GUIDELINES FOR U.S. AND CANADIAN CITIZENS TRAVELING IN MEXICO:
(Updated 08 June 2007)
MEXICO TOURIST PERMITS REQUIRED:
There are only two official documents required for United States and Canadian citizens traveling by land in Mexico past the 20-kilometer checkpoint as tourists via private vehicle:
I. Each Individual:
(1.) The "Migratory Form for Foreign Tourist" (FM-T), commonly referred to as the "Tourist Card". The first (top) portion only of the FM-T applies to us (general tourists). The center portion applies to business related visitors. The FM-T is issued at Mexican Consulates located in border cities (Brownsville, McAllen, Laredo, etc.), and at all border-crossing stations, including International bridges. The free of charge 7 day FM-T is no longer available (as-of early March 2007). You may request the FM-T for any period of time, up to 180 days maximum. The cost is the same, around $22.00 U.S., regardless of the number of days for which the permit is valid. I recommend the 180 day FM-T. The ITV (vehicle permit which is discussed later) will be issued for the same time period as the FM-T. The FM-T must be paid for in cash (dollars or pesos), and stamped at any national bank when it is issued, or upon entering Mexico in order to be valid. The FM-T allows multiple entries into Mexico within the effective period.
You must provide the following documents when you apply for an FM-T: 1) - a valid U.S. or Canadian passport (preferred) OR, 2) - an original (or a certified copy of an original) birth certificate AND, an official document containing a photo I.D., such as a driver's license.
Should a person choose to remain in Mexico for a period longer than authorized by his/her FM-T, an extension may be requested from the immigration authorities prior to the expiration date.
You MUST surrender your FM-T to the appropriate immigration authorities prior to its expiration.
II. Each Vehicle: (requirements applicable to automobiles and motorcycles)
(2.) Temporary Import Permit for each vehicle - "Permiso de Importacion Temporal de Vehiculos" (ITV). The ITV may be obtained in advance at any Mexican Consulate known as a "Banjercito". In Texas, only three Mexican Consulates are Banjercitos: Austin, Dallas, and Houston. There are Mexican Consulates in other states that are also Banjercitos. I have a list of these consulates and will inform you of any in your state upon request. Should you obtain your ITV in advance from a Banjercito Consulate, be sure that the effective dates are consistent with the dates that will appear on your FM-T when you apply for it later at a U.S. border city Mexican Consulate or at a border-crossing station (Banjercito Consulates do not issue the FM-T Tourist Card). If you do not obtain your ITV at a Banjercito Consulate in advance for your trip to Mexico, you must apply for it at a border-crossing Banjercito Modulo (branch office). The vehicle owner must first obtain his/her FM-T (either at a border city Mexican Consulate or at a border-crossing Mexican Immigration Office), then present it to the Banjercito along with the other documents required for issuance of the ITV. You must furnish proof of ownership of the vehicle - an original title (or a certified copy of the original title). The state of Texas no longer issues a "non-negotiable" title to serve as proof of ownership of a vehicle that has a recorded lien. The "Texas Certificate of Title" (aka the original title) is mailed to the 1st lienholder. The "Title Application Receipt" now serves as the vehicle owner's proof of registration, and as proof of the vehicle's ownership while the lien is in effect.
If your vehicle is financed (has a lien recorded on the title and/or the title application receipt), you must also provide an original notarized letter (not a copy) from the lien holder authorizing the owner to take the vehicle into Mexico. You must provide what in essence amounts to a "return guarantee bond" by one of the following methods: Present a valid credit card (American Express, MasterCard, or Visa) OR, submit cash in an amount relative to the age of the vehicle (between $200. and $400. U.S.) to Banjercito.
A non-refundable processing fee of around $30. (U.S.) will be assessed upon issuance of the ITV permit. No additional assessments will be charged to your credit card, and in the case of a cash deposit, a full refund will be provided upon verification of the vehicle and return of the ITV hologram to any Banjercito at the Mexican border prior to the expiration date.
You will be provided with a receipt upon cancellation of the ITV. This is an important document that you should safeguard, as it serves as proof of your having returned the vehicle from Mexico if any question should arise at a later date. You should always carry a copy of this receipt with you when applying for an ITV in the future.
An individual registered vehicle owner is only allowed one outstanding ITV permit at any given time. For example, if you are seeking issuance of ITVs for two vehicles, both of which are registered in your name, with the intention of allowing a spouse or other family member to operate one of the units in Mexico, one of the permit applications will be denied. If an individual who has an outstanding (non-cancelled) ITV in his/her name, for any vehicle, he/she will not be able to obtain another ITV until such time as the outstanding ITV is cancelled and proof of cancellation can be furnished.
The period of time for which the ITV is valid is determined by the length of time that the applicant's FM-T is valid, not to exceed 180 days.
All documents furnished to Banjercito as required for the ITV application (passport or birth certificate, FM-T, vehicle title, notarized lien holder's authorization, driver's license, and credit card) must all be in the same individual's name. The documents will be copied, and the originals returned to you.
Comments relative to both required permits - (FM-T and ITV): Extensions may be issued upon request from the appropriate authorities (Immigration for the FM-T / Banjercito for the ITV), provided the request for extension is submitted prior to the relative permit's expiration date. The extension applications may be somewhat complicated and time consuming, and I do not recommend these requests unless it is absolutely necessary. I recommend that individuals in our groups apply for the 180 day FM-T initially. With a 180-day FM-T, the ITV will also be valid for 180 days. The 180-day permits will allow multiple entries into Mexico within the effective period, with no additional expense and no additional application requirements. It is highly unlikely that any extension would be necessary where an individual has permits that are valid for 180-days to begin with.
Failure to return these permits at a border crossing station prior to expiration, may result in your being refused entry into Mexico in the future, and/or may subject you to a substantial fine.
