000derek

Has anyone applied recently for Viajero Confiable? It's the Mexican sister program to Global Entry.

I applied about a week ago - here.

I didn't get any acknowledgement by email and there's no way to check status AFAIK.

Also not a lot of chatter around the web, e.g. Reddit, about how useful or accessible this program is. Not much to go on in this forum either, hence the new thread.

I flying to MEX in 2 weeks - is there something I can do there?

RFNJ

I did it about 5 years back. My main point of entry was MEX. Overall I found the program to be worthless, and let it expire.
Issues - they had two VC machines. More often than not they were out of service. The actual process was not very different than filling out the old form, just doing it on a screen instead of paper, so little time savings. Lastly, the printed "visa" was treated with suspicion every time from both airline reps at departure check in, to the visa collection when boarding (though with paper visas no longer being the norm this is less of an issue.

That being said, the process was straightforward. I did get an email confirming, and did have to make an appointment for my interview (which took about 20-25 minutes, outside security on the departures level). But if you have enough time in MEX to take a run at it (and get back through security if you have a connection, I would say go to the immigration office and give it a shot. Normally I find bureaucracy pretty inflexible, but there is always a chance...


Sorry I can't provide more current information. I would ask that you update here with your experience when you can. If the system has gotten better, I would be inclined to take another swing at it.

scubadu

Honestly, I feel like this program might be winding down (though I have no factual support for that). I believe I read somewhere that with the trend toward installing e-gates, getting rid of paper FMM, etc. that the Viajero Confiable program doesn't have as much relevance. In fact, if memory serves me from my last trip to Cabo, I believe they have already removed the few kiosks that they had up against the wall for VC (I never actually saw anyone use them in all the years they were there)

Regards

Eastbay1K

My MEX Dec/Jan experiences make it seem like even if it doesn't disappear, it won't be worth anyone's while. Dec - T1 arrival - US passport holders were sent to machines. Took all of a couple minutes (of course, this meant waiting an hour at the baggage carousel). Jan - T2 arrival - no machines in operation (not the new ones, nor did it appear the VC ones) but a very short wait for an officer.

000derek

Thanks - following up on VC is no longer on my to-do list.

mandrivnyk

Arrived at MEX from the USA 2 weeks ago and only Mexican citizens were transferred to the machines. All the others including USA and Canadian citizens were in the line to the human officers. It was relatively fast but not as fast and advanced as a year ago in Cancun. My Canadian friends who arrived in Cancun also 2 weeks ago say they were sent to humans unlike the last year when in Cancun Americans and Canadians were served by the machines just as Mexicans.

000derek

So in these two instances (US and Canadians, MEX and Cancun) can you say if having VC would have helped you? Or was it just not available at immigration?

cheers

mandrivnyk

From my year ago experience at Cancun when the process wasn't noticeably different from the experience of entering the USA with Global Entry, I would say nothing additional like Viajero Confiable was needed.

When I was entering Mexico at Mexico City earlier this month, I didn't see anything associated with Viajero Confiable which doesn't mean there wasn't anything like that. I saw only two options - Mexican citizens were sent to the kiosks and all the foreigners were sent to the human officers. No special options for USA and Canadian citizens like a year ago at Cancun. But I must say the line to human officers was faster than I thought it would be and taking this into account, I think I wouldn't want to apply for Viajero Confiable to speed up what was already fast. My conversation with the officer took us less than a minute, for example, and the main question was how to say "goodbye" in my first language which was determined by the birth country in my U.S. passport.

Johnmcd

The website describes the Viajero Confiable program and explains the process for getting access if you are a U.S. Citizen with Global Entry.

I completed the online application, printed the form, and took it to the appropriate migration office in T2 of MEX in Mexico City.

The staff told me that the program does not actually exist. I tried to get more information, but they just apologized and said there is no such program even though the website says so.

What on earth is going on?

Eastbay1K

It did exist at one point, that's for sure.

Johnmcd

I went back and asked a separate person in the same office (INM, T2, MEX) and she said that they haven't accepted new applications for 6-12 months and that the program "no longer exists."

She had no answer for why you can still complete an online application.

RFNJ

Well, thank you for getting us an update. Not what I had hoped for - it would be nice to have a GOES type entry into Mexico. But given all the problems I had when I did have the viajeros confiable, I am not surprised that they shut it down. It never was given good support or had wide acceptance.

Eastbay1K

If MEX would go to a "mostly kiosk" system instead of a "mostly human interaction" system (and it seems like that might be the plan, but who knows), that would obviate much of the need for VC.

RFNJ

If Mexican Immigration and Customs could both just "pick a lane and stick with it" so to speak, I would be satisfied. It gets a little tiring not knowing what to expect when I go down the stairs at MEX.