Mexico - What is needed for land crossing by foot

[Joe Kano 327]

Do they still allow you to use your US Driver License and Birth Certificate to enter?  Or do they still let you basically walk in over the bridge and not check? I know a passport book/card will work.

 

This is in Texas

[Lemonslice 4,632]

All listed here:

 

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/western-hemisphere-travel-initiative

[Joe Kano 327]

18 minutes ago, Lemonslice said:

All listed here:

 

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/western-hemisphere-travel-initiative

My question is about getting into Mexico.

[Lemonslice 4,632]

16 minutes ago, Joe Kano said:

My question is about getting into Mexico.

Sorry, I thought you wanted to come back to the USA.

[JeanneAdil 6,291]

A quick online check says the following:

 

The government of Mexico requires current proof of citizenship, a photo ID, and a valid passport for entry into Mexico. or you might be denied entry into Mexico, even for shorter visits! You will need an FMT (Mexican Visitor's Permit), which is valid for up to 6 months.

[Joe Kano 327]

19 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

A quick online check says the following:

 

The government of Mexico requires current proof of citizenship, a photo ID, and a valid passport for entry into Mexico. or you might be denied entry into Mexico, even for shorter visits! You will need an FMT (Mexican Visitor's Permit), which is valid for up to 6 months.

It's  " or your might"  is key here

 

For years to fly or drive into Mexico you only needed a US Driver Licenses and US birth certificate.

 

Last I heard they don't even check you going into Mexico via the land bridge, it's once you decide to come back to USA is where they have two lines: one for Passport Card/Book an another line for DL/BirthCertificate

 

It's been many years since I did a land crossing into Mexico.

[Joe Kano 327]

From my research you at least need a passport card for land entry 

[JeanneAdil 6,291]

3 hours ago, Joe Kano said:

It's  " or your might"  is key here

 

For years to fly or drive into Mexico you only needed a US Driver Licenses and US birth certificate.

 

Last I heard they don't even check you going into Mexico via the land bridge, it's once you decide to come back to USA is where they have two lines: one for Passport Card/Book an another line for DL/BirthCertificate

 

It's been many years since I did a land crossing into Mexico.

and the US changed this in 2009 / if a person has both mexican and is a USC ,  they can use mexican passport or ID from there to cross

 

otherwise a USC is required to use a US passport to travel now to mexico and canada / much different than when  i just crossed a border into Canada to see the falls or go to a baseall game in Toronto or when USC went into Tijuana to buy products like sugar when it was so expensive in the US

 

Since June 1st, 2009, most U.S. citizens traveling to Mexico are required to carry passports to get across the border.Mar 5, 2020

 

 

[TBoneTX 43,522]

Functionally, this probably depends where you're crossing by foot, and you can expect different treatment by the Mexican & U.S. authorities on both sides.

 

If it's in Nvo. Progreso (south of Weslaco), which is <400 paces over the bridge, the Mexicans might check you for/ask you about weapons, but they won't check your ID.

 

If it's in a place like Cd. Camargo (s. of Rio Grande City), no one on the Mexican side might check, because it's a couple of miles' walk into town.  No one expects walkers.  However, the U.S. CBP might raise its eyebrows, and you'd certainly be questioned by CBP upon your return.  A passport would be crucial.

 

If it's in a place like Ojinaga (s. of Presidio), it's again not walking distance, and the Mexican side might check to see that you're permitted to drive your vehicle into Mexico.  It's important to have Mexican insurance for drivers; seeing this will relax the Mexican authorities.

 

In general, in my recent and past experience, the Mexican side is not as concerned with "who you are" as they are with your intentions, and whether you're transporting firearms into Mexico (do NOT!).

 

=====>  We need to know where you're crossing.

 

The U.S. CBP might very well be checking who goes into Mexico, by asking you your purpose for going and your intended length of stay.

 

You must have a passport (book or card) to re-enter the U.S. from Mexico.  I was told by a CBP agent in June 2020 that it's OK to use an expired U.S. passport to re-enter at a land crossing; you just can't fly overseas with it.

 

Above all, CBP (and certainly the Mexican authorities) thrive on the truth.  Be open and do not lie.

 

The above is a hodgepodge.  Tell us where you're crossing.