Tag Archives: U.S. passport

Pope to Mexico! What you need to visit Mexico.

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It’s somewhat official! Pope Francis intends on visiting Mexico, preferably in the coming new year.

It was also mentioned, though not confirmed by the EL Paso Times newspaper, that Cd. Juarez may be on the Popes itinerary.

Our local Catholic Bishop, Mark J. Seitz, is said to be “cautiously optimistic” about a visit to Cd. Juarez.

What a marvelous opportunity to witness this world event. If you plan on seeing the Pope while he is in Mexico, then you have to plan for your visit to Mexico.

If you are traveling by car, and the border area is on his itinerary, then the requirements are very simple.

* Everyone must posses a valid Passport from their country of citizenship to return through U.S.
* The driver or operator of the vehicle must posses a valid Drivers License from their home country
* You must posses an auto insurance policy from a legally licensed and authorized Mexico insurance company (Mexico does not recognize U.S. auto insurance)

If you intend on viewing Pope Francis if he travels to Chihuahua, CHIH. then you will be traveling into what is termed the interior of Mexico. The requirements are the same above with a few additional requirements:

* Everyone must posses a valid Passport from their country of citizenship to return through U.S.
* The driver or operator of the vehicle must posses a valid Drivers License from their home country
* You must posses an auto insurance policy from a legally licensed and authorized Mexico insurance company (Mexico does not recognize U.S. auto insurance)
* You must purchase a vehicle permit at roughly the 26 kilometer checkpoint if traveling from Cd. Juarez to Chihuahua.

Upon returning to the U.S. from Chihuahua you must, and this is really important, you must have the vehicle permit removed, no exceptions. If you do not, then your name is not removed from their entry computer system and the next time you travel into Mexico, it could cause you real headaches.

We would be delighted to answer your questions, comments or concerns.

Remember, for all of your Mexico Tourist Auto, Homeowners, Motorcycles, Boats and International Health Insurance needs, please call us at 1-800-434-3966 OR Email us at ici@mxici.com or visit us at mxici.com to issue your own policy. We appreciate your business!

SPRING BREAK Travel Destinations

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Yes, it’s that time again. SPRING BREAK!!! Put down the books, gas up your car and head out to to visit family, or spend time with your new found school buddies. Let’s not forget our teachers and profs, as they to look forward to probably spending some quiet time without having to deal with you needy students…

Here are some travel destinations to consider. For many in the Midwest and Southwest the closest salt water and beautiful beaches are located in Puerto Penasco, or as many refer to it, Rocky Point. A beautiful village located on the Mexico’s Sea of Cortez, in the Northern part of Mexico in the State of Sonora. Getting there is easy. Head to Tuscon and take a left or right dependent upon what part of the country you are coming from on I-10.

It is a Free Zone, so border crossing is easy, and inexpensive. You do not require a vehicle permit, however you will be required to provide the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security or Customs a “Valid Passport” on your return Stateside. Have a valid Drivers License, if driving, and make certain that you do NOT wander outside of the Free Zone. Failure to observe street signs and ending up out side of the Free Zone could cost you mucho dinero or pesos if you will. It’s against Mexico’s Federal Law to operate a foreign plated vehicle without a vehicle permit outside of the Free Zone. The Hotels are awesome, food and drink plentiful. If you are going dancing or clubbing, crowds are packed into most venues.

Another popular gathering spot is in Texas, South Padre islands. Obviously you do not need to posses vehicle permits here, but if you are curious about Mexico, head over to Matamoros. You can walk or drive across. If you drive, just make sure you have Mexico Tourist Auto insurance, which we can help you with that. Mexico to satisfy your curiosity about Mexico, make sure you bring along your Passport again. If driving you do not need a vehicle permit here, as it is located on what is called the “frontera”, however if you intend on going deeper into Mexico, then you would have to purchase a vehicle permit. In ALL circumstances, you MUST cancel or turn in your Mexico Vehicle Permit upon exiting Mexico. Failure to do so could cost you time, $$$, and a lot of frustration.

