Mexico Experts: Suze, Stewbear, Cabron etc. - Passport Expiration Question
 

Suze, Stewbear, Cabron, other Mexico experts - we are traveling to CSL for Easter. My passport expires in August. What is the minimum validation time accepted for travel to Mexico. 6 months, 90 days, or other? Will I be OK or should I renew now?

Thanks,

MY

There have been numerous long threads about this subject on Trip Advisor in the Playa del Carmen forum. People haven't been having any problems when traveling with passports that expire within six months.

That said, I'd renew now. All it takes is one ticket agent at the airline who will now allow you to board to ruin your trip. Many countries do have that six month rule.

I'm curious what the Fodor folks have to say. On TA, the frequent travelers said renew and the ones who travel infrequently had anecdotal stories about no problems.

Thanks Jean. I will probably go ahead and get it renewed now just in case another trip pops up for us before August.

MY

Renew it. Why spend time stressing over it and, yes, all it takes is one agent. And the agents right now are being very watchful.

Agree you should probably renew it now and have done with it -- but my understanding is that the Mexican government does not require passports from US citizens. You will require a valid passport to be readmitted to the US, but obviously there is no three or six month validity requirement in that case.

When you pass through immigration in Mexico you need to present your passport which they then scan. Most of the time you get 180 days on an FMT which is a tourist visa.

"In accordance with dispositions by the National Immigration Institute, in order to enter Mexico US citizens should show any US official ID. Passports are not required."

http://portal.sre.gob.mx/usa/index.p...=page&SubMenu=

"In accordance with dispositions by the National Immigration Institute, in order to enter Mexico US citizens should show any US official ID. Passports are not required."

http://portal.sre.gob.mx/usa/index.p...=page&SubMenu=

Only half the story. It is not the Mexican Government that is the problem But the US of A. You will not be allowed on any airline in the US going international anywhere without a current passport.
Now as regards to expiration they are mostly useless when they get less then six months from Expiration. Mine Expired in November '08 so I renewed in July '08 as I was going out of the country in November. So I am now good until 7-2018 less again that darn 6 months. So just figure a passport is good for 9 1/2 years.

Thanks all. Will head to the US Post Office tomorrow.

MY

Yes, it is stated on their website that only valid id's are required and it is true that it is a U.S. requirement to have a passport for re-entry. That being said, I have never seen anyone in the past few years enter with anything other than a passport for the reasons stated above. Also, if you happen to lose your tourist card (FMT) you need to show a passport to request a new one. One other new twist I just heard about was anyone not a U.S. citizen who is flying through a U.S. airport from, for instance, Mexico to another country needs to fill out a new form online to be able to travel through the U.S. Which has nothing to do with this topic but something new that just changed the rule for some people without warning.

We were traveling to Mexico several years ago, can't even remember the name of the carrier. Anyway, the ticketing agent insisted he had to see our drivers licenses along with our passports. Actually, I'm not even sure we would have had to show our passports, he was fixated on our licenses. What a dunce. I think the airline is out of business.....

I don't know if it's 3 or 6 months, or if Mexico is strict about that (like they are for Europe).

You do need a passport to get on the plane to Mexico. You used to be able to travel on a drivers license & birth certifiate, but that's no longer true.

Michelle, I'd go ahead and renew. You've got plenty of time before the Easter trip, then you're good for 10 more years, smooth sailing!

Thanks all.