JDiver

I see that. I've been a resident of Mexico and travel to Mexico frequently. The Mexican authorities could overlook the six months requirement, but they're not supposed to. Unless things have changed recently, of course.

The ideal would be to show up with a passport expiring 15 July 2017 and have the Migración official limit the FMM to expire that date. That's logical and orderly.

sb3

To close the loop.

SIL spoke to the Houston passport office this morning. They arranged for her to go to the Seattle passport office and they will give her a new one today, in time to fly tomorrow.

JDiver

That's excellent news!

I hope the expediter refunds the fees.

EmailKid

Glad things worked out ^

Not sure the last time you guys tried crossing into Mexico on foot, but that too now requires a passport.

Last time I went they allowed a one time exception and put my info into the computer. This was months ago, so not sure if this exemption is still valid. Assume it applies to entry in a car as well.

sw3

That's because Mexico doesn't care about passport expiration dates, other than the passport must be valid on arrival (Article 37-I-a of Ley de Migración). Of course, if the passport expires while in Mexico, it's likely that there would be issues when trying to take a plane out of the country

Boraxo

Unfortunately there is conflicting information on the internet as some older web pages have not been updated. From what I gather, in the past it was not necessary to have 6+ months passport validity when entering Mexico. However, at some point that changed and now 6 months is required. Airlines will generally require the same though interestingly nobody at the airport asked to see my passport when I did online checkin and flew from USA to Mexico last month. YMMV...

JDiver

The best thing is to run your personal data through IATA TIMATIC, which is what the airlines go by to determine if your documentation is sufficient so they will allow you to board or not. And generally international passengers are required to provide a document check - sometimes we can check in on line by verifying our passport information, but the airline may still check. Otherwise, the airline employees are required to check and verify - failure to do so and having a passenger returned for document insufficiency results in considerable fines and the airline may have to disembark a paying passenger to give priority to return the refused passenger. It doesn't happen much in Mexico - but I just had this occurvrecentky to a friend whose passport wasn't vetted properly in SMF, LAX, HKG - but was refused admission to India at DEL and flown back at CX' and AA's cost.

Try this UA version: link.

EmailKid

Wow, talk about a trip in vain

If coach, bet his / her behind was very sore

Boraxo

Unfortunately this explains why I had to waste 10m @sfo (this was the 1K desk, the other line was far worse) to get a boarding pass for a flight to Chicago, because UA wanted to check my visa to my ultimate destination (LOS). I have generally been successful avoiding most lines but sometimes it is unavoidable.

I noticed that UA would not offer me an iPhone/UnitedApp BP for my return from MEX though I was able to email one for printing. Not great but better than waiting at the airport.

JDiver

She was in Business class on an award she was fortunate enough to secure. She lost the tour and a lot of value, and her husband took thd tour without her. Very tough and expensive lesson.

Mary2e

funny how this thread popped up just as my driver's license is expiring.

That's what I got confused. I knew that both my passport & driver's license expired in 2017. My issue was that I thought the passport expired in July. It didn't.

Needless to say, I received my new passport about a month after I posted this thread

Section 107

wow, not only didn't she earn any miles but had to burn a bunch.... that really adds insult to injury!

sw3

Ley de Migración, article 37, "To enter the country, foreigners must: I. Present at the immigration filter the following documents: a) Passport or travel and identity document that is valid according to international law, and b) [...]"

I can't find any requirement of passport validity for foreigners anywhere in the immigration law or its regulation (Reglamento de la Ley de Migración), beyond the requirement that the passport must be valid on the day of.

ChimzB

Anyone have any experience with this ? My wife's Canadian passport expires a few days after we get back ( 5 days to be exact ) I know the 6 month preference story but since we're leaving in a week, there is no time to get a new passport.
Is there any point in turning up at the airport or should we cancel the ticket ?

david55

From the Canadian Government website:

All Canadian citizens need a valid passport to enter Mexico. Canadian citizens without a valid passport will not be allowed entry into Mexico and will be returned to Canada. In order to avoid delays and misunderstandings, we strongly recommend that you travel with a passport valid for six months after your arrival date.


Sometimes it really just depends on an interpretation of what the rules are by the airline agent checking you in. I would at least call your airline and ask.