Another awesome Spring Break destination is Cancun, Mexico. One of my favorite places. Clear water, awesome food, and fantastic weather. A bit pricier, especially for college students, but well worth it if your parents or you can afford it. For older, say more mature travelers, this time of year is generally not great in Cancun. Unless of course you don’t mind the noise, and watching people throwing up. I’d pick any other time to go to Cancun. I’d pick any other time to go to any of these destinations, if you are a seasoned traveler.

You will still need a U.S. passport, though driving to Cancun can be an adventure, most people will want to fly. You will also require a Visa that is provided by your airline.

We can provide you with Mexico Tourist Auto insurance and Int’l Health & Accident if your destination is Mexico or anywhere else outside of the continental U.S. Laws in Mexico differ substantially than the U.S. If you have any questions about it, please feel free to call or contact us via E Mail or this blog.

Stay safe, have fun, and watch out for each other. You want fond memories, not bad ones!

For all of your Mexico Auto, Homeowners, Motorcycles, Boats and International Health Insurance needs, please call us at 1-800-434-3966 OR Email us at ici@mxici.com or visit us at mxici.com to issue your own policy. We appreciate your business!

What happens if we cannot turn in our Mexican Temporary Import Permit or TIP?

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Unfortunately, that is one of the pitfalls of operating a foreign vehicle in Mexico. There are obviously circumstances that occur where this might affect your ability to turn in the TIP.

One such scenario includes the possibility of your vehicle being stolen while in Mexico. If that occurs, then you obviously no longer posses the TIP, as it is with the car. That is why it is important, I would suggest critical, that you do a few logical things to help you in as many differing scenarios as possible.

For example, use your Smart phone, I Phone or whatever phone you posses that has photographic capabilities to photograph:

  1. All of the necessary documents needed to personally travel in Mexico. Your Visas and U.S. Passport for example.
  2. The same for all of your Vehicle documents, including a copy of your Temporary Vehicle Importation Permit or TIP as it is called.
  3. A copy of your Mexico Tourist Auto insurance

I would send this file (copies of documents) to your E Mail account as well. If you lose the phone, or the vehicle containing all of the paperwork, you still would have access to the documents.

If your vehicle is stolen, then you will need to contact the local police and request a physical hard copy of the Theft Report. If the vehicle is suffers a total loss, you will still need a Police Report, and hopefully you can have them or your Mexico insurance adjustor to scrap off the vehicle permit. Do not lose the TIP. You MUST still visit the Aduana / Banjercito office that issues these TIP, hopefully the same one you acquired your TIP at.

You must then provide them with a copy of the Police Report, copies of the aforementioned documents, and an Adjustors Report. When you go through the process of turning in your TIP, make absolutely certain that you get an original receipt from the Aduana / Banjercito office that you turned in (cancelled) your TIP.

If you don’t turn it in, you will forfeit your “Bond” you most likely paid with your credit card, the amount which is determined by your vehicles manufactured date:

Vehicle Year Model
2007 and later 400 USD $
2001 until 2006 300 USD $
2000 and earlier 200 USD $

You are also subject to possible fines, and permanent duties that Aduana might levy. There is also the probability that you will not be allowed to apply for a TIP on a future vehicle you may want to take again into Mexico, until you get the current one “cancelled”.

You may think, that Aduana will not know from one Port to another if you have an outstanding non cancelled TIP. Wrong! They, like every other nation, are networked nationwide. They go by your Passport, which is unique only to you.

If, for whatever reason you have not achieved any resolution to this requirement, or if you have forgotten to “cancel” the TIP and are in the U.S. you should be able to get the needed help by calling:

Within Mexico  01 – 800 – 463 – 6728 Don’t forget the 0 before the 1. Must use a Mexican phone to call this #

From the U.S.    1 – 877 – 448 – 8728 Be sure to follow the prompts, for TIP, 7, 2, 2, 1, 1

We hope this helps you! Please feel free to call us with any questions you may have regarding this process.

For all of your Mexico Auto, Homeowners, Motorcycles, Boats and International Health Insurance needs, please call us at 1-800-434-3966 OR Email us at ici@mxici.com or visit us at mxici.com to issue your own policy. We appreciate your business!