(Updated 08 June 2007)
MEXICO TOURIST PERMITS REQUIRED:
There are only two official documents required for United States and Canadian citizens traveling by land in Mexico past the 20-kilometer checkpoint as tourists via private vehicle:
I. Each Individual:
(1.) The "Migratory Form for Foreign Tourist" (FM-T), commonly referred to as the "Tourist Card". The first (top) portion only of the FM-T applies to us (general tourists). The center portion applies to business related visitors. The FM-T is issued at Mexican Consulates located in border cities (Brownsville, McAllen, Laredo, etc.), and at all border-crossing stations, including International bridges. The free of charge 7 day FM-T is no longer available (as-of early March 2007). You may request the FM-T for any period of time, up to 180 days maximum. The cost is the same, around $22.00 U.S., regardless of the number of days for which the permit is valid. I recommend the 180 day FM-T. The ITV (vehicle permit which is discussed later) will be issued for the same time period as the FM-T. The FM-T must be paid for in cash (dollars or pesos), and stamped at any national bank when it is issued, or upon entering Mexico in order to be valid. The FM-T allows multiple entries into Mexico within the effective period.
You must provide the following documents when you apply for an FM-T: 1) - a valid U.S. or Canadian passport (preferred) OR, 2) - an original (or a certified copy of an original) birth certificate AND, an official document containing a photo I.D., such as a driver's license.
Should a person choose to remain in Mexico for a period longer than authorized by his/her FM-T, an extension may be requested from the immigration authorities prior to the expiration date.
You MUST surrender your FM-T to the appropriate immigration authorities prior to its expiration.
II. Each Vehicle: (requirements applicable to automobiles and motorcycles)
(2.) Temporary Import Permit for each vehicle - "Permiso de Importacion Temporal de Vehiculos" (ITV). The ITV may be obtained in advance at any Mexican Consulate known as a "Banjercito". In Texas, only three Mexican Consulates are Banjercitos: Austin, Dallas, and Houston. There are Mexican Consulates in other states that are also Banjercitos. I have a list of these consulates and will inform you of any in your state upon request. Should you obtain your ITV in advance from a Banjercito Consulate, be sure that the effective dates are consistent with the dates that will appear on your FM-T when you apply for it later at a U.S. border city Mexican Consulate or at a border-crossing station (Banjercito Consulates do not issue the FM-T Tourist Card). If you do not obtain your ITV at a Banjercito Consulate in advance for your trip to Mexico, you must apply for it at a border-crossing Banjercito Modulo (branch office). The vehicle owner must first obtain his/her FM-T (either at a border city Mexican Consulate or at a border-crossing Mexican Immigration Office), then present it to the Banjercito along with the other documents required for issuance of the ITV. You must furnish proof of ownership of the vehicle - an original title (or a certified copy of the original title). The state of Texas no longer issues a "non-negotiable" title to serve as proof of ownership of a vehicle that has a recorded lien. The "Texas Certificate of Title" (aka the original title) is mailed to the 1st lienholder. The "Title Application Receipt" now serves as the vehicle owner's proof of registration, and as proof of the vehicle's ownership while the lien is in effect.
If your vehicle is financed (has a lien recorded on the title and/or the title application receipt), you must also provide an original notarized letter (not a copy) from the lien holder authorizing the owner to take the vehicle into Mexico. You must provide what in essence amounts to a "return guarantee bond" by one of the following methods: Present a valid credit card (American Express, MasterCard, or Visa) OR, submit cash in an amount relative to the age of the vehicle (between $200. and $400. U.S.) to Banjercito.
A non-refundable processing fee of around $30. (U.S.) will be assessed upon issuance of the ITV permit. No additional assessments will be charged to your credit card, and in the case of a cash deposit, a full refund will be provided upon verification of the vehicle and return of the ITV hologram to any Banjercito at the Mexican border prior to the expiration date.
You will be provided with a receipt upon cancellation of the ITV. This is an important document that you should safeguard, as it serves as proof of your having returned the vehicle from Mexico if any question should arise at a later date. You should always carry a copy of this receipt with you when applying for an ITV in the future.
An individual registered vehicle owner is only allowed one outstanding ITV permit at any given time. For example, if you are seeking issuance of ITVs for two vehicles, both of which are registered in your name, with the intention of allowing a spouse or other family member to operate one of the units in Mexico, one of the permit applications will be denied. If an individual who has an outstanding (non-cancelled) ITV in his/her name, for any vehicle, he/she will not be able to obtain another ITV until such time as the outstanding ITV is cancelled and proof of cancellation can be furnished.
The period of time for which the ITV is valid is determined by the length of time that the applicant's FM-T is valid, not to exceed 180 days.
All documents furnished to Banjercito as required for the ITV application (passport or birth certificate, FM-T, vehicle title, notarized lien holder's authorization, driver's license, and credit card) must all be in the same individual's name. The documents will be copied, and the originals returned to you.
Comments relative to both required permits - (FM-T and ITV): Extensions may be issued upon request from the appropriate authorities (Immigration for the FM-T / Banjercito for the ITV), provided the request for extension is submitted prior to the relative permit's expiration date. The extension applications may be somewhat complicated and time consuming, and I do not recommend these requests unless it is absolutely necessary. I recommend that individuals in our groups apply for the 180 day FM-T initially. With a 180-day FM-T, the ITV will also be valid for 180 days. The 180-day permits will allow multiple entries into Mexico within the effective period, with no additional expense and no additional application requirements. It is highly unlikely that any extension would be necessary where an individual has permits that are valid for 180-days to begin with.
Failure to return these permits at a border crossing station prior to expiration, may result in your being refused entry into Mexico in the future, and/or may subject you to a substantial fine.