Tijuana
 

Is it true that you have to have a passport now to get back into U.S. when leaving Tijuana? Oh, no if this is true then I need to hurry. I'm going to San Diego May 31 st. Can I get a passport that quick?

Thanks!

I don't mean to be rude, but why on earth would you want to visit Tijuana. IMHO, it's really awful! So many fun things to do in San Diego -- don't waste a day! I take that all back if you are on your way to do a service project there.

You can still travel to/from US/Mexico with a drivers license and an original birth certificate.

Thanks! You have all been helpful.
Kind Regards to all.

Both the U.S. and Mexico are now encouraging visitors to carry valid passports but neither of them are insisting on it.

The U.S. cannot require its citizens to present a passport for admission into their own country. Passports are supposed to be for visiting foreign countries. Customs and Border Protection personnel are required to confirm identity and nationality for everyone wanting to get into the country, and a passport does that all at once. I've seen people with no ID at all get sent to Secondary for ten or fifteen minutes while CBP checks various governmental databases for that same confirmation.

Mexico didn't used to check anyone's ID as they entered the country at Tijuana, but they started a pilot program for pedestrians about a month ago. Mexico is now having all foreign pedestrians fill out an FMM (tourist card) at the border. They can't really turn you away for offering your driver's license. Tell them you plan on staying for less than three days and they won't charge you the $20 fee for a six-month tourist card.

You can avoid that nonsense if you drive across the border. There's no way they can get motorists to stop and fill out FMMs.

And, by the way, ellenbw, if you really didn't mean to be rude then you wouldn't have troubled to make that comment. We don't talk like that about San Diego even though we could easily do so!

Oh geeze -- I though the 8 month old thread was bad enough . . . this one is <u><B> nine+ years old!!

Please don't search for every thread mentioning TJ and top it . . .

Yes, the US certainly can require a citizen to have a passport to get back into the country. Without a passport how would one prove one is a citizen?

We have to show passports when returning from Nogales, Sonora.

janisj - why do you care? So if he wants to add to TJ threads, who cares? Maybe he has updated information that would prove helpful to someone.

Well for one thing the thread is 9+ years old and <u>everything</u> has chanced in the last decade. I'm pretty sure (if he returns) it will be to advertise something.

In addition to what janisj said, the individual who brought up this old thread was not providing accurate advice.

The original question related to documentation necessary traveling FROM Mexico back to the U.S., not TO Mexico and documentation necessary to get INTO Mexico.

JorgeSL gave partially good info on traveling TO Mexico . . . the 72 hour rule. But was off on the documentation needed to return, since that HAS changed in the last few years.

When crossing back into San Diego, U.S. citizens are required to show passport, U.S. passport card, Trusted Traveler Program card (NEXUS, SENTRI, Global Entry or FAST) or an Enhanced Driver’s License. Resident aliens must possess a green card. Voter’s registration card, military ID, driver’s license and social security cards are not considered valid forms of citizenship identification.

Citizens of other countries coming into the U.S. at San Diego must carry a valid passport with a valid I-94 or multiple entry visa or visa waiver to re-enter the United States.

Another thing that has changed in the last few years has been the U.S. State Department warnings as to travel in Mexico. It is always advisable to check with the travel.state.gov website if one has any concerns about safety.

Well I am assuming he is giving advice based on current conditions and requirements, which might be useful to someone, even if not the OP. If he returns to advertise something, that would be inappropriate. But there is no harm done in resurrecting old threads with new information. These boards are dead enough sometimes. They could use some new activity.

Whether he gave incorrect advice is one thing. But I don't think someone should be scolded or directed not to post just because the thread is old.

Well, he scolded ellenbw for something she said 9 years ago! That's kind of past the expiration date as well!

The OP did not follow the advice, and has not responded 9 years later since she is still stuck, passport-less in Mexico.

Charlie on the MTA!