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pascuale
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Posts: 224
Registered: 2-20-2005
Location: Somewhere South
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Passport????
Hi,
If i walk into Mexico and I am flying out of TJ international airport to PV, do i need a passport? If i am flying within mexico do I need a passport?
Thanks
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David K
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Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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To get an FMM from Mexican INM desk, they only accept a passport now (so we have heard many times). You need an FMM or higher visa to travel south of
the border zone.
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DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
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Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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I have heard a few times that customers were asked for their tourist card by an INM officer spot checking folks holding boarding passes. Certain parts
of west coast Mexico at roadside checks are really clamping down tight about tourist cards FMM's and car permits.
This gets ugly. On the mainland if caught without FMM you are subject to a fine of one hundred dollars, and paying full price on the spot for a
non-renewable, non-changeable 15-day FMM transmigratoria FMM. Your name will be entered into a database. If found again without a valid FMM, you can
be jailed, bussed to the nearest USA POE, and expelled from Mexico forever with a 10-year prison sentence hanging over your head. Folks caught on the
mainland without FMM or passport are merely arrested and deported. It's those whom violate that 15-day transmigrante signed and sealed INM order to
leave that receive a suspended prison sentence.
Some people go and get away with it. Others do not. Choose wisely.
A Lot To See And A Lot To Do
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durrelllrobert
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1. A passport or other WHTI-compliant travel document is necessary for U.S. and Canadian citizens traveling to Mexico. You may not be asked to
present your passport if entering Mexico by land, but you will surely need to present one upon your return to the United States.
2. Traveling in Mexico requires proof of citizenship, which is easiest to provide by carrying a valid passport. If you do not have a
passport, never fear. It is also possible to get a tourist visa (tarjeta de turista) with certified copy of your birth certificate (embossed seal do
impress) and a photo ID at border crossings. The cost of a tourist visa is about $20 USD, and is included in the cost of your international plane or
cruise ship ticket . Visas are typically valid for 180 days
Most people officially need a passport to pick up their tourist card, but for US and Canadian citizens all that's required is proof of citizenship (an
original birth certificate or notarized copy, for instance, or naturalization papers), along with some form of photo ID (such as a driver's license).
Don't lose the blue copy of your tourist card, which is given back to you after immigration inspection. You are legally required to carry it at all
times, and if you have to show your papers, it's more important than your passport. Get extra visas if you'll be leaving and returning to Mexico
during your trip.
Bob Durrell
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rts551
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Posts: 6700
Registered: 9-5-2003
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| Quote: | Originally posted by durrelllrobert
1. A passport or other WHTI-compliant travel document is necessary for U.S. and Canadian citizens traveling to Mexico. You may not be asked to
present your passport if entering Mexico by land, but you will surely need to present one upon your return to the United States.
2. Traveling in Mexico requires proof of citizenship, which is easiest to provide by carrying a valid passport. If you do not have a
passport, never fear. It is also possible to get a tourist visa (tarjeta de turista) with certified copy of your birth certificate (embossed seal do
impress) and a photo ID at border crossings. The cost of a tourist visa is about $20 USD, and is included in the cost of your international plane or
cruise ship ticket . Visas are typically valid for 180 days
Most people officially need a passport to pick up their tourist card, but for US and Canadian citizens all that's required is proof of citizenship (an
original birth certificate or notarized copy, for instance, or naturalization papers), along with some form of photo ID (such as a driver's license).
Don't lose the blue copy of your tourist card, which is given back to you after immigration inspection. You are legally required to carry it at all
times, and if you have to show your papers, it's more important than your passport. Get extra visas if you'll be leaving and returning to Mexico
during your trip. |
If returning to the USA by land you do NOT need a passport. Only proof of citizenship. When traveling by air you DO need a passport to return to the
USA. I forgot my passport last trip north and only had to show my Arizona drivers license and an old expired passport that I keep in my truck.
