Glossary · PUI Law

The FMM and how the PUI complies with foreign guests

The FMM is the Multiple Migratory Form: the document that evidences a foreign person’s regular entry into Mexico. In the Single Identity Platform (PUI), the passport together with the migratory form and nationality replace the CURP for foreign guests, who are not enrolled in the National Population Registry. Here is how a lodging complies with a foreign guest and why they do not need a CURP.

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What the FMM is and why it matters for the record

The FMM (Multiple Migratory Form) is the document with which a foreign person evidences their regular entry into Mexico. It accompanies the passport and records the visitor’s migratory status. For a lodging it is relevant because, together with the passport and nationality, it is the identity data the PUI requires when the guest is not Mexican.

The reason is simple: the CURP, the usual axis of the PUI query, only exists for people enrolled in the National Population Registry, that is, essentially for Mexicans. A foreign guest has no CURP, so identity is evidenced by another route. That route is the passport plus the migratory form and nationality.

This means that receiving a foreign guest does not leave the lodging outside the obligation or complicate it: it simply changes the set of data captured. The goal is the same as with a Mexican, to identify the person unambiguously, using the documentation that corresponds to their case.

How a foreign guest is identified in the PUI

The data that replaces the CURP when the guest is not Mexican.

Passport

The foreign guest’s main identity document, the basis of their record.

Migratory form (FMM)

It evidences the foreigner’s regular entry into Mexico and accompanies the passport.

Nationality

It completes the foreign guest’s identity set in the record.

Instead of the CURP

These data fulfill the role the CURP has for Mexicans, because the foreigner does not have one.

Why a foreign guest does not need a CURP

The CURP is the key the National Population Registry assigns to those enrolled in it, which in practice corresponds to Mexicans. A foreign visitor is not in that registry and therefore has no CURP. It is neither an omission nor a problem: it is simply not the document that corresponds to them.

The PUI is designed with this reality in mind. Its goal is to identify the person so they can be located if reported missing, and for a foreigner that identification is achieved with their passport, their migratory form and their nationality. Asking them for a CURP they do not have would add nothing; asking for their migratory documentation does fulfill the purpose of the rule.

For a lodging, the practical rule is direct: if the guest is Mexican, capture their CURP; if they are foreign, capture their passport, their migratory form and their nationality. A well-made capture tool distinguishes the case and asks for the correct data, so the record is complete whatever the guest’s origin.

How a lodging complies with a foreign guest

A foreigner’s identity record, step by step, at check-in.

Identify that the guest is foreignWhen the guest is not Mexican, the set of data to capture changes: no CURP is requested.
Capture the passportThe passport is the base identity document of the foreign guest in the record.
Register the migratory form and nationalityThe migratory form (FMM) evidences their regular entry and nationality completes their identity.
Store the exportable recordThe registry retains the foreign guest’s data just like a national’s, ready to respond to a query.

What a lodging captures by the guest’s origin

The identity data changes, but the duty to register is the same for everyone.

Mexican guest: CURP

For the national, the CURP is the identity key captured in the record.

Foreign guest: passport

For the foreigner, the passport is the base identity document.

Foreigner: migratory form

The migratory form (FMM) evidences the visitor’s regular entry into Mexico.

Foreigner: nationality

Nationality completes the foreign guest’s identity set.

Same level of care

A foreigner’s data is personal just like a national’s: it is captured and retained securely.

Same obligation

Whether national or foreign, the guest is registered; only the documentation that evidences their identity changes.

Frequent questions about the FMM and foreign guests

What does FMM mean?

Multiple Migratory Form. It is the document with which a foreign person evidences their regular entry into Mexico and which, together with the passport and nationality, replaces the CURP in the PUI identity record.

Why does a foreign guest not need a CURP?

Because the CURP only exists for people enrolled in the National Population Registry, essentially Mexicans. A foreigner is not in that registry, so their identity is evidenced with the passport, the migratory form and nationality.

What data exactly do I capture from a foreign guest?

The passport as the base identity document, the migratory form (FMM) that evidences their regular entry and the nationality. That set fulfills, for the foreigner, the role the CURP has for a Mexican.

Does receiving foreigners exempt me from the registration duty?

No. The duty to register identity is the same for all guests; only the documentation changes. With a foreigner you capture passport, migratory form and nationality instead of the CURP.

How do I know what to ask if I am unsure of the guest’s origin?

The practical rule is simple: if the guest is Mexican, capture their CURP; if they are foreign, capture passport, migratory form and nationality. A well-designed capture distinguishes the case and asks for the correct data so the record is complete.

How does PUIhoteles handle foreign guests?

PUIhoteles detects when the guest is foreign and asks for the correct set (passport, migratory form and nationality) instead of the CURP, leaving the registry complete and exportable, connected to R2 OS in real time. It costs $4,350 MXN setup and $930 MXN per month (plus VAT), with no lock-in.

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