All You Would Like To Know About Pasport Requirements To Mexico. Read On!
January 3, 2010 by Ben Pate
Filed under Destinations
So you want to go to Mexico? That’s no surprise as Mexico is easily one of the most popular tourist destinations for many Americans. This country has a lot to offer in terms of culture, food, and great beaches. Mexico is the home to many pre-Hispanic civilizations such as the Maya and Olmec, and that’s in addition to its popular Mexican cuisine, and the beaches of Acapulco. If you’re traveling to this destination, we’ll show you what the Passport requirements are, including answering your questions such as whether or not you need a passport when traveling to this lovely country.
Mexico is a part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). That said, all you need to do is to present any of the documents approved to establish your identity and citizenship. These documents include your passport book and your passport card. Make sure you have any of these before even traveling to Mexico.
But what’s the difference between the two types of passports? You are probably familiar now with the passport book. It’s the conventional booklet that is used to travel to the foreign destinations that need one. One benefit of a passport book is that you’ll have greater flexibility when traveling because you can travel anywhere with your passport. Use of this document is mandatory for all international air travel, even to WHTI destinations.
Meanwhile, the passport card provides you with several benefits over the passport book. For one, it easily fits into your wallet, making it easier to keep than the passport book that’s bulky. Also, applying for a passport card is cheaper than the passport book. But on the down side, you can only use this card when traveling to WHTI destinations by sea or land.
Don’t worry if you’re undecided on which of the two options suits you. You can always combine their benefits by applying for both types of passports. For general foreign travel, you can count on your passport book to be accepted. However, if you’re traveling to WHTI territories by land or sea, you’ll need the passport card. Another plus for applying for both is that you can also get a huge discount when you do.
You may notice that the WHTI allows the use of other US documents when traveling to WHTI destinations. These documents may include your birth certificate and your enhanced driver’s license. It’s best if you consult with the Mexican Embassy first to ensure that you can use these or other types of documents.
Keep in mind that there are certain additional U S passport requirements for minors and businesspeople traveling to Mexico. Minors have to bring a notarized copy of the parental consent. This document should also include the child’s travel details including the airlines he/she will be taking, as well as the minor’s travel schedule. Filling in Form FM-N is required of businesspeople to authorize them to conduct business in the country. If you have more questions regarding the requirements of the two, check with the Mexican Embassy.
So if you’re still wondering what are the U.S. passport requirements for traveling to Mexico, here’s a recap. But if you are traveling by air, then use of your USA passport book is recommended.