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Travel To United States?
There are specific identifications and permits required when traveling across the US/Mexico border. Following the guidelines below should help make your trip simple and enjoyable.
U.S. Entry Requirements for Mexican Citizens
A visa is required for any Mexican citizen visiting the United States. In addition, an entry permit is required for Mexican visitors traveling beyond the immediate border area. Other nationalities, please visit a U.S. Consulate or Embassy before traveling to the Unites States.
Visas
All Mexican citizens planning to visit the United States must first obtain a visa prior to arrival at the border. In addition to a tourist visa, there are several other visas that are available depending upon the type of activity you will be conducting in the United States. The current non-refundable application fee for most visas is US$100. Visas are issued at U.S. consulates or the embassy in Mexico City. The U.S. Embassy website provides comprehensive information about the consulates, visa requirements, and the application process.
Additional general information about travel to the United States and visa requirements for citizens of countries other than Mexico is available at the Destination U.S. Visa website.
Form I-94 Arrival and Departure Record ("Permiso")
Mexican citizens who already have a visa and are planning to travel
to the United States beyond the border area and/or for longer than 30
days, must obtain an I-94 permit at the port-of-entry from a Customs
and Border Protection officer. In New Mexico, Texas, and California,
an I-94 is required for travel beyond 25 miles from the border. In Arizona,
an I-94 is required for travel beyond 65 miles from the border. The
fee for an I-94 permit is US$6. The permit may be issued for a maximum
term of 6 months and for multiple trips to the U.S. The issuing Customs
and Border Protection officer will determine the exact conditions of
the permit.
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IMPORTANT NOTE: The I-94 permit must be returned to a border port-of-entry upon or before its termination and the visitor's return to Mexico.
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More complete information about entering the United States and I-94 permits can be found at the link.
Documentary Requirements for United States Citizens and Foreign Visitors Entering the United States from Canada and Mexico.
Using Your Vehicle in New Mexico
You may bring your Mexican vehicle while visiting New Mexico without
the need to obtain any special vehicle permits. In order to operate
your vehicle in New Mexico, you must have a current Mexican driver's
license, current Mexican license plates, and current vehicle registration.
If the vehicle is not registered in your name, you should have a letter
from the owner authorizing you to use it. Temporary U.S. automobile
insurance is also required with the following terms:
You
must have a liability policy (or surety bond or cash deposit) with a
minimum of $60,000 in coverage: $25,000 coverage for bodily injury to
or death of 1 person, $50,000 coverage for bodily injury to or death
of 2 or more persons, and $10,000 for property damage in any one accident.
Source: State
of New Mexico Taxation & Revenue Department.
Land and Sea Travel
The following summarizes information available on the Department of Homeland Security’s website.
Acceptable documents include: U.S. Passport Book, U.S. Passport Card, or other document approved by the Department of Homeland Security.
U.S. citizens who do not have a single document verifying identity and citizenship must present both an identification and citizenship document; for example, a driver’s license and a copy of a birth certificate or naturalization certificate.
LATER:
On June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or other travel document approved by the Department of Homeland Security.
CHILDREN: U.S. citizen children under the age of 16 will be able to present the original or copy of their birth certificate, or other proof of U.S. citizenship such as a naturalization certificate or citizenship card.
Groups of U.S. citizen children ages 16 through 18, when traveling with a school or religious group, social organization, or sports team, will be able to enter under adult supervision with originals or copies of their birth certificates or other proof of citizenship. See the Department of Homeland Security's GetYouHome.gov for more information on the changing travel requirements.
U.S.PASSPORT AND WHTI COMPLIANT DOCUMENTS:
U.S.Passport: U.S. citizens may present a valid U.S. passport when traveling via air, land or sea between the U.S. and the aforementioned Western Hemisphere countries.
The Passport Card: Passport card applications are currently being accepted in anticipation of land border travel document requirements. Based on current projections, we expect the passport card to be in full production beginning in July 2008. We will provide additional updates as available. Once in production, the passport card it will only be valid for land and sea travel between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean region, and Bermuda.
WHTI-Compliant Travel Documents for U.S. citizen travel via land or sea, as of January 31, 2008:
- Trusted Traveler Cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST)
- State Issued Enhanced Driver's License (when available)
- Enhanced Tribal Cards (when available)
- U.S. Military Identification with Military Travel Orders
- U.S. Merchant Mariner Document when traveling in conjunction with official maritime business
- Native American Tribal Photo Identification Card
- Form I-872 American Indian Card
For further information see U.S. Customs and Border Protection's website Ready, Set...Go!
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