

Click here for the application requirements for a research permit

For all marine research (including beach activities, such as turtle conservation activities), you must submit your application at least 26 weeks prior to the first day of the proposed research (allowing for the 24 weeks that the SRE requires for its review and two weeks for the Embassy to process your application). Marine research is any research involving physical, chemical or biological marine resources whether or not such research is conducted from a vessel or other at-sea platform.

Depending on the kind of research to be performed, you may have to pay various fees, including, for example, a "collection fee", a fee for "access to insular territory", aircraft landing fees, aircraft parking fees, and a fee for export/import of biological samples and/or specimens. SRE determines these fees, which may vary from project to project, shortly before the starting date of the proposed research.

Supplemental Forms

In addition to the information listed above, applicants also must submit, depending upon the type of research they wish to perform, from one to four application forms, as explained below:

All applicants must submit an application form from the Secretariat of Foreign Relations (SRE) [Word (141Kb), pdf (797Kb)].

If the research involves the collection of biological samples or specimens, an application form from the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) [Word (372Kb), pdf (689Kb)] must be submitted.

In the case of collections of non-endangered marine or freshwater species/samples, an application form from the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Commission (CONAPESCA) [Excel (40Kb), pdf (92Kb)] is required.

Finally, vessels and aircrafts must also submit a form for Temporary Use of Radio Frequencies from the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation (SCT) [pdf (689Kb)].

Note: Please bear in mind that, as all relevant material, all required application forms must be completed in Spanish.

Additional Suggestions

Timing - Allow extra time to accommodate unforeseen delays. Permits are often granted at the last minute, or even after the first day of the proposed research. Submitting your applications well in advance of the deadlines will help avoid schedule disruptions but is no guarantee against delays.

Changes and Amendments - Any changes or submission of new information must be made formally through the Embassy to the SRE. Please be aware that amendments often cause a delay in getting the requested approval. It is therefore advisable to prepare the initial application carefully in order to minimize the need for changes.

Absence of the Chief Scientist - Permits are personal and non-transferable, and requests for transferring field-responsibilities or for adding a Co-Chief scientist after the approval process has begun can result in delays and denials. If the Chief Scientist will not be in the field during the entire research period, we strongly advise that you designate a Co-Chief Scientist.

Mexican Collaboration – Joint U.S.-Mexico scientific collaboration is well regarded. The likelihood of approval of applications for research permits increases for projects that include Mexican scientists as partners. It is best that you find a Mexican counterpart and include a letter from the collaborating institution with your permit application.

Collecting Specimens - When specifying the number of specimens to be collected and/or exported, take into account that the Government of Mexico often requires that a certain percentage of the total collected species (10% to 40%) be deposited in a Mexican institution. Consider this percentage in your proposed number of specimens to be collected.

Collection of endangered species or collection within any designated protected area is an issue of particular sensitivity. You should provide clear and compelling justification for such collection in your research plan.

Submission of Research Results - Research permits are granted on the condition that scientists submit a preliminary and final research report, which is usually required in Spanish, that include all findings, problems encountered, etc. Scientists are also required to submit copies of all papers and published materials (including photographs, posters, videos, etc.) resulting from the granted research. This material must also be submitted through diplomatic channels (U.S. Embassy/SRE) to the Government of Mexico. (Note: Failure to provide these reports may result in the denial of future requests).

In addition, when the project involves the collection of biological samples and/or specimens, scientists will also be required to submit a letter from the Mexican institution in which the partial collection was deposited acknowledging receipt of the deposited samples. The letter should include, date, name and number of samples deposited, and sites from which these samples were taken.

Questions – If you have additional questions please email ResearchPermits@state.gov. We are aware of the complexity of this process and will assist you if you have problems or questions.