What documents are needed to travel in Mexico

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The process for entering into Mexico via Automobile (land), by sea, or air is as follows.

As of January 2007, the United States will require U.S. citizens to present a valid U.S. passport or other accepted identification when entering or departing the United States by air or sea travel to or from Mexico or Canada.

U.S. Citizens are required to show proof of citizenship when traveling to and from Mexico. Each visitor needs a valid picture I.D. and one of the following:

* a state-issued birth certificate with an affixed seal, or
* a naturalization certificate, with a laminated naturalization card, or
* a valid U.S. passport

If flying into Mexico, you will receive a Mexico Tourist Card and a Mexico Customs Declaration form to be completed prior to your reaching your destination. All visitors, including all minor infants and children, must be in possession of a Tourist Card. Don’t lose or misplace your Tourist card as it is needed for your return flight.

Minors – In addition to possessing one of the forms of documentation mentioned above, an unaccompanied U.S. or Canadian citizen under 18 years of age must have the following:

* If traveling alone, the minor must carry a notarized letter signed by both parents giving permission to do so.
* If traveling with one parent, he or she must have a notarized letter from the absent parent giving permission for the traveling parent to take the minor out of the country, or an original court order indicating that the traveling parent has full custody.
* If the minor is traveling with one parent, and the other is deceased, the deceased parent’s Death Certificate must be presented.

Listen, these procedures are not always followed verbatim, especially in Mexico. It is however, wise to posses everything in order to proceed with as little difficulty and sometimes irritation as possible.

Mexico Travel Documents To enter Mexico you will need the following:

As previously mentioned, a valid passport or your birth certificate with embossed seal and government issued photo ID, generally a valid Drivers License. It is a good idea to have at least 3 copies of these documents, allowing you to save some time at the Port of Entry, or in dealing with Aduana. They are the “Mexican Customs” located approximately 18 miles into the interior of all Mexican border cities and towns from Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. That allows you to not stand in line so long, and to avoid paying for extra copies.

We suggest you keep an extra set of all your important documents, such as passports, vehicle registration, titles, etc. at home with one of your emergency contacts, if needed. In addition, if you have E Mail, you might want to scan a copy of your important documents and save them in your PC or cell.

Vehicle Permits

IMPORTANT NOTE:

You do not need a Vehicle Permit in the “Free Zones”. That is the Mexican states that border California, and most of Arizona. Along the Texas, New Mexico, border is considered “free” or Frontera as well. However, once you arrive at a Port of Entry generally between 18 to 26 kilometers, then you have to acquire the vehicle permit.

* If you are a Mexican Citizen, you need to prove your citizenship by providing a Passport, Proof of Work Authorization in the U.S., your Resident Alien Card, or Naturalization Certificate.
* If traveling beyond the frontera, or border, then you will also need to provide a copy of your Registration, or cars Title (if you have one, Canadians provide only Registration) A bill of sale is not valid proof of vehicle ownership.
* A credit card for the temporary importation of your vehicle, which includes the vehicles permit, good for up to 180 days. NOTE: You MUST return the permit if you are not going to re-enter Mexico prior to your vehicle permits expiration. Failure to do so will cost you the “bond” that has been charged to your credit/debit card.
*IMPORTANT: For financed, leased, rental or company owned vehicles, you must obtain a letter from the actual owner authorizing you to take the vehicle into Mexico, which will typically entail the purchase of a full coverage Mexico Tourist Auto policy. You should always purchase at least a 3rd party Mexico insurance policy from a legally licensed Mexican insurance company. That can be purchased in the U.S.

As in all Gov’t sanctioned requirements, they can be changed by the Mexican, or U.S. Gov’t at any time.

Now go enjoy your adventure! If you have any questions, please feel free to call or E Mail.

For all of your Mexico Auto and International health insurance needs, please call us at 1-800-434-3966 OR Email us at ici@mxici.com or visit us at mxici.com to issue your own policy. We appreciate your business!