Entering mexico into the interior like that would make you an illegal alien as you cannot get the fmm form without a passport. If youre a citizen of the united states, and youre thinking about traveling to mexico, but you dont yet have a passport, you might consider getting a passport card instead of a regular passport book. The passport card is the size of a drivers license and is used for convenience as it is smaller and cheaper than the passport book. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. The passport card is only good for land and sea travel to canada, mexico and approximately 17 islands in the caribbean.
It may not be accepted for entry or departure by the particular country you plan to visit. Passport requirements traveling to mexico mexico bariatric. Do you need a passport when travelling by road from the us. The passport card cant be used for all international travel. Feb 12, 2019 the passport card is the size of a drivers license and is used for convenience as it is smaller and cheaper than the passport book. Commercial cruise liners require passengers to produce these documents before boarding. Us passport book, us passport card, nexus, sentri or fast card, enhanced drivers license edl. The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at u. Priscilla c, you have plenty of time to get and secure your us passport between now the beginning of june and any travel plans in july. Temporary import permits for cars registered in the united states are needed in. Differences between a passport book and passport card. It is limited to travel between the united states and mexico, the caribbean, canada and bermuda. A passport book is required for all international travel by air.
A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, and you can also use it to return to the u. Feb 21, 2020 mexico tourism is a great resource for things to do and places to stay, as well as everything you need to know before you go when planning a trip to the country protect your passport. I follow a group of people in arizona who frequent the closest beach resort town, puerto penasco, sonora, mexico. You only need the passport or passport card or sentri card when entering the us from mexico. More specifically, it can be used when entering the u. However, on the way back you are supposed to have a passport or a passport card, per the western hemisphere travel initiative. Department of state, performs the same function of identifying the holder as a u. Its important to remember, though, that the passport card cannot be used for international air travel as its not a globally interoperable travel document. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. A valid passport book with enough blank pages for entry stamps is. It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the u. The passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. Although mexican immigration officials will accept a passport card as identification when you arrive in mexico, staffers in the united states wont let you board your flight without the more. The passport card passport card sample, image courtesy travel.
Note, you can use a passport card on a cruise which has a much lower application fee. Nov 14, 2019 i follow a group of people in arizona who frequent the closest beach resort town, puerto penasco, sonora, mexico. If your travel plans take you to a country bordering the u. If you plan on flying, boating or driving to mexico, you can apply for a small passport or a pass card. If youre traveling by sea, you can use a passport card, enhanced drivers license, nexus, fast or sentri card instead. As long as youre not flying to or from canada, mexico or bermuda, you can use a us passport card including a real id at land border crossings or sealake portsofentry. What are the passport requirements for traveling to mexico. Jan 11, 2019 the passport card is only accepted at land and sea border crossings between the u. Do you need a passport to travel to canada or mexico. If you have the book, you dont need the card unless youd like to have it as a walletsized id or you plan to travel frequently by car to canada andor mexicothe card gets you through quicker in those situations. A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land. A passport conventional passport book, not a passport card is necessary for absolutely everyone entering mexico by air. You can travel internationally via air, sea or land with the use of a passport book. The passport card is only accepted at land and sea border crossings between the u.
The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. You should know that the passport card is only valid for travel by land and sea within mexico, canada, bermuda, and the caribbean, and you can not use it for air travel or for travel to other. The passport card is also commonly used for travelers that wish to take a cruise but do not plan on ever traveling by plane. The frontier zone is the 15 miles 30km of land thats in mexico but is kind of a. A passport card only applies to land or sea travel to certain locations internationally, which is noted on the back of the card. The only place i ever travel is mexico and the card is much cheaper, so i am. Us citizen traveling within mexico without a passport. Do i need a passport to travel to the mexican rivera.
June 3, 2014 by travel maestro leave a comment johns u. If you lose your fmm, you will need to visit one of the immigration offices. Do you need a passport book or passport card to go to mexico. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card.
Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. If you are flying, you both need passports the book, not the card. There are specific exceptions for minors traveling by air or sea. If you do need the assistance of a passport expediting service, you should apply asap in order to get the best rate. Depending on where you are traveling outside of the u. Mexico tourism is a great resource for things to do and places to stay, as well as everything you need to know before you go when planning a. You would be required to travel to either detroit, chicago or, possibly, the location from which your cruise depart e. Mar 02, 20 you dont need a passport for domestic flights within mexico and you dont need the old fmm or whatever it is becomming with the new rules now being implemented. Passport card this is only valid if you travel by sea and land only. The card may not be used to travel by air outside the united states. Mexico entry requirements tourist card immigration customs lone. You will likely need to bring a us passport with you when you travel to cancun. Do you need a passport to go to mexico explorando baja. Some of them report having crossed back into the usa without a passport.
