BajaNomad

Mexican born.... does she need a travel permit?

thebajarunner - 2-17-2018 at 04:41 PM

My wife was born in Jalisco, came across many years ago, has been a US citizen for 40 years, carries a US passport and a passport card.
We are headed down to San Felipe next week for a few days and I will be getting my 6 month permit at Mexicali, since our gang is going back in June.

Does she need a permit?
She never renounced her Mexican citizenship, although neglected to keep up her documentation, other than a birth certificate, which we never carry.
Her US docs all indicate place of birth as Jalisco, Mex.

What say you all??

AKgringo - 2-17-2018 at 04:52 PM

My uninformed, wild a** guess is, probably not! Especially since no one has ever asked me for one!

But if I were in your shoes, I would consider the FMM fee to be cheap insurance against a potential problem.

Bob and Susan - 2-17-2018 at 04:58 PM

no permit needed

don't waste your money

if shes worried have her bring her birth cert

thebajarunner - 2-17-2018 at 05:16 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan  
no permit needed

don't waste your money

if shes worried have her bring her birth cert


This girl does not worry
Her attitude is "Permit.... I don't need no stinkin' permit"
But then again, you need to know this feisty lady

TMW - 2-17-2018 at 05:30 PM

If she does not have any document saying she is a Mexican citizen then she should bring her birth cert. How would they know if she is a Mexican citizen or not? How would they know if she has dual citizenship? Odds are no one will ask for an FMM or any other documents so your probably OK to go without one. I haven't been asked for my FMM in almost 15 years, but I still get one. Even if they did ask what are they going to do? Just give em $20 and they'll let her go.

thebajarunner - 2-17-2018 at 06:03 PM

Quote: Originally posted by TMW  
If she does not have any document saying she is a Mexican citizen then she should bring her birth cert. How would they know if she is a Mexican citizen or not? How would they know if she has dual citizenship? Odds are no one will ask for an FMM or any other documents so your probably OK to go without one. I haven't been asked for my FMM in almost 15 years, but I still get one. Even if they did ask what are they going to do? Just give em $20 and they'll let her go.


Agreed,
But, for discussion purposes, seems to me that if her PPcard shows Jalisco as place of birth (and she has articulate, un-accented Spanish) then she is pretty much a presumptive Mexican.

TMW - 2-17-2018 at 06:23 PM

Good point. If born in Mexico how does one give up their Mexican citizenship?

Bob and Susan - 2-17-2018 at 06:39 PM

she should have a curp card

or a voter card

or a drivers license

or a birth cert

David K - 2-17-2018 at 06:42 PM

She just needs to say "Soy Mexicana" to anyone crazy enough to question her right to return to the nation of her birth, then use that 'look' women get! LOL

bajaguy - 2-17-2018 at 08:54 PM

Whether or not she (or anyone else) is asked or an FMM is immaterial. The law requires you to have the proper immigration status when you enter the country.

If she holds a US passport she will be considered a US citizen. A Mexican birth certificate without a Mexican passport, a Mexican CURP card or a Mexican voter registration card does not show or prove Mexican citizenship

bajabuddha - 2-17-2018 at 08:59 PM

FMM's are cheap. People who don't buy them are too.

bajaguy - 2-17-2018 at 09:02 PM

And illegal
Quote: Originally posted by bajabuddha  
FMM's are cheap. People who don't buy them are too.

chumlee57 - 2-17-2018 at 09:48 PM

if you are in the country for less than 7 days, you do not need a tourist card from immigration. By all means bring doc's to re enter the USA. I always get the tourist card, just so if some crap happens, I am legit, but I also travel down quite a bit between Oct and June. Try the east border crossing at mexicali on the way back, last week we were the 3rd car in line ( sentri ) but the ready lanes were looking pretty good, it's also a very easy enrty, although there was a little bit of construction at the specific turnoff to enter

bajaguy - 2-17-2018 at 09:55 PM

Incorrect. You need the proper documents when you cross the border into Mexico. FMM's are free for 7 days or less......but you still need and FMM no matter the length of stay (up to 180 days) or distance from the border
Quote: Originally posted by chumlee57  
if you are in the country for less than 7 days, you do not need a tourist card from immigration. By all means bring doc's to re enter the USA. I always get the tourist card, just so if some crap happens, I am legit, but I also travel down quite a bit between Oct and June. Try the east border crossing at mexicali on the way back, last week we were the 3rd car in line ( sentri ) but the ready lanes were looking pretty good, it's also a very easy enrty, although there was a little bit of construction at the specific turnoff to enter

BajaBlanca - 2-18-2018 at 10:37 PM

bring the birth certificate. and get the curp for free, online. the IFE is time consuming but it is wonderful as ID for banks and travel and everything else!

