Some of them report having crossed back into the usa without a passport. In a short period of time, passport services received over 350,000 applications for the passport card. You can use a passport card to travel to mexico, canada, and the caribbean. Passport book allows you to travel by land, sea and air. A passport conventional passport book, not a passport card is. Do you need a passport to go on a cruise to the bahamas.
A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air travel and is only valid in canada, mexico, bermuda, and the caribbean. Nassau, bahamas if you are cruising to the bahamas from the u. 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. Passport card cannot be used for international air travel. Do you need a passport card or passport book to travel by air. 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. A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, and you can also use it to return to the u.
The card may not be used to travel by air outside the united states. 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. A passport book is required for all international travel by air. Temporary import permits for cars registered in the united states are needed in order to drive beyond the border zones in mexico. Again, its best to carry a passport to just be safe. Learn more about entry and exit requirements and safety and security in mexico on our country information page. Currently, a valid passport or passport card is required for all 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. Travelers visiting mexico by way of land or sea crossings can apply for a walletsized passport card, or pass card. Mar 18, 2020 the passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. You should know that the passport card is only valid for travel by land.
Oct 06, 2019 you may also present an enhanced drivers license allows you to reenter the u. May, 2009 im going to mexico this summer and do not have a passport as this is my first time going out of the country. Travel to mexico do i need a passport for travel to mexico. Heres everything you need to take your dream trip to mexicoand get back home after. While a valid passport book or passport card is generally required to travel beyond the border zone of mexico and to travel by sea, there are exceptions. Passport holders from countries on mexicos no visa required list do not need to. If your travel plans take you to a country bordering the u. If you need a passport to go to mexico and youre traveling soon, can help.
This is a privately owned website and not a government agency. 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. This new travel document can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. 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. Passport requirements traveling to mexico mexico bariatric. The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at u. Do you need a passport book or passport card to go to mexico. Passport cards have the same limitations at an edl. If you already have a passport book or passport card, you can renew by mail using form ds82. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Department of state, performs the same function of identifying the holder as a u. There are specific exceptions for minors traveling by air or sea.
Do you need a passport to travel to canada or mexico. But to answer your question, no, you cannot travel legally into the interior of mexico i. 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. Passport card is only good for land and sea travels between the us, mexico, canada, and the caribbean. To enter the united states at land border crossings or sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the. Cancun passport requirements vary depending on how you enter mexico. Do i need a passport book or will my card work anywhere in mexico. Its less expensive than a passport book, and more portable. Nov 14, 2019 i follow a group of people in arizona who frequent the closest beach resort town, puerto penasco, sonora, mexico. The passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. You and your child may use a passport book or card to enter mexico by sea.
Do you need a passport to take a cruise from the u. A passport conventional passport book, not a passport card is necessary for absolutely everyone entering mexico by air. Us citizen traveling within mexico without a passport. Jun 29, 2016 travelers visiting mexico by way of land or sea crossings can apply for a walletsized passport card, or pass card. The passport card is not an option if you fly to mexico.
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. Mexico entry requirements tourist card immigration customs lone. Passport cards are about the size of a drivers license, and they cost less than purchasing a passport book. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. What are the passport requirements for traveling to mexico. Do you need a passport when travelling by road from the us to. 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.
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. 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. Find out if you need a passport to go on a cruise celebrity. An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years. Jun 03, 2014 the passport card passport card sample, image courtesy travel. Mar 20, 2018 as mentioned before, a valid passport is required for all travel to mexico, but you can lighten your load once you arrive. Depending on where you are traveling outside of the u. However, children of any age traveling by air to and from mexico must have a passport book. Other parts of the world and when traveling to the mentioned places by air, always a passport. Do you need a passport to go to mexico explorando baja.
Do i need a passport to travel to the mexican rivera. I believe getting the passport card is the same price as getting a passport book renewal. Passport card, please note that this is not valid for air travel to mexico. First, the consular services section of the mexican embassy states, u. Entry by any means, for example by plane or car, is included in this requirement. I would like to walk across the us mexico border and take a taxi to the tijuana airport and fly to uruapan mexico. It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the u. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. Check with your state to see if it offers an enhanced drivers license. Mexico entry requirements required travel documents for travel to mexico. If you plan on flying, boating or driving to mexico, you can apply for a small passport or a pass card. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. Commercial cruise liners require passengers to produce these documents before boarding. Many cruise lines want passengers to have a valid passport book, even when visiting countries like mexico where a passport card can be used.
The short answer is yes, you do need a passport to go to mexico if you are a u. If you dont already have a valid one, youll have to apply for a new passport. However, you have options beyond a passport if you do not have one in your possession. To enter by land or sea, you can use a passport card, which is a small card that fits in your wallet. I suggest you get the card since you are going on a cruise. Excellent form of official identification for children or nondrivers. Passport requirements to visit mexico g3 passports. When traveling to mexico for bariatric surgery, patients will need to have a valid passport book.