Passport card is only good for land and sea travels between the us, mexico, canada, and the caribbean. Mar 16, 20 the passport card is only good for land and sea travel to canada, mexico and approximately 17 islands in the caribbean. These can range in cost depending on how soon you need it, but. To enter the united states at land border crossings or sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda, you can use a passport. However, depending on your method of entry into mexico, you may not need a passport book. As mentioned before, a valid passport is required for all travel to mexico, but you can lighten your load once you arrive.
If you are thinking about applying for or renewing a u. If you re a citizen of the united states, and you re thinking about traveling to mexico, but you dont yet have a passport, you might consider getting a passport card instead of a regular passport book. However, you have options beyond a passport if you do not have one in your possession. To enter the dominican republic by air, you need a passport book. Mar 15, 2018 passport cards are about the size of a drivers license, and they cost less than purchasing a passport book. Mexico passport requirements for entry are uniform throughout the country. A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry.
Travelers visiting mexico by way of land or sea crossings can apply for a walletsized passport card, or pass card. You cant use a passport card for flying, but you can use one to enter the united states by sea and land from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. However, passport cards are valid for entering mexico only by land or sea if youre. If you enter mexico by land and plan to travel beyond the immediate border area approximately 12 miles into mexico, you must stop at an inm office at the port of entry to obtain an entry permit forma migratoria multiple or fmm, even if not explicitly directed to do so by mexican officials. May, 2009 you can use either the passport card or the book form for the specific trip you re looking at, but i would get the passport book since it allows you to do a lot more. You dont need a passport for domestic flights within mexico and you dont need the old fmm or whatever it is becomming with the new rules now being implemented. If you dont already have a valid one, youll have to apply for a new passport.
If youre driving or cruising, however, a passport isnt your only option. Do you need a passport card or passport book to travel by. You can use either the passport card or the book form for the specific trip youre looking at, but i would get the passport book since it allows you to do a lot more. If you have the book, you dont need the card unless you d like to have it as a walletsized id or you plan to travel frequently by car to canada and or mexico the card gets you through quicker in those situations. Jun 03, 2014 do you need a passport book or passport card. Passport book valid if you travel by air, sea and land. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16. Border countries are canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda. Passport holders from countries on mexicos no visa required list do not need to. A passport book is the best travel document for cruising the waves, but a passport card is a cheaper, more convenient alternative for certain types of international travel, including cruises.
If you re driving or cruising, however, a passport isnt your only option. When traveling to mexico for bariatric surgery, patients will need to have a valid passport book. Do you need a passport when travelling by road from the us to. You do not need a valid passport book in order to apply for a passport id card, and you can apply for either the card only, or you can apply for a passport book and a passport card at the same time. Mar 18, 2020 the passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to indicate that you would like to apply for both products. However, passport cards are valid for entering mexico only by land or sea if you re. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. To enter the united states at land border crossings or sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the. Hi sam, you shouldnt have any problem getting to rocky point as it is within mexicos border zone. Us visitors crossing into mexico by land might not need a passport or visa.
If you already hold a passport book, your card will be issued with a different number. Passport book or passport card cancun forum tripadvisor. A passport book is essential if you intend to fly to the riviera, as its the only acceptable form of identification for international air travel. Currently, a valid passport or passport card is required for all u. Passport cards are about the size of a drivers license, and they cost less than purchasing a passport book. Jun 29, 2016 if youre driving or cruising, however, a passport isnt your only option. You can apply for both a passport book and passport card at the same time using either form ds11 apply in person or form ds82 renew by mail must be eligible. Mexico entry requirements required travel documents for travel to mexico. You and your child may use a passport book or card to enter mexico by sea. A passport conventional passport book, not a passport card is. Citizens of the united states, canada, australia, the united kingdom or the european union who are planning a trip to mexico will need to carry a valid passport for travel by air, and if traveling by land or sea, either a passport or other whticompliant travel document such as a passport card or enhanced drivers license. To enter by land or sea, you can use a passport card, which is a small card that fits in your wallet.
We compare the two to help you decide which type of id is best. If you are traveling to mexico by land, under the new rules you must have one of the following documents to reenter the united states. Excellent form of official identification for children or nondrivers. Per tiacoh, you can opt to keep a passport card or or drivers license. You should know that the passport card is only valid for travel by land. If you are american and are just visiting the frontier zone in mexico then you dont need a passport for travel to mexico.