David K - 2-19-2018 at 07:55 AM

Have things changed in the past year???

This was the deal in 2017:

1) a PASSPORT (or Passport Card) and not a birth certificate is what Mexico wants to issue the Tourist Card (FMM).

2) Every U.S. or Canadian needs an FMM when they cross the border. Simply walk into the INM office (first building inside Mexico at the border) to get it. There is no longer a 'border zone' that allows for short visits without one.

3) The FMM is FREE for up to 7 days in Mexico or pay for up to 180 days (it was around 500 pesos).

4) The FREE FMM must be returned to INM when you exit Mexico but the pay one does not as you are using it for possible multiple trips during the 180 days it is valid. This rule was stressed at Mexicali but not Tijuana, from reports.

soylent_green - 2-19-2018 at 12:38 PM

if she has time, make appt. at the local Mexican consulate and she should get the "Matricula Consular" ID Card.

Proof of Mexican citizenship, doesn't need to much to get the card (birth certificate, photo ID, marriage certificate if ID has married name, proof of address) https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/sandiego/index.php/documentacio...

costs $27 and from past experience in San Diego consulate, they issue it literally in minutes if you have all the required docs.

Its a photo ID card. She can use it as proof of Mexican citizenship. No need for tourist card then.

$27 is cheaper than a 6 month tourist card :)

Call the consulate closest to you and get the info and requirements



[Edited on 2-19-2018 by soylent_green]

Probably the best advice of all

thebajarunner - 2-19-2018 at 05:36 PM

Quote: Originally posted by soylent_green  
if she has time, make appt. at the local Mexican consulate and she should get the "Matricula Consular" ID Card.

Proof of Mexican citizenship, doesn't need to much to get the card (birth certificate, photo ID, marriage certificate if ID has married name, proof of address) https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/sandiego/index.php/documentacio...

costs $27 and from past experience in San Diego consulate, they issue it literally in minutes if you have all the required docs.

Its a photo ID card. She can use it as proof of Mexican citizenship. No need for tourist card then.

$27 is cheaper than a 6 month tourist card :)

Call the consulate closest to you and get the info and requirements



[Edited on 2-19-2018 by soylent_green]


We have talked about going up to Sacramento, an hour away, and going through the process. If we ever do finally decide to buy property in Baja it will be much easier to do so as a citizen than through a bank trust.

As to having to show proof of citizenship prior to entering the country.....
Well that just makes me smile.
Were that true then the line of cars backed up at San Ysidro would extend clear up to Oceanside.
Mexicans don't show "proof of citizenship" when crossing over southbound.
For that matter, how many Mexicans could you encounter on the streets of Baja that would have "proof of citizenship" on their person????
For that matter, how many US citizens are bearing "proof of citizenship" on their person while walking around in the US?

TMW - 2-19-2018 at 05:51 PM

Your drivers license is the ID most recognized. Until CA started issuing drivers license to illegals it was the standard. The US government wants a tamper proof drivers license card which CA does not meet the requirements. If CA doesn't get their act together you will not be able to board a flight out of CA to another state unless you have a passport.

BajaTed - 2-19-2018 at 06:06 PM

When it counts "proof of citizenship" or a legal visa is required.
Try the following without and see where it gets you:
1. Sign a bank Fideocomiso.
2. Getting a dead body back to US.
3. Serving as a trust executor
3. Trying to get near to a US embassy.
5. Got > $10,000 cash at the border.

Drivers license only proves citizen of the state- not US

thebajarunner - 2-19-2018 at 06:26 PM

Quote: Originally posted by TMW  
Your drivers license is the ID most recognized. Until CA started issuing drivers license to illegals it was the standard. The US government wants a tamper proof drivers license card which CA does not meet the requirements. If CA doesn't get their act together you will not be able to board a flight out of CA to another state unless you have a passport.


Drivers license is not "proof of citizenship"
It may be proof of residence, big difference
I carry my passport card always.
Unless you carry your birth certificate, voter reg. card, passport or card you cannot "prove" that you are a US citizen
I am talking about just walking the streets of the US
99+% of those walking around have no "proof" on their person.

mtgoat666 - 2-19-2018 at 06:41 PM

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner  
Quote: Originally posted by TMW  
Your drivers license is the ID most recognized. Until CA started issuing drivers license to illegals it was the standard. The US government wants a tamper proof drivers license card which CA does not meet the requirements. If CA doesn't get their act together you will not be able to board a flight out of CA to another state unless you have a passport.


