Traveling to Mexico
You’re all set to go to Mexico: You have scheduled your vacation time, picked your destination, booked your flight, and brushed
up on your survival Spanish. But before you entrust your potted plants to your neighbor, you need to get your travel paperwork
in order, as travel requirements outside U.S. borders have recently become more restrictive.
Regulations for all U.S. ports changed as of January 23, 2008, and oral declarations of U.S. citizenship will no longer be accepted.
Air travel
All persons traveling outside the U.S. by air are required to show a passport upon entry or re-entry to the United States.
If you don’t have a passport yet, be sure to start the process, which can take between four and six months, as soon as you can. For requirements and how to apply, please visit http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_832.html.
Land and sea travel
Currently, U.S. citizens traveling outside the U.S. by land or sea are required to show:
- A passport, passport card* or WHTI (Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative) -compliant document** or
- Government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license) along with proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate or certificate of naturalization).
As early as June 1, 2009, only a passport, passport card or WHTI-compliant document will be accepted. Other proof of citizenship will not be accepted.
* Passport Card: A passport card is a travel-friendly passport in the form of a wallet-size card. It is available now (by application) and is only valid for land and sea travel between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean region and Bermuda.
** WHTI-compliant documents
- Trusted Traveler Cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST)
- State Issued Enhanced Driver’s License (when available)
- Enhanced Tribal Cards (when available)
- U.S. Military Identification with Military Travel Orders
- U.S. Merchant Mariner Document when traveling in conjunction with official maritime business
- Native American Tribal Photo Identification Card
- Form I-872 American Indian Card
-- By Dayana Razmilic
American Embassy in Mexico City
The American Embassy in Mexico City is located at:
Paseo de la Reforma 305
Colonia Cuahtémoc
06500 Mexico City
E-mail: ccsmexicocity@state.gov
When calling from inside Mexico, you can reach the Embassy at: (01-55) 5080-2000
When calling from the U.S., you can reach the Embassy at: (011) 52-55 5080-2000
The Embassy’s purpose is to protect U.S. citizens while abroad. They assist with lost passports, medical issues, victims of crime, missing persons, death or arrests of U.S. citizens, etc. The U.S. Citizens’ Consular Services division of the Embassy is open from Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. For emergencies after hours, please call the main number and ask the switchboard operator to put you in contact with the officer on duty.
For further information, please visit the Embassy’s website at: http://mexico.usembassy.gov/eng/main.html
-- By Dayana Razmilic
For U.S. Citizens
You don’t need a visa to visit Mexico as a tourist for a short period of time. You will, however, be required to show a valid
passport.
For non-U.S. Citizens
Please visit the Mexican Consulate closest to you. There are different requirements for different countries.
-- By Dayana Razmilic
Keep in mind that if you travel with a minor and only one parent is present, you may be asked for a notarized letter from the other parent authorizing the trip. You will also need to accompany the letter with a birth certificate showing the name of the parent accompanying the child.
There are few exceptions:
- In cases where only one parent's name appears on the birth certificate, that parent's authorization is sufficient, along with presentation of the birth certificate.
- If one parent has sole custody of the child. (A certified copy of a court order may be required.)
- If a parent is deceased, the death certificate may be required.
-- By Dayana Razmilic
Arriving in Mexico
When arriving by air you will be issued a tourist card allowing a maximum stay of six months. However, the card may be stamped, allowing you only a short stay. That stamp will define the period of time you are allowed to stay in the country. If you want to stay longer, you will need to apply for an extension.
Helpful tips
- While traveling in Mexico keep your tourist card with you all the times. If you lose it, you can get a new one when leaving the country, but there’s a fee and you might miss your flight waiting for your new card.
- Make sure to get all necessary information from your travel agency or airline before you leave the country.
- Policies may change without further notice. Be on top of your traveling requirements so you can relax and enjoy your trip!
-- By Dayana Razmilic