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sancho
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Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
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At the crossings, San Ysidro, Mex Immigration has
previously issued fmm's with the Passcard, $40
instead of the Passport $130 or so. I can't imagine
Mex Immigration issueing an fmm with a birth cert,
but I'm not going to say it is not possible,
they seem to interpert their regs on an inconsistant
basis, but I would not go to the TJ Airport without one
of the above, getting back into the US, at least
walking, you can enter with a DL or in fact
no ID
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pascuale
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Posts: 224
Registered: 2-20-2005
Location: Somewhere South
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Thank you for the info!
Heres the situation. I am flying out of TJ to PV rountrip. I can simply walk across the border but can i get on the plane from tj to PV without a
passport, just a birth certificate? When I return, I will arrive back in TJ, get off the plane and use my birth certificate and photo id to get back
into the U.S.
Otherwise, what is the fastest way to get a Passport. Thanks
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gallesram
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Registered: 7-6-2010
Location: Laguna Beach
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Here's what will happen when you land in TJ from PV (way before you get to the US; this takes place in the TJ airport terminal); you will go through
an immigration checkpoint at the TJ airport just before you get to baggage claim and they will ask you for your passport and tourist card. I don't
know how strict they are at the checkpoint about requiring a passport; I have always had my passport with me, however, and have always sailed through.
I don't know if they'd accept a driver's license with your tourist card.
I understand what you mean about being able to board the plane within Mexico by just showing my driver's license; I have done that too when I'm too
lazy to get my passport out of my bag. The immigration checkpoint seems more formal so I have always taken the trouble of showing my passport there.
The State Department will issue you a passport on an expedited basis but you'll pay for it. Just go to their website. There are services that will
expedite it even fast but they charge a lot.
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mtgoat666
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Posts: 20375
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by pascuale
Thank you for the info!
Heres the situation. I am flying out of TJ to PV rountrip. I can simply walk across the border but can i get on the plane from tj to PV without a
passport, just a birth certificate? When I return, I will arrive back in TJ, get off the plane and use my birth certificate and photo id to get back
into the U.S.
Otherwise, what is the fastest way to get a Passport. Thanks |
airport sometimes asks to see passport/visa. best to have one. if asked and you don't have, you'll get rejected
there is a passport office in san diego. you can get PP in under 5 days, by paying expedite fee. check state dept website for info
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pascuale
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Posts: 224
Registered: 2-20-2005
Location: Somewhere South
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awesome! Oh and i just booked another flight in march 2013 for $77 roundtrip. Check Volaris now!!!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by durrelllrobert
1. A passport or other WHTI-compliant travel document is necessary for U.S. and Canadian citizens traveling to Mexico. You may not be asked to
present your passport if entering Mexico by land, but you will surely need to present one upon your return to the United States.
2. Traveling in Mexico requires proof of citizenship, which is easiest to provide by carrying a valid passport. If you do not have a
passport, never fear. It is also possible to get a tourist visa (tarjeta de turista) with certified copy of your birth certificate (embossed seal do
impress) and a photo ID at border crossings. The cost of a tourist visa is about $20 USD, and is included in the cost of your international plane or
cruise ship ticket . Visas are typically valid for 180 days
Most people officially need a passport to pick up their tourist card, but for US and Canadian citizens all that's required is proof of citizenship (an
original birth certificate or notarized copy, for instance, or naturalization papers), along with some form of photo ID (such as a driver's license).
Don't lose the blue copy of your tourist card, which is given back to you after immigration inspection. You are legally required to carry it at all
times, and if you have to show your papers, it's more important than your passport. Get extra visas if you'll be leaving and returning to Mexico
during your trip. |
Since the above was written, they (Mex INM) want a passport and will not accept a birth cert., voter's registration, or other 'proof of citizenship.
ASK edm-1 (Art) as they tried all of these because his wife's passport had expired before their July 2011 Baja trip... The chanced it with just Art
having a passport and the new FMM... However, at Guerrero Negro/ Eagle Monumant INM inspection, they were fined US$100 for the mrs.
