Minors Traveling alone international
Aug 27, 2018, 5:20 pm
#1
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Minors Traveling alone international
We are planning a family trip to Cancun in OCT. we are traveling with our 16 yr twin daughters. The wife and I are hoping to stay a couple of extra days and send the girls home earlier. Question is, can we get a security pass to get them to the gate? Not sure what Mexico's policy is on that. They have the direct home so not worrried about them going through SLC customs. Just want to make sure they get to the gate and on the plane in CUN. They're fairly seasoned travelers but first international. Any advice would be great.
Aug 27, 2018, 10:08 pm
#2
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We are planning a family trip to Cancun in OCT. we are traveling with our 16 yr twin daughters. The wife and I are hoping to stay a couple of extra days and send the girls home earlier. Question is, can we get a security pass to get them to the gate? Not sure what Mexico's policy is on that. They have the direct home so not worrried about them going through SLC customs. Just want to make sure they get to the gate and on the plane in CUN. They're fairly seasoned travelers but first international. Any advice would be great.
Aug 28, 2018, 8:38 am
#3
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Aug 28, 2018, 8:47 am
#4
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This is really not relevant to the question, and I'm sure that OP is aware of crime in Mexico.
OP: The lead red coat at CUN is really nice. My family has a special needs young adult and they have been helpful and accommodating with needs like this, so if you have issues there I would look for a red coat. However, best to call DL in advance and ask what their policy is about issuing gate passes at CUN, as DL will be the ones to issue you this pass.
I am also remembering that to depart Mexico you need that little slip of paper that you get when you enter the country. I can't remember if you need that at security or just the board--I think it is to board. Make sure your kids don't loose this slip as this could cause problems.
Aug 28, 2018, 9:42 am
#5
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This is really not relevant to the question, and I'm sure that OP is aware of crime in Mexico.
OP: The lead red coat at CUN is really nice. My family has a special needs young adult and they have been helpful and accommodating with needs like this, so if you have issues there I would look for a red coat. However, best to call DL in advance and ask what their policy is about issuing gate passes at CUN, as DL will be the ones to issue you this pass.
I am also remembering that to depart Mexico you need that little slip of paper that you get when you enter the country. I can't remember if you need that at security or just the board--I think it is to board. Make sure your kids don't loose this slip as this could cause problems.
OP: The lead red coat at CUN is really nice. My family has a special needs young adult and they have been helpful and accommodating with needs like this, so if you have issues there I would look for a red coat. However, best to call DL in advance and ask what their policy is about issuing gate passes at CUN, as DL will be the ones to issue you this pass.
I am also remembering that to depart Mexico you need that little slip of paper that you get when you enter the country. I can't remember if you need that at security or just the board--I think it is to board. Make sure your kids don't loose this slip as this could cause problems.
Aug 28, 2018, 5:50 pm
#6
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As we started digging we found a few areas of vagueness and concern. First is that all minors departing Mexico without both parents need letters of consent (couple of options here). Second, even the state department indicates that there have been plenty of situations where the stated policies are deviated from causing travel delays and such.
Aug 28, 2018, 9:03 pm
#7
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Yes, but if you get the departure gate and have somehow lost it, they may or may not hold the flight for you to figure this out. Just pointing out that this is an exit control that we don't have in the US and that loosing the slip, especially if there were not a parent present, could cause some real anxiety.
Aug 28, 2018, 9:29 pm
#8
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As we started digging we found a few areas of vagueness and concern. First is that all minors departing Mexico without both parents need letters of consent (couple of options here). Second, even the state department indicates that there have been plenty of situations where the stated policies are deviated from causing travel delays and such.
Aug 29, 2018, 3:49 am
#9
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It was some years ago, but I was on an Alaska flight out of CUN and lost that special slip. The deviation in standard procedure was that I had to give over about $50 USD in US money to the immigration officers stationed at the gate. The Alaska agents sort of disappeared down the jetway when this transpired, and once it was resolved, I went down the jetway and the gate agents presumably returned to their post. I'm not sure Cancun/Playa del Carmen are on my to do lists anymore.
Aug 29, 2018, 7:40 am
#10
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its not supposed to apply to non Mexico passport holders but this is on the State department website
"The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City has received numerous reports of U.S. citizens being required to provide notarized consent forms for circumstances falling outside of the categories listed above, and/or being asked for such permission at land border crossings. Accordingly, the Embassy recommends all minors traveling without both parents carry a notarized consent letter at all times in the event airline or Mexican immigration officials request one."
"The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City has received numerous reports of U.S. citizens being required to provide notarized consent forms for circumstances falling outside of the categories listed above, and/or being asked for such permission at land border crossings. Accordingly, the Embassy recommends all minors traveling without both parents carry a notarized consent letter at all times in the event airline or Mexican immigration officials request one."
Aug 29, 2018, 7:47 am
#11
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its not supposed to apply to non Mexico passport holders but this is on the State department website
"The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City has received numerous reports of U.S. citizens being required to provide notarized consent forms for circumstances falling outside of the categories listed above, and/or being asked for such permission at land border crossings. Accordingly, the Embassy recommends all minors traveling without both parents carry a notarized consent letter at all times in the event airline or Mexican immigration officials request one."
Aug 29, 2018, 7:55 am
#12
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Ok, this is just one data point, but our experience has been that this is not a big deal.
My wife, 15 year old daughter, and 15 year old friend of daughter visited Cancun about 2 years ago (highly recommend Club Med). We did have a letter (not notarized) from 15 year old friends parents giving her permission to be in Mexico with my wife and giving my wife power for medical decisions.
Entering the country, there were a couple of extra questions asked of 15 year old friend (who are you here with, etc), but no documentation was requested.
Leaving the country was a non-issue. Passports were verified at check in and exit slip was taken at gate, but no questions for the 15 year old friend at any time. No questions asked about my daughter either, even though I was not with them.
My wife, 15 year old daughter, and 15 year old friend of daughter visited Cancun about 2 years ago (highly recommend Club Med). We did have a letter (not notarized) from 15 year old friends parents giving her permission to be in Mexico with my wife and giving my wife power for medical decisions.
Entering the country, there were a couple of extra questions asked of 15 year old friend (who are you here with, etc), but no documentation was requested.
Leaving the country was a non-issue. Passports were verified at check in and exit slip was taken at gate, but no questions for the 15 year old friend at any time. No questions asked about my daughter either, even though I was not with them.
Aug 30, 2018, 8:50 am
#13
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Note that it says "airline or Mexican immigration officials ." Airline officials are obviously involved, and, again, if the immigration slip is lost, you may end up dealing with immigration officials.
Aug 30, 2018, 10:46 am
#14
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I understand. However the wording makes it look like it's talking about entering Mexico as the section is about issues with Mexican immigration. Leaving Mexico the airline would be concerned with US regulations.
Aug 30, 2018, 11:22 am
#15
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Leaving Mexico the airline would also be obligated to enforce their understanding of Mexico's laws. For instance, if the airline believes that Mexico requires some permission for minors to exit, they will ask for the documents at check in. In this case, it won't matter what the law really says and whether it applies only to children who are citizens of Mexico.