Nogales Border Crossing: Arizona to Sonora FMM Guide 2026
Nogales, Arizona and Nogales, Sonora form the main gateway from Arizona into Mexico, on the highway to Hermosillo, San Carlos and the Sea of Cortez. It is also where many drivers get their Mexico paperwork wrong, because the place to get your tourist permit is not at the border itself.
Quick Facts
- Crossings: DeConcini (downtown, pedestrians and cars) and Mariposa (west side, cars and trucks)
- Where to get your FMM: the Kilometer 21 checkpoint south of town on Highway 15, open 24 hours
- Border zone: short visits close to the border have traditionally not been asked for an FMM
- Safety: the US State Department rates Sonora Level 3, Reconsider Travel
The Kilometer 21 Checkpoint
Driving south from Nogales, follow Highway 15D toward Hermosillo to the checkpoint at Km 21, about 21 km south of the line. INM issues and stamps FMMs there, and Banjercito issues vehicle permits if you are driving outside Sonora’s “free zone”. Pull into the parking area, get your paperwork, and continue.
If you are only visiting Nogales, Sonora for the day and stay close to the border, you have traditionally not been asked for an FMM. Going further, even just to Hermosillo, you need one.
Driving Into Sonora
Sonora’s free zone, west of Highway 15 as far south as Empalme, does not require a temporary vehicle import permit. Going further south or east does. You always need Mexican auto insurance.
Mexico’s FMM And How Many Days You Get
Every visitor entering Mexico needs an FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple). By land, it is free if you stay seven days or less. For longer stays the 2026 fee is 983 MXN, roughly US$55. You can fill in the FMM online before you arrive, but it still has to be stamped by an immigration officer at the border. See our Mexico tourist card guide.
The FMM allows up to 180 days, and the officer decides the number. In 2025 and 2026 travelers have reported receiving far fewer days, sometimes 30 or less, especially when their passport shows a pattern of visa runs. Ask politely for the days you need, have a hotel booking and proof of funds ready, and show when you plan to leave.
Using Nogales For A Visa Run
To reset your Mexican stay, leave Mexico properly, enter the US, and come back for a new FMM. Non-US citizens need valid US entry permission to do this. Officers increasingly question repeated runs and may give fewer than 180 days.
Bring Proof Of Onward Travel
Border officers on a visa run are deciding one thing: will you leave again on time? A confirmed onward or return booking is the quickest way to answer that. It matters most when you are re-entering a country you only just left, and on the flight leg if your run involves one. See whether Mexico asks for proof of onward travel.
If you do not want to commit to a real ticket yet, Fast Onward Tickets issues an onward flight reservation in minutes. See our complete guide to proof of onward travel for what officers and airlines accept.
FAQs
Can I walk across at Nogales?
Yes, at the DeConcini crossing downtown.
Do I return my FMM when leaving?
Leave Mexico through immigration so your exit is recorded, and return any vehicle sticker at Km 21 or the border.
Is there a Banjercito at the border itself?
Not at Mariposa. Use Km 21.
The Bottom Line
At Nogales the paperwork happens 21 km south of the line. Stop at Km 21, get your FMM stamped, and keep proof of your onward plans.