Traveling to Mexico with expired GC and extension letter while I-751 pending

[US_VJ 59]

Hi all, just wanted to share my experience of traveling to Mexico with my expired green card and extension letter. There is some ambiguity about this in the forums and I found it hard to search for information, so creating a separate thread. [FYI: this is not about entering the US with the extension letter; I know that fine and I’ve done it plenty of times]
 

Sharing my experience just in case anyone is looking for this info:

I had zero problems. United Airlines checked me in without any problems, and when I landed in Mexico, they asked for my extension letter after realizing my GC had expired. And that was it, and they stamped my passport. 

Different Mexican consulate generals in different US cities had very conflicting information on their website—including the one in NYC saying that the extension letter is not accepted. This is clearly incorrect. 

 

I followed the Mexican Embassy in Washington DC’s link, which redirects to the the actual Mexican governments regulation. It states that anyone with valid proof of permanent residency in the US needs no visa. Nothing more than that. It’s as straightforward as it can get. Link below for folks who are checking:
 

http://www.dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5437383&fecha=17/05/2016

 

https://www.inm.gob.mx/gobmx/word/index.php/paises-requieren-visa-para-mexico/

 

Just to reiterate, Mexican immigration officials knew exactly what it was—didn’t even bat an eye— and I had zero problems getting inside MX (I went to Mexico City Airport

 

[aznhouston 124]

I had no problem either. I didn't even have the card as I got mugged. I used the temporary stamp and there was no problem

[Tango2017 5]

thanks this is very helpful we are traveling to colombia on expired greencard and extension letter. our extension letter is for 24 months. this makes us feel more confortable we were worried about travel.

[US_VJ 59]

Just got back from Mexico. Our port of entry was Dallas, and the immigration officer didn’t even look at the extension letter. Just scanned my expired green card and my passport and let me in—less than 30 seconds. They didn’t stamp anyone’s (in the LPR and citizen line) passport either. 
 

 

[Anthony446 51]

This gives me hope for my upcoming travel to Mexico. Thanks!

[OldUser 4,836]

1 hour ago, Anthony446 said:

This gives me hope for my upcoming travel to Mexico. Thanks!

Check out related thread. TL;DR is don't fly Delta

 

 

[jaysaldi 209]

Am I correct that United won't let my visaless Cambodian wife fly to Mexico on expired green card plus extension letter?

 

https://thepointsguy.com/news/expired-green-card/

 

 

 

[OldUser 4,836]

52 minutes ago, jaysaldi said:

Am I correct that United won't let my visaless Cambodian wife fly to Mexico on expired green card plus extension letter?

 

https://thepointsguy.com/news/expired-green-card/

 

 

 

Incorrect. Expired GC and extension letter is what she needs to enter Mexico, at least according to this thread. Unless something changed since @US_VJ travelled.

Edited June 26, 2023 by OldUser

[jaysaldi 209]

18 minutes ago, OldUser said:

Incorrect. Expired GC and extension letter is what she needs to enter Mexico, at least according to this thread. Unless something changed since @US_VJ travelled.

Well, please read that points guy link from December about someone rejected by United flying on expired green card plus extension letter.

 

What I'm seeing from this thread is that some people flying on some airlines have been permitted to visit Mexico with an expired green card and extension letter, and some have not. 

 

The website of the consulate of Mexico in Houston says:

 

• EAD cards, I-797 A Forms, Advance Parole Forms, I-20, F-1, TPS, I-512, or DS-2019 are NOT ACCEPTED to enter Mexico.

https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/houston/index.php/visas/visas-english

 

Edited June 26, 2023 by jaysaldi

[OldUser 4,836]

4 minutes ago, jaysaldi said:

Well, please read that points guy link.

 

What I'm seeing from this thread is that some people flying on some airlines have been permitted to visit Mexico with an expired green card and extension letter, and some have not. 

 

The website of the consulate of Mexico in Houston says:

 

• EAD cards, I-797 A Forms, Advance Parole Forms, I-20, F-1, TPS, I-512, or DS-2019 are NOT ACCEPTED to enter Mexico.

https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/houston/index.php/visas/visas-english

 

That's similar to what OP said at the beginning of the thread:

 

On 5/2/2022 at 4:00 PM, US_VJ said:

 Different Mexican consulate generals in different US cities had very conflicting information on their website—including the one in NYC saying that the extension letter is not accepted. This is clearly incorrect. 

 

On 5/2/2022 at 4:00 PM, US_VJ said:

Just to reiterate, Mexican immigration officials knew exactly what it was—didn’t even bat an eye— and I had zero problems getting inside MX (I went to Mexico City Airport

Though one thing @US_VJ never clarified - what passport was used to travel. There's possibility OP's passport gave visa free entry to Mexico and GC didn't matter. 

Of course the safest approach is to get visa if in doubt.

[jaysaldi 209]

1 minute ago, OldUser said:

That's similar to what OP said at the beginning of the thread:

 

 

Though one thing @US_VJ never clarified - what passport was used to travel. There's possibility OP's passport gave visa free entry to Mexico and GC didn't matter. 

Of course the safest approach is to get visa if in doubt.

i think what's more likely is that Mexico's published rules are strict -- "no extension letters" -- but their immigration officers are lax. 

 

Some airlines follow their letter of the law it seems because of the "possibility" of being fined if Mexico denies entry to the traveler.  Some don't.

 

[rohsha 10]

7 hours ago, jaysaldi said:

i think what's more likely is that Mexico's published rules are strict -- "no extension letters" -- but their immigration officers are lax. 

 

Some airlines follow their letter of the law it seems because of the "possibility" of being fined if Mexico denies entry to the traveler.  Some don't.

 

As someone who was denied boarding at the gate by United in July 2022 after being checked in, I would say that you should get a visa for Mexico unless your passport allows visa free entry. Or you have another valid visa in your passport like a Canadian tourist visa or Schengen visa. 

[OldUser 4,836]

2 hours ago, rohsha said:

Or you have another valid visa in your passport like a Canadian tourist visa or Schengen visa. 

How does that help with entering Mexico?

[rohsha 10]

32 minutes ago, OldUser said:

How does that help with entering Mexico?

 

[US_VJ 59]

11 hours ago, OldUser said:

That's similar to what OP said at the beginning of the thread:

 

 

Though one thing @US_VJ never clarified - what passport was used to travel. There's possibility OP's passport gave visa free entry to Mexico and GC didn't matter. 

Of course the safest approach is to get visa if in doubt.

My passport requires visa to Mexico. It’s not from a visa free country.
 

I traveled a year ago without any issues, so the rules must have changed I guess.