Shari (I think it was) has since posted that they have dropped the $100 fine and will issue an FMM at Guerrero Negro if you skip getting it at the
border... BUT, you still need the passport!
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sancho
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Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
BUT, you still need the passport! |
I assume you are using the word Passport to
include the Passcard, a Passcard $40 can be
used inplace of a regular Passport Book to
get an fmm. Pascuale, really $77 rt to Vallarta?
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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We have been told a PASSPORT only is recognized by Mexico, NOT a passport card (which is fine to use to get back into the U.S. by land.).
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pascuale
Nomad
Posts: 224
Registered: 2-20-2005
Location: Somewhere South
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Mood: Lets fish!
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| Quote: | Originally posted by sancho
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
BUT, you still need the passport! |
I assume you are using the word Passport to
include the Passcard, a Passcard $40 can be
used inplace of a regular Passport Book to
get an fmm. Pascuale, really $77 rt to Vallarta? |
yep. the trip down was $39.00 and back was $38.00
I did pay $9 for extra luggage and a rod case.
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sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
We have been told a PASSPORT only is recognized by Mexico, NOT a passport card |
No offense, I don't know who We are, and it's called
a Passcard not a passport card. The Passcard IS
recognized by Mex Immigration and they will issue an
fmm with the Passcard. Pascuale, checked Volaris,
indeed in of Mar 2013, $37 1 way to PV
amazing. My bad DK, it IS called a Passport card,
but it CAN be used to get an fmm
[Edited on 5-16-2012 by sancho]
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6700
Registered: 9-5-2003
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
We have been told a PASSPORT only is recognized by Mexico, NOT a passport card (which is fine to use to get back into the U.S. by land.).
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You really should post what you have experienced (know)and not what you have been told. My son has used his card for a couple of years no problem at
Tecate,
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mtgoat666
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 20375
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by sancho
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
We have been told a PASSPORT only is recognized by Mexico, NOT a passport card |
No offense, I don't know who We are, and it's called
a Passcard not a passport card. The Passcard IS
recognized by Mex Immigration and they will issue an
fmm with the Passcard. Pascuale, checked Volaris,
indeed in of Mar 2013, $37 1 way to PV
amazing. My bad DK, it IS called a Passport card,
but it CAN be used to get an fmm
[Edited on 5-16-2012 by sancho] |
card can't be used for intl air travel across borders. card is only for land/sea border xings. passport is more useful, as it works everywhere
worldwide, and card works only in western hemi and only for land/sea xings
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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I am trying to focus on what is needed for the FMM by Mexican officials, NOT U.S. customs upon your return. In MEXICALI, no way would a birth
certificate or a recently expired passport work to get an FMM, as posted here by edm-1, last year.
Ralph, are you saying Tecate Mexico going SOUTH for FMM, or Tecate USA coming NORTH for proof of citizenship, that your son had no problems?
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DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
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Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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Waited in line in TJ before I became inmigrado. A few people ahead of me had problems. I waited an hour while they tried everything from SENTRI cards,
to Pass Cards to birth certificates to driver license to get FMMs. Three migras said no and implied CLEARLY "Do not reach for your wallet". Three
years ago. Has this changed? Have they canned the migra that demanded my papers in TJ before I was allowed to board southbound?
Having been rejected for not having proof of exit for car permit at Sonoyta THREE PERMITS BACK, then having some gosh darnned fool on some other forum
scream from Butt#@$%, Texas that "Oh That Cannot Happen!" I am a little sensitive when I see written before my eyes recollections of things absolutely
contrary to my black & white experiences. I beg your forgiveness.
A Lot To See And A Lot To Do
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
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Location: San Diego County
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Well Dah-veed... as you know, Mexican laws are not set in stone, and each official can use them to his/ her advantage and your disadvantage!   
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