Drivers license is not "proof of citizenship"
It may be proof of residence, big difference
I carry my passport card always.
Unless you carry your birth certificate, voter reg. card, passport or card you cannot "prove" that you are a US citizen
I am talking about just walking the streets of the US
99+% of those walking around have no "proof" on their person.


Starting last month you can get CA DMV Drivers license renewal that is REAL ID compliant. You have to get your DL renewed at DMV off and show proof of CA residency, USA citizenship and SSN. So next time you renew DL, won’t be by mail. tSA airport knuckleheads will accept non-REAL-ID DLs until sometime in 2020.

Very interesting.... not accurate, but interesting

thebajarunner - 2-19-2018 at 08:43 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner  
Quote: Originally posted by TMW  
Your drivers license is the ID most recognized. Until CA started issuing drivers license to illegals it was the standard. The US government wants a tamper proof drivers license card which CA does not meet the requirements. If CA doesn't get their act together you will not be able to board a flight out of CA to another state unless you have a passport.


Drivers license is not "proof of citizenship"
It may be proof of residence, big difference
I carry my passport card always.
Unless you carry your birth certificate, voter reg. card, passport or card you cannot "prove" that you are a US citizen
I am talking about just walking the streets of the US
99+% of those walking around have no "proof" on their person.


Starting last month you can get CA DMV Drivers license renewal that is REAL ID compliant. You have to get your DL renewed at DMV off and show proof of CA residency, USA citizenship and SSN. So next time you renew DL, won’t be by mail. tSA airport knuckleheads will accept non-REAL-ID DLs until sometime in 2020.


Not sure where you get your info down in Baja about California.
But the DMVCA website says you need proof of California residency.
It does not mention US citizenship, and again, your DL does not prove US
citizenship....although being residents of the "Peoples Republic of Brown California" may be a reasonable facsimile thereof.

mtgoat666 - 2-19-2018 at 11:32 PM

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner  
Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner  
Quote: Originally posted by TMW  
Your drivers license is the ID most recognized. Until CA started issuing drivers license to illegals it was the standard. The US government wants a tamper proof drivers license card which CA does not meet the requirements. If CA doesn't get their act together you will not be able to board a flight out of CA to another state unless you have a passport.


Drivers license is not "proof of citizenship"
It may be proof of residence, big difference
I carry my passport card always.
Unless you carry your birth certificate, voter reg. card, passport or card you cannot "prove" that you are a US citizen
I am talking about just walking the streets of the US
99+% of those walking around have no "proof" on their person.


Starting last month you can get CA DMV Drivers license renewal that is REAL ID compliant. You have to get your DL renewed at DMV off and show proof of CA residency, USA citizenship and SSN. So next time you renew DL, won’t be by mail. tSA airport knuckleheads will accept non-REAL-ID DLs until sometime in 2020.


Not sure where you get your info down in Baja about California.
But the DMVCA website says you need proof of California residency.
It does not mention US citizenship, and again, your DL does not prove US
citizenship....although being residents of the "Peoples Republic of Brown California" may be a reasonable facsimile thereof.


I don’t give a flock about the details. I’m gonna get me a new compliant REAL ID CA DL when my old-fashion CA DL expires next year. You do what you want!

"Details not important" So we have noticed

thebajarunner - 2-20-2018 at 08:56 AM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner  
Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner  
Quote: Originally posted by TMW  
Your drivers license is the ID most recognized. Until CA started issuing drivers license to illegals it was the standard. The US government wants a tamper proof drivers license card which CA does not meet the requirements. If CA doesn't get their act together you will not be able to board a flight out of CA to another state unless you have a passport.


Drivers license is not "proof of citizenship"
It may be proof of residence, big difference
I carry my passport card always.
Unless you carry your birth certificate, voter reg. card, passport or card you cannot "prove" that you are a US citizen
I am talking about just walking the streets of the US
99+% of those walking around have no "proof" on their person.


Starting last month you can get CA DMV Drivers license renewal that is REAL ID compliant. You have to get your DL renewed at DMV off and show proof of CA residency, USA citizenship and SSN. So next time you renew DL, won’t be by mail. tSA airport knuckleheads will accept non-REAL-ID DLs until sometime in 2020.


Not sure where you get your info down in Baja about California.
But the DMVCA website says you need proof of California residency.
It does not mention US citizenship, and again, your DL does not prove US
citizenship....although being residents of the "Peoples Republic of Brown California" may be a reasonable facsimile thereof.


I don’t give a flock about the details. I’m gonna get me a new compliant REAL ID CA DL when my old-fashion CA DL expires next year. You do what you want!


In your own words....Details don't count....
Ah, my man, you have outed yourself
All talk, not reality
Sad